Stellar Blade, which was initially announced as Project Eve, has changed the landscape of the gaming industry since its reveal as a PlayStation 5 exclusive. Developed by South Korean studio Shift Up, whose ambitions were to enter the AAA gaming arena, many were skeptical about the studio's ability to deliver a product that on par with other PlayStation exclusives that have defined the console.

However, all doubts began to evaporate when fans had the chance to play the Stellar Blade demo, and the full version of the game has proven that the demo's success was no fluke. With its thrilling action and compelling narrative, Stellar Blade has been a significant addition to the PS5 exclusive catalog and is a potential Game of the Year candidate.

Gameplay

Stellar Blade offers an immersive experience with thrilling action scenes, stylistically often compared to Bayonetta due to its highly sexualized main character. However, the game has more in common with FromSoftware's Sekiro. The game is essentially a more forgiving version of Sekiro, with a heavy focus on melee combat and parrying. Anyone who enters the world of Stellar Blade with the hope of getting through the game by purely hacking and slashing will be pleasantly surprised, as mastering parrying techniques is a must.

The combat mechanics in Stellar Blade are nicely designed, giving players a lot of latitude in parrying, so the game rarely gets frustrating or too difficult. As long as players are patient and study the boss's patterns carefully, they will be able to execute perfect blocks that leave opponents open for devastating special attacks. As with Sekiro, every enemy in Stellar Blade is a threat that should be taken seriously, and as with most FromSoftware games, the boss fights are a highlight of the experience.

The boss fights in Stellar Blade are incredible, not only impressive in terms of gameplay but also full of visual spectacle. Each fight is an adrenaline-pumping event, ending with a brilliantly animated QTE scene that sometimes leaves the player stunned, leaving the boss in a state of ruin. FromSoftware fans are familiar with the feeling of satisfaction and relief that comes after defeating a boss in their games, and Stellar Blade manages to capture that same feeling.

Graphics and Visuals

Stellar Blade's visuals are a blend of rich artistic style and cutting-edge graphics technology, resulting in an immersive, detailed world that captivates the eye. Every location in the game is meticulously designed, from ruined city environments to dark and gloomy dungeons, all rendered with stunning detail that takes advantage of the PS5's power.

Character animations, especially in combat, are smooth and responsive, giving every action a real weight and impact. Visual effects such as sparks, light, and shadows are enriched with details that increase the depth and realism of the gaming experience.

Storyline and Narrative

Narratively, Stellar Blade takes a bold approach but doesn't quite manage to reach the expected level of quality, although it is quite entertaining. In the world of Stellar Blade, strange creatures known as Naytiba have taken over the planet, forcing humanity to retreat into space. The game's protagonist, Eve, is sent back to Earth to fight these monsters. With an action-packed storyline and interesting characters, Stellar Blade invites players to dive into a thrilling story of human survival.

However, Stellar Blade openly sexualizes Eve and almost all the other female characters, while the men are almost always dressed so heavily that only their heads are visible. Some men don't even have fully visible heads, instead wearing bulky helmets or having metal pieces grafted onto their faces. Eve's outfits are often silly and laugh-out-loud because the story is played so seriously.

Verdict

While Stellar Blade may not be a Soulslike in the traditional sense, its elements inspired by FromSoftware's games will definitely appeal to fans of the genre. Despite some shortcomings in narrative and less interesting side content, Stellar Blade overcomes these shortcomings with amazing main battles and interesting locations to explore. If you're looking for an action game that provides a satisfying challenge and satisfying melee combat, Stellar Blade is a choice worth considering and is one of the PS5's best exclusives, offering gamers an unforgettable and immersive experience.