Stellar Blade

Stellar Blade is a pleasant surprise. It is a better action game than I expected, with better art, audio, and action than I had hoped for. As far as first attempts at making an action game go it's a damn good effort.

88%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, monetization

96% User Score Based on 15,182 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 57 reviews

Platforms

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About

Stellar Blade is a single player hack and slash game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by SHIFT UP Corporation and was released on April 26, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Stellar Blade, originally announced as Project Eve, is a single-player Science Fiction Role Playing game with an interesting plot, outstanding game mechanics, good visuals, and ingenious music. As Eve, players land on Earth to reclaim it from the NA:tive and cross paths with a survivor named Adam, leading them to the last surviving city, Xion. Here, Eve builds relationships with key members and contributes to rebuilding the city while making decisions on whether to help the survivors, adding a layer of player choice to the overall narrative."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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96%

Audience ScoreBased on 15,182 reviews

story2.1k positive mentions

grinding144 negative mentions

The music in 'Stellar Blade' is exceptional, enhancing the game's atmosphere and combat experience, often compared to the soundtrack of 'Nier: Automata'.
The graphics are stunning, with detailed character models and vibrant environments, praised for their visual fidelity and smooth performance even on mid-range hardware.
The gameplay is engaging and satisfying, featuring fluid combat mechanics that blend action RPG and souls-like elements, making encounters feel rewarding and dynamic.

The story is often criticized for being predictable and lacking character development, with some side quests feeling like repetitive fetch tasks.
Certain aspects of the game, such as the music and atmosphere, can feel repetitive or underwhelming, detracting from the overall experience.
Some players report performance issues, including stuttering and freezing, which can significantly impact gameplay despite the game's overall optimization.

story
5,978 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
58%
7%
The story of *Stellar Blade* has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it engaging yet predictable, often drawing comparisons to *Nier: Automata*. While some appreciate the emotional depth and twists, others criticize it for being cliché and lacking character development, particularly in side quests that often feel like repetitive fetch tasks. Overall, the narrative serves its purpose in driving gameplay forward, but many hope for a more polished and intricate story in potential sequels.
- “The story is engaging, the characters are memorable, and the overall presentation is top-notch.”
- “The story kept me invested all the way through and most of the time it takes itself seriously but it does give itself moments to lighten up, those moments never felt off or like knock off slapstick mcu comedy.”
- “The story is surprisingly captivating, combining emotional moments with thought-provoking themes about humanity and survival.”
- “The game story itself is somewhat predictable, but nevertheless is good.”
- “Combat is super good but I don't know if it's worth overwhelmingly positive because the story does kind of suck.”
- “The story is uninspired... or I guess, it's so inspired that it wears its inspiration way too openly.”
gameplay
3,060 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
45%
3%
The gameplay of "Stellar Blade" has received widespread acclaim for its engaging combat mechanics, which blend elements from action RPGs and souls-like games, particularly emphasizing parrying and dodging. Players appreciate the fluidity and responsiveness of the controls, alongside a variety of combos and skills that evolve throughout the game, making encounters feel rewarding and dynamic. While some critiques mention issues with platforming and enemy variety, the overall consensus is that the gameplay is both fun and satisfying, often overshadowing the narrative elements.
- “The gameplay is satisfying, you can feel the developers' passion in world building and that certain pair of lore.”
- “Super fun gameplay, really great graphics, great character design and personalities, and costumes, awesome boss fights and cool enemies, great environments, overall highly recommend.”
- “The core gameplay loop of Stellar Blade is quite good, featuring some solid souls-like combat along with occasional platforming and a few mini games.”
- “Kinda eh mechanics, like the dodging feels terrible with an incredibly small window/dodge length. Yes, there are upgrades for this, but default is mediocre, and if you don't parry perfectly, you get hit. Lowkey too, hard difficulty just bullet sponges the enemies and makes you die in like 3 hits, so it's just a number tweak.”
- “The core combat mechanics of the game just don't feel right to me.”
- “The gameplay is awful, the story is a sub-par retelling of the Nier: Automata series, and the missions are tedious and boring.”
music
2,743 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
39%
2%
The music in "Stellar Blade" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its exceptional quality and emotional depth, often drawing comparisons to the soundtrack of "Nier: Automata." While the game features a diverse range of musical styles, including orchestral, electronic, and pop influences, some players noted that certain tracks can become repetitive during extended gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout element, enhancing the game's atmosphere and combat experience, making it a significant highlight for players.
- “The combat, music, and atmosphere are s-tier, the same as if not better than Nier.”
- “Don't even get me started on the soundtrack; exploring the open world for collectibles and side quests is incredibly relaxing and not instantly tedious thanks to the amazing music.”
- “The music is phenomenal, obviously taking cues from Nier and Nier: Automata.”
- “The music is extremely repetitive, literally one song playing for the first hour.”
- “The soundtrack felt too repetitive and eventually became tiring.”
- “The music also doesn't really fit the vibe - a game like this calls for fast-paced exciting music, but the background music in a lot of areas is basically a sleepy ballad.”
graphics
2,177 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
33%
1%
The graphics of "Stellar Blade" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visual fidelity, detailed character models, and vibrant environments, often described as breathtaking and reminiscent of high-quality anime aesthetics. Players have noted the game's excellent optimization, allowing for smooth performance even on mid-range hardware, and the visuals are complemented by a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some critiques mention minor texture issues and a lack of variety in certain environments, the overall consensus is that the graphics are a standout feature, making the game visually impressive and engaging.
- “Absolutely stunning graphics, music that makes you never wanna turn the volume down and combat that flows so smoothly that the idea of hitting alt f4 becomes sacrilegious.”
- “The graphics are stunning, the combat is tight and responsive – those dodges feel so good – and I didn’t encounter a single bug.”
- “The visuals are absolutely stunning – every environment feels alive, detailed, and beautifully crafted.”
- “The graphics are pretty mediocre though.”
- “The game is also very demanding and not optimized the best which is to be expected from a modern game running Unreal Engine 5; I was able to play on medium to high graphics for my playthrough but ran into VRAM issues whilst playing on my 32GB RAM Nvidia 3070 GPU laptop.”
- “The graphics, character designs, and concept are really cool, just not well executed in my opinion.”
optimization
1,438 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
35%
6%
The optimization of "Stellar Blade" has received widespread acclaim, with many players noting its impressive performance across a range of hardware, including lower-end systems. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to run smoothly at high settings, often exceeding 60 FPS, even on older graphics cards, and commend the lack of significant bugs or stuttering. Despite some minor performance issues in specific areas, the overall consensus is that the game sets a high standard for PC ports, showcasing exceptional optimization that stands out in a landscape often plagued by poorly optimized releases.
- “The optimization of the game is a miracle itself.”
- “Performance needs to be noted because for a modern PC release, especially a port from what was originally a console exclusive, this runs absolutely flawlessly.”
- “In this day and age of games releasing with horrible PC performance, Stellar Blade releases day one with almost perfect performance and very good stability, easily reaching 100+ fps running at 2k (1440p) on a 4060.”
- “The game runs like trash even when it's plugged in and on high performance.”
- “Performance is terrible, non-stop stuttering; I don't know how to fix it.”
- “I experienced some minor performance issues and they were not during gameplay.”
character development
364 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
43%
3%
Character development in "Stellar Blade" has received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning character designs and visuals while criticizing the depth of character arcs and storytelling. While some players found Eve's journey from a stoic android to a more emotionally aware character compelling, others noted that overall character development is minimal and often overshadowed by the game's focus on aesthetics and combat. The narrative is seen as lacking in emotional weight and complexity, suggesting that while the character designs are exceptional, the development and writing could benefit from further depth and nuance.
- “Came here for Eve's genuinely touching character development, a pretty decent story that kept me interested, several well-written character dynamics, gorgeous set pieces and areas, and a great OST to boot.”
- “Very fun to play, great world and character design, collectibles are worth getting and fun/help with exploration, good lore and story, watching Eve go from a stoic mission-driven bot to learning what it means to be human is such a good trip.”
- “The game lays a solid foundation for potential sequels, and with improvements in writing and character design, it could evolve into a beloved franchise.”
- “The story and character development could use more depth — at times, the narrative doesn’t quite live up to the world’s potential.”
- “Eve is a good main character, but she has almost no character development.”
- “The game’s visuals are stunning, with detailed environments and character designs that bring the universe to life, but the character development is lacking.”
emotional
264 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The emotional aspect of "Stellar Blade" receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its heartfelt storytelling, character development, and impactful soundtrack that evoke strong feelings. However, many criticize the writing and character depth, noting that while certain moments resonate emotionally, the overall narrative often lacks the complexity and emotional weight found in similar titles like "Nier: Automata." Ultimately, while the game offers some touching scenes and character arcs, it struggles to maintain consistent emotional engagement throughout.
- “The story is surprisingly emotional and beautifully told, with powerful moments that hit deep.”
- “Eve’s journey is emotional and impactful, and the supporting cast adds real depth.”
- “Stellar blade is an exhilarating action RPG that truly stands out with its breathtaking visuals, emotional storytelling, and captivating gameplay.”
- “Boring gameplay, boring story, terrible map and level design, etc. The only thing it really has going for it is the visuals, but even those just feel like the usual Unreal Engine experience.”
- “A really well-made combat model that is dragged down by a boring story and cringey character designs.”
- “Boring story that wishes it was a Nier game.”
atmosphere
241 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
43%
2%
The atmosphere of "Stellar Blade" is widely praised for its immersive and beautifully crafted environments, which range from haunting post-apocalyptic landscapes to vibrant, neon-lit cities. The soundtrack complements the gameplay perfectly, enhancing the emotional depth and engagement during exploration and combat. While some players note that certain areas can feel empty or underwhelming, the overall aesthetic and atmospheric design are considered standout features that draw players into the game's world.
- “The atmosphere is fantastic honestly, I can’t think of another game besides Final Fantasy X that left me so breathless.”
- “The world design is beautiful and atmospheric, with a mix of open exploration and linear story-driven areas that keep things fresh.”
- “From peaceful exploration tracks to high-energy boss themes, the soundtrack nails the mood and adds a lot to the game’s atmosphere.”
- “The only complaint that I have is that the open world areas do feel kind of empty (maybe given the atmosphere, that's intended), as well as the abundance of yellow paint in the game.”
- “Sadly, the atmosphere was pretty boring, a desert and some underground levels in yet another generic post-apocalyptic earth.”
- “The style, atmosphere, and combat all feel quite bland and soulless.”
stability
185 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
2%
28%
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many users reporting smooth performance and minimal bugs or glitches. While some players experienced minor issues, such as occasional freezes or graphical glitches, these did not significantly impact gameplay. The consensus is that the game is well-optimized, running great on various systems, including lower-end PCs and the Steam Deck, making it a solid choice for players seeking a stable gaming experience.
- “The game runs great, looks amazing, and is well optimized, making it a rare gem in today's gaming landscape.”
- “Completely bug free on day one, absolutely no lag or stutter, and the game runs as smooth as butter.”
- “Runs great, visually stunning, and the gameplay is so much fun and rewarding.”
- “I cannot in good faith recommend this game at the current moment; it's a buggy mess.”
- “The game consistently freezes and inevitably crashes.”
- “Release runs like shit; even with every setting and engine option turned off, any mouse movement instantly freezes the game.”
grinding
172 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
13%
84%
The reviews indicate a mixed sentiment regarding grinding in the game. While some players find the grinding aspects, such as farming for collectibles and completing side quests, to be tedious and repetitive, others appreciate the engaging combat and exploration that make the grind feel less burdensome. Overall, the experience varies significantly, with some players enjoying the grind for its rewards, while others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “Ng+ is pretty good: you get a new bunch of enhanced moves, costumes, and keep all the collectibles from the first playthrough. The collectibles are tracked well, so it's not that tedious to complete achievements connected to them.”
- “The gorgeous world design, beautiful music (seriously, the OSTs are superb), and interesting story are way better than I expected. Hunting collectibles felt rewarding and not tedious at all.”
- “The game is also very rewarding and not tediously level designed, so exploring is actually fun and doesn't feel like a grind to try and get everything on the map.”
- “Grindy, slow, unfun, requires you to mash a button, which considering you are expected to farm this minigame for about an hour or so - hurts.”
- “An alright experience first playthrough, tried getting 100% in my first playthrough doing whatever side quests there are - was the most tedious and lame experience ever, pretty much no guidance and is mostly running around looking for xyz.”
- “The eventual thrill of victory at the end is small and insignificant compared to the tedious, immersion-breaking repetitive frustration, especially when your honest efforts are further sabotaged by, again, awkward timing windows and delay.”
replayability
123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
50%
4%
The game boasts high replayability, primarily due to features like New Game Plus (NG+), multiple endings, and a variety of collectibles and challenges that encourage players to revisit the experience. Many reviewers highlight the engaging combat, side quests, and character stories as factors that enhance replay value, although some express concerns about tedious aspects of collecting items across multiple playthroughs. Overall, players appreciate the depth and variety that contribute to a satisfying replay experience.
- “Very replayable, as it has new game plus and permits you to replay everything while keeping your found items.”
- “Lastly, replayability is quite high due to the various endings, nanosuits, and boss challenges.”
- “There is a ton of replay value with new game plus modes, several endings, and a ton of nice looking costumes to unlock.”
- “Replayability: 6/10, you can do an infinite number of new game + runs, however having collectibles locked behind multiple playthroughs of the same story seems tedious and annoying.”
- “I did have fun through my first playthrough, but in my opinion, there isn't really any replay value here, and as previously mentioned, there are much better games that I would recommend before this.”
- “I think the replayability is limited for this game; after you play for a while, you start seeing through the illusions, and the game's somewhat shallow design surfaces.”
humor
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding enjoyment in its absurdity, quirky side quests, and amusing character interactions, though some criticize the writing and story for being unintentionally funny. While the game attempts to balance serious themes with lighthearted moments, the execution often leads to laughter in scenes meant to be dramatic. Overall, the humor is appreciated by many, particularly in the context of character designs and gameplay mechanics, but it can also detract from the intended emotional impact.
- “The story is enjoyable, but I found myself laughing at how absurd things started getting towards the end.”
- “It's funny, I paid for a parry simulator and got a free OST with it.”
- “The game has a strong sense of collectionism, with over a hundred outfits/outfit variations for Eve (the main character) and several other collections to complete, including a very funny can collection, where you fill a display of 49 cans of soft drinks, which are parodies of many international brands like Paulaner or Starbucks.”
monetization
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
58%
22%
The monetization aspect of the game has been overwhelmingly praised for its absence of microtransactions, which many players find refreshing in a market often dominated by cash grabs. Reviewers commend the developers for providing a complete gaming experience with unlockable cosmetics and content through gameplay rather than paywalls, highlighting the game's commitment to player satisfaction over profit. Overall, players appreciate the lack of predatory monetization practices, making it a standout title in the current gaming landscape.
- “It also has very few, if any, microtransactions (just the DLC, I think), and I have to commend the devs for that.”
- “Just super happy this is one of the few standalone games that doesn't include microtransactions when it so easily could have!”
- “Players can find collectibles, health and energy upgrades, and a wide range of cosmetics, all unlockable in-game without microtransactions, which adds to the sense of accomplishment.”
- “This is a cash grab supported by a bunch of thirsty nerds.”
- “Basically a cash grabber, the DLC contents are much less polished, poor cloth designs, bad model rigging and physics, lifeless NPCs, boring and short quest-lines.”
- “I'm tired of hearing 'it's just cosmetic microtransactions... it doesn't impact gameplay.' If the game isn't free-to-play, if the game has a price tag on it, then most cosmetics should only exist as a reward for the player to earn.”