About halfway throughStellar Blade , its hero sandwich , Eve , campaign Tachy , a former friend and mentor turned enemy . It ’s an reverence - inspiring battle thanks in part to Tachy ’s striking design — one that contains shade of both Sephiroth andElden Ring‘s Melenia . The “ cool ” factor did n’t last long . Even though I was live a visually sensational conflict withdeep combat , I just did n’t like much about what was going on around it . With a lackluster narration and bland level intention , the flashy action only had so much drag .
Stellar Bladeis undoubtedly gorgeous , but that dish is only skin deep . Strong visuals and excellent enemy design nicely complement thrilling combat that finds the middle basis betweenDark SoulsandBayonetta . But the fashion - over - substance approach to developer Shift Up ’s PlayStation 5 exclusive entrust me wanting something more .
A not-so-stellar story
Stellar Bladefollows Eve , a soldier made to disembarrass Earth of the threat called the Naytiba . They are grotesque creatures that can grow to be quite powerful and brutal . Eve ’s airborne squad , including Tachy , is wiped out almost immediately , but she ’s saved by a Scavenger aptly identify Adam . After that , she works with Adam and another soldier named Lily to rid the world of the Naytiba threat and instruct more about where they total from . Unfortunately , this plot did n’t do much to grab me beyond that strong sci - fi apparatus .
Eve and Adam are n’t particularly strong quality , while Lily often feels sideline despite having a standout spokesperson public presentation . Thematically , Stellar Bladeasks what it signify to be human and interrogate how religious belief and faith can be weaponize , but it does n’t have much to say on those subject . There are plenty of other story - drivensingle - player activeness gamesto try on the PS5 if a compelling narrative is what you ’re looking for , andStellar Bladelags behind its peers on that front .
wobble Up uses the tarradiddle chiefly as a means to an closing so it can bring Eve to beautiful new locations and have her square off against a murderer ’s rowing of memorable bosses . This tradeoff be given to work more than it neglect becauseStellar Bladehas spectacular art guidance . It run attractively in performance mode , a must - have for an action game like this where timing is key .
The attraction was purely surface - level .
A lot has been said online about the flavour of characters like Eve , but a less - talk about aspect isStellar Blade‘s killer monstrosity designs . I was excited every prison term I entered a new area because I could n’t wait to see what the Naytiba lurking there search like . From float starfish creature to fast-growing pray - mantid - like bugs , even the enemies meant to be easily dispatched have distinct looks .
Shift Up double up down on that strength with gaffer like Tachy , as they look even more impressive . Stellar Bladeis a looker , but once that initial infatuation wore off , I began to finger that my attraction to it was purely Earth’s surface - level . A game can have memorable venue , characters , and enemies , but if there is n’t meaningful content to back them , it ’s not likely to stick with me beyond one playthrough .
Fighting the good fight
Though history is lacking , combat is whereStellar Bladetruly shines . Eve has basic Christ Within and heavy attacks that enable several dissimilar attack combo train , a block to protect herself from damage , a contrivance bankroll to get her out of the way of incoming attacks , and a parry . These are the core fundamentals of most natural action game , andStellar Bladenails them . Combat is slower - paced than it is in titles likeNier : AutomataandDevil May Cry 5 , but there ’s still elbow room for experimentation and flair .
One - on - one fights with Naytiba are particularly satisfying . fill on prominent mathematical group of enemies is very hard early on , but over time , players unlock Beta and Burst abilities that have a wide orbit of result . Each onrush , jazz group , and ability is stylish , but the intensity of dodge , parrying , and timing attack and power is more kindred to aFromSoftware plot . That givesStellar Bladea distinct action manner that sets it apart from the games it draw from .
After beating Tachy , players can activate a powerful combat mode that prevents price and enables some even more powerful onset . The key to doing well inStellar Bladeis not just going on an all - out offence but learning the perfect times to dodge , parry , and use Eve ’s additional abilities . dodge and parrying establish up the Burst , Beta , and Tachy Mode faster and prevent Eve from occupy damage , a worthful resource that can only be restored at camps or with the few healing items players can carry at a time .
natural action Assist is the perfect kind of accessibility option .
Because of that light Soulslike influence , leading Bladeis more hard than your typical character - action mechanism secret plan . Thankfully , it gives players a helpful tool to get good at it . There ’s a characteristic called Action Assist that can be activated while playing on the Story Mode difficulty . This feature slows the biz down and displays the right input for a contrivance or parry on screen . This not only helps role player anticipate or dodge an attack but teaches the right response to sealed enemy attack blueprint as well .
When I was struggling with some of the tougher bosses , using Action Assist allowed me to memorise the best ways to deal with their approach . As a result , I taught myself to get in force with each subsequent run of the fight . Action Assist is the staring variety of accessibility choice for a difficult plot because it does n’t just negate a challenge , it teaches players how to get better .
A flash in the pan
Although the armed combat is great and the stratum look gorgeous , the connective gameplay tissue between combat meeting feel much more uncomplicated . Platforming is firm , and oftentimes , the invention of elongate tier boils down to just finding a passcode or key that can open a door . It ’s exhaustively sterile design that feels like busywork between the more entertaining fights and beautiful vistas .
Stylish scrap and art direction come at the cost of substantive plot innovation .
regrettably , things do n’t get much better in the sandy wastelands that make upStellar Blade’stwo open - mankind - like domain . These are dotted with sidequests to beat , but completing them often just feel like marking boxes on a checklist . Even the more introductory pursuance require Eve to return to Xion , which serves as the seller hub between storey , in rescript to complete them .
It took me around 20 time of day to beatStellar Bladewhile completing enough side message to get to the true ending . Those go for 100 % mop up and the platinum prize could expend double that but will have to look at with dull game design alfresco of combat while doing so .
The thwarting elicited byStellar Blade’slack of substance makes me reflect the wider net discourse surrounding it . By now , you ’re probably familiar with the fact thatStellar Bladeis at the epicentre of aninternet culture warfare . Eve is a traditionally beautiful heroine that players can dress in revealing outfit . Some are using that fact to reason that all women in telecasting game should reckon and dress like Eve . The whole discourse has the same problem thatStellar Bladehas as a game : It ’s Earth’s surface level .
Weshouldbe talk about what ’s underneath that . The noisy conversations centered around Eve ’s looks take away from more worthful discussions aboutStellar Blade‘s weak narration or lack design . Those are the elements switch Up needs to work on if it need to make something that ’s more than a fleeting water cooler discussion . That ’s whatStellar Bladefeels like : a flash in the pan , even if that flash dazzles .
Stellar Bladewas tested on a PS5 .
