Sony continues to deliver PS5 exclusives, with “Rise of the Ronin” released last week and “Stellar Blade” set for release in a month. This underscores that next-generation rendered games are available on PS5 and also highlights South Korea’s capability to produce major AAA titles when provided with adequate resources. Indeed, “Stellar Blade” is developed by Shift Up, a relatively unknown South Korean studio previously focused on mobile games, similar to Game Science from China, which will release “Black Myth Wukong” next summer. As I often mention, Asia is rising and Japan won’t be the sole region offering ambitious, high-quality games. Regarding “Stellar Blade,” known as Project EVE in 2019, the game has made significant progress since then, capturing Sony’s interest, particularly that of Shuhei Yoshida, who designated it a PS5 exclusive in 2021. Three years later, the game is now ready for release on April 26th, and I had the opportunity to play it extensively. It combines elements reminiscent of Bayonetta, Nier Automata, and Sekiro – stay tuned for my thoughts on this impressive blend.
Since the PlayStation 5’s release, very few games have featured truly next-generation aesthetics. Notably, there was an initial novelty effect with Demon’s Souls and Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart at the PS5’s launch in 2020, followed by God of War Ragnarok and Horizon Forbidden West in 2022, which remains one of the most visually impressive games on PS5. However, aside from these few titles, nearly four years into the PS5’s existence, next-generation games are not abundant. In fact, some recent titles have shown a regression in visual quality, with Rise of the Ronin being the latest example. Additionally, many games offer mediocre visuals that could run on previous generation consoles, leading to increased familiarity with this standard. Therefore, when a game like Stellar Blade appears unexpectedly, it comes as quite a surprise. Yes, the game boasts impressive graphics, not merely due to its dazzling main character design. Providing high-end visual quality was one of Shift Up Studio’s primary goals, which they achieved using Unreal Engine 4. Whether they have since upgraded to Unreal Engine 5 is unclear, but the result remains visually stunning.
Sony continues to support the PS5 with upcoming exclusive titles such as “Rise of the Ronin” last week and “Stellar Blade,” which is set to release next month. This demonstrates that next-generation rendered games are available on the PS5 and highlights South Korea’s capability to produce high-quality AAA titles when provided with adequate resources. Developed by Shift Up, a lesser-known South Korean studio previously focused on mobile games, Stellar Blade was originally known as Project EVE in 2019. Since then, the game has progressed significantly, attracting Sony’s attention, particularly that of Shuhei Yoshida, who designated it as a PS5 exclusive in 2021. Three years later, the game is now ready for release on April 26th. I have had the opportunity to play it extensively and will share my thoughts on this action-packed title that fuses elements from Bayonetta, Nier Automata, and Sekiro.
Shift Up aims to impress players right from the start with its visually striking intro sequence designed for spectacle and immediate impact. Between the in-game cinematics, such as a crash on an abandoned Earth where Humanity has given way to NA:tives (deformed organic creatures with unique design), and the stylized presentation of EVE, the goal is clearly to captivate players from the beginning of their adventure. Immediately, Stellar Blade impresses with its rich environments, ultra-detailed textures, realistic wind blowing through palm trees, explosions, particles dancing in the wind, spacecraft in the sky, flames, and volumetric smoke effects; it’s a feast for the eyes, providing complete immersion. This is also when players meet EVE, a young woman with generous curves who has sparked serious debates on social media about women’s representation in video games. Indeed, everything from her attributes to her ultra-sexy outfits, animations, or poses is designed to elicit a response from male players; there is a certain sexualization of the character. The game director, Hyung-Tae Kim, defended this design choice in an interview with GamesRadar, stating he enjoys playing with characters more attractive than himself in real life. He also mentioned that Eve’s character model was based on Shin Jae-eun, a model who also lent her likeness to Tachy, EVE’s cohort who meets an early demise in the game. I can confirm there will be numerous customization options for EVE, including over thirty different outfits, distinct hairstyles, and various accessories, all purely cosmetic bonuses to unlock within the game, possibly as DLC later on.
TIME IS EVERYTHING!
Very quickly, it becomes evident that EVE’s physical appearance in the game is secondary as gameplay takes precedence. Within minutes of playing, it is clear that Stellar Blade is a complex systems game. This is quite apparent given that the game positions itself midway between Bayonetta, Nier Automata, and Sekiro—three titles cited by game director Hyung-Tae Kim as inspirations for his work. Upon gaining access to the skill trees, it becomes evident that the game offers a substantial challenge; merely looking at the number of skills and combos available underscores Stellar Blade’s commitment to gameplay supremacy. Players will find this demanding but rewarding, especially when learning timing management—a critical factor in overcoming challenges posed by enemies, particularly bosses who do not hold back. The numerous possibilities allow for immediate practice once new skills are unlocked, making it essential to utilize the training segment to avoid feeling overwhelmed during boss encounters.
At the beginning of the adventure, not all movements and other combos are accessible, and it is through gaining XP and collecting coins that you will be able to evolve EVE. Essentially, the entire combat mechanic revolves around the ability to dodge and counter enemy attacks with precise timing. By executing perfect counters and evasions, you can create a brief window to counterattack and deal maximum damage to enemies. These foes, especially bosses, hit hard, and some of their attacks can deplete a third of your health bar instantly. You will need to frequently monitor this energy gauge, drink potions as soon as possible to stay alive, knowing that when you heal your wounds, you are vulnerable for a few seconds. Caution is advised before using a medikit due to this vulnerability. Timing is crucial, and reading boss patterns is also a skill to master, much like in Nier Automata or Sekiro.
Another very enjoyable aspect of the game is its artistic direction. Players navigate through a post-apocalyptic atmosphere where the city of Xion has been devastated by a great war, leaving it empty and overrun by Na:tives, creatures that evoke designs from games such as Bloodborne, Dead Space, Silent Hill, and Bayonetta. These references work well within the game’s context. Based on what has been revealed so far in this preview—urban locations and a beach scene in the intro—it was quite convincing. We look forward to seeing how level design will develop, particularly since platforming phases seem to be an area where the game currently struggles; jumps lack amplitude, inertia swings are not well-executed, and overindulging in these less optimal sequences could potentially unbalance the gameplay experience.
If we are looking forward to Black Myth Wukong this summer from China, South Korea will be another Asian country demonstrating that Japan is no longer the sole nation capable of delivering games with demanding gameplay. Stellar Blade, a blend of elements from Bayonetta, Nier Automata, and Sekiro, immediately positions itself as a serious contender among the best action games for PS5 in 2024. While Shift Up has opted for a highly sexualized female character, it is clear that Stellar Blade prioritizes gameplay above all else. The emphasis on mechanics, abundant combos, and timing indicates that the game will offer more than just visual appeal. However, questions remain about exploration and occasionally suboptimal platforming sequences to determine if the game will achieve balance, but currently, the hype surrounding the title is at its peak.
