Stellar Blade is an unapologetically stylish and polished action game from Shift Up, and with its PC release following the PlayStation 5 debut, it firmly plants itself as one of the most visually arresting and mechanically satisfying experiences we’ve seen this year. Drawing inspiration from games like NieR: Automata, Bayonetta, and Sekiro, Stellar Blade stands tall with its own identity: visceral action, impeccable visuals, and a lead heroine who is as deadly as she is captivating.
With the PC port now launched in 2025 as part of the Complete Edition, ShiftUp delivers an enhanced experience that arguably sets a new standard for console-to-PC transitions. This review will dive deep into the game’s combat, story, visuals, performance, DLC, and technical polish, and whether Stellar Blade truly lives up to the “stellar” in its name.
Story and Setting
In a post-apocalyptic Earth devastated by an alien menace known as the Naytibas, players take control of Eve, a highly trained soldier from a space colony sent to reclaim the planet. Eve, our protagonist, descends from the heavens to reclaim a ruined Earth from the monstrous Naytiba. The narrative attempts to weave mystery, sacrifice, and identity into its sci-fi framework. Unfortunately, it never quite hits the emotional highs it’s aiming for. Eve is beautiful, competent, and impeccably animated, but lacks the inner depth to carry the game’s themes. Her companions—Adam, Lily, Tatchy—serve their roles but remain underwritten.
The pacing is inconsistent. Huge revelations drop with little build-up, and character moments lack connective tissue. In its attempt to echo the philosophical musings of NieR: Automata, Stellar Blade ends up as a well-shot echo—pretty, intriguing, but hollow. While the premise isn’t groundbreaking, it does enough to provide a backdrop for the action and exploration. The game occasionally hints at deeper lore, but this is more of a tone piece than a narrative epic. It’s the mood, the haunting ruins of a lost civilization, and the desperate struggle for survival that defines Stellar Blade’s story.
Gameplay and Combat
The gameplay is where Stellar Blade shines brightest. It combines the surgical precision of Souls-like combat with the balletic flair of high-speed action titles. Parrying, dodging, and countering are essential to survival, and the more you master Eve’s kit, the more fluid and cinematic the battles become. Every enemy encounter demands attention, and boss fights are unforgettable set-pieces dripping with spectacle and challenge.
Stellar Blade doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it refines what already worked well. It’s a hybrid of Soulslike tension and Devil May Cry-style spectacle that creates a rhythm that, once mastered, becomes incredibly rewarding. Precision parrying, perfect dodges, and Beta Skills that burst with kinetic flair make combat the highlight of the experience. Early fights feel stripped down, but the deeper you dive into the skill trees and loadouts, the more rewarding and dynamic the battles become. Especially at high framerates on PC, the fluidity and responsiveness of combat feel better than ever.
Aiding this combat loop is the tight control system. Whether on mouse and keyboard or controller, actions feel responsive, attacks land with weight, and movement flows. The game’s optional “slomo parry window” is an especially welcome addition for accessibility without compromising intensity.
The combat system incorporates Beta and Burst skills, which allow for devastating special attacks once gauges are filled through well-timed parries and combos. There’s a strong sense of growth and skill mastery here, with new moves and upgrades unlocking as you progress.
Visuals and Performance
Visually, Stellar Blade is nothing short of stunning. Environments are meticulously detailed, from ruined cities to futuristic interiors and desolate wastelands. Character models are high-fidelity and full of personality, with Eve leading the charge in an array of unlockable outfits and armor.
PC players finally get a chance to push the boundaries of what Stellar Blade can be. With support for NVIDIA DLSS 4, DLAA, Reflex, AMD FSR 3, unlocked frame rates, ultrawide, and 4K+ resolutions, it’s a technical feast. Even on medium settings, the game maintains a visually rich presentation. From shimmering neon-lit ruins to lush post-apocalyptic wastelands, every frame looks like a concept art board come to life.
Audio and Presentation
The sound design deserves special praise. The soundtrack blends melancholic ambiance with pulse-pounding combat tracks, heightening the emotional resonance of both exploration and battle. The soundtrack, led by Oliver Good and Keita Inoue, soars with operatic grandeur during boss fights and retreats into ambient minimalism in quieter moments. It’s a powerful mood-setter, making battles feel monumental and downtime introspective.
Voice acting is solid across multiple dubs, though the writing doesn’t always give the actors enough to work with. The voice acting is solid, with Eve portrayed as both fierce and vulnerable. Environmental audio also contributes to immersion—footsteps echo in ruined cathedrals, while the hum of distant machines warns of incoming threats.
Stellar Blade follows a semi-linear structure. Some areas are more open-ended with side quests, hidden upgrades, and lore items to discover. While exploration is rewarding, it’s not quite on par with open-world giants. Still, the pacing feels tight, and there’s always a sense of momentum pushing you forward. Some backtracking is required for completionists, but traversal feels satisfying thanks to Eve’s nimble movement and environmental puzzles.
Eve’s design has sparked plenty of discourse. Her hyper-stylized appearance and physics-defying wardrobe often feel at odds with the game’s otherwise serious tone. But there’s no denying ShiftUp’s attention to detail. From fluid animations to meticulously designed armor sets, the characters are visually stunning. Whether you find the aesthetic empowering, distracting, or merely cosmetic, it’s consistent and unapologetic.
It helps that the wardrobe has expanded dramatically. With over 100 unlockable suits, hairstyles, and accessories, there’s a strong incentive to chase collectibles and express personal style.
Customization and Progression
Players can customize Eve’s abilities through a branching skill tree that enhances her combat style, survivability, and special abilities. Costumes are plentiful and cosmetic, allowing for personal flair. Progression is steady, with each upgrade offering tangible improvements. There’s also a crafting and resource system that ties into gear enhancements, though it never feels overwhelming.
The Complete Edition includes an abundance of new Nano Suits, the excellent Goddess of Victory: Nikke crossover missions, and new boss encounters. Cosmetics are more than just dress-up; unlocking and discovering them ties directly into exploration and completionism.
If there’s one weak spot, it’s the story delivery. While the setup is intriguing, it never fully develops into something memorable. There are moments of brilliance, but they are scattered. Additionally, lock-on during combat can occasionally falter, and platforming sections, while rare, can feel awkward. Some players might also find the tone uneven, with quiet, moody segments juxtaposed against hyper-stylized action.
The Nikke missions are unexpectedly strong additions. Their unique cover-based shooting segments offer a refreshing break from the standard swordplay. Scarlet and Volt are entertaining guest characters, and the culminating boss fight against Mann is a brutal gauntlet that rewards mastery.
Mod support opens even more possibilities. With ShiftUp embracing community content, we expect the PC version to enjoy a long tail thanks to player-driven creations.
Final Thoughts
Level design in Stellar Blade is uneven. Early zones like Eidos 7 feel overly hand-holdy, relying too heavily on garish yellow paint to guide the way. Later areas like Abyss Levoire and the Great Desert show more imagination, blending linear action paths with hidden secrets and puzzle-like exploration.
The game’s best moments come from its contained, tailored environments—labs where your abilities are limited or cryptic ruins that challenge traversal. These scenarios feel intentionally crafted rather than recycled.
Stellar Blade is a triumph of style and substance. It may not reinvent the genre, but it executes its vision with clarity and confidence. The combat is addictive, the visuals are breathtaking, and the PC version is a masterclass in optimization. Shift Up has delivered a standout title that more than lives up to its promise.
Verdict: 8/10
Pros:
- Visceral and satisfying combat
- Gorgeous visuals and top-tier performance
- Excellent PC optimization
- Engaging soundtrack and sound design
- Strong replayability with upgrades and customization
Cons:
- Underwhelming story
- Minor technical hitches with camera and lock-on
- A design inconsistency in level flow
Stellar Blade: Stellar Blade is a must-play for action game fans. It's an adrenaline-charged, visually striking experience that proves style and substance can go hand-in-hand. Whether you're in it for the combat, the spectacle, or the challenge, Stellar Blade delivers in spades. – Mario Vasquez