Stellar Blade PC Review

Stellar Blade was a spectacular release from Sony and Shift Up last year, and considering it was the latter’s console debut outing, it couldn’t have gone any better. The game was well received by fans and critics alike, and despite just having a Metacritic score of 81, it holds a 9.2 user rating with nearly 7,500 reviews as of writing.

With its PC release, the game further cements its fan-favorite nature, opening it up to customization and mods that the community will surely embrace. It helps that the game runs and performs almost flawlessly, making it a well-optimized PC port that does not disappoint.

Eye Candy

Stellar Blade marks Shift Up’s striking console debut, delivering a technically accomplished and visually arresting action experience. The game’s visuals are impressive, with intricately detailed character models, fluid animations, and a sleek art direction that immerses players in its world. The protagonist, Eve, is the core of the game’s appeal as she is brought to life with various customizable outfits and high-quality animations that embody the definition of eye candy.

Combat is the defining feature of Stellar Blade, which blends familiar systems from Sekiro and Soulslike titles that make for fast-paced and thrilling encounters. The game rewards parrying, and Eve’s skills and abilities are further enhanced by gear called Exospines that support various playstyles.

Boss encounters are a definite highlight in Stellar Blade, with each opponent offering distinct patterns that challenge players to adapt and strategize. Eve is equipped with many techniques to help her out, such as Blink, Repulse, and ranged attacks that transform her into a versatile killing machine.

Complementing Stellar Blade’s visual and mechanical strengths is a haunting soundtrack by NieR: Automata composer Keiichi Okabe. The combination of vocals, orchestra, and piano themes elevates the experience, making it one of the more memorable soundtracks in recent memory. Voice acting, particularly the Korean dub, is a refreshing experience in a sea of usual English and Japanese dubs.

However, Stellar Blade isn’t without flaws. Its narrative is predictable and lacks depth, making it difficult to invest in the story or its characters fully. Several gameplay segments feel undercooked, such as the repetitive platforming and firearm-exclusive sections.

DLC to Die For

Following the fantastic NieR: Automata crossover DLC is another highly anticipated one, this time with a collaboration with Shift Up’s IP in Goddess of Victory: Nikke.

The content provided here is particularly impressive, giving access to a new line that features the katana-wielding heroine Scarlet, culminating in a stylish boss fight that will challenge players to do their best. Additionally, the trademark gameplay from Nikke has been ported to the game, which is basically a third-person cover shooter that feels like it was a base feature of Stellar Blade to begin with. On top of this, several outfits and equipment are also available to unlock, adding to the longevity of the DLC.

While short, the DLC offers exactly what fans want from the game. Collectibles and new cosmetics are a key selling point in Stellar Blade, offering more dress-up options for Eve, and the Nikke costumes most certainly fit the bill. On top of that, the addition of the third-person shooter mode is icing on the cake and shows how smart and precise Shift Up executed this collaboration between both of their IPs.

PC and Steam Deck Performance

Before anything else, here’s the system we used to play Stellar Blade:

• Ryzen 5 5600x, 16 GB DDR4 3600 RAM, NVIDIA 4070 Super, 1TB NVMe SSD
• Steam Deck OLED

And here are the System Requirements for Stellar Blade:

If the demo provided before launch didn’t make it apparent, Stellar Blade feels at home in its PC release, offering a smooth and well-optimized outing that a wide range of setups can enjoy.

DLSS and Frame Generation are available for players with supported graphics cards and will provide players a slick and smooth experience, with almost zero stutters or frame rate drops that are immediately noticeable. Load times are virtually non-existent and playing the game on a capable rig will surely bring out its full potential.

Stellar Blade is also Steam Deck Verified, and playing it on the OLED variant is a treat. While the hardware is not optimal, the game still performs surprisingly well and is worthwhile to play on the go.

Verdict: Buy it!

Stellar Blade makes a smashing PC debut, bringing its dynamic combat and eye-watering visual presentation to the big screen… or widescreen, in this case. While its narrative is a definite low point, the game’s strengths are solid enough to carry it through.

Additionally, the Goddess of Victory: Nikke crossover DLC is a perfect fit for the game, adding engaging content that fans of both titles will surely enjoy.

The time has come for fans of the game who have been looking for the definitive version to play. Players with capable PCs will unlock the game’s full potential with optimized performance, mod support, and much more.

*Stellar Blade was reviewed on a PC with a review code provided by the publisher.