Video game review
Stellar Blade is unapologetic – but not in the way you think.
For those who don't know: pre-launch marketing for the animated action-adventure game, developed by South Korean company Shift Up and published by Sony (it's a PlayStation 5 exclusive), has been less focused on gameplay rather than physical appearance and the particularly revealing outfits worn. by, the main character Eve. By the time the game was released to the public, it was all the internet was talking about.
The thing is, yes, you have access to some outrageous outfits for Eve throughout the game (including, oddly enough, a mascot-like bear costume), but the game itself doesn't care about Eve's appearance (which is clearly based on the titular protagonist). of the Bayonetta franchise). The only time this is mentioned is in the context of her hair (which you can style later in the game).
What's truly shameless about Stellar Blade is how unabashedly it takes inspiration from much better games, but does nothing to improve on those elements or make them its own. By so simply using gameplay mechanics, plot points, and fighting styles so closely identified with their source games without putting its own stamp on them, Stellar Blade generally does itself a disservice.
Take her story, for example: Eve, an angel-like soldier with a penchant for skin-tight battle armor, descends to Earth from the orbital colony to help reclaim the planet from the monstrous Naytiba, who have driven humanity from the planet. On her quest, Eve encounters a ruined world and broken beings who question what it means to be human. If that sounds familiar, that's because the premise is taken directly from 2017's Nier: Automata, a game with a narrative so deeply affecting that I still think about it, years after beating it. From its main story to the many side quests, Stellar Blade's vision is superficial in comparison; no one will talk about his story next month, let alone years from now. (And where Automata's twists and surprises surprise you, Stellar Blade's biggest ones can be seen from space.)
When you don't forget the plot, you will divide your time between combat and exploration. Stellar Blade's environments are fun to explore, filled with little story elements and collectibles and even fishing spots. (When you get to the desert, keep an eye out for the hyper tube; it's awesome.)
But combat is Stellar Blade's core mechanic, and it generally holds up, even if the camera doesn't want to work with you. Much like the story, the inspiration for the combat is obvious from the start: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Combat is surprisingly deep – you have access to a skill tree with a nice range of options, from improving your dodging ability to unleashing attacks all over the screen – but it doesn't overwhelm you .
Parrying and, to a lesser extent, dodging are your main survival skills here; You'll want to take your time mastering these skills, as the game deals too much damage to survive otherwise, especially during chaotic boss fights. Overall the combat is derivative but there are worse games to emulate.
The visuals, however, are where Stellar Blade shines. From the environments to the enemy design to the aforementioned boss fights, the game is beautiful to look at. The Naytiba are equal parts grotesque and fascinating, and they become even more so as the game progresses, relying on a surprising (and well-done) level of body horror reminiscent of the Dead Space franchise. The world's explorable locations are full of all kinds of pretty details, from posters and signs to ruined buildings and haunting laboratories.
Ultimately, Stellar Blade is a perfectly serviceable – and perfectly forgettable – action-adventure game. Over the 30 hours it takes to get to the end of Eve's mission, you'll encounter plenty of fun combat sequences and well-designed locations as well as a story that leaves almost no impression. If you're looking to play a Bayonetta-type character in a Nier-type story with Sekiro-type combat, Stellar Blade is perfect for you. Honestly, though, you're probably better off just playing these games.
