78
CRITIK
Stellar Blade
Eve and her comrades land on the surface to reclaim the extinct Earth and cross paths with a survivor named Adam. Eve is then led by Adam to the last surviving city, Xion, where she meets the elder of the town Orcal and is told many stories. In order to serve her mission to save Earth, Eve develops close relationships with the key members of Xion and contributes to rebuilding the city. On a mission to save Earth from the NA:tive, Eve is also faced with helping out the citizens of Xion. Whether you will help the survivors or not, depends purely on your decision as the player. The game originally was announced as "Project Eve" in 2019. It was set to release for PS4/Xbox One consoles and PC, but a September 2022 State of Play revealed the game would instead launch only on PS5 and PC.
Critik
Scorecard
CLOSE ALL
Story and Narrative
74
Stellar Blade's story has divided critics, with praise for its post-apocalyptic setting and strong narrative elements, but criticism for flat characterizations and predictable storytelling. While some appreciated the engaging world-building and character dynamics, others found the lack of depth and emotional engagement disappointing. The game offers compelling moments but struggles to deliver a consistently impactful and original storytelling experience.
Show more
Gameplay
85
Critics raved about Stellar Blade's engaging combat mechanics, praising its precision and challenging yet accessible nature inspired by games like Dark Souls and Sekiro. The game received acclaim for its stylish fighting mechanics, combo system, and fast-paced combat with a variety of abilities to master. Despite some critiques on stiffness in combat and inconsistent movement, overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive for its depth, challenge, and rewarding nature, offering a thrilling and addictive gameplay experience.
Show more
Graphics and Visual Design
85
Critics praised Stellar Blade for its stunning graphics, realistic character designs, and immersive environments, utilizing PlayStation 5 hardware. Some critics criticized the over-sexualized protagonist and lack of environmental diversity. Overall, reviewers lauded the game for its visually impressive world and engaging monster designs, making it a standout title on the PlayStation 5 platform.
Show more
Music and Sound Design
86
Critics unanimously praise the exceptional Sound Design and Music of Stellar Blade, highlighting its stunning soundtrack, diverse genres, and emotional impact. Keiichi Okabe's compositions blur the lines between Stellar Blade and Nier Automata, enhancing the immersive atmosphere. While some critics mention minor drawbacks like repetitive tracks, the overall consensus remains overwhelmingly positive. Stellar Blade's audio design is described as sublime, brilliant, and phenomenal, significantly enhancing the gameplay experience and leaving a lasting impression on players.
Show more
Voice Acting
61
Critics have mixed opinions on the voice acting in Stellar Blade. Some praised it for bringing characters to life and enhancing immersion, while others criticized it for being flat and lacking emotional depth. The quality of voice acting in the game is subjective, with some finding value in it despite its flaws.
Show more
Technical Performance
76
Critics mostly praised Stellar Blade on PS5 for its smooth performance, stable frame rates, and optimized gameplay, with great visuals and haptic feedback. Some minor issues like control frustrations and crashes were noted, but overall, the game delivers a technically solid experience showcasing the PS5's capabilities for immersive gaming.
Show more
Replay Value
74
Critics praise Stellar Blade for its strong replay value due to multiple endings, side quests, and customization options. Some mention drawbacks like repetitive environments and lack of fast travel but overall, the game's diverse gameplay mechanics and exploration incentives make it worth revisiting for different playstyles and outcomes. Despite some room for improvement, Stellar Blade keeps players engaged with its depth and variety of content, enhancing its replayability.
Show more
Overall Verdict
Critics rave about Stellar Blade's engaging combat system, stunning visuals, and immersive storytelling, dubbing it a standout debut from SHIFT UP. Despite minor flaws like image style and missed features, reviewers praise its deep combat, art direction, and soundtrack. Overall, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with Stellar Blade being recommended as a solid action game with great potential for success and growth in the gaming community.
Show more
78
CRITIK
Reviews
189 reviews found100
Gamespew.com
Apr 24, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Stellar Blade exceeds expectations with its unique combat system, engaging story, outstanding visuals, sublime soundtrack, and varied gameplay. Deserves to be recognized alongside Sony's first-party offerings.
Read full review
100
Impulsegamer.com
Apr 24, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Stellar Blade is a challenging and rewarding third-person action game that hits the mark with its engaging story, diverse gameplay mechanics, next-gen graphics, and impressive audio design. It is a strong contender for Game of the Year.
Read full review
93
Cogconnected.com
Apr 24, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Stellar Blade is praised for its deep combat system, incredible art direction, and beautiful soundtrack. It is considered one of the best action-adventure games of its generation, despite treading closely to its inspirations.
Read full review
90
Keengamer.com
Apr 30, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Stellar Blade is praised for its story, gameplay, graphics, and sound design, making it a highly recommended game for players looking for a challenging and immersive experience.
Read full review
90
Dotesports.com
Apr 24, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Stellar Blade is praised for its combat, graphics, and sound design, with minor issues in supporting cast and platforming. Seen as a standout PS5 exclusive in 2024.
Read full review
90
Techradar.com
Apr 24, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Stellar Blade is considered an essential play for PS5 owners, offering a highly polished character action game with unique elements. The game's visuals, soundtrack, and atmosphere elevate it to potentially being one of the most unique PS5 exclusives since Returnal.
Read full review
90
Godisageek.com
Apr 24, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Stellar Blade is a fun, well-designed adventure that excels in combat, offers a mix of heartfelt storytelling, and provides a lot of content for players to enjoy.
Read full review
90
Digitalchumps.com
Apr 24, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Stellar Blade is described as a satisfying distraction that captures the spirit of a bygone era in gaming. While not groundbreaking, the game's engaging gameplay, narrative intrigue, and nostalgic elements make it a welcome addition to the PlayStation brand.
Read full review
90
Play.co.rs
Apr 24, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Stellar Blade stands out as a top-tier title in the gaming landscape, showcasing exceptional quality and immersive storytelling. Comparable to Nier titles and recommended for fans of Jokoa Taro's work.
90
Gamingtrend.com
Apr 24, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Satisfying action experience with room for improvement in storytelling and character development
Read full review