author: Zuzanna Domeradzka
Stellar Blade Impresses Not Only With Looks of Main Character. First Reviews Are Very Positive
The first reviews of Stellar Blade have hit the web. The beautiful slasher delights critics with its gameplay, but is not without flaws.
Stellar Blade, a highly anticipated action RPG with elements of soulslike, developed by the South Korean studio Shift Up, will make its debut on the market tomorrow. The developers focused heavily on presenting an appealing protagonist in the marketing campaign, which may have been one of the reasons for the high level of interest in the game. Are character models the only advantage of Stellar Blade, and can the rest of the game disappoint slasher fans?
From the first reviews published by critics, it appears to be quite the opposite. Journalists are impressed with many elements of Stellar Blade, which has resulted in high ratings for the game.Currently, the average score of the title on Metacritic is 82/100 (almost 100 of them were released).
Stellar Blade - selected reviews
- GRYOnline.pl - 9/10
- Gamepressure - 9/10
- God is a Geek - 9/10
- TechRaptor - 9/10
- CGMagazine - 8.5/10
- GameSpot – 8/10
- Shacknews - 8/10
- Destructoid - 8/10
- Push Square - 8/10
- TheSixthAxis - 7/10
- Screen Rant – 4.5/5
- VGC - 4/5
Almost all reviewers commend the captivating gameplay, which incorporates numerous elements from popular slashers like Bayonetta or NieR: Automata, as well as from the Dark Souls series. It is supposed to be satisfying and spectacular, with varied encounters with bosses. Some reviewers, however, complain about the uneven difficulty level or some platform elements, but these are supposed to be minor flaws that are forgotten in the heat of battle.
Journalists also appreciate Stellar Blade's memorable soundtrack and beautiful graphics. Speaking of which, we cannot ignore the topic of the attention-grabbing appearance of the game's characters. Some critics don't like the somewhat caricatured faces of the characters, which seem to refer to Japanese manga. The reviews also emphasize that an important aspect is collecting new outfits and accessories for Eve, and opinions about it are divided. Some critics appreciate the effort put into creating detailed costumes, while others criticize their abundance and lack of fit with the storyline.
The story, however, is the weakest element of Stellar Blade. Journalists note that it is very predictable and uninvolving, although it raises an interesting philosophical topic. Besides, many of them complain about the English dubbing, minor errors, or the optimization of the game (which isn't terrible, but could be better).
Stellar Blade will be released on PS5 on April 26. The basic version of the game costs $69.99, Deluxe $79.99, and the demo is still available. In the future, the title is also expected to hit PCs.
