TechRadar Verdict
Stellar Blade is an excellent PlayStation 5 exclusive.
Simply put, if you own a PS5, you should play Stellar Blade.
If you have aPlayStation 5, thenStellar Bladeis an essential play.
(Image credit: Future)
This PS5-exclusive action game comes courtesy of Shift Up, a relatively new Korean developer.
To address the elephant in the room, much has been made of EVE and her provocative design.
For starters, light and strong attacks are bound to Square and Triangle respectively.
EVE also has access to Beta skills - and later Burst skills - which both have their own gauges.
Thats much easier said than done on the standard normal difficulty.
The window of time you have to parry or dodge perfectly is fairly slim.
This comes to a head in the games many boss fights.
Smart skill usage and expertly-timed evasive maneuvers are always required in these fights.
I was consistently blown away byStellar Blades incredible soundtrack.
WhereStellar Bladediffers is in a handful of areas that break from a typical soulslike structure.
Theres much variety in combat, level design, and exploration, then.
On top of all that, you’re also getting a New Game Plus mode upon completion.
(Image credit: Future)
The game runs excellently across all three graphics modes too.
The highest fidelity option, Resolution, locks the game to 30fps while offering supreme-quality visuals at4Kresolution.
Performance, meanwhile, offers 60fps at 1440p resolution.
(Image credit: Future)
One ofStellar Bladesmore surprising aspects has to be its show-stopper of a soundtrack.
Once again, theNiervibes are strong, butStellar Bladessoundtrack manages to carve its own memorable identity.
Boss fights are a particular highlight here, too, opting for fast-paced electronic scores or full-on heavy metal.
(Image credit: Future)
Accessibility
Stellar Bladesaccessibility options, as weve come to expect of PlayStation-exclusive titles, are plentiful.
Should I play Stellar Blade?
If that sounds appealing to you, then youll easily fall in love with this games setting.
(Image credit: Future)
Youre a Nier fanStellar Bladewears its inspiration on its sleeve, and thats not remotely a bad thing.
This playtime included completing the main story and ticking off the vast majority of side quests and collectibles.
