PlayStation exclusive is a strange blend of other games

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I first started Shift Up’s Stellar Blade (a PlayStation 5 exclusive), but it sure wasn’t a mash-up of Nier: Automata and Bayonetta with Soulslike combat and a rockin’ soundtrack. It’s an odd mix, honestly. 

About five hours in, here’s what we know: The main character, Eve, plays as if Bayonetta were transported to Sekiro and given a sword. The combat itself is a blend of Nier and Soulslike games: Dodging and parrying are the name of the game here. The game’s plot and environments are clearly inspired by Nier: Automata, particularly when it comes to exploration and side quests. And while the soundtrack is top-notch, it can sometimes clash with what’s going on. (Maybe I’m just not used to hearing K-pop blast in the middle of a boss fight.)

On a related note: Stellar Blade is a visual treat. From monster designs to environments to, yes, Eve’s many, many skin-tight costumes, the game stuns with a luscious level of detail throughout. The same can’t be said about the story, which is fairly lackluster. Eve is on a quest to save the world from monsters called Naytibas … and that’s about it so far. Lore and conversations point to what may be the most obvious twist in video games, but we’ll have to see how it plays out.

At this point, Stellar Blade is more style than substance, but man is it stylish. The plot is simplistic, but the battles are intense, challenging you to understand the game’s combat mechanics (which are deeper than you might think). We’ll have to see if the story finds a similar depth. 

This is a First Impressions of Stellar Blade on the PlayStation 5. A full review will follow once the game is completed.