The beginning of something truly special!
Wow! Just wow! For a game that is Shift Up’s first console game. Stellar Blade is an amazing start for Shift Up. I am truly blown away by Stellar Blade. In fact, I am so impressed by it that this game may be a Game of the Year candidate.
Presentation
Graphics
As we have seen with trailers of the game, Stellar Blade has beautiful visuals. However, the graphics are more impressive and appealing in the demo. Stellar Blade is drop dead gorgeous.
While we have had beautiful games such as Horizon Forbidden West and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Stellar Blade surpasses them by offering the most beautiful graphics. And the graphics hold up well thanks to the game’s stellar performance.
Performance
During my play through of Stellar Blade, I didn’t notice any frame rates drops. And I played the demo on both Performance mode and Balanced mode. Performance mode maintain a seamless 60 fps throughout my time with Stellar Blade.
And the game’s Balanced mode is a happy medium between Resolution and Graphics mode. In fact, I think Stellar Blade’s Balanced mode should be a staple which other games should implement. Balanced mode offers a good middle ground for players who want a steady frame rate without sacrificing quality of the graphics.
Music and Atmosphere
I am loving the music of Stellar Blade. The OST is reminiscent of Nier. Sixty percent of the game’s soundtrack was done in house. While the remaining 40 percent was done by MONACA, a company owned by composer Keiichi Okabe. Okabe was the leading composing for both Nier Replicant and Automata.
Okabe is not involved in himself in the score of Stellar Blade. His influence is heard as the Stellar Blade’s score has ambient and chill tones. And tones are with soft melodic vocals too.
The theme of Eidos 7 is still playing in the back of my mind. And it fits the game’s atmosphere of a post-apocalyptic world. Eidos 7 is a ruined city reclaimed by nature similar to the ruined city of Nier Automata. What is interesting is that the city has many Baroque statues. At least the ones that are not enemies in disguise.
Combat
Speaking of enemies, the combat is Stellar Blade is exceptional. It is one of the best combat systems I have played recently. The combat is a mix of Nier Automata, Devil May Cry and Sekiro.
While Nier Automata is the main inspiration for the Stellar Blade as far as story, presentation, and combat. It is fair to say that Sekiro was a major inspiration for Stellar Blade’s combat. Being someone who haven’t played any soul games yet. I had a taste of what combat may be like in the Souls games.
Block and Perfect Parries
It is imperative that you watch your enemies’ attack patterns. Blocking and perfect parries played an important role in combat. Earning perfect parries allow Eve to stagger enemies. Once your enemies are staggered, Eve is awarded with chance to perform a retribution. Retribution has Eve performing devastating attacks.
Performing perfect parries are rewarding and satisfying. And executing perfect parries puts a major emphasis on blocking enemies’ attacks. And the retribution attacks can cause major damages to enemies. Each retribution is unique to each enemy.
Evasion
Dodging attacks is another important element of Stellar Blade’s combat. And scoring perfect dodge negates damage from subsequent attacks. Furthermore, Eve has the chance to score an extra hit on enemies.
There is a special evasion move that Eve can perform. This is called Blink. When an enemy is about to perform a special move, they will grow blue. Eve’s weapon glows blue in response. This glow offers Eve the chance to perform Blink.
Blink allows Eve to dodge the attack by teleporting behind the enemy. And she is free to attack her enemy from behind. Making it a perfect time to use a Beta Skill.
Beta Skills
Beta Skills are Eve's special attacks. And they can inflict some major damage. With enough Beta points, Eve can perform subsequent skills for more damage. When Beta skills are executed at the right time. Beta Skills can also stop enemies before they hit you.
All of these elements make Stellar Blade’s combat excellent. Plus, this is only the beginning as this was just the demo. Imagine how Stellar Blade’s combat can further evolve in the full game.
Intro
The beginning of Stellar Blade puts you into the action right away. Similar to Nier Automata and Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the game’s opening serves as a tutorial for the game. But the opening goes much deeper into the game in narrative sense.
Eve’s 7th airborne squad descends from space into to ferocious battle with the Natibas. Most of her comrades are wiped out. Some don’t make it out of space and others are brutally slaughtered on the battlefield.
Eve
Eve is unlike 2B from Nier Automata. 2B is a more experienced and professional fighter. She can control her emotions for the most part. Although, 2B would occasionally let her emotions slip.
Eve is an inexperienced fighter. Despite her strength and talent in combat, Eve appears to be experiencing combat for the first time. As a result, she is distraught and driven to despair.
Eve is accompanied by her squad leader, Tachy. Tachy acts as a caring mentor and leader for Eve. As Eve grows forlorn by deaths of her comrades, Tachy is the one who pushes Eve forward. And it makes the next scene heart wrenching for Eve.
Tachy
After dispatching a formidable Natibas, the Alpha Natibas descends on the triumphant Eve and Tachy. Eve is worn out from the previous battle, so Tachy steps up to take on the Alpha Natibas. However, the Alpha has other plans as it spots Eve.
The Alpha Natibas goes after the weaker Eve. Tachy sacrifices herself to save Eve. As a consequence, Tachy is savagely butchered. Eve looks on helplessy as she watches her beloved leader being struck down.
However, this is not the last we will see of Tachy. Her bond with Eve suggests that she is vital to the story. Previously, Tachy has been shown in trailers. And she has a different suit and form in one of the trailers.
Beyond Just Eye Candy
Beyond the sexy appeal of its heroine, Eve, Stellar Blade’s demo has proven that the game will have much more depth. The game’s combat is nothing short of excellent. The presentation of the game is exquisite. And the narrative of Stellar Blade suggests it will be bloody yet emotional narrative.
Nier Automata may be the major inspiration behind Stellar Blade’s creation. But Stellar Blade already has an identity strong enough to walk on its own. I know it is just a demo that I have played. But the demo have given me the utmost confidence that Stellar Blade will be something truly special. And I can’t wait to dive further into Stellar Blade.
Sources: Stellar Blade Push Square Interview, Images are from the demo.
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