Stellar Blade: Is There a Game Hiding Behind All That Thigh?

Stellar Blade is serving their fans, there is no doubt about that. But what about the gameplay and story? Let's see if it is actually worth playing, besides all the... uhm... skin.

Stellar Blade Costumes 02 05 24
What else does this game have besides jiggle physics | © Shift Up

Stellar Blade originally came out as a PlayStation exclusive in 2024, but now that we finally got the PC version of the action adventure game is gaining even more popularity than before.

So far, the game has become incredibly popular on social media for its fan service. The characters are wearing tight outfits, showing a lot of skin, and are moving around in ways that many may find pleasing.

BUT!

What else does this game have to offer? Is it just filled with eye candy and jiggle physics, or does it actually have a good story and gameplay?

How Good Is Stellar Blade Really?

Stellar Blade
How good is this game really? | © Shift Up

Stellar Blade might first grab your attention with its provocative visuals and hyper-stylized characters, but underneath the fan service is a surprisingly solid action-adventure game with fast-paced combat, decent storytelling, and a killer soundtrack.

Combat

At the heart of Stellar Blade is its combat, and this is where the game truly shines. The gameplay blends elements of Bayonetta, Nier: Automata, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. You’ll dodge, parry, and counter enemies in fast, rhythmic battles, while mixing in special moves, ranged attacks, and reactive skills. Even regular enemies can become a real threat, making the combat feel tense, satisfying and rewarding every time.

Story

While the story is not super innovative and unique, it's still enough to keep players engaged. You play as Eve, a soldier sent to a ruined Earth to fight off alien creatures called Naytibas. After things go wrong, she’s left to save the planet with just a few allies. The plot features standard sci-fi tropes and has a couple of predictable twists, but the world-building and character interactions help carry it. Sadly, the side quests and dialogue can drag at times, and the voice acting can feel a bit disconnected from the visuals.

Music

But where Stellar Blade truly exceeds expectations is in its soundtrack. With its high-energy metal tracks during boss fights, the music perfectly matches the game’s adrenaline packed atmosphere. The metal tracks amp up the action, while softer melodies add weight to the quieter moments between battles. The general sound design is amazing and adds a lot of impact to weapons, the combat and environmental cues.

Stellar Blade won’t be for everyone – especially those put off by its heavy use of fan service – but behind its flashy exterior is a genuinely fun action game with great combat, solid storytelling, and excellent music. If you’re in it for the gameplay, there’s plenty to enjoy.

Malena Rose

Malena is a game design student and writer at EarlyGame. Her life-long passion for videogames inspired her to make a living out of it. Through her studies in Game Design, she now plays an active role within the gaming industry....