STELLAR Blade has split fans thanks to the protagonist’s super sexy design.
It doesn’t matter if you enjoy Eve’s look, the most important aspect of the game is whether it’s fun or not.
Having a hyper-sexual character in action adventure games like Stellar Blade is hardly new ground; just look at Bayonetta or Nier Automata’s 2B for more on that.
And Stellar Blade stands apart from these by straddling the line between the genre and challenging soulslike games.
It takes a hybrid approach to this. Those who want the hardcore experience can choose Normal difficulty and wear that see-through suit to put an emphasis on parrying and dodging.
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Those who want to play for the fantastic world-building and flashy graphics can turn it down to Story difficulty.
Story difficulty isn’t for beginners and you’ll still find yourself challenged in boss fights, but you’ll die less between fights, and you’ll have more tools at your disposal.
Aside from starting with more skills unlocked, combat will slow down at the point when you should dodge or parry if you are struggling with timing.
It’s a really nice way to dynamically change the difficulty, and even shift the genre between standard action adventure and soulslike.
A lot of detail has gone into the combat beyond the difficulty level, and there are many ways to take on the Naytiba’s with gorgeous, flashy animations.
This is where the game shines. There is clever level design, but due to poor collision and slow box pushing the puzzles and platforming don’t feel nearly as satisfying as they should.
Which brings us back to Eve and her eerily reflective backside.
Many sexy characters have gone down as gaming greats like Bayonetta, 2B, Lara Croft, and Tifa Lockhart from Final Fantasy 7.
But I don’t see Eve going down in gaming’s history books in the same way, as there isn’t anything beyond her outside appearance.
This isn’t a problem with just Eve. As you help people around the city of Xion you’ll see that there is rarely any character development.
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Lessons aren’t learned, and people don’t change because of the terrors that befall them. It all feels like they are just existing.
Engineer Lily has a little more pep in her step, but aside from her child-like optimism she feels interchangeable with anyone else.
It’s a shame, because Stellar Blade does a lot to build its unique world where everyone seems taken in by Mother Sphere’s cult-like religion.
However, without any personality to the people of the world, it just feels a bit hollow.
Stellar Blade is definitely a good time while it lasts, but I can’t see it staying in gamers’ vocabulary too long after it’s released.
However, if you are gagging for a new action game with flashy, fast-paced combat, then it could be one for you.
If you want to read more on new game releases, check out our Eiyuden Chronicle review.
