Stellar Blade has been making waves since its days as Project Eve, but its new release as a PlayStation 5 exclusive has significantly boosted its popularity. Developed by South Korean studio Shift Up as their debut AAA title, some may have doubted their ability to deliver on par with other PlayStation exclusives. However, the Stellar Blade demo and full game release have silenced the skeptics. Stellar Blade stands out as another top-notch PS5 exclusive and a potential Game of the Year contender.

Drawing comparisons to games like Bayonetta, Stellar Blade is more akin to FromSoftware's Sekiro. It offers a challenging yet forgiving gameplay experience with a strong emphasis on melee combat and parrying. Players must master the art of parrying rather than relying on brute force to navigate through the game.

Combat mechanics in Stellar Blade are satisfying, providing players with enough flexibility in parrying to prevent excessive frustration. By understanding boss patterns and executing well-timed blocks, players can unleash devastating special attacks on their foes. Similar to Sekiro, every enemy in Stellar Blade poses a serious threat, with boss battles standing out as the pinnacle of the game.

The game features awe-inspiring boss fights that offer both thrilling gameplay and visually stunning moments. Each battle culminates in a spectacular QTE scene, leaving players exhilarated. Fans of FromSoftware's games will recognize the elation of conquering formidable bosses, a feeling Stellar Blade successfully recreates.

Stellar Blade Appeals to Soulslike Enthusiasts, Yet Carves Its Own Path

While Stellar Blade draws inspiration from Sekiro and Soulslike games, it distinguishes itself in gameplay. Despite sharing similarities such as bonfire-style save points triggering enemy respawns, Stellar Blade is more forgiving, ensuring players don't lose progress as in Souls games. The game provides ample support items to ease encounters, including a unique item allowing Eve to revive with full health once per boss attempt, albeit in limited quantities.

Exploring the game world and completing side missions rewards players with numerous support items, enhancing their gameplay experience. Although some side content may feel lackluster, Stellar Blade excels in rewarding thorough exploration with valuable items. While side quests offer nice incentives, focusing on the main quest ensures a more enjoyable gameplay experience devoid of filler content.

Stellar Blade may not match the depth of its gameplay in its storytelling, yet its cheesy narrative remains engaging. Set in a world overrun by mysterious creatures called Naytiba, humanity seeks refuge in space, with protagonist Eve returning to Earth to combat these monsters. Despite the game's tendency to sexualize female characters, the exaggerated elements add a comedic touch to the serious narrative.

Players can craft outfits for Eve and customize gear impacting gameplay mechanics, such as enhancing special attack energy or reducing melee damage. While facing a difficulty spike in the final boss battles, Stellar Blade offers a sci-fi twist on challenging combat akin to Sekiro. Beyond its attention-grabbing main character, the game stands out for its exceptional action-packed gameplay and rewarding combat mechanics. In essence, Stellar Blade emerges as a stellar action game and a standout PS5 exclusive.

Stellar Blade launches exclusively for PS5 on April 26, 2024. Game Rant received a PS5 code for this review.