Ahead of the much-anticipated release of Stellar Blade on PC, the game made a significant impact during the Steam Next Fest, where its demo captured the attention of many. Although the demo’s launch earlier this week may have shifted it off the top of the charts, the availability of the free version prompted a deeper exploration into the experience it offers.
Exploring the Demo
The Stellar Blade PC demo provides players with a taste of the action, culminating in an exhilarating encounter with the first major boss. It begins with an engaging introductory cutscene, followed by a concise tutorial that sets the stage for exploration. This allows players to familiarize themselves with the game’s extensive upgrade system. For a title releasing its PC port concurrently with the Next Fest, the demo is surprisingly substantial. After the initial boss fight, players are thrust into a second battle, offering a glimpse into the game’s broader narrative.
Currently immersed in Elden Ring Nightreign with friends, I found myself drawing immediate comparisons to Stellar Blade. While the game showcases a competent soulslike foundation, it quickly becomes apparent that it leans heavily on style rather than substance. This is evident from the outset, where the visual presentation takes precedence over gameplay depth. Shift Up has clearly prioritized aesthetic appeal, as seen in the game’s striking cutscenes, yet this emphasis raises questions about the overall experience.
The demo’s opening sequence is filled with visually stunning set pieces, but it soon transitions into a darker, muddier urban environment reminiscent of the infamous ‘PS3 brown’ color palette. Even in these confined spaces, performance issues arose; despite exceeding the recommended specifications, I found myself needing to dial back the graphics settings to alleviate distracting stuttering.
As I navigated through the game, I encountered design choices that felt more frustrating than innovative. For instance, the surprise ambush by an enemy lurking behind a door might nod to Dark Souls, but the inclusion of floaty physics puzzles detracted from the core gameplay experience I sought. While Stellar Blade’s cinematic moments are visually appealing, the actual combat and traversal mechanics fell short of expectations. Eve’s attacks felt insubstantial compared to her more elaborate finishing moves, and her agility seemed at odds with the clunky response during boss encounters.
In the backdrop of my Nightreign sessions, the contrast between the two games became increasingly pronounced. Despite the frenetic energy and chaos of Elden Ring’s spin-off, it is clear which title offers a more polished experience. It’s worth noting that Shift Up is venturing into new territory with Stellar Blade, while FromSoftware has refined its technology over years of development. While Stellar Blade is not without merit, it struggles to justify the fervent discussions surrounding it, leaving me unconvinced to abandon my Nightreign adventures for Eve’s journey.
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Check out our Stellar Blade review to see what we thought of the original PS5 launch.
