Review
Stellar Blade review: a brilliant, action-packed fireworks display in a unique sci-fi setting
by Domagoj Belancic
Controversial PlayStation smash hit Stellar Blade impresses on PC too
13.6.2025
Translation: Katherine Martin
Pictures: Domagoj Belancic
After a year of exclusivity, PS5 game Stellar Blade has made the leap to PC. If you haven’t played this spectacular, hard-hitting sci-fi game yet, you should.
Let me just mention one thing before I kick things off. In this mini review, I’ll mostly be focusing on whether the PC port of Stellar Blade is a success. If you want to read a detailed review of the game, check out my PS5 review from 24 April 2024:
What is Stellar Blade? What is it like to play?
Stellar Blade was probably one of the most discussed, most controversial games of last year. This is mostly down to the protagonist Eve’s occasionally very revealing, oversexualized outfits. By the time the launch of the PS5 version rolled around, I was already finding the debate tedious and unnecessary. After all, the game has so much more to offer than bare skin.
In a desolate sci-fi world where humanity’s on the brink of extinction, you and Eve fight against super-ugly alien monsters. The background story is well executed, creating a unique, melancholy atmosphere in tandem with a glorious soundtrack.
When it comes to gameplay, the battles are a wild, seriously fast mix of Soulslike games, a pinch of God of War and a touch of shooter. There are also horror passages and platforming sequences between battles. The game might not succeed at every genre it forays into, but I’m happy to forgive the occasional misstep (such as boring open game areas) given the sheer variety these genre switches create.
What (new) functions and content can you expect from the PC version?
On a technical level, developer studio Shift Up has delivered a decent upgrade. The PC version supports upscaling and frame generation via DLSS 4, improved image quality with DLAA and latency optimisation with Nvidia Reflex. It also supports AMD’s FSR 3 upscaler. What’s more, the game can be played in ultra-wide (21:9) and super ultra-wide (32:9) format. The textures have been reworked in 4K for the PC version. In a nutshell, Stellar Blade runs more smoothly and sharply than ever.
You can play the game with a keyboard and mouse or with a controller. When I test it with Sony’s Dualsense, I immediately feel at home as a PS5 user. The PC port supports all the haptic functions I’m familiar with from using the console.
There’s some new content, which PS5 users can also play by downloading a free update. This includes new cosmetic (and again, very revealing) items for Eve and her crew to unlock, including some from a crossover DLC with Nier: Automata. There are also new shooting mini games based on the (equally raunchy) mobile game Nikke: Goddess of Victory, created by the same developer studio. None of this additional content is earth-shattering, but it’s a nice bonus for anyone who fancies replaying the game.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that you don’t need a PlayStation account to play Stellar Blade on your PC.
Source: Shift Up
How well does the PC port run?
As expected, Stellar Blade runs excellently on my setup (RTX 4090, Intel i9-13900K, 32 GB of RAM). With 4K resolution, DLSS 4 and an unlocked frame rate, I constantly play at over 200 fps. Given the fast gameplay (the battles are really hectic!), it’s fun to have such high frame rates.
The game goings-on are rendered in ultra-sharp quality, with the numerous particle effects during tough battles proving particularly impressive. I didn’t notice any frame rate drops, other technical problems or bugs – even in hectic combat situations. Shift Up has pulled a blinder on this.
Source: Shift Up
Overall, the PC game has a higher resolution than the PS5 version and runs at a higher frame rate. It also leaves the PS5 Pro version trailing behind. While the Pro version looks sharper and runs more smoothly than the base version as a result of PSSR upscaling, it sometimes has to contend with unsightly upscaling artefacts.
You can find out whether the game’s compatible with your PC in this table:
What about Steam Deck?
Stellar Blade runs solidly on the Steam Deck too. The game’s Steam Deck Verified and comes with a Steam Deck preset. As a result, the game runs at close to 60 fps outside of battles. During battles, it fluctuates between 50 and 60 fps, making it slightly more difficult to parry monsters’ attacks perfectly.
The textures and details in the game environment are significantly reduced in the preset. This is visible on the Steam Deck’s small screen too, but doesn’t bother me that much.
Stellar Blade is available for PS5 and PC. The PC version was provided to me by Sony for testing purposes.
In a nutshell
A successful port of a spectacular action game
If you missed Stellar Blade on the PS5, you should definitely make up for it by trying the PC version. Now, don’t be fooled by the over-sexualised portrayal of the characters. Stellar Blade is one of the coolest, toughest and most rewarding action games of recent years. The chaotic mix of genres, desolate sci-fi world and melancholy soundtrack are still one of a kind. Plus, the game runs even sharper and more smoothly on PC. A roundly successful port.
Pro
- Still an outstanding action game
- New content and functions
- Better performance than on the PS5 and PS5 Pro
Contra
- Open game areas and side quests still mediocre
Header image: Shift Up
Domagoj Belancic
Senior Editor
Domagoj.Belancic@digitecgalaxus.chMy love of video games was unleashed at the tender age of five by the original Gameboy. Over the years, it's grown in leaps and bounds.
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