Review: Stellar Blade Complete Edition Runs Better Than I Expected on the Switch 2
TAME OTONITY – Stellar Blade is a game that has continued to evolve since its launch, thanks to various factors such as post-launch patches with bug fixes, free content, and paid DLC expansions. With the Complete Edition on Switch 2, we’re getting a pretty substantial game.
Essentially, we’re getting the best version of this well-established and solid action game for this system. It’s quite a triumph.
Although it’s a bit bittersweet for me, as I worry that this level of creativity and quality might be lost if Shift Up adopts generative AI for game development. For now, however, this port is commendable and performs better than I expected.
Stellar Blade is often compared to NieR, particularly NieR: Automata, in terms of narrative, characters, and themes. All of that is true. I do think Yoko Taro’s story is superior—that needs to be emphasized. But this is a pretty engaging story, and I appreciate how our choices for Eve and our interactions with others help shape the plot.
The additional DLC ranges from the absurd to the spot-on. Seeing Emil’s Shop roaming the world is fun, and the costumes suit Eve well, but there isn’t much story to them.
On the other hand, there are some enjoyable conversations with the Goddess of Victory: a NIKKE element that allows for some fun interactions with Scarlet and a minigame that attempts to mimic the mechanics of Shift Up’s PC and mobile games.
