Stellar Blade PC Review: A High-Quality Port from Shift Up

Shift Up Launches Stellar Blade on PC: A Solid Gaming Experience

This month, the Seoul-based game development studio Shift Up has unveiled Stellar Blade for PC, much to the excitement of gamers everywhere. Initially known as Project EVE, the game was originally anticipated to launch concurrently with its PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions.

However, during its reappearance in the September 2022 State of Play presentation as Stellar Blade, it was revealed as a PlayStation 5 exclusive, published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Although the developers initially targeted a 2023 release, the launch date was later pushed to April 2024 for the PS5. Remarkably, just a month after that, Shift Up announced plans for a PC port and a sequel, with the PC version finally seeing the light of day after over a year of development.

PC Version Quality: An Impressive Port

Ultimately, in the ever-evolving gaming industry, quality reigns supreme. I’m pleased to report that Stellar Blade on PC is a robust port that impresses on multiple fronts. Notably, it appears that Shift Up managed to deliver this quality without assistance from Sony’s dedicated PC porting team, Nixxes Software, adding to the achievement.

Top Technical Features of Stellar Blade

The PC version boasts an array of advanced features that exemplify what players expect from a 2025 AAA title, including:

Comprehensive support for Ultra-wide (21:9) and Super Ultra-wide (32:9) displays, including cutscenes.
Integration with NVIDIA DLSS 4 Super Resolution and AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 3, along with several frame generation technologies.
Compatibility with DualSense controller features like haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and the controller speaker.
Support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) displays.
Multiple predefined frame rate limiter options (30 FPS, 45 FPS, 60 FPS, 120 FPS, 144 FPS, 240 FPS, plus unlimited).

While some features are notably absent—such as Intel XeSS support, a 165 FPS limiter, enhanced HDR calibration options, and potentially a field of view slider—the gameplay itself more than compensates for these minor gaps.

Performance Metrics

Running on the Unreal Engine 4, Stellar Blade performs admirably on high-end systems, averaging around 540 frames per second with a GeForce RTX 5090 when DLSS Super Resolution is set to Performance Mode. However, given the already high frame rates, Performance Mode is often unnecessary. In fact, our testing revealed frame rates hitting a maximum of 423 FPS, averaging 377 FPS, and dipping to a minimum of 313 FPS during a benchmark of the Wasteland level.

Despite the commendable performance, players familiar with Unreal Engine 4 will note there is still some stuttering, with approximately 12% of data captured flagged as such. Fortunately, the overall experience remains predominantly smooth, providing an engaging action gameplay.

Aesthetic Appeal and Gameplay Enhancements

While Stellar Blade may not incorporate the latest graphical innovations such as path tracing or UE5’s Lumen global illumination, its art style offers a striking visual experience. The delay in the PC release has also allowed for improvements through various updates, enhancing gameplay quality significantly. Additionally, players can look forward to two expansion packs that are now available; one inspired by NieR: Automata and another themed around Shift Up’s successful title, Goddess of Victory: Nikke, which can be purchased either separately or as part of the Complete Edition.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, my experience with Stellar Blade has been overwhelmingly positive. Although the game is relatively straightforward—some players may desire deeper complexity and narrative depth as noted by Shift Up’s CEO—it successfully captures the essence of engaging action gameplay. This appeal has undoubtedly contributed to its popularity among a broad audience.

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