[Play Report]The latest work by SHIFT UP, led by Kim Hyun Tae. “Stellar Blade” is also notable for its game design that accommodates a wide range of ACT fans.

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) will release the action game “Stellar Blade” for PlayStation 5 on April 26, 2024.

　“Magna Carta”(2004) and“Blade and Soul”(year 2012),“Goddess of Victory: NIKKE”(2022), a Korean game creator who has created popular works such asMr. Kim Hyun Taeled by Mr.SHIFT UPThis work has been developed as the first PS5 title. The much-talked-about work that was announced in 2019 under the code name “Project EVE” has been renamed “Stellar Blade” and is finally ready for release.

You can play the first part on March 29th.trial versionhas been released, and many people may have enjoyed the gap between the fetish beauty of the main character, Eve, and the hard action.

In this article, based on the contents of the trial version, we will tell you about the further appeal of this work that we experienced in the retail version.

The true essence of this work comes after reaching humanity’s last city, Zion.

The trial version currently being distributed starts with an introductory part in which Eve and the 7th Airborne Corps dispatched from the colony descend on Earth and fight against an unknown life form called “Native.” Eve is rescued by “Adam”, a salvager who lived on Earth, and explores “Eidos 7”, the last battlefield for humanity, until she defeats the native boss “Abaddon” that she encounters on the roof of a multi-storey parking lot. I was able to play.

The initial development and game system are basically the same in the retail version. Actions and other details are mentioned in the trial version impressions article, so please take a look there.

Eve landed on the ground as a member of the 7th Airborne Division.

A native Abaddon that you will face in the trial version.The development up to this point is basically the same in the product version.

The purpose of Eve’s descent to earth was to wipe out all natives. Therefore, she forms a cooperative relationship with Adam and continues her journey to fulfill her purpose, visiting various parts of the earth.
The game unfolds as you explore a specific large map infested with natives and move on to the next destination, but in Zion, the last city of mankind, which you reach after passing through several locations, this flow changes. It’s going to change a lot.

Zion arrives with two friends, Adam and Lily.He only appears infrequently as a resident, but as the story progresses, his appearance gradually changes.

The atmosphere of Zion, where people who fled the native invasion live, is completely different from previous maps where there was no sign of people. The residents, who call Eve an “angel” after coming down from the colony, may make certain requests to her, which are presented as missions that can be carried out in parallel with the map exploration. .
Once you’ve arrived here, you’ll be able to play with a certain degree of freedom in your play style. In terms of the story, the highlights will be the change in Eve’s state of mind, which until now has been based on her own mission, and her story as she interacts with characters other than her friends.

In Zion, people sometimes ask you to do sidequest-like missions.

The worldview centered around Zion is a combination of cyberpunk set in Asia and an apocalyptic world, and just walking around the city is exciting. Until I came here, I was always nervous about encountering natives, so this place is even more relaxing than the camps on the map.

The “wilderness” that can be accessed directly from Zion has a very different atmosphere from previous closed-structure maps. The semi-open world is spread over a vast plateau, and the gameplay feels a little different. There are various devices on the map, and if you move around, you will discover something. The scanning range is also limited, so it should be worth exploring.
Of course there are many natives, but unlike in a closed place, the point is that you don’t have to fight or fight. Even if you defeat the enemy, it still has the same mechanism as before if you rest at the camp and revive, so it is suitable for training and gaining experience points.

A wilderness field where you can see far into the distance.As you explore, you will find many things.

In addition to the wilderness, there are semi-open world maps, and maps with different atmospheres will also appear. The way you fight and explore may change depending on the map, so you can progress through the game without getting bored until you clear it.

Native speakers also appear in countless numbers.You may have to deal with multiple opponents, but if the terrain is open, it’s easy to escape.

This is the desert field you visit in the middle.Sandstorms and quicksand block Eve’s path.

The fun of developing Eve into the player’s preferred action style

Eve’s actions, which are mainly used in battle, include strong and weak combinations using the one-handed sword Blood Edge, just parry and just evasion, beta skills that consume beta energy, and active skills such as blink.
Eve’s combat abilities related to these actions vary greatly depending on the equipment and skills she has acquired, so you can enjoy the game according to your action skills and play style.

Eve’s main weapon is Blood Edge, which has a changed hair ornament.By using the beta energy that accumulates in battle, you can unleash powerful beta skills.

There are two types of equipment: “Exospine” and “Gear”. Exospines have an impact on Eve’s fighting style, and in the case of attacks, they can strengthen combinations or reduce damage.
There are also ones that are specialized for specific fighting styles, such as strengthening stealth combat, long-range attacks, and making just parries and just evasions easier, and each can be strengthened up to three levels.

Exospine allows you to gain power like a passive skill by equipping it. You can obtain them along the way and strengthen them using materials to increase their effectiveness. Can be equipped with up to 2

Gear increases Eve’s specific parameters, and there are a wide variety of them. This can be developed and strengthened using materials that can be obtained along the way.
By intensively strengthening your attack surface, you can gain the advantage of defeating enemies quickly. In return, your defense will be weaker, but you can compensate for that with recovery items.
On the other hand, if you strengthen your defense, you will have fewer chances to use recovery items, allowing you to fight with more stamina. Of course, you can set up offense and defense in a well-balanced manner, but the problem is that the equipment sockets for gear are limited. Also, keep in mind that these equipment cannot be changed during battle.

Gear that increases attack power, defense power, speed, etc.This can be equipped with up to 4

Apart from equipment, skills can also be set. It can be obtained by using SP obtained in battle, and once you acquire it, you can use it at any time. There are many categories that directly affect actions and attack methods, and there are three categories to choose from initially. The number increases to five as the game progresses.

skill tree.Some actions are not limited to combat, but some cannot be acquired unless certain conditions are met.

As you progress through the game to the middle stage, the engineer “Lily” who joins you will add a means of long-range attack to Eve. This one is equipped with an accompanying drone and enters shooting mode to fire shots. It can deal damage to enemies from a distance, but requires special bullets to fire.
A major disadvantage is that it moves slower while in shooting mode. However, although it is not the main means of attack, there are equipment and skills related to long-range attacks, and there are even areas specialized for shooting.

The accompanying drone is attached to the arm and becomes a firearm.There are five types of bullets with different performance, so switch them depending on the purpose.

When I played the trial version’s normal mode (set to a higher difficulty level than the default), I was acutely aware of the difficulty of this work, but after playing the retail version for some time, my impression changed dramatically.
As the player progresses, the options available to him increase, and even in places where he initially thought he could not proceed, he will want to try various methods to find a breakthrough. The flow of the game is really interesting, and the feeling of accomplishment when you defeat a strong enemy is also very satisfying.
If you’re not good at action, you can proceed with the story mode, which has a lower difficulty level, but you can also use the action assist function to understand the enemy’s attack patterns and try normal mode on your second playthrough.

Action assist in story mode. Buttons that allow you to respond well to some enemy attacks will be displayed.If you press the designated button in time, you can perform the corresponding action.

Kim Hyun-tae’s sense and taste are incorporated throughout, highlighting the appeal as an action-adventure.

Kim Hyun Tae is also an illustrator. The design sense and production that make the characters shine are truly impressive, with Eve being the most notable, with strong attention to detail in her facial expressions, skin texture, body proportions, and even her body movements during action. . I also like the fact that it doesn’t adhere too closely to the popular looks of CG characters in recent years.

In the trial version, Eve received high praise from players for her doggy style that she always shows during the game.

If you complete a certain mission, you will be able to change Eve’s hairstyle.

The “Nano Suit” that Eve wears in the story is a costume that only changes her appearance and has no effect on the story or performance. However, one of the unique charms of this work is that when he acquires something new, he wants to see him wearing it as soon as possible.
Also, Lily, who becomes a friend during the game, has a cuteness that is the opposite of Eve, so I personally want to keep an eye on her.

A nano suit that can be crafted using blueprints and materials. It’s just a change in appearance, but it’s very important.There are also clothes for Lily and Adam.

Lily is a girl with a short haircut and blue eyes.She is a support engineer for the 5th Airborne Division who descended before Eve and the others, and she modifies her drone so that it can transform into a firearm.

The story woven by the beautiful protagonist is much harder than you might imagine. Furthermore, the missions with the people you meet are depicted in a dramatic manner, and you will be tempted to forget about the play time and look at the story ahead. The translation and cast of performers are solid, and I would also like to praise the production, which lip-syncs the characters to match the setting language.

It is said that the lip sync during conversation changes depending on the language (3 languages ​​are supported at the time of release).

In developing this work, director Kim has openly stated that he took great inspiration from Japanese entertainment works such as Yukito Kishiro’s comic “Gunm” and Square Enix’s “NieR: Automata.” are doing.
When you actually play the game, you can definitely feel the influence of those influences in some places, but the sense of the development team including Mr. Kim shines throughout the play, and I feel more attracted to that aspect. Ta.

There are also plenty of playable elements.This is a collection “can”, and collecting it can bring good things.

We want all PS5 users who love action-adventures to experience the story told by an “angel” named Eve.