Stellar Blade (Korean: 성검) is an action role-playing game developed by Shift Up, a studio led by renowned Korean artist Kim Hyung-tae, and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game launched on PlayStation 5 on April 26, 2024, and arrived on PC on June 12, 2025.
Set in a post-apocalyptic near-future Earth, players take on the role of EVE, a member of a support unit from the Colonies, tasked with reclaiming Earth from the Naytiba. Throughout the journey, the truth behind this world will gradually be revealed.
Game Features
- Stunning Visuals: Kim Hyung-tae’s distinctive character design paired with high-quality graphics
- Fluid Combat: A satisfying combat system combining parrying, dodging, combos, and Beta Skills
- Rich Exploration: 996 collectibles scattered across 9 regions
- Deep Storyline: A compelling narrative set in a post-apocalyptic sci-fi world
Playtime
- Main Story Completion: Approximately 15-20 hours
- Full Completion (100%): Approximately 35-50 hours
- Platinum Trophy: Approximately 40-60 hours
[Tip] The game features ‘Action Assist’ mode and ‘Story Mode’ difficulty, suitable for players of all skill levels. Players seeking a challenge can choose Normal or higher difficulty.
[Basic Controls]
Combat Controls
- Square (□): Quick Attack (Light Attack)
- Triangle (△): Strong Attack (Heavy Attack)
- L1: Block (Hold)
- Circle (○): Dodge / Interact
- R3: Lock-on to Enemy
- □/△ Hold: Charged Attack – holding △ enables long-range dash
- L1 + □/△: Activate Beta Skill (consumes BE Energy)
Menu Controls
- D-Pad Up: Use Potion (hold to switch between potions)
- Touchpad: Open Map
- OPTIONS: Pause Game / Open Menu
- Touchpad: Quick Map View
[Important] The game does not have automatic map navigation. It is recommended to manually mark key locations when passing through important nodes to avoid getting lost.
[Combat System Guide]
Health and Shield Mechanics
- Health / ~2500: Character’s life points
- Shield / ~400-500: Approximately 1/5 of health
Key Mechanics:
- Higher Shield Defense Level = Greater Shield Damage Distribution (Level 3 Shield can absorb 52.5% damage)
- When Shield breaks, all damage goes directly to Health, which may result in ‘death at half health’
- Shield slowly regenerates over time, but stops during attacks and recovers slower when blocking
Defense System Guide
I. Block System (Hold L1)
- Block / Only reduces Health damage, Shield damage unchanged: Hold L1
- Parry / Completely negates Health damage, Shield damage unchanged: At the right timing
- Perfect Parry / Completely negates both Health and Shield damage, and drains one segment of enemy Balance: At precise timing
[Important] The Block system is only effective against normal attacks and Red Attacks. Yellow/Blue/Purple Attacks must be dodged.
II. Responding to Different Colored Attacks
- Red Attack: Hold L1 to Block / Interrupt with Beta Skill / Perfect Dodge
- Yellow Attack: Push Left Stick Back + Circle (tap) to Dodge
- Blue Attack: Push Left Stick Forward + Circle (tap) to Dodge
- Purple Attack: Push Left Stick Back + Circle (tap) to Dodge
III. Importance of Perfect Parry
[Tip] Perfect parrying the final hit of an enemy combo causes them to stagger. For example: The Chainsaw Head Boss normally allows only 2 hits between attacks, but after perfectly parrying their combo, the stagger window is long enough for 3 hits.
Dodge System
- Normal Dodge: Only functions as quick movement, provides no damage protection
- Perfect Dodge: Immune to all attacks (Normal, Red/Yellow/Blue/Purple Attacks) | Charges a special energy bar
[Tip] Normal dodge has very short invincibility frames and is almost impossible to use to avoid attacks in actual combat. Only Perfect Dodge truly immunizes you from damage.
Combo System
By combining Light Attack (□) and Heavy Attack (△) in different orders, diverse combos can be performed.
- Light Attack Combos: Fast startup, short gaps, lower damage
- Heavy Attack Combos: High damage, larger gaps, easier to be interrupted by enemies
[Tip] Some equipment has bonuses like ‘Level 2+ Combo Damage +27%’. It is recommended to use higher-level combos when possible. Combos can be stopped mid-way, so choose flexibly based on combat situations.
[Weapons and Skills]
Weapon Types
In the game, EVE primarily uses sword-type weapons in combat. Pairing different skill combinations allows you to handle various combat scenarios.
Beta Skill System
Core Functions of Beta Skills
- Interrupt Red Attacks: When an enemy is charging a Red Attack, directly using a Beta Skill can interrupt it
- Shield Damage Bonus: Deals extra damage to Shields
Beta Skill Combat Tips
In Boss battles, prioritize using Beta Skills to interrupt Red Attacks. This can effectively reduce battle difficulty, as Red Attacks are typically the most threatening enemy attacks (high damage, multiple hits).
Drone System
Throughout the entire journey of Stellar Blade, your loyal Drone companion will always accompany EVE. Players can enhance and optimize the Drone’s capabilities by upgrading and equipping different modules.
Drone Upgrade Recommendations
- Choose suitable Drone module configurations based on your combat style
- Prioritize upgrading modules helpful for Boss battles
- Different module combinations can produce different effects
Neural Links
Neural Links are an important equipment upgrade system in the game and can significantly enhance character abilities. Collecting all Neural Links is one of the requirements for the Platinum Trophy.
[Tip] Some Neural Links require completing specific side quests or meeting certain conditions to obtain. It is recommended to pay close attention while exploring.
[Boss Battle Guide]
Stellar Blade features 12 main story Bosses along with multiple optional and hidden Bosses. Below are strategies for the main Bosses.
Enemy System Basics
- Normal Enemies / No Shield: All damage applies directly to Health
- Bosses / High Shield: Shield does not regenerate slowly (only refills during phase transitions)
General Boss Battle Strategy
- 1. Battle Start Priority: Use Beta Skills on Shield first (Shield damage bonus)
- 2. Break the Shield: Damage significantly increases once Shield is depleted
- 3. Interrupt Red Attacks: Red Attacks are the most threatening skills – use Beta Skills to interrupt them
- 4. Dodge Special Attacks: Blue and Purple Attacks are relatively easy to dodge
Tutorial Boss: Brute
Location: 7th Airborne Squad – End of Tutorial
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆ (Tutorial nature)
Strategy Points:
- This is the best opponent for practicing Perfect Parrying
- Attack rhythm is regular, suitable for beginners to familiarize themselves with the combat system
- Try pressing L1 at the moment of attack for a Perfect Parry
Boss: Stalker
Location: Matrix 11 – Underground Metro Platform Area
Strategy Points:
- This Boss camouflages in the environment – pay attention to red markers
- Use the Lock-on system to track the Boss’s position
- Immediately use Beta Skills to interrupt when Red Attacks appear
Boss: Abaddon
Location: Matrix 11 – Collapsed Railway Bridge Area
Strategy Points:
- A large-sized Boss with wide attack range
- Maintain medium distance and observe attack wind-ups
- Perfect Dodge is an effective way to avoid ground shockwaves
Boss: Raven
Location: Matrix 11 – Train Graveyard Area
Strategy Points:
- Raven is a multi-phase Alpha Naytiba
- While in flight, be careful to dodge ranged attacks
- After landing, enters melee mode – exploit openings to deal damage
Boss: Abaddon (Cont.)
Strategy Points:
- One of the difficult Bosses in the early game
- Be aware of its multi-hit Red Attack combos
- Shield is high – be patient and use Beta Skills to break through
- Learn to use Perfect Parry to create damage windows
Hidden Boss: Adam
Location: Unlocked after completing the main story
Strategy Points:
- A hidden Boss that appears after completing the main story
- Battle consists of multiple phases with high difficulty
- Requires mastery of Perfect Parry and Dodge techniques
- Recommended to challenge when your level is high enough
[Tip] Before challenging Bosses: Ensure you have sufficient potions | Upgrade weapons and equipment | Learn Boss attack patterns (die a few times to understand the patterns) | Upgrade Beta Skills for better interruption effects
[Region Map]
The game contains 9 main regions, each with unique exploration content and collectibles.
Prologue: 7th Airborne Squad
Tutorial area for familiarizing basic controls.
- Collectibles: None
- Boss: Brute (Tutorial)
Eidos 7
The first main area, containing multiple sub-regions.
- Collectibles: Memory Sticks, Documents, Soda Cans, etc.
- Main Areas: Silent Street, Parking Structure, Abandoned Station, Flooded Commercial District, Spire of Memory, Construction Site, City Underground, Crater
Xion
Central city area, main location for side quests.
- Collectibles: 87 items
- Features: Most NPCs, abundant side quests
- Warning: After passing the first point of no return in Lower Loab, some collectibles cannot be obtained
Wasteland
Barren wilderness area, must traverse to reach other locations.
- Collectibles: 175 items
- Features: Open-world area with world map
- Recommendation: Complete the Sun Tower side quest to restore camp power
Upper Loab
Vertical high-rise building area.
- Collectibles: Documents, Memory Sticks
- Features: Requires climbing and exploring vertical spaces
Matrix 11
Abandoned subway system routes.
- Abundant collectibles
- Main Areas: Underground Metro Platform, Collapsed Railway Bridge, Underground Drainage System, Ruined Labyrinth, Train Graveyard, Sewage Treatment Plant
- Bosses: Stalker, Abaddon, Raven
Great Desert
Vast desert area.
- Abundant collectibles
- Contains multiple Memory Sticks and Documents
Lower Loab
Underground area of the Loab facility.
- Abundant collectibles
- Warning: Contains points of no return
Tower 4
Tower facility area.
- Collectibles
- Location of Raphael Space Center
Eidos 9
Late-game area.
- Collectibles
- Contains special Documents
[Collectibles]
Collection Statistics
The game contains a total of 996 collectibles, distributed across 9 regions.
- Memory Sticks: 186
- Documents: 112
- Passwords: 23
- Soda Cans: 49
- Other Collectibles: 626 items
Memory Sticks
Memory Sticks are an important collectible element in the game. Picking up Memory Sticks reveals NPC stories and helps better understand the game’s background. Some Memory Sticks only appear under specific conditions.
Distribution by Region:
Memory Sticks can be found in Eidos 7, Xion, Wasteland, Great Desert, Upper Loab, and other areas. Some Memory Sticks can only be obtained by completing specific side quests.
Documents
Documents in the game are divided into multiple categories by type:
- Logs: 11
- Diaries: 12
- Info: 13
- Notices: 4
- Series Books: 27
- Books: 10
- Intel: 10
- Promotional Materials: 18
- Prayers: 7
Soda Cans
Soda Cans are collectibles scattered throughout the game, with a total of 49. Collecting all Soda Cans is one of the requirements for the Platinum Trophy.
Naytiba
[Important] Naytiba are enemy types in the game. Some Naytiba information contains story spoilers! Read at your own discretion!
Naytiba is the plural form of Naytiba (Korean: Naytba), hostile creatures that have taken over Earth. Each Naytiba has unique attack patterns and weaknesses.
Side Quests
The game has a total of 35 side quests. After arriving at Xion, talk to NPCs marked with exclamation marks on the map to start accepting quests. Side quests not only provide rich rewards but are also the only way to obtain some collectibles.
[Tip]
- Recommended to complete all available side quests before finishing the main story
- Pay attention to ‘Points of No Return’ in the game – some areas cannot be returned to after passing through
- Some collection progress can be carried over in New Game+
- Use the in-game Database menu to check collection progress
[Tips and Tricks]
Combat Tips
Perfect Parry and Dodge
- Basic Block Strategy: Block at the moment the enemy begins their attack
- Chaining Technique: Also known as ‘Block 1 to Defend N’ – uses Block to cancel attack recovery frames
- Dealing with Block Delay: Familiarize yourself with enemy attack rhythms and predict attack timing
- Counter Attack Technique: Triggering a riposte during an attack has no delay, faster than defensive parrying
Attack Tips
- Master using Perfect Parry to create damage windows
- Using Beta Skills to interrupt Red Attacks is key to clearing the game
- Prioritize breaking Boss Shields to increase damage output
- Avoid being surrounded – defeat enemies one by one
- Use Perfect Dodge invincibility frames to dodge unblockable attacks
Combo Usage
- Light Attack Combos: Fast startup, short gaps, suitable for quick damage
- Heavy Attack Combos: High damage, but larger gaps, easier to be interrupted
- Some equipment has ‘Level 2+ Combo Damage +27%’ bonuses
- Combos can be stopped mid-way – choose flexibly based on combat situations
Exploration Tips
- Camp System: Camps in the Wasteland are initially unpowered and unusable. It is recommended to prioritize completing the Sun Tower side quest to restore power
- Double Jump: After unlocking, you can return to previous areas to collect items in high places
- Mark Locations: The game has no automatic navigation – manually mark key locations recommended
- New Game+: Some collectibles can be completed in New Game+
Growth Recommendations
- Skill Points: Prioritize upgrading Beta Skills and defense-related skills
- Equipment Upgrades: Regularly upgrade weapons and Neural Links
- Drone: Choose suitable module configurations based on your combat style
Platinum Trophy Key Points
Stellar Blade has a total of 43 trophies (1 Platinum, 3 Gold, 12 Silver, 27 Bronze). The game has no difficulty trophies.
- Full collection requires patience and attention to detail
- Pay attention to the acquisition conditions for some collectibles
- Some trophies are related to side quests
- Special challenges like Tachy Mode exist
[Important]
- Some collectibles only appear under specific conditions
- Some collectibles can only be collected by accepting side quests
- Points of no return exist – please plan your exploration route in advance
- Naytiba information may contain spoilers
