Stellar blade is a ... stellar game! For the first time in a long time I actually had fun running around collecting things and doing side stuff. I wanted to spend as much time as possible with the game. Also, I am not gonna say why, but doing the collecting actually is important in a way I've never seen a game like this do. Below I will list my negative and positive thoughts about the game, starting with the negative.
NEGATIVE THOUGHTS:
- The story twists are rather predictable, I can't really remember any big surprises. The same goes for the characters, they don't really develop in unexpected or interesting ways.
- The second big area to explore, "The Great Desert" is one of the most exhausting and frustrating areas I've ever had to play through. I guess if you just go for story and ignore the side content, it's not as bad, but I am convinced this whole area was designed to annoy the fu- out of you.
- I don't understand why not all areas have a map, it makes backtracking so insanely time consuming. Without online guides getting to 100% is almost impossible.
- A lot of times you need to jump to ropes, ladders or edges and let me tell you: the physics in this game are either extremely bad or I am bad (which could very well be true), because EVE decided to jump through ladders all the time.
POSITIVES:
+ So many people, also in reviews on here, say EVE is a bland, uninspired character with no personality. That could not be further from the truth! If you spend a lot of time with her and see how she is around NPCs and even in the main story, it shows she is so much more than just a hot fighter. EVE is kind-hearted, determined and strong-willed badass! She can show emotions but also knows how to get sh*t done!
+ Just like with Star Wars: Fallen Order and Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, I am not a big fan of the soulslike combat, because it is extremely frustrating for noobs like me. I wouldn't say this is a soulslike, but the combat does have a lot of similarities. The good thing is, you don't lose everything when dying and the game is giving you a lot of tools to succeed. HOWEVER, I loved the combat in this. It's flashy, it's hot, it's fluid and most importanly fun!!! There are a lot of skills to learn, the visual and audio design in combat is 10/10 as well.
+ The OST is exactly what you expect and still delivers! So good. I always appreciate a good OST with actual singing.
+ Absolutely beautiful visuals, the cutscenes look especially crisp.
+ While the story is predictable, the execution is great. I was happy with how it all concluded and where the characters ended up.
+ Great side content and great customization. Even if you are not a fan of all the skin, there are enough options for you like full body suits that still look badass. Plus, there is a good reason for EVE to have a body like this which really shouldn't come as a big surprise to anyone.
+ Yes, I played in Story Mode. However, I love how this Story Mode is NOT an easy mode (at least for me it wasn't). Yes, it was easier for sure, but I was never bored and it did feel like an actuall game and not a movie with gameplay like most other Story Modes make games feel.
+ I can't speak for or against the VA in English, because I played in German and the German Dub is really good. Most German dubs are fine, but this one stood out to me, the voices fit the characters very well and you can tell they actually cared about what they are doing.
Overall I sooooo want a sequel to this game! A truly magical experience from start to finish. Will I dare to go for NG+? It will be in my nightmares, but yeah, I gotta go for the NG+ trophies... wish me luck!
NEGATIVE THOUGHTS:
- The story twists are rather predictable, I can't really remember any big surprises. The same goes for the characters, they don't really develop in unexpected or interesting ways.
- The second big area to explore, "The Great Desert" is one of the most exhausting and frustrating areas I've ever had to play through. I guess if you just go for story and ignore the side content, it's not as bad, but I am convinced this whole area was designed to annoy the fu- out of you.
- I don't understand why not all areas have a map, it makes backtracking so insanely time consuming. Without online guides getting to 100% is almost impossible.
- A lot of times you need to jump to ropes, ladders or edges and let me tell you: the physics in this game are either extremely bad or I am bad (which could very well be true), because EVE decided to jump through ladders all the time.
POSITIVES:
+ So many people, also in reviews on here, say EVE is a bland, uninspired character with no personality. That could not be further from the truth! If you spend a lot of time with her and see how she is around NPCs and even in the main story, it shows she is so much more than just a hot fighter. EVE is kind-hearted, determined and strong-willed badass! She can show emotions but also knows how to get sh*t done!
+ Just like with Star Wars: Fallen Order and Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, I am not a big fan of the soulslike combat, because it is extremely frustrating for noobs like me. I wouldn't say this is a soulslike, but the combat does have a lot of similarities. The good thing is, you don't lose everything when dying and the game is giving you a lot of tools to succeed. HOWEVER, I loved the combat in this. It's flashy, it's hot, it's fluid and most importanly fun!!! There are a lot of skills to learn, the visual and audio design in combat is 10/10 as well.
+ The OST is exactly what you expect and still delivers! So good. I always appreciate a good OST with actual singing.
+ Absolutely beautiful visuals, the cutscenes look especially crisp.
+ While the story is predictable, the execution is great. I was happy with how it all concluded and where the characters ended up.
+ Great side content and great customization. Even if you are not a fan of all the skin, there are enough options for you like full body suits that still look badass. Plus, there is a good reason for EVE to have a body like this which really shouldn't come as a big surprise to anyone.
+ Yes, I played in Story Mode. However, I love how this Story Mode is NOT an easy mode (at least for me it wasn't). Yes, it was easier for sure, but I was never bored and it did feel like an actuall game and not a movie with gameplay like most other Story Modes make games feel.
+ I can't speak for or against the VA in English, because I played in German and the German Dub is really good. Most German dubs are fine, but this one stood out to me, the voices fit the characters very well and you can tell they actually cared about what they are doing.
Overall I sooooo want a sequel to this game! A truly magical experience from start to finish. Will I dare to go for NG+? It will be in my nightmares, but yeah, I gotta go for the NG+ trophies... wish me luck!