The publisher’s description further down covers EVE, the Naytiba and the fall of Earth. This covers what a buyer still wants to know: how the combat actually plays and how open the world is, what the PC release added over the PlayStation 5 original, what the Complete Edition is worth, and whether you need a PlayStation Network account.
Written by Rayyan Omar
Reviewed by Layla FarahFacts checked
Stellar Blade is a third-person action game from the Korean studio SHIFT UP, and its combat is built on reading enemies rather than mashing buttons. Parrying and perfect dodges are the core: time them well and you build the energy for EVE’s Beta and Burst skills, which do the real damage. Bosses are the highlight, and they expect you to learn their patterns — closer in spirit to a demanding character-action game than to a loose open-world brawler.
The world is not fully open. The story moves through linear stages, two large open zones — a wasteland and a desert — and the city of Xion, which is the hub for side quests, shops and upgrades. The tone is mature science fiction with a story that deepens as it goes, and more than one ending depending on choices late in the game.
Both editions contain the same game, including everything the PC release added. The Complete Edition is the Standard Edition plus outfits, a head start in resources and the two collaboration packs.
The whole game. Nothing in the story or the combat is held back.
Worth it if you want the collaboration content and the outfits. The resources speed up the first hours rather than changing the game. It also came with a code for a costume in the NIKKE mobile game, which could only be redeemed until December 2025.
Frame rates are unlocked; NVIDIA DLSS 4, DLAA and Reflex are supported, alongside AMD FSR 3; ultrawide 21:9 and super-ultrawide 32:9 are both available; and there is an optional 4K environment texture setting. Mouse and keyboard are fully supported, and a DualSense on a wired USB connection adds haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
The PC release also brought new content that PlayStation 5 players did not have at launch: Boss Challenge Mode against Mann, Chinese and Japanese voice acting with lip sync, and 25 extra costumes with new glasses and earrings. The game was rated Steam Deck Verified before it launched.
No PlayStation Network account is required — SHIFT UP confirmed it before launch, and the game plays fully without one. The first launch does need an internet connection for setup.
When pre-orders opened, the PC version was briefly blocked in well over a hundred countries on Steam despite having no PSN requirement, which surprised even the developer. Those restrictions were lifted before the game launched. This page still shows a price only if the key can be sold and activated in your country.
Stellar Blade has been on PC since June 2025, and in its second year discounts become more frequent and deeper than at launch. The waves follow the same shape every year.
We never publish a sale before it starts: dates reach us through our distribution channel under embargo and are the publisher’s to announce. The moment a PlayStation sale goes live, the PlayStation page shows a countdown and the deepest discount in it.
Often the first reasonable cut of the year on the PlayStation catalogue.
The game launched on PlayStation 5 on 26 April 2024. Anniversaries are a natural moment for a publisher promotion, though not a guaranteed one.
One of the two big windows of the year, and it falls just after the PC launch anniversary on 11 June.
The most dependable discount of the year, and the likeliest moment for both editions to drop together.
The other big window. Worth comparing with Black Friday rather than assuming either is lower.
Checked September 17, 2026
94% of 94,586 reviews are positive
“Stellar Blade is a 10. I had never 100 percented a sprawling AAA game before this one. Only something truly exceptional could change that. I scoured every corner of its world out of pure enjoyment. Full completion... albeit several New…”
“May your memories live on...forever This is a true gem of the gaming industry. Words cannot describe the feelings and emotions I experienced while playing this game. It has an interesting storyline and a vast world. And most importantly…”
“I honestly had way more fun with this game than I expected. The combat is awesome. It feels smooth, satisfying, and every boss fight had me locked in. Once you get the timing down, pulling off parries and combos feels so good. The graphics…”
Live from Steam, refreshed every few hours. Reviews are shown in English, as their authors wrote them.
The latest patch notes the developers posted on Steam, newest first — shown in English, as published.
No. Stellar Blade on PC does not require a PlayStation Network account. The first launch needs an internet connection for setup.
The game is identical. The Complete Edition adds the NieR:Automata and NIKKE collaboration packs, the Planet Diving Suit and Stargazer outfits, drone packs, accessories, 2,000 SP EXP and 5,000 Gold.
On the default difficulty it asks you to learn parry and dodge timing, especially against bosses. A Story mode is available for players who want the plot with less demanding fights.
Partly. Linear story stages alternate with two large open zones and the hub city of Xion, where most side quests and upgrades are found.
Around 20 hours for the main story, and 30 or more with side quests and exploration. There is more than one ending, and New Game+ carries your progress into a second run.
Yes. Stellar Blade is Steam Deck Verified and lowers its detail settings automatically on the Deck.
Yes. Korean voice acting is available, and the PC version added Chinese and Japanese voice acting with lip sync, alongside English and several European languages.
No. The code for a Stellar Blade costume in the GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE mobile game could only be redeemed until December 2025. Everything inside Stellar Blade itself is unaffected.
The publisher’s own specifications are further down this page — the Requirements link in the section bar jumps straight to them. The minimum targets 1080p at 60 frames per second on Low with a GTX 1060 6 GB or RX 580 8 GB and 16 GB of RAM; the recommended tier targets 1440p at 60 on Medium with an RTX 2060 SUPER or RX 5700 XT. The game needs 75 GB, and an SSD is recommended.
Immediately after payment, on screen and by email. Every key comes through our authorised distribution channel and activates permanently on your own Steam account.
The facts in this guide were checked against these pages on the date above.
Senior Gaming Commerce Editor, Virtwave
Rayyan covers console and PC gaming wallets for Virtwave, with deep specialism in PlayStation Network, Xbox, Razer Gold and Steam. He has been writing about digital gaming commerce since 2020.
Reviewed by Layla Farah, Lead Editorial, Virtwave
We’ve played every game we write a buying guide for on PC. The facts on this page — release dates, what each edition contains, account requirements and system specs — were checked against the sources above on September 16, 2026, and we update the page when they change. Virtwave sells this key; no publisher paid for this guide or reviewed it before publication.
Edition includes:
Stellar Blade™
Reclaim Earth for humankind
Experience the acclaimed PlayStation®5 hit Stellar Blade™ from Korean developers SHIFT UP, now optimized for PC.
Explore an awe-inspiring post-apocalyptic world
The future of humanity is balanced on the edge of a blade. Ravaged by strange, powerful creatures, Earth has been abandoned, and what is left of the decimated human race has fled to a Colony in outer space.
After travelling from the Colony, EVE arrives on the desolate remains of our planet with a clear-cut mission: to save humankind by reclaiming Earth from the Naytiba – the malevolent force that has devastated it.
But as EVE tackles the Naytiba one-by-one, piecing together the mysteries of the past in the ruins of human civilization, she realizes that her mission is far from straightforward. In fact, almost nothing is as it seems…
A thrilling slice of razor-sharp action
Engage in blisteringly fast combat as you slash a path through the remnants of Earth. Unleash graceful yet brutal attacking combos, unlock new moves and weapon upgrades, and face epic boss encounters that will challenge both brain and brawn in equal measure.
An incredible visual experience
Become immersed in a highly detailed post-apocalyptic world that blends beauty and horror to spectacular effect.
A deep, unforgettable adventure
Unravel a gripping human fate story, with mature themes, a thought-provoking narrative and emotionally-charged revelations from beginning to end.
New content
Test your skill and strength against the fearsome warrior Mann, the leader of the Sentinels in Boss Challenge Mode.
Chinese and Japanese voice over and lip-sync support.
25 costumes, three pairs of glasses and six pairs of earrings.
PC features
Ultrawide monitor support
Journey across breathtaking science fiction-inspired environments through support for ultrawide screen setups, including 21:9 and 32:9 aspect ratios.
PC optimized graphics
Bring this stunningly vibrant world to life with support for performance-enhancing technologies including NVIDIA DLSS 4 AI-powered graphics, NVIDIA DLAA image quality enhancement, NVIDIA Reflex system latency reduction, as well as AMD FSR 3.
Unlocked framerates
Unleash the full power of your hardware to unleash the full fury of EVE’s electrifying fighting style with support for high framerates and enhanced visual fluidity.
Texture pack support
Enrich the Stellar Blade universe through a 4K option for the environment texture quality.
Controller and keyboard support
Leap into the adventure with a PlayStation DualSense® controller on a wired USB connection, or with full mouse and keyboard support.
Haptic feedback
Feel the thrill of combat as your blade slashes its way to victory, with sensations enriched by the DualSense controller’s responsive vibrations.
Adaptive triggers
Unleash devastating yet graceful acrobatic moves, and interact with the technological remnants of an abandoned Earth using the DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers.
In order to activate this game, you will require a third-party 'Steam' account. For full details on how to activate please follow this link: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=5414-TFBN-1352
© 2025 SHIFT UP Corporation. All rights reserved. Published by Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC.
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