Stellar Blade x NIKKE is Peak Fan Service
Stellar Blade made a big splash when it hit PlayStation 5 in 2024. With its jaw-dropping protagonist, silky-smooth combat, and unforgettable boss fights, it quickly became a favorite among action-adventure fans, catapulting Eve into icon status.
In November, players got a dream crossover with Nier, letting them cosplay as beloved characters from that universe. But while the concept was exciting, the DLC left many wanting more due to its lack of gameplay-driven content. Now, Shift Up is back with another major crossover, this time blending the world of Goddess of Victory: Nikke with Stellar Blade. This latest DLC brings both fresh costumes and new gameplay, but can it deliver the kind of content fans of both franchises have been hoping for?
Let’s Cosplay!
Similar to the previous DLC, this one comes packed with a range of cosmetics to transform Eve into characters from the popular Sci-Fi shooter. Outfits and hairstyles drastically alter the appearance of the protagonist so that you can experience the adventure in the guise of a different character. However, in order to gain the currency to purchase these items, you’ll need to complete an array of missions.
Designed after the popular mobile game, the missions are shooting galleries where you must hop between cover while taking out the onslaught of enemies that trudge towards you. Enemies vary, some with shields and others that are more aggressive. Due to this, you must keep on the move to stay out of harm’s way. After a while, you’ll charge up a special that you can use to turn the tide when you’re most vulnerable. Missions culminate with a boss fight, which plays out much the same, rolling to cover and unleashing a barrage of bullets until you deplete their health. Although quite shallow, it’s a fun minigame that differs from the action of the main game.
Time for the Main Event
After completing your missions, you can take on Scarlett in an epic boss fight reminiscent of the quality of encounters in the main campaign. This requires you to read the movements of your opponent, parry their attacks and strike in order to be victorious. This is well designed and easily the highlight of the short slice of DLC.
The Stellar Blade and Nikke collaboration is a small but enjoyable addition, featuring a handful of arcade-style shooting galleries, a boss fight, and a variety of cosmetic items. While it’s a clear improvement over the Nier DLC, the limited content may still leave players wanting more reasons to revisit the game. It’s not a full return to glory, but if minigames and cheeky costumes are your thing, this crossover delivers just enough to justify a quick revisit.
Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.