Stellar Blade (Switch 2) Review – Sharp Combat, Blunted Performance

Stellar Blade (Switch 2) Review

The Switch 2 has welcomed a number of ports to the hybrid system. Some manage to perfectly replicate the essence of the experience, while others have struggled to maintain the same level of quality on Nintendo’s latest hardware. Built specifically for the PlayStation 5, Stellar Blade delivered fast-paced, intense battles filled with stunning particle effects and environmental events, all while looking beautiful. Can Shift Up maintain the game’s visual identity and blistering combat, or will the hardware force it to make sacrifices?

Humanity has left Earth, driven away by an alien species. With the intention of taking back their home, the Airborne Squad descends from space to eliminate all threats. Upon arrival, the team is decimated, with only EVE surviving. After being saved by Adam, a survivor who remained on Earth, you must uncover the dark secrets behind the Naytiba and protect the future of mankind. While the story picks up in the final third, the game certainly follows tropes to create a predictable, yet engaging tale.

No Place Like Home

The world is brimming with character, with items scattered throughout offering glimpses into its history and rewarding those who take the time to explore. EVE, the voluptuous heroine, is a wonderful leading character, driving the narrative while showcasing beauty and strength. Although undoubtedly sexualised, her iconic appearance, combined with the brutal ballet of violence, has helped her develop a cult following, etching her place alongside other femme fatales in the medium.

Combat is central to the adventure. From slaying multiple minions at once to vicious, imposing bosses, you are continually challenged to overcome increasingly demanding encounters that test your skills and reflexes. Combos initiate a delightful dance of death as you gracefully and elegantly pirouette across the terrain, slaying foes at each turn. Although an action fantasy, it challenges you to react and respond to the array of enemies. Colours signal incoming strikes, allowing you to perform the correct counter. You can parry attacks with a well-timed press of the shoulder button, execute a perfect dodge and teleport out of the way of attacks using Blink. The combination of these leads to a deep and immersive combat system that is equal parts challenging and engaging.

Although inputs are responsive on the PlayStation 5, there appears to be a slight delay when initiating strikes on the Nintendo Switch 2. While this doesn’t take away from Stellar Blade’s deep, strategic combat, it is noticeable, especially for fans of the original.

A Stylish Strike

Moving onto the Switch 2 port, visually, the game is impressive. Although the port makes some compromises, Shift Up successfully brings its vision to the hybrid device. Differences with side-by-side comparisons in hair and resolution are evident, but the biggest issue is the animation at a distance. Characters appear to stutter until they come within range, which can be distracting when exploring the environment. However, these may sound like an issue; when it’s in your hands, these elements quickly dissipate.

Most impressive is that the game targets 60 frames per second for both docked and handheld options. With the support of NVIDIA DLSS upscaling and AMD FSR 3.1 frame interpolation, they manage to maintain a solid frame rate. At times, I noticed an odd drop, but generally the experience remains smooth, with only occasional dips in performance.

The package includes all post-launch content. This includes the NieR: Automata and GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE crossovers, all free updates and some new costumes based on Bayonetta. Cosplaying as the witch with no memories is great, making it feel like a new adventure with the iconic character. Switch 2-specific features also include gyro aiming, some touch and motion controls and the ability to use the mouse. While I think the game plays better without these options, they provide some welcome flexibility for those who prefer alternative control methods.

Cutting it Close

The Switch 2 version of Stellar Blade is competent but struggles to hit the same heights as the original. With its steady framerate, the game runs extremely well both docked and handheld. While it’s incredible that Shift Up has managed to get the game working on Nintendo’s latest hardware, some compromises have been made. Animations dip at a distance and the game isn’t as responsive as the original. It may not be the best version of the game, but it remains a worthwhile option for those who want to experience EVE’s adventure on the go.

***A Nintendo Switch 2 code was provided by the publisher***