Summary
Stellar Bladehas proven to be an incredibly generous game when it comes to post-launch updates. In a world where so many games put a price tag on their post-launch content, it’s refreshing to see a new IP likeStellar Bladeshelling out regular free updates. Because of this, the game has earned a stellar reputation among its fans, and it has even periodically drawn players back in for another round with EVE and her companions inStellar Blade’s post-apocalyptic world. In fact,Stellar Blade’s player count shot up 40% after a new limited-time summer update was added to the game, and the developer has no plans to stop providing free updates like that any time soon.
Each update made toStellar Bladeprimarily centers around what the game became known for even ahead of its release: the visual appeal of its characters. Thanks to all of these free updates, there are now over 70 outfits inStellar Blade, each providing unique and often strange looks for EVE and her companions to sport as players make their way through the game’s story another time. After being spoiled by so many free cosmetic updates inStellar Blade, it might seem ungrateful to ask for something else at this point. On the other hand, cosmetics can only take the game so far, as they don’t do anything to improveStellar Blade’s gameplay and instead only serve to make it a more visually personalized experience for players. As such,Stellar Bladeshould consider another type of addition to keep players coming back to the game for the long haul.
Stellar Blade Could Use More Quests and Story Additions
Stellar Blade Should Add More Side Quests and Optional Activities in a Post-launch Update
One wayStellar Bladecould increase its replay value is by adding more side quests in a post-launch update. Currently,Stellar Blade’s side questsare fairly typical for an action-adventure game, being little more than fetch and kill quests. At the same time, a significant portion of the game’s side character development happens in these side quests, so they are of great value to the overarching narrative.
In light of that, adding more NPC-based side quests in a post-launch update would likely benefit the whole ofStellar Blade, so long as they maintain a similar formula.
Adding optional activities in apost-launch update toStellar Bladewould be another great way of bringing players back in for an extended period.Stellar Blade’s Boss Challenge mode sees players fighting each of the game’s bosses in a race against the clock, and while that has been enough to keep some players busy, it can only sustain its appeal for a certain amount of time before it becomes too monotonous to do again. A free update similar toGod of War Ragnarok’s roguelike Valhalla DLC would be a great way to increaseStellar Blade’s replay value and the faith of its fans simultaneously.
Stellar Blade Should Add More Story-based Content in a Post-launch Update
It might be a tall order, but some freestory-based DLC could benefitStellar Bladein the long run. For example, characters like Lily and Tachy both have intriguing backstories, so the opportunity to play as either of them and experience their story before the events of the game would help flesh outStellar Blade’s world and provide more context for their place in it. Furthermore, story-based DLC would provide enough reason to add some new environments toStellar Blade, since the majority of them are flat, desert landscapes with not many distinctions to remember them by.
Stellar Blade’s developer Shift Uphas made it clear that it is not done adding new content to the game. However, it should consider going a different route with additions by focusing more on replay value and story-based content if it hopes to maintain a consistent player count.
Stellar Blade
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RECLAIM EARTH FOR HUMANKIND The future of humanity hangs in the balance in Stellar Blade, an all-new story-driven action adventure. 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, 7th Airborne Squad member 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…
