Developed by South Korean studio Shift Up, Stellar Blade is a PlayStation 5 exclusive with fast-paced action and a post-apocalyptic setting. Its flashy combat and stunning visuals scream next-gen, but the game also wears its inspirations on its sleeve. You can probably tell what it was inspired by, but the developers finally confirmed some inspirations.
IGN Japan recently sat down with the developers to discuss the influences behind Stellar Blade. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Bayonetta were key inspirations in terms of gameplay. Players control Eve, who executes stylish combos while reacting quickly to enemy attacks through parrying and dodging to create openings for counters.
Stellar Blade’s world visually takes cues from various post-apocalyptic science fiction works with a distinctly Asian flair. Many of the game’s main characters have Asian appearances, and Xion, the city built by humanity’s last survivors, resembles modern Asian cityscapes.
“As for Stellar Blade’s world-building, we designed it by mixing cultural elements from Hong Kong, Japan, China and Korea,” said developer Kim Hyung-tae. He clarifies that Xion isn’t meant to represent any specific country or culture but rather a universal city for the world’s survivors. Kim admits his own enjoyment of various cultures and art influenced the game’s world, citing cyberpunk manga Battle Angel Alita and the film Blade Runner as specific inspirations.
“Nier: Automata left a huge impression on me. It made me realize that a game like this could be made, and allowed me to rediscover the kind of game that I want to make.”
Kim Hyung-tae
The biggest source of inspiration seems to be Nier Automata. The combination of Yoko Taro’s signature stylish action and a dystopian world resonates strongly with Stellar Blade. Both games also feature an anime-inspired female protagonist.
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