Summary
The successful launch ofStellar Bladeis another win for PlayStation and PS5 owners, as the title only strengthens the console’s library of fantastic action RPG games.Stellar Bladenow stands with the likes ofHorizon Forbidden WestandGod of War Ragnarokin the ranks of Sony’s hit action titles of this console generation, which is quite commendable for developer Shift Up given this is the studio’s first home console title. In order to keep the success ofStellar Bladerolling, Shift Up should look toGod of War Ragnarok’s post-launch roadmap and the popularity of its Valhalla DLC.
It appears that post-launch content is already in the works forStellar Blade, with aNew Game Plus modemade available at launch and more seemingly in the works. Recently,Stellar Bladedirector Kim Hyung-tae confirmed that a new “Boss Challenge” mode is in development for the game, which could prove to be just the fresh experience players who’ve beatenStellar Blade’s main story are looking for. While no other DLC content is planned at this time,Stellar Bladehas the perfect foundation forGod of War Ragnarok: Valhalla-style rogue-like mode that could follow a similar shadow-drop release style.
Stellar Blade Needs its Own Valhalla DLC
AfterGod of War Ragnarok’s overwhelming success in 2022, many players were expecting Kratos' Norse Saga to be finished after the game’s release. However, Sony surprised players at the Game Awards 2023 with a trailer and subsequent release of a free expansion in the form of theValhalla DLC, which saw players fight their way through an epilogue set in Valhalla usingGod of War’s take on rogue-like mechanics. This surprise update to the game worked out well inGod of War Ragnarok’s favor by expanding upon the game’s ending and giving players a reason to pick it back up a year after its release.
Although there are allegedly no other plans for DLC outside theBoss Challenge modecurrently in development,Stellar Bladecould greatly benefit from a rogue-like mode similar toGod of War Ragnarok: Valhalla, especially if it is shadow-dropped. It’s not clear when the in-development Boss Challenge mode will be released, but the scope of the mode points towards it being released in the next few months. Waiting a year or so to revive interest in the game with a new rogue-like DLC could be just the shot in the armStellar Bladeneeds to become a solid new franchise for PlayStation.
How a Rogue-Like Mode for Stellar Blade Could Work
Stellar Bladealready has a lot of mechanics in place that would make it well-suited for a rogue-like mode in the same vein asGod of War Ragnarok: Valhalla. LikeGod of War,Stellar Blade’s use of equipableupgrades for EVE like Gear and Exospinesmake it easy to have randomized builds that reset after each run of a dungeon. Additionally, EVE’s skill tree could be reset each run so that players can try out new build strategies should one fail to successfully complete the objectives.
A rogue-like mode inStellar Bladecould also take a page out ofBloodborne’s book and feature randomized levels similar toBloodborne’s Chalice Dungeons. These dungeons could feature randomized layouts, enemy placements, and bosses on top of changing gear each run to give players a reason to keep coming back to the game and extend its life beyond its initial release. While the in-development Boss Challenge mode and existing New Game Plus help giveStellar Bladean additional level of challenge, seeing the game’s bosses remixed in a randomized rogue-like mode would be the icing on the cake forStellar Bladefans.
