Is Stellar Blade Worth Buying on PC?

An In-Depth Review of Combat, Gameplay, and PC Enhancements

With only a few days left before the PC release of Stellar Blade, many gamers are wondering: beyond its eye-catching visuals, is this ARPG actually fun to play? Having fully completed the PS5 version, I’m here to break down its gameplay systems, especially combat, and help you decide whether it’s worth your time and money.

Stellar Blade Launch Trailer

⚔️ Combat System – Intense, Yet Accessible

Let’s start with a reassuring fact for those who aren’t the most dexterous players: Stellar Blade is not a “Soulslike” that punishes you relentlessly. There’s no stamina bar, meaning on normal difficulty, you can dodge and mash attacks freely. Even if your combos aren’t stylish, brute force and intuition can still carry you through most fights.

The game offers highly responsive defensive mechanics that feel great moment-to-moment. Enemy attacks come in three types, color-coded for clarity:

Blue Glow Attacks: Dodge forward. A perfectly timed dodge lets you instantly blink behind the enemy for a counterattack.
Purple Glow Attacks: Dodge backward. This breaks the enemy’s attack and causes a heavy stagger, perfect for a follow-up combo.
Yellow Glow Attacks: Tap dodge at the right time to trigger a perfect dodge, complete with slow-motion effects and a powerful charged counterattack.

For large AOE attacks, simply running out of range is a viable strategy. It may sound complicated, but in practice, it feels intuitive and rewarding.

🛡️ Parry, Guard, and Execution Moves

Traditional ARPG elements like blocking and parrying are here too. Blocking mitigates damage, and a perfect block gradually depletes an enemy’s posture gauge. Once depleted, you can trigger a brutal execution move—visually impactful with lots of gore and limb severing.

Stellar Blade Screenshot

🔥 Offensive Combat – Easy to Learn, Fun to Master

Basic combos are simple: just mix light and heavy attacks. Skills are executed with button combinations, and most of them can be fluidly woven into any combo sequence. By the end of Chapter 1, you’ll also unlock ranged weapons—modest in damage, but useful for mechanics and drawing aggro.

All in all, the game’s combat encourages aggression and quick reactions. Even button mashers can beat bosses through persistence, while more advanced players will enjoy mastering enemy patterns and pulling off cinematic, slow-motion dodges.

🎮 RPG Progression – Straightforward and Flexible

The progression system is refreshingly simple. Defeating enemies grants skill points, which are used to unlock abilities. Skills are clearly categorized: some boost combos and damage, others enhance defense or dodge mechanics, and some improve skill energy generation. You can respec at will, and eventually unlock everything, so no stress about “wasting points.” I recommend unlocking movement skills like dash and double jump early—they’re essential for exploration.

🧩 Gear & Customization

The gear system doesn’t require deep min-maxing. You’ll combine two “spinal cores” to define your playstyle, with optional components for stat tweaks like attack or damage resistance. On normal difficulty, you can mix and match freely.

Still, there’s room for build creativity. Want to play as a tank that turns damage into healing? Or a high-risk, high-reward glass cannon? It’s all possible.

👗 Cosmetics – A Fashion Show in Disguise

Outfits are a huge draw. There are tons of costumes, plus accessories like glasses and earrings. Don’t underestimate this aspect—just check the YouTube views on outfit showcase videos. For many, this is their first taste of a “Dress-Up Souls” game, and it’s delightful.

🌍 Exploration and Map Design

On a larger scale, Stellar Blade doesn’t waste your time. Early maps have vertical layers and hidden chests, but all paths are clearly laid out—you won’t easily get lost or miss major rewards. Later in the game, you’ll enter a desert zone featuring your first hub city and semi-open exploration area. Expect mechanics like activating generators, unlocking elevators, and solving basic puzzles.

While these are a bit “by the numbers,” the strong narrative pacing pulls you toward the main story. Optional NPC side quests and notice board challenges offer extra content, often with cosmetic rewards, making exploration feel worthwhile rather than tedious.

🧠 Pro Tips

Drone Scan: Your drone can scan for enemies and collectibles—super helpful in darker environments or tight spaces.
Points of No Return: There are two unreturnable areas in the story. If you’re trophy hunting, complete side quests and collectibles beforehand.
Multiple Endings: Your relationship with Lily (an NPC) affects the ending. You’ll need a second playthrough for full trophy completion.

🖥️ Why the PC Version Might Be the Best

Now for the PC-specific perks:

Ultra-wide monitor support (21:9, 32:9)
Enhanced graphics and AMD FSR3 support
Reduced input latency
Unlocked framerate and 4K texture options

If you’ve got a high-end rig, you’re in for a visual treat beyond what the PS5 can offer. Plus, the modding community is already buzzing—even before release. Expect high-quality outfits, gameplay tweaks, and who knows what else. For many, finishing the story will only be the beginning.

🧾 Verdict: A Stylish and Satisfying ARPG

Despite the memes about the “oily onee-san,” Stellar Blade is a legitimately solid ARPG with intuitive mechanics and rewarding combat. Every enemy attack has a counter, and the lack of a stamina bar shifts the focus to aggressive, fast-paced gameplay. While the impact may not rival genre titans, its skill variety keeps things exciting.

Add to that a robust customization system, beautiful visuals, and PC mod support, and you’ve got a game that balances challenge, style, and substance.

Whether you’re here for the combat, the story, or the fashion—Stellar Blade makes sure everyone can have fun. And that, perhaps, is its greatest strength.