Stellar Blade sequel announced by devs

Shift Up has officially confirmed development of a full-fledged Stellar Blade sequel, following the success of its PlayStation debut earlier this year. The 2024 action game drew favorable comparisons to titles like NieR: Automata and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice for its combat mechanics.

The Korean developer revealed its plans through a corporate roadmap included in today's financial results presentation. The chart outlines multiple franchise expansions scheduled through 2027, with the Stellar Blade sequel prominently featured as a key upcoming project.

Platform Expansion Before Sequel

Before the sequel's release, Shift Up plans a "platform expansion" for the original Stellar Blade - widely believed to refer to the PC version launching on June 11, 2025. The company recently addressed concerns about regional restrictions affecting the game's Steam availability in over 100 countries, confirming ongoing discussions with Sony about the issue.

Alongside the Stellar Blade franchise growth, Shift Up's roadmap includes Project Witches - a mysterious multiplatform action RPG yet to be fully revealed. All these developments fall within the studio's pre-2027 timeline.

Critical Reception Highlights

While praised for its visually stunning environments and engaging combat system inspired by Sekiro, the original Stellar Blade received mixed feedback regarding certain RPG elements. Reviewers noted underwhelming character development and repetitive side quests that required backtracking through previously explored areas.

IGN's review summarized: "Stellar Blade excels in combat fundamentals and creature design, but suffers from narrative shortcomings and poorly implemented RPG mechanics." The sequel presents an opportunity for Shift Up to refine these aspects while building upon the game's acclaimed action sequences and rewarding exploration systems.

The confirmation of a sequel demonstrates Shift Up's commitment to expanding its first major console franchise, following Stellar Blade's successful transition from mobile development to AAA console gaming.