Pesky microtransactions can be a major bugbear for many, so it’s always a pleasant surprise when games leave them out of the equation. Stellar Blade, the stylish action title that has turned heads with its character design, won’t ask players to fork out extra cash, save for one hypothetical scenario.
Speaking to Korean publication Reliweb, game director Kim Hyung-tae shared that crossover collaborations are the only exception to the no-microtransaction rule. The same interview also confirmed a New Game Plus mode, which will only be available at a later date.
“We want to make it clear at this point that Stellar Blade will not require any additional expenses that gamers are not aware of beyond what they paid for the package,” he said. “The only exception is if we create collaboration costumes with another company’s IP; those may be sold for a fee. Also, there is no New Game+ in the launch version, so please look forward to it being updated very soon.”
While developer Shift Up has no plans for a premium DLC for now, players can look forward to additional costumes for its protagonist, Eve, and other free post-launch updates. No collaborations have been announced at this point, but a crossover event with Goddess of Victory: Nikke, the studio’s popular mobile game, seems likely.
Stellar Blade is due exclusively for the PlayStation 5 on 26 April. It follows Eve as she combats mysterious invaders to reclaim a post-apocalyptic Earth. A demo for the game is available now on the PSN Store, and it’s shaping up to be a promising affair that offers plenty of spills and thrills (check out our first impressions).
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Edwin Teo
Destro
