Stellar Blade, the acclaimed action RPG from Shift Up, is poised to make its debut on PC with a range of exciting enhancements. However, this transition to PC brings both promise and challenges, notably in the form of regional restrictions and the inclusion of Denuvo DRM. Dive into the details to discover the added content and understand the implications for regions without PSN access.
The Good: PS5 Players Get Free Update with New Content and Features
Stellar Blade, celebrated for its stylish combat and engaging narrative, is expanding its horizons to the PC platform, promising a suite of enhancements. However, the path to PC hasn't been without its hiccups, including Sony's premature trailer release and unexpected regional restrictions that even caught the developers off guard.
Before the official announcement on May 15, a glimpse of Stellar Blade's PC version was inadvertently shared by Sony via a trailer on the PlayStation YouTube channel, revealing the release date and other details before it was swiftly removed. Thankfully, the internet preserved and spread this information widely.
Shift Up has also confirmed that PlayStation 5 players will not be left behind, as they will receive the new content introduced with the PC release. In a detailed PlayStation Blog post, DongKi Lee, Shift Up's technical director, outlined the enhancements, which include NVIDIA DLSS 4 and AMD FSR 3 support, unlocked framerates beyond 120 FPS, and compatibility with ultrawide aspect ratios from 5:4 to 32:9. Players can also look forward to high-resolution textures, full keyboard and mouse remapping, DualSense controller support with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, and additional voiceover options in Japanese and Chinese.
The PC version introduces new content, such as a challenging boss battle against Mann, the leader of the Sentinels, and 25 additional costumes for protagonist Eve. This content will be available to PlayStation 5 users through a free update on the same day as the PC release.
The Bad: Stellar Blade PC Launch Marred by Regional Restrictions and Denuvo DRM
While PS5 players receive a bonus, the PC launch of Stellar Blade is complicated by significant regional restrictions and the inclusion of Denuvo DRM. Data from SteamDB indicates that the game is currently unavailable for purchase on Steam in over 100 countries.
Shift Up has clarified that playing Stellar Blade on PC does not require connecting a Steam profile to a PlayStation Network (PSN) account. However, there is a notable overlap between countries where the game is blocked on Steam and regions without PSN services, leading many to believe that Sony, the game's publisher, is behind these restrictions.
These widespread regional blocks seem to stem from Sony's approach to PC game releases and the integration of PSN. Sony has been expanding its PlayStation exclusives to PC to reach a broader audience, but this expansion sometimes includes a requirement for players to link their Steam and PSN accounts. This is manageable in countries with PSN access but poses a problem in regions where the service is not available.
Sony's Chief Financial Officer Hiroki Totoki justified this requirement in a November 2024 Investor Call, stating it ensures that players can "safely" enjoy their live-service games. This justification is more understandable for games like Helldivers 2, but it raises questions about its application to single-player titles like Stellar Blade and the Horizon series.
The extent of these restrictions has surprised many, including the developers. When asked about the game's availability in certain regions on Twitter (X), the Stellar Blade official account responded, "The PC version of Stellar Blade does not require a PSN account. May I ask where you live?" accompanied by a "face screaming in fear" emoji, indicating their surprise at the situation.
This issue echoes the controversy surrounding Helldivers 2's PSN requirement, which led to widespread backlash and forced Sony to reverse its policy. Additionally, the inclusion of Denuvo DRM in Stellar Blade's PC version has raised concerns among players, as Denuvo is often criticized for potentially affecting game performance and limiting player freedoms.
However, the Stellar Blade X account has reassured players that "After extensive testing and relentless optimization, the game delivers high frame rates on a variety of setups. Even on the Steam Deck, you can reach 45-50 FPS with the right settings!"
As the release date of June 11 approaches, fans are eagerly awaiting to see how Sony and Shift Up will address these issues. For more insights on Stellar Blade, be sure to check out our detailed article below!
