"Eve and her comrades exhibit superb secondary motion characteristics that would put a smile on the face of Dead or Alive series creator Tomonobu Itagaki" AHAHAHAHAHA
@@8K240hz like film grain in alan wake 2 is horrible as the grains are large n causes weird noise but tlou 1 pc grains just makes the game 2times better i cant explain why
Honestly hearing that its like a PS2 era game on modern hardware sounds really appealing. A lot of AAA games are so bland and try to cater to too much, and are often buggy/broken. Games need to be more focused like this. Hope it comes to more platforms.
Yh... we don't need 100 hours worth of content when that content is just collectibles. We also don't need hollywood actors to help sell games, all that this does is inflate the budget and resources needed.
@@lolcat well thats not gonna happen because of shitty devs and there shitty optimizations of games and I guess "graphics improving" lol which is not entirely happening but Stellar Blade looks great and its good it targets 60 fps but its not an open world game but it is good its 60 like usually u need that in a soul like or parrying game but 60 fps is not gonna happen for everyone demanding game unless u have a really decent gaming pc even then unoptimized games I've seen on a 4090 even struggle
Hopefully Shift Up takes note of these types of reviews instead. That’s all that matters and a lot of reviewers clearly had a hell of a time no matter their overall review and score. A sequel or prequel is in high demand.
@@mechanicalmonk2020lies of p was underwhelming and just felt clunky to play. Not to mention it’s basically a souls copy and paste and that’s not everyone’s type of game
So, true. The games of 2003 to 2014 were already perfect. We need more fun games like this with no bugs rather than a buggy mess with good quality graphics like Cyberbugs and others.
All this is even more impressive when you consider this is their first time developing a console game. It's very evident that they're gamers first and they wanted to give people the best experience. Already preordered, I can't wait to play!
@@xSabinx1 They've been developing great games for decades, but are mostly known for their MMORPGs like Lineage II, Aion, ArcheAge, Tera, Black Desert etc. which unfortunately were way too grindy for the majority of the Western audience, almost becoming a full-time job if you wanted to compete in PvP. Aion and ArcheAge were absolutely extreme in that regard. Western publishers of these games always added P2W sooner or later. Then the games always died shortly after.
Oh God, yes. Souls and souls like titles too often make bosses seem like they don’t even feel/care that they’re being hit, even when you’re dealing huge amount of damage to them. It’s frustrating and boring
So apparently Shift Up made real sculptures of monsters first and then scanned them to import into the game, according to their bts video. That's some dedication. On another note, it's good to see good ol Tomonobu Itagaki decided to crash the party to celebrate new DJ John's EP. PS. "Secondary motion characteristics" -- that's a new way to appreciate the bounce.
I gotta say I truly enjoy development vids explaining and demonstrating how they achieved their goals. Modern Vintage Gamer has some pretty awesome vids on his channel!
This is actually easier than modelling them in 3D software by hand, it's just the tools used to be expensive in Hollywood and product engineering. 3D scanners, photogrammetry and automatic LOD generators are great automation tools that more games should use. And artists can actually have fun in sculpting.
THIS is how games should be made these days. Performance above all else and this just proves that it can work. We always say gameplay is king and that’s tied to performance, not graphics. Most triple A studios seem to have forgotten that.
Quality mode runs at native 4k @ 30fps Balanced mode runs at 1080 to 1440p @ 48-60 fps ( uses temporal upscaling via reconstruction. As a result, image quality can sometimes exceed the native 4K option) Performance mode at 1440p @ 60fps
So it can be done! Visually pleasing, WITH good performance. Unsurprisingly it's a conscious design decision the devs need to make at the start of the development proces.
@@NotFromHere. Well Naughty Dog and Guerilla games are pretty good when it comes to the technical side. Just their recent games have been bland as they try to cater to every audience.
@@NotFromHere. TLOUS 2 had a good story idea but poor execution. When you have compilations of gamers making Abby jump to her death screaming "this is for Joel!!!" You might have made a slight miscalculation story-wise lol.
Longtime PC gamer here, bought PS5 just for this. Still getting used to using the controller but had an absolute blast with the demo. Two more days but can't wait!
I miss these fast-paced action-focused games. Too many games now have this slow, deliberate Souls inspired combat & I just want a game where I can chill & smash out some combos. I really hope this comes to PC. It looks great.
I'm happy to see the gaming industry create more jobs for professional musicians these past few generations :) My favorite is still that fantastic Bloodbourne soundtrack.
It's a shame how the gaming press shunned him, his name is somewhat forgotten. He's a legend who pushed action games forward in a highly competitive era.
Itagaki is a hero to me, that guy simply gave no f*cks and refused to be swayed from his vision of what a game should be, I admire that level of fortitude and determination.
I remember him on the XBOX 360 stage back in 2007 showcasing Ninja Gaiden 2. He mentioned how good the hardware was on the 360 and that Team Ninja was using the power of the console to create the best Ninja Gaiden game.
Awesome “no sad dads” jab there at the beginning. Seeing so often now! I also appreciate how John does the sound sampling and testing. Great coverage here.
It’s great to see this game get the love and attention it deserves. This was a passion project from one guy, who grew into a team, and that team grew into a group funded by Sony to make the game they truly wanted without anything holding them back. Such a great story, and now from it a great game!
Shift Up existed for over tens years and is not funded by Sony. They're independent. They're also valued at over a billion dollars. They do have a publishing deal with Sony for this specific game, but I wouldn't be surprised if most of the game is self funded because their mobile games make so much dang money for them. I'm not saying this to discredit Kim Hyung-tae in any way. Just that it's not just one guy or small team that came out of nowhere. There's hundreds of devs on that worked on this game.
I had a good feeling about this game when I played the demo and it seems like a very solid game to boot. How the pendulum has swung from mobile developers to a solid console game. *Hats off* Shift Up.
John with a Stellar analysis. You can see the passion, care and detail that the developers have put in to make this game the way they wanted. I say Nier Automata is a Masterpiece of its generation and Stellar Blade will be the equivalent for this generation.
@@mechanicalmonk2020 Yes, Nier was and still is an amazing game with an excellent soundtrack along side it. Story, combat, different game styles (3D, 2D and bullet hell), massive battles, puzzles all combined together in one game. Having 2B in it just made it more pleasing to the eye.
Using UE4 and not 5 helped the game to be more stable while looking gorgeous at the same time, for a game releasing exclusively on ps5 that's the perfect choice, considering that all UE5 releases (SO FAR) are struggling to perform well on consoles without sacrificing fidelity & texture .. hope Black Myth Wukong will be the exception
@@LivingHitokiri2Both engines are overhyped af and most devs using them have no clue about optimization. Even Epic Games had problems optimizing Fortnite since they switched to UE5 in 2020. It took them 3 years to make Fortnite run stutter free on PC...
@@Ramonis1000 Eve is just 1 character model on a linear action game. Rebirth is doing open world and rendering multiple playable characters on screen at all times.
This is a video game that’s proud of being a video game. Not a game trying to be a movie, not a live service. Beginning to end, polished. This is what a AAA game is supposed to be like. Demo is 🔥. Can’t wait for the full game
Shift Up deserves a lot of praise here! Making a splash on the big stage, and in a truly stellar way! They are officially on everyone's radar now. Great effort!
A round of applause to the team for making one of the best polished games i've seen. Stellar graphics with Stellar performance And that balanced mode looks really good
Nice review! It seems like a great-performing, looking, and playing game that we don't get so much anymore these days. The studio did a great job, especially since they'd only worked on mobile games before. They are doing better than so many studios that have been making console games for far longer.
@@jorge69696 My game of the year. I am not overly excited for anything else this year. Unless there are surprise drops, which you never know. That is how I feel just now.
@OtakuBenny2210 I don't like the souls style games. Glad you liked that game. I haven't played BG3. I couldn't comment either way. I don't however engage with identity/division politics. People who do and argue about it, are people who are played like a fiddle by the MSM 24/7, brainwashed into picking sides and theories frok talking heads that engulf their lives, mainly because they lack anything more interesting to talk about or engage with. The world's top 2 percent wealthy, pay bad actors and other media darlings to keep propaganda being pumped at people online and on TV. The design of this is to make enemies between anyone based on differences with each other. These are strings of the masses that they pull and have people at each other like puppets, because they know united people stand together, divided people fall. It makes the masses more malleable and easy to mould for their agendas. They own everything and the online world that feeds you theories and propaganda. They infect your language with buzzwords and catch whatever trending zeitgeist they can as part of mass manipulation. I refuse to acknowledge any of it. I enjoy games for what they are and if I disagree with the message, I don't lose any sleep over it. No one is my enemy. What their private choices for their lives are don't affect me. Live and let live I say. Don't let yourself be played into engaging with any of the language they want you to use. If you don't like something, cool, don't engage. Whatever you do don't be a puppet. They win.
@OtakuBenny2210 Goty will go to the game that had the most impact. Last year it was bg3 cause it's genuinely an amazing game that was able to attract lots of players (including me) who were never interested in dnd nor would have ever considered playing a game with turned based combat and give them a great RPG experience nonetheless. No other game last year did anything close to that. Lies of P was good but it had some glaring issues and it didn't get much attention cause as a souls-like it didn't really excel at anything and it wasn't genre defining and set new standards for the industry like bg3 and elden ring did the last couple of years.
I can’t wait to see and play this game on my LG OLED. Coming from a lifetime of gaming on budget TVs my OLED makes everything I play look stunning. It’s especially true for game that make use of all its features. So happy to see this game is performing well.
Same honesty. I'm buying this game because of the TV. Recently got an LG OLED and man, it's just gorgeous. SpiderMan2 was amazing but this looks like it's gonna be on another level.
@@TheDouglas717 yeah, I’m excited for this game mainly for its art style. They did an incredible job with all the designs of characters and enemies. I also love a good action game, specifically SoulsLike style combat. I also love games like Sekiro and Lies of P so I can’t wait to sink my teeth into it.
Fantastic video!! A polished, complete game at launch with no bugs, unlockable cosmetic options, accessible for new players with easy mode, solid 60fps with alternate display options, interesting level mechanics, engaging combat, a focused artistic direction accompanied with a beautiful OST with seamless set pieces and memorable characters all with minimal loading. This is how games are supposed to launch!!!! Forget your suicide sqauds, star wars outlaws, political agendas or a "release it now, patch it later" attitude. Modern releases could learn a lot from Shift Up!!! Plus they've announced free cosmetic updates, NG+ and no microtransactions (except for crossover IP cosmetics and we all know a 2B outfit is coming lol) I've not been this excited for a game in years!!!
as someone who was just playing NANO BREAKER (2005) on PS2 literally last night i suppose i am not legally allowed NOT to buy this game after hearing that intro description. however, it was the "fans of [...] daikatana" bit that finally sold me
@@islandboy9381 no, ps2 games have a certain flavor of limitations that led to the game design ethos of linear or straightforward with a minor setpieces and asset reuse up the wazoo. Yakuza games embrace this wonderfully. Dark Souls games are Symphony of the night likes fully realized in the 3rd dimension.
I'm actually impressed at the level of quality ShiftUp has been able to achieve here with Stella Blade at launch, definitely picking up the Digital Deluxe Edition!
It's 2024, and Shift Up shipped a game that is content complete and nails not only performance, but also a proper balanced mode and resolution mode for those who prefer it? I guess that's another way it's like a PS2 game...shipping with complete content and features. Awesome!
Ray tracing is cool but it’s just not viable in my opinion because you need high end hardware for it. Wait until 300 dollar GPUs can run it at 4k60 and then I’ll care about it.
This is the first time I read 한글(Korean alphabet) on a DF video game title and it makes me teary eyed. I’ll be so happy to see more console games made in my country!!
It is nice to see a non-ideological driven technical review of a video game. I have not watched much content from DF in the past, but you have earned my sub and I will watch you much more in the future.
Then don’t watch the podcast because they say some cringy woke shit John is cool but Alex and that old dude say some dumb shit if it’s not purely tech they site stuff from kotaku and the rest of these shitty so called gaming journalists
Glad John got this one. I also appreciated the PS2-esque design sense in Lies of P and really dig what Korean developers are doing as of late in terms of focusing on technical execution, feel and style. A nice change of pace.
One thing I found personally, is making sure your monitor or tv settings are correct as well. I was playing on a tv setting with too high of a sharpness and once i fixed that, the visuals stood out even more.
What makes this 'fresh'? The gameplay doesn't look much different than EVERY OTHER Third Person action game? How is this 'fresh' compared to God of War, or Devil May Cry, or Nier, or Dark Souls, etc? Maybe I've finally just aged out, but all these new games just feel like the same basic games I've been playing for 30 years, just with a different story and 'fresh' coat of paint.
LOL, yeah „fresh“. This is the best example of copying all kinds of elements from other games. It’s copied well in execution, but definitely not innovative or creative in any regard. Rather superficial and a bit dull. But whoever likes superficial fun will probably be pleased with it.
The game appears to be attractive and visually appealing, reviving memories of the gameplay style during the PS2 era, which I particularly enjoy. It transports me back to a time when games prioritized straightforward, enjoyable mechanics, delivering a truly fun experience. Thank you for providing a comprehensive analysis of Stellar Blade, highlighting its strengths across all aspects. It's certainly a well-made game, showcasing the skill and dedication of the Shift Up team. Kudos to all involved; you guys are truly based.
The devs have to be very confident letting you guys review the game before release, I'm glad that they have all reason to be so. The demo left a very high impression on me, awesome vistas, cutscenes and performance, it's great to hear that this quality continues in the final game. Thanks for the great review, looking forward to Friday!
I love playing Stellar Blade Demo on Prioritize Performance Mode. I’m still amazed that it runs at 1440p 60fps. I may end up keeping it on that setting in the Full Game - Day One!
This by all indications makes it evident that Shift Up / Hyung-tae Kim knows exactly what a video game is supposed to be. A great looking and playing game that knows the limitations of the hardware and doesn’t always take itself too seriously in order to try to compete with Oscar worthy film. I’m hoping Sony takes notice and adjusts their first party strategy a bit to release more games like this. The part about stepping on PlayStation symbols - I’m all for it. I miss that kind of stuff in games.
Seeing Sony release an exclusive by a Korean studio is a really big deal to me as a Korean. The world is healing. Thank you for your coverage John 🙏 video games allow us an opportunity to step into someone else's world. This is art at its best, breaking down boundaries and promoting human understanding between each other.
I skipped the other reviews to avoid being spoiled more than necessary. And I think this one told me everything I wanted to know as I was already hooked after playing through the demo. Thank you. This is a great review that focuses on the technical aspects and doesn't get into any “politics”. Can't wait to play it myself.
If by "politics" you mean complaining about the boobs, that's not really a thing that game reviewers do? You actually have to be blatantly exploitative in a way that's detrimental to the game for it to be a thing. Ain't nobody going to bat for BMX XXX, but everyone loves Bayonetta.
@@SimonBuchanNz Digital Foundry's Alex complained about exactly that. That also isn't a question. And if you think Western "game reviewers" and journalists as a whole don't do this, you are living under a rock as they are nearly all far-left woke activists who can't get real jobs.
@@OilFreeFeathers the reviews are overwhelmingly positive and a tiny handful say anything negative about the character design, and then only briefly as a "if you're ok with this the rest is great". Oh no the politics. How dare these people that are paid to have an opinion have an opinion.
This IS amazing for a 1st game of that caliber for the studio! Great work! Very excited to play when it unlocks on console! Already downloaded 1.02 patch with NG+ support, btw!
I knew it would be John before he spoke. 1.) Highly anticipated game. 2.) Flair for drama, he let it play out a bit before speaking. John is the best from the best group of guys on any gaming channel.
With some minor patches I think this game can be so good. As it stands, it's looking to be a visually impressive game with a variety of gameplay mechanics.
@@cooltwittertag what part of “my GOTY so far” didn’t you get. It’s MY opinion and you’re entitled to yours. You have no idea of what I have or haven’t played this year.
@@cooltwittertag you don’t know anything whatsoever you just sound silly and that’s about it. Let me help you out. Right now the game I’m playing is called “Muted”.
@@bugsnax4145 I was a Sony fan until they released a firmware update that destroyed the battery on their WF XM4 earbuds and then they refused a free return, but that's neither here nor there... and an entirely different department.
The remark about new enemy types reminds me how the tutorial reveals an enemy that doesn't appear till much later. Minor detail for sure, but I wish they'd use one of the earlier foes.
Yay! A game well done that pleases Devil May Cry, Bayonetta, Nier, Soulsborne fans like myself! So happy to see this level of polish and very pleased with my pre-orders (yes plural, I bought a few copies for myself, friends and family and one for that one colleague at work who promissed to deliver good performance and actually did and didn't slack off, Proud of you Ryan! :p).
"Eve and her comrades exhibit superb secondary motion characteristics that would put a smile on the face of Dead or Alive series creator Tomonobu Itagaki" AHAHAHAHAHA
Based.
Ugh. It's called jiggle physics. No need for euphemism.
@@alanlee67 It's called tact -- and it's a better way for these things to re-emerge, since it's not directly mentioned (so it's much harder to attack)
@@SteveJonesOwnsDSPeh, fair enough. I can see where you're coming from
I'm sold
The option to remove film grain has been added in a patch that's been made available this morning before release
I mean film grain is a hit or miss in many games but when it hits like in tlou 1 pc damn does it look insane
@@ttghhgg1918 yeah i find myself keeping it on at times for that cinematic look.
Wow great to hear, that's the only thing that bugged me in the demo.
@@8K240hz like film grain in alan wake 2 is horrible as the grains are large n causes weird noise but tlou 1 pc grains just makes the game 2times better i cant explain why
@@ttghhgg1918 i agree dude, it makes it feel alot more real and gritty.
Honestly hearing that its like a PS2 era game on modern hardware sounds really appealing. A lot of AAA games are so bland and try to cater to too much, and are often buggy/broken. Games need to be more focused like this. Hope it comes to more platforms.
"PS2 era game on modern hardware"
I heard this and IMMEDIATELY thought "WOW, that has to be good!" PS2/3 to xbox360 was the golden era of gaming.
Yh... we don't need 100 hours worth of content when that content is just collectibles. We also don't need hollywood actors to help sell games, all that this does is inflate the budget and resources needed.
Back when gaming was great.
exactly why it interested me, this is how games should be, as someone who plays PCSX2 a lot, this is right up my alley
I thought final fantasy 16 felt like that and i hated that game. This looks much better though
"... bug free experience" he says as she fights giant bugs... well done sir.
Might be worth mentioning that 40% of the soundtrack comes from Keiichi Okabe, the composer of the Nier:Automata soundtrack…
Might be worth mentioning everyone knows already
@@jollama I would hope so, but experience tells me otherwise.
No wonder Nier Automata DLC was released.
@@RyuhayabusaGaiden Living under a rock huh?
all games should strive for this level of performance, this is impressive
60 should be a target for all games
@@lolcat well thats not gonna happen because of shitty devs and there shitty optimizations of games and I guess "graphics improving" lol which is not entirely happening but Stellar Blade looks great and its good it targets 60 fps but its not an open world game but it is good its 60 like usually u need that in a soul like or parrying game but 60 fps is not gonna happen for everyone demanding game unless u have a really decent gaming pc even then unoptimized games I've seen on a 4090 even struggle
@@coreypasternak9435I'd rather have more interesting AI and physics than 60fps.
It almost feels like whiplash now when you see what an optimized game looks like, Shift Up deserves a lot of praise for this level of polish
It’s a console exclusive, they have no excuses
John sold me at 'it's just a gosh darn enjoyable videogame.' What more do we need?
Depends on who you're asking. Are you asking someone?
If only modern day developers understood just how important this statement really is.
Hopefully Shift Up takes note of these types of reviews instead. That’s all that matters and a lot of reviewers clearly had a hell of a time no matter their overall review and score. A sequel or prequel is in high demand.
Word!
like a stupid review that said the music, the world, the gameplay was stunning and ended giving 65/100, lmao.
Delivering a complete and largely bug/glitch free game. 👏👏👏
So a game that wants a existance of its own beyond the shackles of the toriparasite...
It's a surprise, but a welcome one.
Were you here when Lies of P came out?
@@mechanicalmonk2020lies of p was underwhelming and just felt clunky to play. Not to mention it’s basically a souls copy and paste and that’s not everyone’s type of game
except for imput delay but you know, its no big deal right, only a core part of any game.
and costumes unlockable in game for free, no season pass and with paid DLC from launch...
"I definitely think this is one of the best things Sony has published in quite a while." - what a statement and I fully agree.
It got me to buy a PS5, so yeah.
It just be
Balanced mode on my LG OLED is where it’s at 🤩
Pro mode is now wheres its at
A video game from 2003 built with modern tools is exactly what the industry needs more of and why I enjoy Nintendo games so much.
Took the words right out of my mouth
So, true. The games of 2003 to 2014 were already perfect. We need more fun games like this with no bugs rather than a buggy mess with good quality graphics like Cyberbugs and others.
@@syeddanishanweridk about 2014. 90’s-2010 was peak gaming.
If only nintendo knew how to game a game with good controls. Biggest issue with the new Zelda games is how bad the controls and core combat are
nintendo is meh but Stellar Blade is awesome
All this is even more impressive when you consider this is their first time developing a console game. It's very evident that they're gamers first and they wanted to give people the best experience. Already preordered, I can't wait to play!
There's talent in Korea, Lies of P wad amazing technically as well
@@xSabinx1 They've been developing great games for decades, but are mostly known for their MMORPGs like Lineage II, Aion, ArcheAge, Tera, Black Desert etc. which unfortunately were way too grindy for the majority of the Western audience, almost becoming a full-time job if you wanted to compete in PvP. Aion and ArcheAge were absolutely extreme in that regard. Western publishers of these games always added P2W sooner or later. Then the games always died shortly after.
They are pros from various gaming companies.
Korea people just built different
@@xSabinx1 Talent is everywhere, western studios are just suffering from a severe lack of meritocratic hiring practices.
There's something so satisfying seeing huge bosses reacting to being hit. It's something a lot of games don't do.
YES, instead of only health bars and flying numbers. I'm sure this took way more effort, but it's so much more intuitive and satisfying.
Oh God, yes. Souls and souls like titles too often make bosses seem like they don’t even feel/care that they’re being hit, even when you’re dealing huge amount of damage to them. It’s frustrating and boring
A hundred times YES to this. Battles done right.
Yes, but attacks on the player seem to pass thru her body like she's a ghost.
@@danielbaggins7341 Oh no... Anyway
Just platinum this game today. what a great experience, this game deserve the praise
*Balanced Mode is a MUST-HAVE for ALL next-gen titles. What a Graphical Masterpiece! 👏👏👏*
So apparently Shift Up made real sculptures of monsters first and then scanned them to import into the game, according to their bts video. That's some dedication. On another note, it's good to see good ol Tomonobu Itagaki decided to crash the party to celebrate new DJ John's EP.
PS. "Secondary motion characteristics" -- that's a new way to appreciate the bounce.
Doom 1993 style
@@WayStedYouwow that’s really cool, didn’t know Doom used sculptures!
I gotta say I truly enjoy development vids explaining and demonstrating how they achieved their goals. Modern Vintage Gamer has some pretty awesome vids on his channel!
Honestly I don’t think it’s that uncommon.a lot goes into the pre production of games/movies etc
This is actually easier than modelling them in 3D software by hand, it's just the tools used to be expensive in Hollywood and product engineering. 3D scanners, photogrammetry and automatic LOD generators are great automation tools that more games should use. And artists can actually have fun in sculpting.
"secondary motion characteristics" well said sir
Are they really secondary, though?
@@G360LIVE They're um - selling points
@@G360LIVE No, they are not.
@@G360LIVE this comment FTW lol :D
@@G360LIVE Yes, because they are the physical reaction of an elastic object that is attached to an accelerating rigid object (Eve's torso).
Korean games are starting to make noise
Stellar Blade and Lies of P and that Crimsom Desert that is also looking great
Lies of P is Korean?
Edit: huh, TIL something new
@@jeddpiresyup!
@@jeddpiresyes
@@jeddpires yup
The Koreans have been making some good movies too, for quite a while.
THIS is how games should be made these days. Performance above all else and this just proves that it can work. We always say gameplay is king and that’s tied to performance, not graphics. Most triple A studios seem to have forgotten that.
Game industry started in the 70's and pretty graphics on the back of the box has been the main selling point every generation. It isn't gonna change
Except games usually ran at 60fps up until 7th gen @@metallicafan416
Quality mode runs at native 4k @ 30fps
Balanced mode runs at 1080 to 1440p @ 48-60 fps ( uses temporal upscaling via reconstruction. As a result, image quality can sometimes exceed the native 4K option)
Performance mode at 1440p @ 60fps
So it can be done! Visually pleasing, WITH good performance. Unsurprisingly it's a conscious design decision the devs need to make at the start of the development proces.
Crazy think is the last of us 2 already did that it’s just the story was so bad everyone just forgot about how good it was visually
100%
@@NotFromHere. Well Naughty Dog and Guerilla games are pretty good when it comes to the technical side. Just their recent games have been bland as they try to cater to every audience.
@@NotFromHere. TLOUS 2 had a good story idea but poor execution. When you have compilations of gamers making Abby jump to her death screaming "this is for Joel!!!"
You might have made a slight miscalculation story-wise lol.
@@JuicedOnKids Yeah imagine having a emotional reaction to a character death, what hacks.
Another thing that's nice about that balanced mode is the way it future proofs the game for next gen.
Longtime PC gamer here, bought PS5 just for this. Still getting used to using the controller but had an absolute blast with the demo. Two more days but can't wait!
Oof, I'm in the same boat, thinking of at least renting a PS5 to play this
Finished Ghost of Tsushima I hope?
Tempted to do the same..
Its going to pc just not day one
🤣🤣🤣
I miss these fast-paced action-focused games. Too many games now have this slow, deliberate Souls inspired combat & I just want a game where I can chill & smash out some combos.
I really hope this comes to PC. It looks great.
Sekiro, Devil May Cry 5, Ninja Theory samurai game and Ultrakill. We need more though, I want Godhand to be remastered so it inspires devs.
nioh 2 is super fast for a souls like title
This game is not very fast, I don’t know what you’re comparing it to
Try out Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin. Might be your cup of tea.
I can't remember when I've seen this much praise and enthusiasm from DF. Remarkable job Stellar Blade
was not expecting the every mesh mix but im here for it.
A polished, complete, well performing, very fun video game? Heresy!
A complete current gen game is like spotting sasquatch lol :)
Neil: "We don't talk about fun."
Other AAA devs: "Yeah, same..."
Baldur's Gate 3?
Can't wait to play this tomorrow... Shift Up is killing it.
Friday even.
@@robbie_lives not in the US
Great review, John. You sold me on this one. Kudos to the team for putting out a game in a great state.
Eve’s hair physics are insane. With out a doubt one of if not THE most realistic I’ve seen in a game
We need more games like this one.
Nope the games are boring, the gameplay feel like Darksiders without puzzles and skill tree not better then Horizon Forbidden West.
Yes.
Yes
Shush let us enjoy things we haven’t experienced
@@vtg1800 Cope some more
What a banger year for music; P3R, Infinite Wealth, FF7 Rebirth and now this? Great to add all these to my playlists
and elden ring dlc in 2 months.. oh boi oh boi oh boi
And SMT VV
Dude, and Metaphor Re Fantazio later this year, just insane.
OST of the year is gonna have to be between these 3. Music aside, rebirth and p3 already made 2024 better than 2023
I'm happy to see the gaming industry create more jobs for professional musicians these past few generations :) My favorite is still that fantastic Bloodbourne soundtrack.
Itagaki mentioned...kinda miss him...
It's a shame how the gaming press shunned him, his name is somewhat forgotten. He's a legend who pushed action games forward in a highly competitive era.
Miss him too..
Guy is a legend in my book. Ninja Gaiden was the goat of action games back on the Xbox
Itagaki is a hero to me, that guy simply gave no f*cks and refused to be swayed from his vision of what a game should be, I admire that level of fortitude and determination.
I remember him on the XBOX 360 stage back in 2007 showcasing Ninja Gaiden 2. He mentioned how good the hardware was on the 360 and that Team Ninja was using the power of the console to create the best Ninja Gaiden game.
This is probably the most optimized game the PS5 has received this year.
Companies should definitely learn from this game.
They are mobile devs... optimization priorities are pretty high to get phone games working well.
Oopsie to ff7rebirth
@@VariantAEC that's not a given for most mobile games
@@islandboy9381
It is for the experienced devs I choose to play mobile games from.
@@RaVVen.P for real, that game looks like ass on performance mode even with the sharp mode option
Awesome “no sad dads” jab there at the beginning. Seeing so often now! I also appreciate how John does the sound sampling and testing. Great coverage here.
It’s great to see this game get the love and attention it deserves. This was a passion project from one guy, who grew into a team, and that team grew into a group funded by Sony to make the game they truly wanted without anything holding them back. Such a great story, and now from it a great game!
Shift Up existed for over tens years and is not funded by Sony. They're independent. They're also valued at over a billion dollars. They do have a publishing deal with Sony for this specific game, but I wouldn't be surprised if most of the game is self funded because their mobile games make so much dang money for them.
I'm not saying this to discredit Kim Hyung-tae in any way. Just that it's not just one guy or small team that came out of nowhere. There's hundreds of devs on that worked on this game.
@@Ayoulalso Sony first party Devs from god of war helped with the combat
With the day one censorship controversy, this comment hasn't aged that well.
John is a man of culture indeed
Aka a normal man and not a manlet who's concerned about what rhe feminists would think
What's the difference between a knife and a feminist?
Great video. High quality and well though through much appreciated.
I had a good feeling about this game when I played the demo and it seems like
a very solid game to boot. How the pendulum has swung from mobile developers
to a solid console game. *Hats off* Shift Up.
Thanks for this review was worried how performance would hold up in the later game. Gonna get the preorder rn to play immediately when it comes out
Another Linneman special. I love it.
Expected nothing but praise from the Sony fanboy
@@jodieholmes8453 Really?
@@E_Sunbro He hates Xbox and has said numerous times he wishes they never entered the industry.
@@jodieholmes8453 LOL. Okayyyyyyyyy.
@@jodieholmes8453my dude Xbox has been digging it's grave for the last 10 years you don't have to be a sony fanboy to hate them
Just common sense
Another gem for PlayStation 👍🏻
Yeah after Rise of Ronin the second one
for now at least
Keep up with the sunk cost fallacy bro
And heldivers and final fantasy
looking forward to playing it on PC a year later.
I love it when a game I'm rooting for turns out to be good. Great video DF.
Masterclass video by John, no surprise there. I love your humor too, i would have loved to see Oliver's reaction. Never change John!
The music is god tier
John with a Stellar analysis. You can see the passion, care and detail that the developers have put in to make this game the way they wanted. I say Nier Automata is a Masterpiece of its generation and Stellar Blade will be the equivalent for this generation.
Would Nier have been a masterpiece for you if 2B was less fuckable?
@@mechanicalmonk2020 Yes, Nier was and still is an amazing game with an excellent soundtrack along side it. Story, combat, different game styles (3D, 2D and bullet hell), massive battles, puzzles all combined together in one game. Having 2B in it just made it more pleasing to the eye.
@@mechanicalmonk2020 talking like someone who didn't even play the damn game
@@mechanicalmonk2020 wtf is wrong with you people?
it looks like a good game but it's not going to reach anywhere close to nier automata levels of acclaim lol
Using UE4 and not 5 helped the game to be more stable while looking gorgeous at the same time, for a game releasing exclusively on ps5 that's the perfect choice, considering that all UE5 releases (SO FAR) are struggling to perform well on consoles without sacrificing fidelity & texture .. hope Black Myth Wukong will be the exception
Tell that to Square Enix who can't even properly do a 60 FPS mode on FF7 Rebirth
This is not correct, UE4 had numerous issues and UE5 is considered widely more stable.
@@LivingHitokiri2Both engines are overhyped af and most devs using them have no clue about optimization. Even Epic Games had problems optimizing Fortnite since they switched to UE5 in 2020. It took them 3 years to make Fortnite run stutter free on PC...
Even high end PCs struggle with UE5 games, believe me i know i have one with rtx4090.
@@Ramonis1000 Eve is just 1 character model on a linear action game. Rebirth is doing open world and rendering multiple playable characters on screen at all times.
Great tech review John! It's fantastic to know I can be confident of the product, will be picking up Day 1!
This is a video game that’s proud of being a video game. Not a game trying to be a movie, not a live service. Beginning to end, polished. This is what a AAA game is supposed to be like. Demo is 🔥. Can’t wait for the full game
And not trying to educate you about diversity and the patriarchy.
@@snakedogmanThat's the most important of all
Shift Up deserves a lot of praise here! Making a splash on the big stage, and in a truly stellar way! They are officially on everyone's radar now. Great effort!
A round of applause to the team for making one of the best polished games i've seen. Stellar graphics with Stellar performance
And that balanced mode looks really good
What so many of us have been asking for. A beautifully designed game with no bugs, a clear and limited scope targeting gameplay.
Yo mentioned Itagaki! You got yourself a sub! @6:38
I ended up finishing my run of the demo the other day, and now I'm psyched for actually playing the full game.
Nice review! It seems like a great-performing, looking, and playing game that we don't get so much anymore these days. The studio did a great job, especially since they'd only worked on mobile games before. They are doing better than so many studios that have been making console games for far longer.
I am buying this and it looks like my game of the year.
We are not even half way through the year yet lol.
@@jorge69696 My game of the year. I am not overly excited for anything else this year. Unless there are surprise drops, which you never know. That is how I feel just now.
@OtakuBenny2210 I don't like the souls style games. Glad you liked that game. I haven't played BG3. I couldn't comment either way. I don't however engage with identity/division politics. People who do and argue about it, are people who are played like a fiddle by the MSM 24/7, brainwashed into picking sides and theories frok talking heads that engulf their lives, mainly because they lack anything more interesting to talk about or engage with. The world's top 2 percent wealthy, pay bad actors and other media darlings to keep propaganda being pumped at people online and on TV. The design of this is to make enemies between anyone based on differences with each other. These are strings of the masses that they pull and have people at each other like puppets, because they know united people stand together, divided people fall. It makes the masses more malleable and easy to mould for their agendas. They own everything and the online world that feeds you theories and propaganda. They infect your language with buzzwords and catch whatever trending zeitgeist they can as part of mass manipulation. I refuse to acknowledge any of it. I enjoy games for what they are and if I disagree with the message, I don't lose any sleep over it. No one is my enemy. What their private choices for their lives are don't affect me. Live and let live I say. Don't let yourself be played into engaging with any of the language they want you to use. If you don't like something, cool, don't engage. Whatever you do don't be a puppet. They win.
@OtakuBenny2210 Goty will go to the game that had the most impact. Last year it was bg3 cause it's genuinely an amazing game that was able to attract lots of players (including me) who were never interested in dnd nor would have ever considered playing a game with turned based combat and give them a great RPG experience nonetheless. No other game last year did anything close to that. Lies of P was good but it had some glaring issues and it didn't get much attention cause as a souls-like it didn't really excel at anything and it wasn't genre defining and set new standards for the industry like bg3 and elden ring did the last couple of years.
@OtakuBenny2210 the official goty always rigged and games nobody like or play come up as nominees. I stopped watching that trash
I can’t wait to see and play this game on my LG OLED. Coming from a lifetime of gaming on budget TVs my OLED makes everything I play look stunning. It’s especially true for game that make use of all its features. So happy to see this game is performing well.
Same honesty. I'm buying this game because of the TV. Recently got an LG OLED and man, it's just gorgeous. SpiderMan2 was amazing but this looks like it's gonna be on another level.
@@TheDouglas717 yeah, I’m excited for this game mainly for its art style. They did an incredible job with all the designs of characters and enemies. I also love a good action game, specifically SoulsLike style combat. I also love games like Sekiro and Lies of P so I can’t wait to sink my teeth into it.
I got the LG c3 two weeks ago games look amazing and the vrr is good can't wait to see stellar blade on it tomorrow
Fantastic video!!
A polished, complete game at launch with no bugs, unlockable cosmetic options, accessible for new players with easy mode, solid 60fps with alternate display options, interesting level mechanics, engaging combat, a focused artistic direction accompanied with a beautiful OST with seamless set pieces and memorable characters all with minimal loading.
This is how games are supposed to launch!!!!
Forget your suicide sqauds, star wars outlaws, political agendas or a "release it now, patch it later" attitude. Modern releases could learn a lot from Shift Up!!!
Plus they've announced free cosmetic updates, NG+ and no microtransactions (except for crossover IP cosmetics and we all know a 2B outfit is coming lol)
I've not been this excited for a game in years!!!
Thanks DF. I’m sold.
Knowing that it plays like an early 2000s game is making me excited!
We need more games that evoke the fun-first mantra like this. Definitely going to play over summer break!
Thank you for highlighting the Dolby Atmos bug, I had the same issue. Hopefully it's sorted on launch day...
as someone who was just playing NANO BREAKER (2005) on PS2 literally last night i suppose i am not legally allowed NOT to buy this game after hearing that intro description. however, it was the "fans of [...] daikatana" bit that finally sold me
We need more Modern games that feel like impossible old games. We get a lot of SNES or NES like but we need more pretty ps2 like games.
@@sehwut Isn't that supposed to be the entire appeal of Souls likes?
@@islandboy9381 no, ps2 games have a certain flavor of limitations that led to the game design ethos of linear or straightforward with a minor setpieces and asset reuse up the wazoo. Yakuza games embrace this wonderfully. Dark Souls games are Symphony of the night likes fully realized in the 3rd dimension.
12:12 "...a lot of praise for the work that they've done" Yeah I can see that..
Just look at that gigantic...uh...frame rate.
@@bcsbthe fps is so smooth. No imperfections at all.
Shift Up celebrates the beauty of the female form. Unapologetic. Uncompromising. Pure beauty.
Yoko Taro: Good
I'm actually impressed at the level of quality ShiftUp has been able to achieve here with Stella Blade at launch, definitely picking up the Digital Deluxe Edition!
Nice glad to see we are bringing back short and fun action games with good replayability
It's 2024, and Shift Up shipped a game that is content complete and nails not only performance, but also a proper balanced mode and resolution mode for those who prefer it? I guess that's another way it's like a PS2 game...shipping with complete content and features. Awesome!
PS5 is killing it with this, Hellblade 2, FF, and for some Ronan.
Amazing what can be done, when developers make the effort to add bespoke lighting rather then autopaint ray tracing.
Ray tracing is cool but it’s just not viable in my opinion because you need high end hardware for it. Wait until 300 dollar GPUs can run it at 4k60 and then I’ll care about it.
This is the first time I read 한글(Korean alphabet) on a DF video game title and it makes me teary eyed. I’ll be so happy to see more console games made in my country!!
"DF 리뷰" (DF review).
I wonder if they used a translator or if John actually knows a little bit of 한국어, too? I learned a small amount in High School.
@@VariantAECI have no idea but it’s a sweet touch :)
Great Review from DF as always. This game gets a DF stamp of approval. 100 percent a must-buy game.
I have no idea what you were talking about because of that awesome music in the background.
It is nice to see a non-ideological driven technical review of a video game. I have not watched much content from DF in the past, but you have earned my sub and I will watch you much more in the future.
Then don’t watch the podcast because they say some cringy woke shit John is cool but Alex and that old dude say some dumb shit if it’s not purely tech they site stuff from kotaku and the rest of these shitty so called gaming journalists
I'm surprised Alex did not make this tech review, he seems so fond of the game!
Great video John.
Alex doesn't do console, he's the PC guy.
@@deepblue8143 You've been sleeping under a rock if you don't get the joke.
Hows that for a modern audience?!?! I guess that bygone era is still alive and thriving!
There is no modern audience. It's just gaslighting. There's just gamers and activists. Only fools cater to the latter.
Alex too busy shopping for tu-tu's when this video dropped lmao
@@Unicornpirate😂😂
@@Unicornpirate*and soy milk
I mean, most people still play games from that bygone era.
Glad John got this one. I also appreciated the PS2-esque design sense in Lies of P and really dig what Korean developers are doing as of late in terms of focusing on technical execution, feel and style. A nice change of pace.
One thing I found personally, is making sure your monitor or tv settings are correct as well. I was playing on a tv setting with too high of a sharpness and once i fixed that, the visuals stood out even more.
We need more fresh games like Stellar Blade!
What makes this 'fresh'? The gameplay doesn't look much different than EVERY OTHER Third Person action game? How is this 'fresh' compared to God of War, or Devil May Cry, or Nier, or Dark Souls, etc?
Maybe I've finally just aged out, but all these new games just feel like the same basic games I've been playing for 30 years, just with a different story and 'fresh' coat of paint.
Agreed. Him saying it feels like a 2003 game with modern tech is exactly what I’ve been looking for. We need more shorter fun quirky games
LOL, yeah „fresh“. This is the best example of copying all kinds of elements from other games. It’s copied well in execution, but definitely not innovative or creative in any regard. Rather superficial and a bit dull. But whoever likes superficial fun will probably be pleased with it.
The game appears to be attractive and visually appealing, reviving memories of the gameplay style during the PS2 era, which I particularly enjoy. It transports me back to a time when games prioritized straightforward, enjoyable mechanics, delivering a truly fun experience. Thank you for providing a comprehensive analysis of Stellar Blade, highlighting its strengths across all aspects. It's certainly a well-made game, showcasing the skill and dedication of the Shift Up team. Kudos to all involved; you guys are truly based.
The devs have to be very confident letting you guys review the game before release, I'm glad that they have all reason to be so. The demo left a very high impression on me, awesome vistas, cutscenes and performance, it's great to hear that this quality continues in the final game. Thanks for the great review, looking forward to Friday!
I love playing Stellar Blade Demo on Prioritize Performance Mode. I’m still amazed that it runs at 1440p 60fps. I may end up keeping it on that setting in the Full Game - Day One!
I'm loving everything that I'm hearing. I'm confident in my preorder and glad I'm getting a physical copy.
This by all indications makes it evident that Shift Up / Hyung-tae Kim knows exactly what a video game is supposed to be. A great looking and playing game that knows the limitations of the hardware and doesn’t always take itself too seriously in order to try to compete with Oscar worthy film. I’m hoping Sony takes notice and adjusts their first party strategy a bit to release more games like this. The part about stepping on PlayStation symbols - I’m all for it. I miss that kind of stuff in games.
What strong art design. This game will look good for a long time, beyond generations.
John seems relieved to just have a more traditional game to bite into 😅
Seeing Sony release an exclusive by a Korean studio is a really big deal to me as a Korean. The world is healing. Thank you for your coverage John 🙏 video games allow us an opportunity to step into someone else's world. This is art at its best, breaking down boundaries and promoting human understanding between each other.
Looking forward to playing this on Friday!
I skipped the other reviews to avoid being spoiled more than necessary.
And I think this one told me everything I wanted to know as I was already hooked after playing through the demo.
Thank you. This is a great review that focuses on the technical aspects and doesn't get into any “politics”.
Can't wait to play it myself.
Tbh DF often spoils more than others in terms of visuals.
If by "politics" you mean complaining about the boobs, that's not really a thing that game reviewers do? You actually have to be blatantly exploitative in a way that's detrimental to the game for it to be a thing.
Ain't nobody going to bat for BMX XXX, but everyone loves Bayonetta.
@@SimonBuchanNz Digital Foundry's Alex complained about exactly that. That also isn't a question. And if you think Western "game reviewers" and journalists as a whole don't do this, you are living under a rock as they are nearly all far-left woke activists who can't get real jobs.
@@OilFreeFeathers the reviews are overwhelmingly positive and a tiny handful say anything negative about the character design, and then only briefly as a "if you're ok with this the rest is great".
Oh no the politics. How dare these people that are paid to have an opinion have an opinion.
This IS amazing for a 1st game of that caliber for the studio! Great work! Very excited to play when it unlocks on console! Already downloaded 1.02 patch with NG+ support, btw!
This reviewer did a great job and was unbiased by his views, more from him would be best imo
When have any of the other reviewers ever showed signs of negative bias in a review video though? 😕
@@alessio2251 one of the other people on this channel bashed this game for no reason due to it’s main character being distracting
@@alessio2251 look it up
The visual quality/performance modes are really top notch. Congrats to the developers.
1:14…. I don’t know if this was intentional, but i love it. “Let’s get into it” while showing the same ass shot 3 times lol. Nice!
1:13 Well timed "let´s get into it"
I knew it would be John before he spoke. 1.) Highly anticipated game.
2.) Flair for drama, he let it play out a bit before speaking.
John is the best from the best group of guys on any gaming channel.
Yep! John is the best, his videos are just top notch.
I remember the other young guy from DF made online statements against Eve, so there probably would have been some backlash if he made this review
I just need this game's soundtrack......
Keiichi okabe composed 40% of the Music 😀
@@ps.shots.93 His company, not him personally.
They announced the soundtrack will be released on iTunes and other platforms on the 26th.
Give the soundtrack of Nier:automata a try. It’s 100% by Keiichi Okabe and absolutely awesome.
So Happy To See This, and Great Review!
With some minor patches I think this game can be so good. As it stands, it's looking to be a visually impressive game with a variety of gameplay mechanics.
definitely my GOTY so far. Absolutely will play NG+ as well.
play more games please
@@cooltwittertag what part of “my GOTY so far” didn’t you get. It’s MY opinion and you’re entitled to yours. You have no idea of what I have or haven’t played this year.
@@TheKontrarian i got a good idea based on the fact you think this is a goty
@@cooltwittertag you don’t know anything whatsoever you just sound silly and that’s about it. Let me help you out. Right now the game I’m playing is called “Muted”.
@@TheKontrarian i can smell the reddit from here
"This was [is] a triumph.... Huge succes" 🎶
You can tell devs had a blast making this game and that they are big sony fans as they said in their behind the scenes video.
Everyone is a Sony fan until they get laid off
Layoffs aren't exclusive to Sony. My tech company got hit with 25+ layoffs too. Stop hating @@bugsnax4145
@@bugsnax4145 I was a Sony fan until they released a firmware update that destroyed the battery on their WF XM4 earbuds and then they refused a free return, but that's neither here nor there... and an entirely different department.
The remark about new enemy types reminds me how the tutorial reveals an enemy that doesn't appear till much later. Minor detail for sure, but I wish they'd use one of the earlier foes.
Yay! A game well done that pleases Devil May Cry, Bayonetta, Nier, Soulsborne fans like myself!
So happy to see this level of polish and very pleased with my pre-orders (yes plural, I bought a few copies for myself, friends and family and one for that one colleague at work who promissed to deliver good performance and actually did and didn't slack off, Proud of you Ryan! :p).