Stellar Blade Rated “Mature 17+” by ESRB

The United States’ Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated Shift Up’s Stellar Blade, and to no one’s surprise, it’s “M” for “Mature 17+” due to “Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, and Violence.”

As Eve, players battle the Naytiba, mysterious alien invaders, and help humanity evacuate. There’s plenty of slashing and dismemberment during combat, with cutscenes and other sequences showcasing “close-up images of impalement, dismemberment, and decapitation.” The presentation of its female characters is also discussed, though the explicit language is limited to “s**t.”

The listing says there are “No Interactive Elements”, which seemingly means no microtransactions. It’s in line with director Hyung-Tae Kim confirming about 30 outfits alongside accessories and hairstyles to collect without additional purchases.

Stellar Blade launches on April 26th for PS5, retailing for $70. Its story is about 25 hours long, which extends to 30 to 50 hours if players pursue all the “collection elements.” In addition to fast-paced, hack-and-slash combat, it also features semi-open world areas to explore, not unlike NieR: Automata, which served as a “huge driving force” for the project. Kim is also a fan of God of War for providing the “experience of a vast world without being completely open-world.”