Summary
Stellar Bladehas a semi-open-world structure that falls more in line with Metroidvania than a true open-world likeRed Dead Redemption 2. Eve, the heroine, will gain new powers or keys to unlock new paths and there is a decent fast travel system to assist with backtracking.
Later side quests are also why players may want to backtrack inStellar Blade. At its core the game has action RPG elements that borrow fromDark Souls, so many fans of that genre will be enticed to check it out. Then there are also fans of post-apocalyptic stories who might be interested in this adventure. Whatever side players are coming intoStellar Bladefor, there are plenty of other games to check out after the credits roll.
Updated Jun 18, 2025, by Michael Llewellyn:Stellar Blade is a polished action game that borrows elements from the Souls series and PlatinumGames titles like Bayonetta. It has an intriguing story and a stunning world full of monsters and creatures to fight. Whether it’s the high-octane action, post-apocalyptic worlds, or a compelling female lead, this list has something for fans of Stellar Blade. The list includes an update that features more games that fans will enjoy.
Stunning Combat Where Balance And Deflections Count
Stellar Bladefeatures elements of theDark Soulsseries popularized by FromSoft. It’s far more forgiving, Eve doesn’t lose her SP if she’s killed, but it’s a challenging game that requires timing, speed, and knocking opponents off-balance with perfectly timed deflections. No other game has perfected thedeflection and counter mechanicsbetter thanSekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
Sekiro was likely a big influence onStellar Blade’scombat, but instead, it’s set during the late Sengoku period. There’s a heavier emphasis on stealth and surprise attacks, but the boss fights are where goodStellar Bladeplayers will shine. LikeStellar Blade,the key to beating powerful enemies inSekirois learning their attack patterns, and knowing when to use defense and counterattacks. Moreover,Sekiroalso revolves around a predetermined character, where players must unlock new skills to enhance their combat abilities.
LikeStellar Blade, Star Wars Jedi: Survivorcould also be considered a “Souls-lite” game.It features terrific combat and arguably the best lightsaber mechanics ever seen in a game. There are five Jedi stances to play with andparry mechanicsthatStellar Bladefans will pick up and enjoy with its parrying, bullet-time style moves, and of course, Force Powers.
There are large and more open worlds to explore with interconnected level design, opening up access to new areas and shortcuts reminiscent of theSoulsseries and similar toStellar Blade.There are multiple monsters and creatures to fight with specific attack patterns, including the fearsome, but epic Rancor Beast like the one inStar Wars: Return of the Jedi.Overall, likeStellar Blade, Star Wars Jedi: Survivoris an incredibly fun science fiction adventure with lots of challenges in the form of battles and puzzles.
Asura’s Wrathis one of Capcom’s forgotten titles that never got a sequel. It can, at least, be played on Xbox consoles, thanks to backward compatibility and a decent amount of circulating sales.
The game stars a god, Asura, who gets cast down to Earth from the heavens of space. It’s the retelling of Buddhist lore but through a futuristic anime lens that makes it wholly unique. It’s more of an anime than a game, as there are a lot ofquick-time events or QTEs, but it’s still a blast to experience.
Bayonetta is a great female heroine,but she was not the first female hero in a game, with many pointing to Samus fromMetroidas being the first big icon. Bayonetta, however, was the first to appear to have the freedom to be controversial on screen. She used her physical appeal to attract enemies toward her, and then she would punish them in wild fashions during combat from guillotines to pillories.
Bayonetta was a wild character in a series that was equally chaotic gameplay. There are few action experiences like the three mainBayonettagames, and it’s safe to say Bayonetta and Eve would get along, or at least Bayonetta would have a few things to say about Eve’s clothing and hair.
There is quite a bit of Earth exploration in the firstDestiny. The areas explored are in ruined states of the planet, similar to the areas inStellar Blade. Also, players get a robot called a Ghost to follow them around duringmissions inDestiny.
Adam is essentially Eve’s version of a Ghost inStellar Blade. Similarities aside,Destinywas the first game to bring the idea of a looter shooter to prominence, besidesBorderlands. The franchise is still big thanks toDestiny 2’scontinuous updates and, for those wondering, yes,Destinycan still be played.
Enslaved: Odyssey to the Westis a forgotten game from Ninja Theory before they became a large part of the Xbox family. It’s a retelling of the Chinese story,Journey to the Westwhich anime fans may be familiar with sinceDragon Ballis also based on the ancient tale.
Enslaved: Odyssey to the Westis set on a ruined earth wherein a monkey man named Monkey is controlled by a woman, Trip, who needs his help. It’s an action game, like many Ninja Theory titles, that is plenty of fun to play, and it is a visual treat for the eyes over a decade later.
Horizon: Zero Dawnand its direct sequel,Horizon Forbidden West, are both futuristic and nomadic at the same time. The games are set so far in the future that the Earth has rebuilt itself into a beautiful landscape. The only downside is that robotic beasts roam the land, stomping out human societies that are trying to rebuild.
What remains of humanity is mostly pretty simple-minded, dressed as if they were in the B.C. era. It’s a fun juxtaposition for a post-apocalypse game, andHorizon Zero Dawnis led by a great female protagonist, Aloy, who is trying her best to find answers to help humanity evolve.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeanceis unlike any other game in the franchise. Raiden gets redeemed from his time inMetal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty,which many fans didn’t like from that experience. This time around, Raiden is a killing machine out to save the world from power-hungry mercenaries.
It has plenty of slice-and-dice action one would expect in a PlatinumGames title, and is complete with oddball humor, too. From buff politicians to odd hat choices, this game will have players cheering for the laughs and violence.
NieR: Automatais the game that most closely resemblesStellar Blade, especially since both have female protagonists who are sent to Earth to clean up the mess humanity made.NieR: Automatahas robot overlords whileStellar Bladehas angelic monsters called Naytiba.
What setsNieR: Automataapart is its branching pathways.Stellar Blademay have some multiple endings, but they are nothing compared to the amountNieR: Automatahas. It also doesn’t have as many playable protagonists, which is why it was so fun to replayNieR: Automatamultiple times.
Vanquishis the final pick and it’s thethird one in a row from PlatinumGames. It’s different from most as it is a cover-based shooter, but the twist to the genre in this title is that players can ignore cover to rocket around arenas on their knees thanks to their powerful Exosuit.
Vanquishis completely over the top, from the gung-ho language of the Marines to the absurd amount of explosions, but it makes for a truly enjoyable experience.Vanquishis a short adventure too, which fans ofStellar Blademay appreciate after going through that ordeal.
