The highly anticipated action game, Stellar Blade, has finally made its way to PC after initially launching as a PlayStation5 exclusive in April 2024. Developed by Seoul-based studio Shift Up, the game was originally codenamed Project EVE and planned for multiple platforms, including PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
The PC version has been praised for its quality and optimisation, offering PC gamers the complete Stellar Blade experience. This introduction will explore the development journey of the game, its technical specifications, and performance across different hardware configurations.
Initially, the launch was slated for 2023, but it was delayed until April 2024 for the PS5. A PC port was confirmed shortly after, taking over a year to materialise. The quality of the PC version has been well-received, making it a significant release for fans of action games.
The Stellar Blade PC port has finally arrived, bringing with it a plethora of exciting features that enhance the gaming experience. As a highly anticipated release, it has garnered significant attention from gamers worldwide.
From PlayStation Exclusive to PC Release
Originally an exclusive title for the PlayStation 5, Stellar Blade has made its transition to PC, offering a more refined action game experience thanks to several updates since its initial launch. The journey from console to PC has been smooth, with the developers ensuring that all content from the PS5 release is included, along with additional technical features tailored for PC gamers. For a detailed review, check out this Stellar Blade PC review.
What’s Included in the PC Version
The PC version of Stellar Blade boasts an array of impressive technical features. These include full support for Ultra-wide and Super Ultra-wide displays (21:9 and 32:9), with properly formatted cutscenes to match. The game also supports NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution, among other advanced rendering technologies. Players can enjoy six predefined frame rate limiter options (30 FPS, 45 FPS, 60 FPS, 120 FPS, 144 FPS, 240 FPS, and unlimited frame rate), ensuring a smooth gaming experience.
21:9 and 32:9 display support with formatted cutscenes
NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FidelityFX
Advanced rendering technologies for improved performance
Frame Rate Limiter Options
Six predefined options: 30, 45, 60, 120, 144, 240 FPS, and unlimited
Technical Performance and System Requirements
To understand Stellar Blade’s PC port, it’s essential to examine its technical performance and the system requirements that support it. Stellar Blade, like many modern PC titles, leverages advanced technologies to deliver a high-quality gaming experience.
Minimum and Recommended Specifications
Stellar Blade’s system requirements are categorised into minimum and recommended specifications to cater to a wide range of hardware configurations. Ensuring your PC meets these requirements is crucial for optimal performance.
The game supports various graphics settings and upscaling options, including DLSS, FSR, and frame generation tools, enhancing the visual fidelity and performance. These features are particularly beneficial for players with high-end NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs.
DLSS, FSR, and Frame Generation Support
Stellar Blade is compatible with DLSS and FSR, allowing for significant performance boosts when enabled. Additionally, frame generation technology further enhances the framerate, providing a smoother gaming experience.
Resolution and Display Options
The game offers flexible resolution and display options, accommodating different monitor configurations and preferences. Players can choose from various settings to balance visual quality and performance.
Performance Benchmarks Across Different Hardware
Benchmark testing reveals that Stellar Blade performs impressively across various hardware configurations. On high-end systems equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX4080 Super, the game achieves over 85 fps at native 4K with highest settings and DLAA enabled.
With DLSS Performance Mode, framerates jump to around 120 fps at 4K with highest settings, and adding DLSS Frame Generation can push this beyond 220 fps. Even mid-range systems, such as those with an RTX4060, achieve excellent framerates, demonstrating the game’s optimisation.
How Stellar Blade Performs on Different Platforms
Stellar Blade’s performance varies significantly across different platforms, offering a unique gaming experience on each. The game’s ability to adapt to various hardware configurations makes it accessible to a wide range of players.
High-End PC Performance
On high-end PCs, Stellar Blade is expected to deliver exceptional graphics and smooth gameplay. With advanced hardware, players can enjoy the game at high resolutions and frame rates, enhancing the overall gaming experience. The game’s optimisation for PC ensures that it can take full advantage of powerful components.
Steam Deck Compatibility and Performance
The Steam Deck offers a portable gaming experience for Stellar Blade players. While the game is compatible with the Steam Deck, the performance may vary depending on the settings used. Players can expect a decent gaming experience, but may need to adjust graphics settings to achieve smoother gameplay.
The Asus ROG Ally provides a better handheld experience for Stellar Blade compared to the Steam Deck, in terms of raw performance. The newer ROG Ally X model performs exceptionally well, achieving a stable 45fps at 1080p with low graphics settings. Increasing the power mode to 25W allows for medium graphics settings while maintaining 45fps, offering a visually superior experience.
The ROG Ally experiences some stability issues with Stellar Blade, particularly when resuming from sleep mode, which can result in crashes or system restarts. Testing across different handheld PCs shows that Stellar Blade is generally well-optimised for portable play, though the experience varies based on hardware capabilities and power settings.
Conclusion: Is Stellar Blade PC Port Worth Your Time?
The Stellar Blade PC port is a significant milestone for Sony’s PC gaming endeavours, marking a departure from the troubled launches that have plagued other PlayStation exclusives on the platform.
This solid port of the action game has been optimized to run smoothly across a wide range of hardware configurations, from high-end gaming PCs to portable devices like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. The stellar performance is a testament to Shift Up’s efforts in minimizing common issues like stuttering, even during graphically intensive cutscenes and combat sequences.
Despite being built on the older Unreal Engine 4, the game’s performance is commendable, offering a definitive version of Stellar Blade with additional graphics options and upscaling technologies not available on the PS5 version. For fans of action games, this port is well worth the time, especially for those without a PS5 or preferring the flexibility of PC gaming.
In conclusion, the Stellar Blade PC port sets a new standard for PlayStation-to-PC conversions, making it an exciting release in the gaming community.
FAQ
What are the minimum system requirements for the game on PC?
The minimum specifications include a compatible CPU, a certain amount of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card to ensure a smooth gaming experience.
Does the game support frame generation and super resolution?
Yes, the game supports frame generation and super resolution, enhancing the overall graphics quality and performance, particularly on high-end hardware with compatible graphics cards.
How does the game perform on Steam Deck?
The game is compatible with Steam Deck, and its performance is satisfactory, offering a decent frame rate when the graphics settings are adjusted accordingly.
Can I play the game on handheld PCs like ROG Ally?
Yes, the game can be played on handheld PCs such as ROG Ally, although the performance may vary based on the device’s hardware specifications and the graphics settings used.
What graphics settings are available in the game?
The game offers various graphics settings, including options for resolution, frame rate, and quality, allowing players to customise their gaming experience based on their hardware capabilities.
Is the Unreal Engine used in the game development?
Yes, the game is developed using the Unreal Engine, which provides a robust framework for creating high-quality, visually stunning games with advanced graphics capabilities.
Are there any specific GPU recommendations for optimal performance?
For optimal performance, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 or higher is recommended, as it supports advanced features like ray tracing and AI-enhanced graphics.
How does the frame rate performance vary across different hardware configurations?
The frame rate performance varies significantly across different hardware configurations, with high-end PCs delivering smoother gameplay compared to lower-end systems.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports facilitate short-distance digital data communication, enabling users to transfer files between devices. They also supply electric power to connected devices, such as cameras and external drives. However, USB ports can sometimes become unresponsive, leading to connectivity issues. This guide explores the methods to reset USB ports on your computer without…
The growing interest in cryptocurrency as an investment vehicle has sparked intense debate in the financial world. As digital assets become increasingly mainstream, potential investors are asking: “Is crypto a good investment?” The answer lies in understanding the risk vs. reward paradigm that defines this emerging market. The blockchain technology underlying cryptocurrency has revolutionized the…
After four years as a PlayStation exclusive, the critically acclaimed action-adventure game, Ghost of Tsushima, has finally made its way to PC. This release is part of Sony’s ongoing strategy to bring its exclusive titles to the PC platform, a move that has seen significant success with players. The PC version includes the Director’s Cut…
The tech sector is growing fast, with computer science jobs expected to rise by 22% by 2030. The UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport says this. A-Level computer science covers many areas, from programming to computer systems. It teaches students to think creatively and solve problems practically. This is what Cambridge International AS…
Finding where your computer’s USB ports are located is crucial. It helps you link up with lots of different devices easily. Many people find it hard to connect things like printers or keyboards. They often ask, “where is my USB port?” This guide will show you how to spot USB ports on various computers. It…
HDMI ports are key for linking computers to screens, like monitors, TVs, and projectors. So, the big question is, do HP computers have HDMI ports? It’s important to know if your HP computer can connect to these devices. Many HP devices, including the HP Series 7 Pro monitors, offer HDMI ports. This is great news…
