Stellar Blade 2 to Improve Story, Director Confirms
▼ Summary
– Stellar Blade 2 will focus on improving the narrative, addressing the lack of cutscenes and character backstories from the original game.
– The original game’s cutscenes were reduced due to budget constraints, but the sequel will benefit from the first game’s financial success.
– Director Hyung-tae Kim noted that Korea’s development resources for narrative-driven games are still evolving, but the sequel will feature a richer story.
– Stellar Blade 2 was initially planned as DLC but expanded into a full sequel due to its increased scope and ambition.
– The sequel is slated for a 2027 release, while the PC version of the original game has achieved strong sales and player numbers.
The highly anticipated sequel to Stellar Blade will focus on delivering a deeper narrative experience, addressing one of the original game’s most notable shortcomings. Director Hyung-tae Kim revealed in a recent interview that budget constraints forced significant cuts to story elements in the first installment, but the team now has the resources to expand the sequel’s storytelling ambitions.
Kim explained that early development plans included detailed character backstories and world-building cutscenes, but production realities required scaling back. “We originally intended to explain elements like the protagonist’s costume changes through story scenes,” he noted. “As costs mounted, we prioritized core gameplay over supplementary narrative content to complete the project.” The director acknowledged that Korea’s game industry traditionally emphasizes gameplay over cinematic storytelling, but Stellar Blade’s commercial success provides an opportunity to evolve.
What began as DLC eventually transformed into a full sequel due to expanding scope. “The additional content grew beyond expectations, making a standalone release the logical choice,” Kim stated. While early development is underway, most resources remain dedicated to the upcoming PC version of the original game, which has already surpassed 3 million sales with strong Steam performance.
Investors recently confirmed a 2027 target window for Stellar Blade 2. The team is currently exploring next-generation technical possibilities while laying narrative foundations fans felt were missing initially. With greater financial backing and lessons learned, the sequel aims to balance the original’s acclaimed combat with richer storytelling, a combination that could elevate the franchise to new heights.
(Source: EUROGAMER)
