Stellar Blade

[NARMAK]

Just started Stellar Jiggles I mean Blade, and I decided to turn the difficulty down to story so I could just enjoy the game because although I have a solid ability to play Souls type games, I genuinely don't think the developers did a good enough job with making a consistent and constant visual cue for parry and dodges even with the Assist settings turned on.

That aside, I am digging it so far and trying to take my time and squeeze out the content and drops from all the areas where possible.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by NARMAK

Just started Stellar Jiggles I mean Blade, and I decided to turn the difficulty down to story so I could just enjoy the game because although I have a solid ability to play Souls type games, I genuinely don't think the developers did a good enough job with making a consistent and constant visual cue for parry and dodges even with the Assist settings turned on.

That aside, I am digging it so far and trying to take my time and squeeze out the content and drops from all the areas where possible.

You mean the large blue and orange/yellow flashes?

[NARMAK]

Originally Posted by Diesel

You mean the large blue and orange/yellow flashes?

No, those are something that's very visible but it's on the slasher enemies near the start for example of the Shield Bug thing where they don't really get those flashes on their attacks at all except on the grabs and sometimes the flashes show up on some attacks.

Regular slashes they make don't seem to make it obvious to parry or dodge.

I'm not too bothered by it to stop because the systems forgiving enough and I got the 2nd level damage reduction gear in Xion now so should be easier than even switching down to story mode. In terms of my addiction to visit every corner to grab things, I think that makes me spend more time roaming the maps lol.

I'll definitely be looking to finish this game up fully though now I have started it.

[Derb]

Originally Posted by NARMAK

No, those are something that's very visible but it's on the slasher enemies near the start for example of the Shield Bug thing where they don't really get those flashes on their attacks at all except on the grabs and sometimes the flashes show up on some attacks.

Regular slashes they make don't seem to make it obvious to parry or dodge.

I'm not too bothered by it to stop because the systems forgiving enough and I got the 2nd level damage reduction gear in Xion now so should be easier than even switching down to story mode. In terms of my addiction to visit every corner to grab things, I think that makes me spend more time roaming the maps lol.

I'll definitely be looking to finish this game up fully though now I have started it.

I think my only issue which applies to basically every souls like is Combos in Stellar Blade are basically useless because enemies don’t stagger & will continue their attack animation unless you break their shield.

So in that sense I found it better to understand the parry system over combo system if that makes sense.

[NARMAK]

Originally Posted by Derb

I think my only issue which applies to basically every souls like is Combos in Stellar Blade are basically useless because enemies don’t stagger & will continue their attack animation unless you break their shield.

So in that sense I found it better to understand the parry system over combo system if that makes sense.

Yeah, I get what you mean. It becomes a bit of cat and mouse in whacking an enemy with a couple shots, dodging out the way or trying to parry then get a few more bits in. I found the hit, doge and hit then repeat tactic served me well enough with a specific opener to Ambush or if they spotted me, the lunge in and follow up triangle attack.

Right now, I'm pretty hooked on the game but it's not great for my OCD to try and make sure I get all the side quests and whatnot done. I'm trying to be as organic as I can with minimal use of guides except when I get stuck but having already read it's possible to get locked out of certain items after a specific point in the story and whatnot, I've slowed down the main story to focus on the side quests and everything else I can.

Probably going to use a guide soon because I have finally made it to the Great Desert area and now should be able to technically collect all the cans and finish up other stuff too on the side quests.

I think as a first game the developers really did a solid job, but I think I found some artistic choices hilarious. The certain scene in The Matrix level for example gave me a flashback to The Dark Knight Rises with Talia lmao.

Also, i know they probably couldn't motion capture everything but some of the NPC dialogue and animations don't really match the tone of the words they're saying. Hopefully for the sequel the developers focus on that area because I found some of the side quests to be well written and emotionally charged but outside of a couple, they don't put effort into that aspect.

I'll need to finish this game soon. I'm letting it ruin my routine and missing out on other stuff I should really focus on.

[NARMAK]

Finally decided to take the plunge and go to the first point of no return. Wrapped up as much of the side quests as I could including all the Xion residents. Also grabbed all the cans so far from the areas I had access to.

Once the sequel comes out, I hope there's a way to cancel out of combos to dodge and avoid being hit. That's a major gripe of mine where you get locked in and enemies don't seem phased at all and just burst through to attack you and stagger you.

[NARMAK]

Just finished the game for the first run. I knew there was a thing where you have to collect all the cans and stuff but I missed one ridiculously on the Spire 4 part so had to go do the annoying fishing for it. Luckily didn't take as long as some people said it took them.

I think I will have to see what trophies are left to earn in terms of getting a Platinum because I feel like I could mop that up with a bit of effort but I got the "secret ending" for my first play through.

As a game, I'd say it wasn't bad at all with the mechanics though a way to cancel out of the combo to block etc. would be a nice addition in a sequel. Also, maybe let us mix and match clothing items or remove some design elements. Like one of the diving suits looks really cool but then has a stupid tail stuck on the back.

I think the story of the world has an interesting slant to it. I just don't think the executions as great as it could have been. Maybe that's due to them being a smaller studio too but it lacks a bit of connective tissue I felt at times for you as a player and the choice you make for the "secret" ending felt "off" to make rather than the one to lean towards even though I got a LOT of the stuff from the documents etc. to help build the lore up of the world.

I think they also make it hard to accept the route the games story takes once you get to the end and realise what's been at the heart of it this whole time. It just felt like a "Well, this is what's up. Just accept it" kinda feeling.