Stellar Blade is set to make its PC debut with a range of exciting enhancements. However, like other Sony-backed titles, the game comes with regional restrictions. Dive in to discover the bonus content and the challenges for players in countries without PSN access.

Stellar Blade’s PC Release: The Good and The Bad

The Good: PS5 Players Get Free Update with New Content and Features

Stellar Blade, the visually stunning action RPG from Shift Up, is expanding its reach with a PC release that brings a host of enhancements. However, the journey to PC hasn't been entirely smooth, with Sony prematurely posting the game’s trailer and regional restrictions that caught even the developers by surprise.

Before the official announcement on May 15, an early glimpse of Stellar Blade’s PC debut was shared by Sony. A trailer, mistakenly uploaded to the official PlayStation YouTube channel, revealed key details, including the release date. Although quickly removed, the internet preserved and spread the information.

Fans will be pleased to learn that Shift Up has confirmed PlayStation 5 players will also benefit from the new content introduced with the PC release. In a PlayStation Blog post, Shift Up’s technical director, DongKi Lee, detailed the additions coming to both platforms. These include support for NVIDIA DLSS 4 and AMD FSR 3 upscaling, unlocked framerates exceeding 120 FPS, and ultrawide aspect ratio compatibility ranging from 5:4 to 32:9. Players can also expect high-resolution textures, full keyboard and mouse remapping, DualSense controller support with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, and additional voiceover options in Japanese and Chinese.

The PC version introduces new content such as a boss battle against Mann, the leader of the Sentinels, and 25 additional costumes for protagonist Eve. This content will be available to PlayStation 5 users through a free update on the same day.

The Bad: Stellar Blade PC Launch Marred by Regional Restrictions and Denuvo DRM

Date from SteamDB

While PS5 players receive a bonus, the PC launch of Stellar Blade faces challenges due to significant regional restrictions and the inclusion of Denuvo DRM. According to SteamDB, the game is currently unavailable for purchase on Steam in over 100 countries.

Shift Up confirmed that players do not need to connect their Steam profiles with their PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts to play the RPG. However, there is a significant overlap between the countries where Stellar Blade is blocked on Steam and regions without PSN services, leading many to believe Sony, the game's publisher, is responsible.

The widespread regional blocks seem linked to Sony’s approach to its PC game releases and the integration of PSN. Sony has been porting its PlayStation exclusives to PC to reach a broader audience, but this expansion sometimes comes with a push for players to link their Steam profiles to their PSN accounts. This is not an issue for countries with PSN access, but it poses a problem in regions where the service is unsupported.

Sony's Chief Financial Officer Hiroki Totoki justified this requirement in the November 2024 Investor Call, stating it ensures players can "safely" enjoy their live-service games. This explanation may be understandable for games like Helldivers 2, but it raises questions about why single-player titles like Stellar Blade and the Horizon series face similar restrictions.

The extent of these blocks has surprised many, including the developers, as evidenced by their response to players on Twitter (X). When asked why the game was not available in certain regions, the Stellar Blade official X account replied, "The PC version of Stellar Blade does not require a PSN account. May I ask where you live?" accompanied by a "face screaming in fear" emoji. Subsequent replies to similar inquiries were similar.

This situation echoes previous controversies surrounding PSN account linking, most notably the backlash against Helldivers 2’s PSN requirement, which led to widespread negative reviews and forced Sony to reverse its policy.

Player animosity towards Denuvo, included in the game’s PC release, is also a concern. Denuvo is designed to prevent piracy but is often criticized for potentially impacting performance and restricting how players can use their games.

However, the official Stellar Blade X account reassured players that "After extensive testing and relentless optimization, the game delivers high frame rates on a variety of setups. Even on the Steam Deck, you can reach 45-50 FPS with the right settings!"

As Stellar Blade’s PC release date on June 11 approaches, fans are eager to see how Sony and Shift Up will address these issues. For more on Stellar Blade, check out our article below!