Stellar Blade’s Approach to DLC Should Set a New Standard

Stellar Blade‘s NieR: Automata DLC is officially here, after releasing a day ahead of schedule. This early release is just another way Stellar Blade continues to surprise, right alongside its DLC philosophy, which has allowed it to avoid a certain amount of scorn from its fanbase.

Stellar Blade‘s approach to DLC is undoubtedly praiseworthy, as it avoids the pressure to attach a price tag to absolutely everything it adds. In the long run, this has only benefited the game and its lifespan, even into the release of its first paid DLC crossover with NieR: Automata. What Stellar Blade has managed to accomplish with its DLC deserves recognition by other single-player games, especially in the ever-tumultuous landscape of the gaming industry.

Related

Stellar Blade Fans Point Out Big Missed Opportunity

Some Stellar Blade fans point out a huge missed opportunity that would have made the popular action game even more enticing for its player base.

Stellar Blade’s Refreshing DLC Approach Should Set a Standard

DLC Has a Bad Habit of Coming With a Price Tag

While video game DLC can add exciting things to the games players love, the concept has always been a bit divisive in the industry. This is primarily due to the way developers approach DLC, and whether the additional content is a substantial part of the game, something that might make the game more pay-to-win, or merely inconsequential amenities made available to players who are willing to shell out a few extra bucks. In essence, gamers are generally willing to pay for DLC if it’s extensive enough to warrant the price tag — like Elden Ring‘s Shadow of the Erdtree expansion — but if that DLC ever feels like a money grab, or like it should have been a part of the base game, that’s when it receives the harshest criticism.

Almost All of Stellar Blade’s DLC Has Been Free

Stellar Blade has been a bit of a different story, and a rare one at that. Whereas many modern games attach a price tag to their DLC, Stellar Blade has managed to avoid that practice altogether, releasing free and regular updates since its release in April 2024. Since the launch of Stellar Blade, ongoing players have had the opportunity to acquire numerous additional outfits for EVE to wear at no extra charge, as well as participate in free, limited-time in-game events. This has likely not only resulted in players returning to Stellar Blade periodically, but it has also earned the game a positive reputation in the single-player gaming community.

What makes Stellar Blade such a rare case in this regard is that it’s a single-player game. Perhaps there is some lenience toward DLC and microtransactions in a multiplayer game, where players can show off their recently purchased cosmetics to others. However, in a single-player game like Stellar Blade, the only person that will ever see those purchases is the player and anyone else gathered around their gaming screen. In light of that, it doesn’t necessarily make sense to purchase cosmetics in a single-player game, as it ultimately feels like a waste. This is ultimately a large portion of what has contributed to Stellar Blade‘s ongoing success and allowed it to move forward with its first paid DLC.

Stellar Blade’s NieR: Automata Expansion Is Its First Paid DLC

For the first time since its launch, Stellar Blade has paid DLC in the form of its crossover with Square Enix’s NieR: Automata. While the idea of paying for Stellar Blade DLC might leave a bad taste in the mouths of some, what makes Stellar Blade so unique here is that the launch of the DLC still includes a free photo mode and four new outfits for EVE, regardless of whether players purchase the DLC. Even so, the DLC includes 11 special collaboration items via Emil’s new in-game shop, so some might find that more than worth it.

Hopefully, future single-player games will take note of Stellar Blade‘s approach to DLC, as it certainly hasn’t failed the game in the long run. Even if paid DLC eventually happens, as it has with Stellar Blade, it’s important that single-player games establish a positive reputation with their fanbase ahead of such releases. Ultimately, this makes investing financially into them more palatable.

RECLAIM EARTH FOR HUMANKINDThe future of humanity hangs in the balance in Stellar Blade, an all-new story-driven action adventure on PlayStation®5.Ravaged by strange, powerful creatures, Earth has been abandoned, and what is left of the decimated human race has fled to a Colony in outer space.After travelling from the Colony, 7th Airborne Squad member EVE arrives on the desolate remains of our planet with a clear-cut mission: to save humankind by reclaiming Earth from the Naytiba – the malevolent force that has devastated it.But as EVE tackles the Naytiba one-by-one, piecing together the mysteries of the past in the ruins of human civilization, she realizes that her mission is far from straightforward. In fact, almost nothing is as it seems…

Systems

Released

April 26, 2024

Developer(s)

Shift Up

Publisher(s)

Sony Interactive Entertainment

Engine

Unreal Engine 4

ESRB

M for Mature

PS Plus Availability

N/A

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Expand