The release of the game Stellar Blade has sparked controversy among players and critics, with some praising it for its design featuring a scantily clad female lead, while others have raised concerns about her design. However, despite the game being well-liked and well-received upon its release, some players are now accusing developer SHIFT UP of censoring certain aspects of the game, specifically certain costumes, and placing blame on PlayStation for these changes.
Several outfits for the character Eve in Stellar Blade have undergone minor changes from the patch-free disc version of the game to the final release, sparking outrage among some players. The main costume in question, a bunny-style swimsuit, had a small amount of coverage added to the chest and hips, while another costume had netting added to the chest area. SHIFT UP has stated that the final costume shown in the patch is the one they intended, not a result of outside pressure, and there is no concrete evidence that Sony demanded these changes.
Some players are now accusing SHIFT UP of false advertising, as the game was previously touted as being released “uncensored” in all regions. Additionally, there have been complaints about censorship of gore in the final game, although it appears that different play settings may be responsible for the appearance or absence of certain textures. Despite these issues, the game remains largely unchanged in terms of its level of gore.
The debate surrounding the changes to the costumes in Stellar Blade ultimately comes down to a matter of principle for some players, who view any alterations as censorship. While the developer insists that the changes were intentional and part of their vision for the game, there is a vocal group of players who are protesting these alterations. It remains to be seen whether SHIFT UP will reconsider and revert the costumes back to their original designs to appease this group.
Ultimately, the controversy surrounding Stellar Blade’s costumes seems to be blowing a minor issue out of proportion, with some players fixating on a few inches of fabric on a couple of outfits in a game that features many revealing costumes. It is unclear whether the protesting players will be satisfied even if the costumes are changed back, as they seem to be constantly looking for something to criticize. Despite the backlash, the game continues to be well-received by many players and critics.
