Stellar Blade‘s primary enemies are the Naytiba, a set of grotesque creatures that, quite frankly, look absolutely terrifying. Without any context, it would be hard to connect that the protagonist Eve and the Naytiba both come from the same game.
If you’re curious about the inspiration behind them and some of the bosses of the game, Shift Up CEO Kim Hyung Tae and other members of the game’s creative team have spilled the beans on it.
Stellar Blade’s Naytiba Carry More Than What Meets the Eye
In a recent interview with Playstation, the creative minds behind Shift Up’s highly anticipated game, Stellar Blade, revealed information about the game’s eerie enemies, the Naytiba. Kim, in particular, shared a particularly chilling aspect that also hints players at the true nature of the creatures.
When asked about personal fears that influenced the creation of the Naytiba, Kim explained,
I think for me, it’s the human element. Something that’s human but different, that’s more terrifying than just an ugly lump.
There’s a certain psychological horror that’s embedded within the design of the Naytiba, and Kim’s answer subtly calls out their unsettling resemblance to humanity. Could they have been humans at one point?
The Naytiba, as described by the director, is depicted as “an unknown entity powerful enough to destroy humanity.” The team made many deliberate design choices that effortlessly evoke discomfort from anyone who dares look at them, such as their missing eyes and faces misplaced on their forms.
You might be thinking, why did the creative team opt for cosmic horror? Kim answered this question and spoke about the freedom that you get by creating creatures that never existed.
If the Naytiba weren’t terrifying enough already, Kim hinted at a deeper connection, explaining that if you look closely enough, you might notice the resemblance they have to existing Earthly life forms.
He promised that all would become clear as you delve deeper into the game. April 26th couldn’t arrive any sooner!
Even The Bosses Were Given a Lot of Thought
Lee, the Concept Art Lead for the game, spoke about the three currently revealed bosses—Gigas, Raven, and Stalker—and the effort that went into each of them.
Gigas and Stalker are described as similar to brothers, both featuring unique moving saw blade shapes that evoke fear and intimidation in Eve. Raven, on the other hand, has large wings and bird-like traits, with its design centered around the concept of darkness and fear.
When finding inspiration for the attacks specific to each boss monster, Lee explains the iterative process involved.
Starting from the rough concept stage, the team considers which part of the body or weapon the creature will use to attack, refining the details as they progress. It’ll be interesting to see how the rest of the game’s bosses are designed.
What do you think of the Stellar Blade approach to designing the game’s enemies? Let us know in the comments below!
