PlayStation is getting its next exclusive, Stellar Blade, at the end of this month, and there is a significant amount of hype around it. Hyung-Tae Kim’s art, combined with fast-paced combat and dynamic environments, is a recipe many gamers cannot pass up.
Xbox, while commonly thought of as trailing behind, is getting its own exclusive, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, by the end of May. As a sequel to a beloved game, the title already has a dedicated fan base waiting for its release. As it has happened before and will continue to happen, people are now comparing the two exclusives, wondering which one is a true “generational leap.”
Stellar Blade Goes Head-to-Head Against Hellblade 2
@RinoTheBouncer on X shared a post stating Stellar Blade has become the No. 1 game to be pre-ordered on the PlayStation Store and even sold out on Amazon Germany. A short video also shows in-game footage of aircraft flying over the main protagonist, Eve. The video functions to show off the graphical fidelity of the title, and it comes across as impressive.
Stellar Blade looks like a a true generational leaps for this gen🚀
The game is No.1 most pre-ordered game on #PlayStation Store, and sold out on Amazon Germany 2 days ago😎
(Cheers @GermanStrands🙌🏼) @StellarBlade #PS5 #Gaming pic.twitter.com/xYcUOtX8A9
— Rino (@RinoTheBouncer) April 4, 2024
There has been a lot of talk regarding the title in recent times. Much of the conversation has been about the character design and how Hyung-Tae Kim is focused on creating beautiful but also realistic proportions. There is also discussion of whether the characters have been overly sexualized, but overall, everyone agrees the graphics in the game look great.
However, others are comparing it to Hellblade 2. The second leg of Senua’s journey has been in development for six years and was developed using Unreal Engine 5. The videos and images we have seen so far are very impressive and show off the capabilities of the new engine.
Look beautiful, but I wouldn't say it is generational leap!
— Firas (NB) Benachour (@NBDanTE) April 5, 2024
"true generational leap"
I don't think so.
Looks last gen. pic.twitter.com/mJjB6GMNfC— XCENSION (@Xcension) April 5, 2024
Compared to Hellblade 2, some feel Stellar Blade looks like a last-gen title as it does not have the same level of detail. Others feel the game looks great, but calling it a generational leap is a bit of a stretch. Of course, some fans agree, with one remarking on the many moving elements in the short video clip.
But I first saw this I was in awe 😲 This shit looks amazing so much going on in one frame.
— Asupernaruto (@asupernaruto) April 5, 2024
The Two Titles Serve Different Audiences and Purposes
While it’s easy to compare games on a surface level, it’s important to remember what the titles are trying to offer. Stellar Blade is bringing fast-paced combat to the table, so people are going to pay more attention to the fluidity of the game rather than pixel-peeping. Hellblade 2, on the other hand, aims to be far more atmospheric and is locked at 30 FPS on Xbox consoles to achieve a “cinematic” look.
A game that focuses on ambiance is going to have more attention given to smaller details to improve immersion. That’s not to say action games can’t look good, but there is a stark difference in objectives between the two titles.
Regardless of the comparison, people are eager to experience Stellar Blade. The trailers so far have created a strong case for the game, and the fact that it has been pre-ordered so much shows the clear hype around the title.
Which game would you consider a generational leap? Let us know below!
