Just a glance at Stellar Blade is enough to understand that it is designed for adults. Given the target audience, there is going to be content that many would describe as graphic. Any media containing such depictions has one sworn enemy: censorship.
While each country is different when it comes to censorship, developers end up making some cuts and changes. So, when developers announce their titles are going to be uncensored, the gaming community is understandably excited. That’s the case with Shift Up’s upcoming sci-fi slasher.
Stellar Blade to Release Uncensored Globally
When it comes to securing product release, companies and manufacturers must bend the knee to many laws and regulations. Dealing with so many rating boards can get hectic, and if the developer is targeting a specific age rating, it may require significant changes to the game to achieve it.
「Stellar Blade」 offers the same uncensored version in all countries, including the Japanese version.
ステラブレードは、日本版を含むすべての国で検閲されていない同じバージョンを提供しています。#StellarBlade #PS5 #Uncensored pic.twitter.com/dJojSgZH9y— StellarBlade (@StellarBlade) April 21, 2024
So Stellar Blade announcing the game is going to release with no cuts is a massive win for the title. It’s a feat not even big titles like GTA 6 can achieve, with many fearing the game will be highly censored upon release. The announcement came via the game’s official X handle, with many replies rejoicing the confirmation.
There isn’t much explanation as to what the “uncensored” version is going to contain. The ESRB rating of the game mentions “blood and gore, [strong] language, suggestive themes, and violence,” themes in line with Hyung-Tae Kim’s admission of it being entertainment for adults. We can assume there is going to be little to no cut content when it comes to seeing viscera.
This announcement, coming less than a week before the game is about to be released, is sure to get even more people interested. The hype for the game is at an all-time high now, with Kim’s influence playing no small part in generating buzz. His ten-year vision will soon come to fruition, and fans are eager to get their hands on the game soon.
Shift Up’s Newest Title Is Both Alluring and Challenging
The game’s combat has been compared to that of Sekiro, which is widely regarded as the most challenging title in the FromSoftware lineup. The title also features Kim’s iconic art style. It may be tempting to run through the game with Eve wearing the Skin Suit, but the developer encourages players to keep the protagonist well-clothed so the game doesn’t become a death spiral.
The Naytiba, the hostile monsters in Stellar Blade, are the creations of Korean monster movie legend Hee-Cheol Jang. Born from a combination of human characteristics and baroque architecture, Jang’s designs feature hidden details that hint at their origin. There’s more than meets the eye with these creatures, and we will get to know them very intimately when slicing them apart.
A lack of censorship also means dialogue should be more or less intact. At times, certain words have to be changed or sentences altered because the language doesn’t suit the age rating. Wearing the M badge, Stellar Blade can circumvent many of these issues and keep the original dialogue.
What do you think of the recent censorship news regarding this game? Let us know in the comments below!
