One glimpse at Stellar Blade’s trailers is enough to understand that a lot of work has gone into creating a visually appealing game. Dynamic environments, rapid particle effects, multiple explosions, and a protagonist who catches the eye are all from the mind of renowned game illustrator Hyung-Tae Kim.
That’s not to say the enemies in the game have not been given the same degree of attention. Hee-Cheol Jang, the man behind the iconic movie monsters seen in The Host and Okja, was first just a consultant on Stellar Blade before coming on full-time. We are going to see his expertise as Eve goes up against the Naytiba.
The Monsters of Stellar Blade have Some Hidden Secrets
A well-designed character holds more than it shows. This allows the player to organically discover certain elements and aspects of the game world, leading to a more fulfilling experience. The same can be said when designing monsters. It’s not just the inspiration that’s important, but also what information is hidden below the surface-level appearance.
Speaking with PlayStation, Hee-Cheol Jang shared his experience and process working on the Naytiba, the race of hostile monsters in Stellar Blade. We currently know of three named variants within the world: Raven, Stalker, and Gigas. All three look intimidating, with the Stalker and Gigas sharing some resemblances.
However, Jang says there’s more to the monsters than meets the eye. Hung-Tae Kim is known for his detailed artworks, and the same can be said for the Naytiba. Jang says there are two key details to look out for when encountering these creatures.
If you look closely at some, but not all, of the monsters, you’ll see baroque symbols and statuesque faces. You may not be able to see them at times because the combat is so fast and dynamic, but keep your eyes peeled!
There’s more to the Naytiba than just mindless killing machines. As we explore the world of Stellar Blade, we will likely understand their origins and motivations. Their certain human characteristics might already be hinting at something sinister in regards to their origin and purpose.
The Monsters in the Game Are Part of Hyung-Tae Kim’s Larger Worldview
Stellar Blade is releasing in the last week of April, but the idea came to Kim almost 10 years ago. His artwork titled ‘EVE Twins’ can be considered the catalyst for the game. Even in that art style, we could see Baroque-esque architecture combined with futuristic urban designs.
Jang and Kim have merged their capabilities to create monsters that look congruent with the world but also stand out in grotesque ways. The Raven, as the name suggests, takes visual cues from birds and features a black color scheme to represent darkness and fear.
The Stalker and Gigas are described as “brothers,” with parts of their bodies featuring saw blades. It’s body parts like these that Jang considered when planning how creatures would attack and move. Other creatures in the game have been described as “openers,” but Jang didn’t elaborate on those as much.
What do you think about the monster designs in the game? Let us know in the comments below!
