Sony Interactive Entertainment and Shift Up’s forthcoming action adventure game, Stellar Blade, has been rated in South Korea.
In a new listing filed on November 3, 2023, the Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea has rated Stellar Blade. As per the Game Rating classification in Korea, the game has been rated 19+, and is therefore suitable for 19 year olds and above.
As for the reasons cited for this rating, the classification states that Stellar Blade contains direct explicit expression of body exposure, such as female characters appearing to be naked in their costumes. Additionally, the game features excessive use of violence, including dismemberment of characters as well as the depiction of blood.
Additionally, it is suggested that Stellar Blade will offer a challenging experience to players. The game’s FAQ on the official PlayStation website states that combat in Stellar Blade requires deliberate attacks, defense and evasion. It’s essential to learn enemy attack patterns and counter with precision, so expect a challenge, especially in the game’s many boss fights.
Previously, during an interview, Stellar Blade director Kim Hyung-tae and technical director Lee Dong-g at Shift Up shared new details regarding the game, including the various works of fiction that inspired it. Regarding the various sources of inspiration for the game, Kim mentioned that he was influenced by the dystopian worldview science fiction works of the 1980s and 1990s, including a manga called “Gunm”. Nier: Automata gave the Stellar Blade director the opportunity to rediscover what kind of games he wanted to make. Other influences include games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Bayonetta. Sci-fi movies from the 80s and 90s, including Blade Runner, were also a source of inspiration.
As far as the structure of Stellar Blade’s game world, Zion, is concerned, Kim stated that the earlier section of Stellar Blade is linear, though it still offers some exploration. Once you enter the city of Zion, it becomes a semi-open world where you can freely explore.
