Stellar Blade has captured the gaming community’s attention since its release last April. Developed by Shift Up, this action-adventure game features a captivating protagonist and combines thrilling combat with stunning visuals. PC gamers were particularly eager for the opportunity to experience EVE’s adventures, given the game’s acclaim.
Having had the chance to review the game upon its initial launch, I was thrilled to dive into the new PC release, thanks to a copy provided by Sony. After rigorously testing my rig with the game, I compiled essential performance metrics to help you determine if your system can keep up with Stellar Blade. Let’s explore what I discovered!
1. Stellar Blade: An Overview
At the heart of Stellar Blade lies the gripping story of EVE, a skilled warrior sent to reclaim a shattered Earth from monstrous creatures known as Naytibas. As she navigates through perilous landscapes, EVE forms alliances that transform her mission into an unexpected journey. Interested in more details? Make sure to check out our detailed review of Stellar Blade before continuing.
2. Stellar Blade PC Performance: Testing Setup
Upon its PlayStation debut, Stellar Blade garnered praise for its stunning graphics and smooth performance. But how does it fare on PC? Here’s a look at the test setup used for the performance review:
Test Setup:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D @4.20 GHz
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti SUPER
RAM: 32 GB (2×16) DDR5 @6000MHz
SSD: Samsung 990 Pro 1TB
The game was tested across various resolutions—1080p (FHD), 1440p (2K QHD), and 2160p (4K UHD)—set to maximum settings. The aim was to see if Shift Up Studios hit the mark with this PC port.
3. Stellar Blade PC: 1080p Performance
Running Stellar Blade at 1080p on ultra settings delivered a remarkably smooth experience. In native resolution, FPS peaked at 200, averaging between 190 and 195. The GPU maintained a temperature of 67 Celsius, with usage constantly around 95%. CPU usage hovered at approximately 30-33%.
| FPS | Native (DLAA) | DLSS (Quality) | DLSS (Quality) + Frame Generation ON |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 195 | 210 | 345 |
| Maximum | 201 | 230 | 368 |
| Minimum | 167 | 197 | 314 |
Activating DLSS in quality mode pushed the FPS above 200, averaging between 210 and 220. Meanwhile, enabling frame generation saw the FPS soar over 350, averaging 345 to 360 FPS.
4. Stellar Blade PC: 1440p Performance
At 1440p, the FPS did drop but still provided a commendable experience. The game averaged around 140 FPS without any upscaling, indicating smooth gameplay. Here’s how it performed:
| FPS | Native (DLAA) | DLSS (Quality) | DLSS (Quality) + Frame Generation ON |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 140 | 190 | 260 |
| Maximum | 148 | 200 | 290 |
| Minimum | 126 | 178 | 248 |
5. Stellar Blade PC: 4K Performance
Shifting to 4K, the visuals reached their peak; however, the FPS dropped to 65-70. This increase in resolution resulted in greater GPU temperature (73-74 Celsius) and usage was at 99%, with CPU usage dipping to about 13-16%.
| FPS | Native (DLAA) | DLSS (Quality) | DLSS (Quality) + Frame Generation ON |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 70 | 108 | 155 |
| Maximum | 73 | 112 | 166 |
| Minimum | 62 | 103 | 151 |
6. What Are the Best Settings for Stellar Blade?
After extensive testing, to genuinely enjoy Stellar Blade, playing at your native resolution with Frame Generation enabled stands out as the best option. This significantly increases FPS while maintaining the game’s vibrant graphics, resulting in a more exhilarating experience.
| FPS | 1080p Native + Frame Generation ON | 2K Native + Frame Generation ON | 4K Native + Frame Generation ON |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | 290 | 200 | 106 |
| Maximum | 312 | 212 | 115 |
| Minimum | 284 | 167 | 102 |
7. Is Stellar Blade Worth Playing on PC?
In my opinion, Stellar Blade ranks among the top action-RPGs of the past year. The thrill of combat is heightened on PC, making the experience all the more enjoyable. The optimization from Shift Up has been commendable, ensuring no frustrating issues mar the gameplay. While console performance was satisfactory, the ability to unlock frame rates and experience breathtaking visuals on PC truly elevates gameplay.
If you crave high-quality graphics and smooth gameplay, Stellar Blade is a must-play on PC. Don’t miss out on this incredible action-adventure game—it’s worth every moment!
For more insightful content related to video games and technology, you can explore Moyens I/O for further reading.