After turning heads with its PS5 debut, Stellar Blade has finally slashed its way onto the PC with a beefed-up ‘Complete Edition‘. And mind you, this isn’t just a simple port. We’re talking about an optimised release that brings with it a host of platform-specific upgrades, including support for DLSS 4, AMD FSR 3, ultrawide resolutions, and full keyboard and mouse controls. That alone makes it a big win for players who skipped the console version.
That said, just having support for new-gen technologies isn’t going to be enough if the game can’t scale well. So, the big question still remains – how well does Stellar Blade run on PC hardware? Whether you’re packing a flagship RTX 5080 rig or gaming on a mid-range laptop with an RTX 3050, performance can vary dramatically depending on settings and resolution. In this review, we’re focusing not so much on the game itself, but on how well it scales across hardware.
Table of Contents
Game Settings and Features
But first, let’s take a look at everything that the PC Port of Stellar Blade brings to the table. Right from the graphics menu, players are treated to a generous set of customisation options. You can toggle between upscaling options like DLSS 4 with Frame Generation, AMD FSR 3, and even Intel XeSS. DLAA is also available for purists wanting clean visuals without the blur. The game includes five primary presets: Low, Medium, High, Very High, and a special Handheld mode aimed at portable PCs like the Steam Deck or ASUS ROG Ally. Each of these presets adjusts elements like shadow resolution, texture quality, clutter density, draw distance, and lighting effects.
For fine-tuners, individual settings allow control over ambient occlusion, depth of field, screen space reflections, film grain, and motion blur. Additionally, there’s full support for ultrawide and super-ultrawide monitors, including 21:9 and 32:9 aspect ratios. On the input side, Stellar Blade supports both controllers (including full DualSense support with haptics and adaptive triggers) and keyboard/mouse setups. It also includes full button remapping across both input styles.
And for those who enjoy cosmetic bonuses, the Complete Edition on PC comes with 25 new outfits, an extra boss fight, and multilingual voiceovers with Japanese and Chinese lip-sync. Of course, you’ll have to spend more for that, but it also goes a long way in supporting the devs for their hard work, while also getting some additional cosmetic value out of it.
Performance Analysis
Let’s break down how Stellar Blade performs across a range of hardware configurations, including flagship desktops, mid-range gaming laptops, and handheld PCs.
First, I tested it on a desktop PC to embrace the game in its full glory. On a system with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090, the game consistently soars above 160 FPS at native 4K resolution. There are brief dips to around 150 FPS, but DLSS 4 with Quality Mode helps push frame rates higher without any noticeable drop in visual fidelity. There’s also support for Multi Frame Generation, though with this kind of hardware, I didn’t really feel the need to rely on it. That said, enabling it at 2X pushes the average FPS past the 300 mark, which is quite stellar (see what I did there). At 4X MFG, the game even breaches 500 FPS at times, averaging around 465 FPS.
It’s worth noting that the game doesn’t include ray tracing, which may disappoint some players. However, the volumetric lighting, high-resolution textures, and advanced post-processing effects still deliver a convincingly next-gen visual experience. Frame times remain remarkably consistent throughout, resulting in butter-smooth gameplay with no stutter or hitches.
This excellent optimisation extends even to more budget-friendly setups, like the Acer ALG laptop, equipped with an Intel Core i5-12450H and NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU (75W TGP). By default, the game selected Medium settings with a few options set to Low. Yet, performance was surprisingly good. At 1080p, it maintained a stable 62 FPS. Of course, results vary depending on exact settings, but enabling DLSS significantly improves both stability and responsiveness.
Interestingly, Stellar Blade is listed as Steam Deck Verified on its Steam page. While I don’t own a Deck myself, I do have a slightly more powerful handheld, which is the ASUS ROG Ally. Impressively, the game runs quite well on the Ally. Using the custom “Handheld” preset at 1080p, the game averages around 80 FPS, powered by AMD FSR 3. Even more remarkable, this was at just 15W of TDP. Plugged in and bumped to 30W, the Ally pushes frame rates up to 110 FPS, all while looking crisp on the compact 7-inch display.
Naturally, as you scale down the settings, the visual quality does take a slight hit. However, it’s not as drastic as one might expect. Character models still look good overall, though finer details like hair rendering and reflections appear less polished. Thankfully, technologies like DLSS and FSR come in clutch, maintaining smooth frame rates while preserving respectable visual fidelity. Add to that the consistently smooth frame pacing, quick load times on NVMe SSDs, and responsive controls, and you’ve got a game that feels just as fast-paced and fluid on lower-end setups. For the best experience, I’d definitely recommend playing on a display with solid colour reproduction to truly enjoy Stellar Blade’s vivid art style.
Game Review
Yes, I know this is a performance review, but we can still take a moment to talk about how this game actually plays, right? With its post-apocalyptic setting, anime-inspired character design, and NieR: Automata-style combat system, Stellar Blade blends visual spectacle with tight & satisfying gameplay mechanics.
The story is pretty solid, filled with sci-fi tropes and emotional undertones, but it’s the gameplay and visuals that truly steal the show. Combat feels weighty and responsive, leaning heavily on precise parries, dodge-timing, and fluid combo chaining. Every enemy encounter feels intentional, and boss battles are intense showpieces too, that never fail to impress.
Having played Stellar Blade on console first, I can confidently say that the PC version takes those moments to the next level. Higher frame rates, sharper textures, and cleaner post-processing effects elevate the experience significantly. Whether it’s Eve’s detailed costume designs, the gorgeous lighting during dusk sequences, or the layered environmental storytelling, the PC’s enhanced visual fidelity adds a whole new level of immersion. It’s the kind of game that just feels better when experienced in ultra-smooth, high-definition glory.
Verdict
Stellar Blade on PC is a triumph in optimisation. From high-end machines pushing 160 fps at 4K resolution to even handhelds that can run it at a stable 60 FPS, the game scales impressively. The wide range of graphic settings, controller support, and PC-specific features like DLSS 4 and ultrawide resolution make it clear this isn’t a half-baked port. While it lacks ray tracing, the game doesn’t feel visually compromised, and the Complete Edition bonuses add further value. For players who missed the PS5 version or simply want to experience it at its visual best, the PC release of Stellar Blade checks all the right boxes.
Editor’s Rating: 9.5 / 10
Pros:
- Excellent PC optimisation
- Stunning visuals with impressive textures and post-processing
- Robust customisation & PC-exclusive features
- Parry-driven action that feels rewarding
Cons:
- No ray tracing support
