When the team at Shift Up set out to craft their first major console game in Stellar Blade, they drew inspiration from a variety of sources – from classic 1980s and 1990s science fiction to the seminal manga Alita: Battle Angel. But according to director Hyung Tae Kim, one of the most formative influences on the game’s narrative and themes came from an unexpected real-world event.
In a recent interview, Kim revealed that witnessing a protest by taxi drivers against the encroachment of self-driving car technology was a pivotal moment that sparked the core ideas behind Stellar Blade.
“The strike erupted when technologies for self-driving cars began advancing, almost hinting at the implementation of autonomous cars in the near future,” Kim explained. “This instilled fear among taxi drivers that these technologies would eventually take over and replace their jobs. As I watched them on strike, I asked myself what I would do if this were to happen to me, if one day humans were entirely replaced by something non-human. This is where the theme for Stellar Blade originates.”
That profound question – what defines our humanity in the face of technological upheaval? – lies at the heart of Stellar Blade’s story. The game follows a young woman named Eve as she battles mysterious invaders known as NA:tives to reclaim a post-apocalyptic Earth abandoned by humanity.
“The theme I dedicated to Stellar Blade is humanity,” said Kim. “The story is about what makes us human and defines us as human – it’s quite universal.”
While the game’s fantastical premise and settings draw inspiration from other touchstones of sci-fi storytelling, like Nier: Automata and the Alita manga, Shift Up was intent on crafting a fresh, unique vision. The team “reimagined and rendered” elements from classic 1980s and 1990s sci-fi to create a post-apocalyptic world that would feel both familiar and novel to players.
“People have their own vision of what a post-apocalyptic world is like based on what they’ve envisioned in their heads or seen in movies and such,” Kim noted. “I’m sure many players will appreciate and admire the details and attention that went into making the post-apocalyptic world in Stellar Blade vivid and realistic.”
Ultimately, the game’s narrative aim is to explore what it means to be human in the face of technological and existential threats. As players guide Eve on her journey to reclaim Earth, they’ll uncover the mysteries behind the NA:tives and confront the fundamental question of humanity’s role and purpose.
With its compelling blend of sci-fi influences, stunning visuals, and a thought-provoking central theme drawn from real-world inspiration, Stellar Blade looks poised to offer a unique and compelling narrative experience when it launches for PlayStation 5 on April 26th.
