Khan’s Kast | Stellar Blade Review Discussion with FightinCowboy

In today's Khan's Kast we sit down with @FightinCowboy to talk about all things Stellar Blade.
Check out FightinCowboy:
/ @fightincowboy
#stellarblade #soulslike #actionrpg
Chapters:
0:00 Cowboy's Fishing Adventure
2:38 Stellar Blade Puzzles, Gameplay, Combat
19:44 Things we didn't like about Stellar Blade
32:12 Stellar Blade Visuals & Audio
40:43 Collectables, Sidequests, Game Length, Cosmetic Outfits
50:21 Drone Weapons (Ranged Combat)
52:46 Stellar Blade Final Banter & Drama

[@wollyram6248]

Glad to learn Stellar blade is not just jiggle physics. Weird time line we are on, a gacha developer's first AAA title is a complete title without micro transactions 🤔

[@TheAnaz41745]

A lot of gacha games developers, particularly ones made without a big publisher backing like Bandai or Square Enix, were often that way because gacha games are relatively cheaper to make and maintain than a console/PC game, while still being at risk of cancellation within months if your game doesn't pop off. However, if it does, they can get quite a lot of profit from it for as long as it's trending. That profit then is usually not used for gacha game itself because of the low cost mentioned before, but rather used to fund other projects be it other games or multimedia projects like an anime adaptation. Examples of these are FGO which funded TM to release more Fate spin off games/novels and even a polished released of a separate IP in Tsukihime Remake. There's also Arknights and Blue Archive that each funded their own anime adaptation with their gacha income, and Shiftup with Nikke probably got their funds to actually finish Stellar Blade. I think the only example where a gacha game devs using their gacha games income to funds more gacha games are Mihoyo with the Honkai and Genshin IPs, when they certainly should've earned enough money to make a full priced console/PC game

[@wollyram6248]

@@TheAnaz41745 Makes sense, pretty sure most of PGR'S income was funneled in to Wuthering waves.

[@reikanou-issen]

how the turns have tabled

[@carlosmelendez8317]

Stellar Blade is solid! Please support this game and let our voices be heard. This is the return of beautiful, badass video game characters. FreeStellarBlade!

[@Batitcous_Prime]

They did post that NG+ will be on the release date

[@nuh-uhbro765]

That’s pretty huge because they originally said it would come after launch. That means they’re ahead of schedule and is a very good sign.

[@daji2kim]

@@nuh-uhbro765they added ng+

[@dogho7835]

Funny that I like you both and did not know you guys know each other. I watch both of your reviews today one after the other.

[@HugoSanchez-yy2qt]

They've done plenty of collabs

[@erikwilliams8692]

They’ve been a duo for a long time, they stick together and defend each other

[@Ac3YoinkySploinky]

The “hai-yaa” scream just reminds me of Link from Ocarina of Time where it was the same scream every time haha

[@user-tw1kj3jp9w]

So this is the second time the first console game by a Korean developer has been released with combat that is refined to the point of feeling more like their 5th console game, I find this to be rather curious. Lies of P nailed Fromsoft combat feel better than ANYONE before it and it was done as a studios first ever console game, that deserves an award or something. I mean the entire world of developers haven't been able to achieve this in the last decade, I don't think people gave them enough credit, and these developers also seem to have done something almost unheard of AGAIN, what's going n in Korea?

[@MorelloZzT7]

I love the fact that they are doing well.

[@pandavelli8176]

Meritocracy and rewarding competency instead of victim ooints

[@codymartin4405]

Yo guys! Day 1 patch has NG+, new skills, 34 costumes including alts for NPCs etc etc

[@Watheverable]

For a debut title that shit is banging! It better succeed!

[@Gungrave123]

too bad about the censorship debacle, that's bound to tank some sales

[@Watheverable]

@@Gungrave123 I got the physical version so I just won't install the update until I really have to, but they brought it upon themselves with the censorship.

[@johnnydehoyosjr1467]

Wish you guys talked to other content creators. They don’t have your expertise. Some want the game to be perfect. This game makes you build up Eve. Even learning how she blocks and parry’s is on the individual. I can feel how much you enjoyed it. Thank you so much.

[@shaifs5072]

I came to learn about Ruri through Ratatoskr, whose Podcast Ruri has been on several times. I liked him so I decided to follow him.

[@cory9919]

the more i listen to you guys talk about this game the more and more it sounds like Automata which is a great thing. Desert area? check. collectables? check. combat style? similar check. Came for the booty --> Stayed for the feels??? CHECK. This was exactly Nier: Automata. i hope this comes out for PC because you basically sold me on it

[@DrierHyperion21]

The only part of it that's like nier automata is the music. I feel like the gameplay is a lot more like Jedi fallen order or Jedi survivor

[@sweatyzeusgaming]

That’s not fair it’s way way more polished and all around better than Jedi survivor…

[@aliscripture9334]

I am about 50 hours in and I’m on my 3rd play through and I agree. I absolutely love this game. The game is phenomenal! It exceeded all my expectations. There are many revealing outfits but I prefer the many more modest clothing options like “angelic rose” and the “fluffy bear” for example. The music is incredible and makes complete sense considering the fact that NieR: Automata composers were involved. The endings make me think there will be a sequel and I hope for that. Maybe we’ll go beyond Earth into space and more open areas that are still right like the dungeons in Elden Ring for example. It’s almost half way through the year, and Stellar Blade is a game of the year contender for me alongside Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth and Dragon’s Dogma 2

[@Taum1024]

I’m curious what was the Censor part about?

[@danielyang4947]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Stellar Blade. So far one funniest thing on Eve is that when Eve was on the top of drones going up and down the tower in desert, her legs were shaking like she was scared of height! lol Another thing is I paid for Deluxe Edition but I got both Standard and Deluxe downloaded for what ever reason. And I think it was Hedgeboar has God Of War Krato's move and that was really funny!

[@geraldgossett724]

I just subbed to you Khan, you have good points and your pronunciation of certain words is awesome I don't know what dialect it is but it plays really well with this medium.

[@aliscripture9334]

31:10 That hand looks normal to me 😭

[@DentyOne]

So, Cowboy's never played a Yakuza game, cause their hands are the size of their torsos.

[@BasketCase-rr7tx]

To be fair Yakuza games don’t have very good combat so he would probably get bored.

[@khiemnguyencao4324]

Fight cowboy could play lost judgement for engaging combat cause it's fast paced and you can juggle enemies

[@RickyBlickey]

@@BasketCase-rr7txbetter combat the half the games he makes tutorials for

[@ibarzabal]

Pre-ordered it on the japan psn (because i wanted to have the japanese voices), and now got the surprise that it will unlock in 12 hours... :)

[@notimportant8643]

5:39 I knew it! I always suspected cowboy had a background in engineering

[@shokid24]

I very much enjoy the two of y’all together. Long day at work ans I get this 😬

[@Seraphina_FF14]

I didn't understand the first math puzzle but the solution gave me all the clues to then solve the second one. Wasteland Gigas I didn't find that troublesome (even with 30 fps) but sad to learn that you can't use the blade for traversal. Was hoping for that, since it looked so fun in the trailer. Very entertaining review discussion, thanks. PS. Didn't notice the big hands. But I'll check it out. ^^

[@Talcor]

I am so excited to play this game, 2024 has had so many sleeper hits its insane. I went into this year thinking it was going to be nowhere close to 2024 and already its had so many good games come out.

[@aliscripture9334]

27:30 Yeah that bothered me too 😭 but I think the length and he tone and sort of clinginess towards Eve lightly foreshadows her story later on in regards to her sister etc, like I was annoyed but then looking back I understand now why she said what she said and how she sounded worried and stressed a bit. I was fine with hearing all the dialogue in the 1st play through but in following play throughs, they should let us skip the dialogue and the cutscenes faster

[@geraldgossett724]

Dragon's Dogma 2 in Stellar blade are both in the running for Game of the Year

[@shokid24]

Also I used to use kernel corn or balls of bread to fish with. Worked well

[@VampireNoblesse]

go hard mode!

[@HollowedJedi]

This game will be amazing. I'm telling you.

[@paulypipes3082]

Everyone will forget about it in a week. Just watch.... This is the new phenomenon nobody realizes in today's gaming sphere😅. Consume next product quickly

[@omegaxtrigun]

@@paulypipes3082Its not a new phenomenon lol. There’s just a lot of good games coming out these days.

[@GhostOfTheLore]

@Rurikhan Ruri, I hate to do this, but I got to Xion last night, and I agree with Cowboy the girls' hands are freakish.

[@petersomogyi7245]

Hey Ruri, great Shirt! Instantly fell in love with it ❤ fantastic conversation, you and Cowboy are beacons in the KZbin-Space. Best of the best. And man: where can I get this T-Shirt? 😊

[@rurikhan]

I dunno, it was gifted to me.

[@HollowedJedi]

56:01 Great Episode!

[@akshatsaxena4137]

There are still plenty of movies and TV that are shot on film, and movies that are shot digitally but have grain added to them later on. It's an aesthetic that a lot of people love, from directors and cinematographers to viewers. Tarantino is a notable defender of film.

[@primarchlogarius]

Wait what was this math problem? Differential equations?? Love the Cowboy Ruri podcasts always

[@blaisewallack919]

I really like how this game is interesting by not fitting into a genre package, e.g. "soulslike, rpg, hack & slash" etc. It takes some elements of the current soulslike trend but blends other things that resonate with 6th and 7th console gen games, an era when most games truly slapped. That's more interesting than it being just a soulslike.

[@DecimatedSoul]

The hands part had me dead😂

[@Saiyan0805]

Hey Cowboy, as a fellow married man with two kids, you can grab a 12 pack of beer and go fishing its just frowned upon haha

[@eccentricbeing]

Film grain is certainly a visual choice in games, but film grain on actual film (movies or photography) actually provide some texture to the image when it's just the right amount. When it's too noisy, it's distracting and looks like your exposure wasn't correct. When the grain is digitally removed, things look like plastic. Like all things, there needs to be a balance.

[@sailorboy8314]

They added film grain option

[@COddietsch]

All I know is that I am thoroughly enjoying the game, the bosses are kicking my ass. I died so many times with the Corrupter before I realized "the hell with it, you just have to be smart but aggressive and kick it ass". Aggression and parrying are the two most important parts to this game, I think.

[@deviantnia]

is it possible to beat this game with 1 hand?

[@erikwilliams8692]

W

[@BasketCase-rr7tx]

I’m sure some souls streamers will attempt it. Not sure if it will be for the same reasons as you want too though.

[@Nubstep94]

Yes. I was born with only one hand and I had no problem with the demo. I’ve also beatin games like Sekiro and Dark Souls. So you should be fine.

[@Laocoon283]

Idk but I can guarentee something is gonna get beaten

[@markcampbell8590]

The Korean game developer scene is really growing with Stellar Blade and Lies of P. Not to mention Dave the Diver

[@DrierHyperion21]

Stellar Blade reminds me a lot of fallen order or jedi survivor. Has basically the same souls like/ metroidvania loop. There's wall running, platforming, parry heavy combat, and quite a few puzzles. The puzzles are way better and less annoying in Jedi Survivor though

[@JVS_Tarnished]

Games release to close to each other for content creators to make content to make them last longer

[@muaddib_uzul]

My fav streamers. Love cast 👍

[@GenePark]

Yes the desert song was great and repetitive lol listened to a lot of podcasts 😊

[@potatopower2144]

Great review Gene!

[@otacon_ahyo]

Come and live in Germany I only had 1 blackout in 8 years 😅

[@gregorymifsud5389]

the hand of god will awaken soon

[@alaintouloucanon5467]

28:46 I have 5 hours to forget

[@geraldgossett724]

Someone watches Andrew Wilson @The Crucible too.

[@dusttodust915]

Reminds me of bloodstaineds difficulty setting/NG+.

[@feldob9]

Those hands!😂❤😂

[@dac33nr58]

Seinfeld ep. The Bizarro Jerry (man Hands)

[@VampireNoblesse]

NG+, hold on

[@HollowedJedi]

10:43 Code Vein and Sekiro

[@RicknWRX]

Omg ruriikan no UPS?? I would never run a pc or ps5 without a ups. Been running those since I first got computers. Must have!

[@jacknixon2812]

the hands were fine

[@nicholasseitler4997]

Her hands are big. I just got to her 😂. That picture didn't do it justice.

[@darkrecon3007]

The part where fighting Cowboy describes the girls hands... im cancelling my preorder. jk 😂

[@erichasenjaeger209]

As a total math nerd the talk of the puzzles alone just convinced me to get this game idc if this game is a complete pile of shit 😂

[@rurikhan]

I think there’s only 2 math puzzles though!

[@velorama-tkkn]

Hmm... Sekiro parry feels a lot harder to me than Stellar Blade perfect parry. I had problems with Sekiro parry throughout the whole game and just dropped the game after a couple tries at the end boss. Stellar Blade demo felt a lot easier to be consistent to me.

[@kost1k86]

That’s because you are better now after playing sekiro. Give it another try after stellar blade and you will see how much you have improved

[@barliechrown9994]

The trick is to set it down for a day and come back. Your mind readjusts and learns as you sleep. So your skill level will improve. Now go back and finish Isshin goddamnit.

[@TheNotoriousMUSK]

The little girl has big hands but fortunately so do I so I'll easily be able to play this game with just one

[@BrightWhiteKirin]

Goddess of Victory Nikke is pronounced like the shoe brank Nike Both arr named after the greek goddess of victory and olympic athleticism Nike

[@BrightWhiteKirin]

Please forgive my spelling, im on mobile

[@vhex61]

27:55 😂

[@Damien-rl6om]

Yeah we shure break our iron in this game brother. You can take this how you want 😶

[@ser_Gallius]

I am def ruined by this big hands thing. I really cannot unseen it now and it so disturbing 😅

[@DrierHyperion21]

It's more like a metroidvania with souls like combat.

[@azzanalbalushi6945]

i dont think that the hands are a man hands

[@teratas01]

i hope this game is not bloodborne-ed by Sony

[@archerthenoob7858]

You know what's funny about stellar blade It's the first game Imagine an ass jiggle studio did make an absolute banger game and big studios can't make a good game lately

[@geraldgossett724]

Thoes hands are huge, are you kidding

[@MrBfg586]

other reviews are saying the platforming is terrible and there is too much of it.

[@rurikhan]

I disagree.

[@danhealy79]

when for PC? :(

[@OGvCINDER]

I’m a big fighting cowboy fan . But I believe my guy is gone woke . I’m so disappointed!!! FREE STELLAR !!!?

[@GolfGuy32]

Film grain? Really? Lmao

[@LuciferHunter-kt7pm]

Math is a perishable skill

[@MrZkickass2]

they call it yaoi finger hand.. look it up

[@frizen9328]

Ok 5 min in, why is there freaking math in this game? 😦

[@omegaxtrigun]

Most games that have any kind if rpg elements have math in them lol. They just also chose to have math puzzles.

[@frizen9328]

@@omegaxtrigun Looking at stats doesn't count lol. Why in the world would they put actual math problems in the game, you say they just chose to have math puzzles so nonchalant like this isn't a crime against humanity 😫

[@Laocoon283]

Believe it or not some people actually enjoy using their brain

[@frizen9328]

@@Laocoon283 I like using my brain and even preformed very well in math classes without trying much (until statistics, screw statistics), I just don't like math 🤣

[@khiemnguyencao4324]

So you cant turn off flim grain so though combat has impact cause of slow commiting animation Im not buying it

[@johnnyflannigan136]

No one cares

[@eybarra2]

Fighting cowboy thinks censorship isn't a big deal

[@Penisdrizzle]

Hes a total shill. He proved his lack of integrity with his coverage of dragons dogma 2. Hed take whatever side keeps those sweet sweet review copies coming

[@depthconnection]

Yeah the dragons dogma 2 coverage from him was blatant. I’m sure capcom gave him more than a review copy. He has no integrity

[@sladelius6174]

It isn't.

[@Penisdrizzle]

@@sladelius6174 It is.

[@blaisewallack919]

It isn't.

[@noseyparker6969]

Dude really needs to put a tshirt on.

[@rurikhan]

Next time I’ll have him on shirtless just for you.

[@johntomaro7202]

He really thinks he’s in good shape lmao

[@Ronthegoat2]

What you scared of his shoulders? What a weird thing to be upset about 😂😂

[@nuh-uhbro765]

@@Ronthegoat2They’re obviously projecting, I never even noticed he wasn’t covering his shoulders until it was pointed out because I’m not an insecure weirdo 😂

[@anaguma90]

dude can wear whatever he wants to

[@deskmanatee]

FightinCowboy has really upset me man. Really sad to see that he has gone down this path. Very disappointing.

[@sweatyzeusgaming]

What path? Regarding the censorship?

[@Taum1024]

Do you guys know what the Censorship is about?

[@OGvCINDER]

Me to

[@stevemichael652]

Guys are u high ? I love the great reviews you gave games like LotF and then literally NEVER talked about it again on either of your channels.

[@Antonyt13]

Ruri did like 10 multi-hour streams of that game, and cowboy streamed the entire thing on his channel and did a 50+ part let's play on top of that. Are you high?

[@ReadyToRek]

I'm always high (I'm 6'5") Also probably recently took a bong rip

[@stevemichael652]

@@Antonyt13 yea it’s called content. All these souls likes get talked about and played , then a month after release, POOF like they never existed. If they were great games the way they make them out to be in reviews, they’d have a longer shelf life than obligatory lets play streams. Also, DD2 is probably the worst rpg I’ve ever played. Felt like I’m playing a ps2 game. And I only got the game bc FCB raved about it so hard. Either we aren’t playing the same game or he’s lying. That game was absolute trash

[@rurikhan]

You have no idea how the KZbin algorithm works and it shows. And to your argument I went on to replay LotF 4-5 more times and get almost every trophy in the game (the get all weapons and armor was too annoying though).

[@Young_Ruckus]

​@@rurikhanOn a serious note you look like that really cool dad or uncle who smokes up a joint all the time 😂

[@adalwolf8006]

This game is on par with Elden Ring and maybe even better.

[@Mohgenstein]

[@aidenarkham]

Fightncowboy reviews games after playing them for like 2 hours in easy mode. Example Rise of the Ronin. What a fucking joke.

[@abdouwho]

BASED

[@OD91MJ]

Show me on the doll where the streamers opinion hurt you.

[@aidenarkham]

@@OD91MJ you can't have an opinion if you haven't completed a game on hard mode. His opinions are irrelevant to me now.

[@FettsFrequency420]

bro mad that game is half of what sekiro nioh and GoT was lmao has zero facts to back up a claim lol get out them feelings

[@OD91MJ]

@@aidenarkham yeah extremely irrelevant to you obviously. Rent free in your head. I haven't even played Ronin because I didn't really like Wo Long. Team Ninja needs to fix some things. Not exactly sure where things have gone wrong. I have 600 hours in Nioh 2 felt like Wo Long was going to be an improvement but it missed the mark with me in the Demo. My opinion is I will play Ronin when it is free on PS+ in a year.

[@-Sparagmos-]

I have not seen a single person complaining that she’s hot. Seems like a completely manufactured issue. Can you show evidence of this?

[@rurikhan]

The Kotaku article that pitches stellar blade against hades 2, games radar article complaining about the outfits, the game spot review, thegamer, thesixthaxis… I can be here all day listing these, you need to be actively avoiding it to not see it.

[@nicholasseitler4997]

Maybe actually do a tiny bit of research. You have the internet.

[@-Sparagmos-]

@@rurikhan I went through these and they don't fit your description at all. This is a massive oversimplification and a gish gallop. Kotaku: I don't read this crap website (no idea why you do either), but this article proves the exact opposite of what you said. Their whole point is not to say that being sexy is bad, but rather that it should relate to their personalities: "Hades characters’ sexiness is woven into their personalities, as much a part of them as their wants, needs, and emotions-and their bodies, however scantily clad or salacious, are not in motion, they cannot be manipulated or posed or peered at from different angles. Instead, it’s like you’re looking at statues or paintings of these gods and their eternal, infinite sexiness. There is desire here, sure, but there is also power and reclamation, there is longing because you only get a tiny little taste of their beauty. The concept of “look, but don’t touch” is incredibly sexy-it’s part of why strip clubs, many of which have strict rules on touching the performers, are so lucrative. Conversely, as Issy Van Der Velde writes for Inverse, a character like Stellar Blade’s Eve (like Lara Croft before her) is hot, but she doesn’t seem to be aware of it: “she’s sexy but doesn’t know it; she’s athletic and acrobatic but entirely controllable.” She is a blank slate, a poseable sex doll, her bountiful chest heaving during idle animations. Unlike Bayonetta, whose sexiness is folded into her personality and fighting style, Eve is just blandly attractive. Eve is the object of desire, not the owner of it." In other words she's just protrayed as an object and not a subject. Gamesradar: This was the main takaway from the author: "It's fine to make characters sexy for the sake of sexiness, and it's fine to like Stellar Blade regardless of this whole debate. I like it! People like to see, and to create, attractive characters. And it would be a shame to reduce Stellar Blade's visual identity to "The Ass Game," because some environmental artists really flexed here." They also said they liked the core design. Their contention was that it hurt the story of the game and broke immersion. Gamespot: They didn't mention this in their video, so I looked in their arcticle: "As for the game's controversial sexiness, I found it to largely be nothing notable as either a pro or a con. The only time it became anything more than window dressing for me was a twinge of annoyance when quests or exploration yielded naught but another dress that gives no stat benefits. I would have preferred something that makes me stronger rather than yet another skintight suit, as if I did not already possess an inventory full of them. That EVE has breasts was immaterial to the rest of the game beyond her character model and only really novel in its opening hours." This doesn't fit you description either. Thegamer: "I don't like to bring outside context into reviews too often, but I am sure that any negative review of Stellar Blade - or any review perceived as negative in that it stops short of unabashed praise - will be written off as wokery unable to accept a sexy female character. But to that I counter, Eve's not sexy. Sure she's pretty, and you can unlock an array of revealing costumes including bikinis, cheerleader ensembles, and a bunny one-piece with a cottontail, but the world never acknowledges this and Eve is often fairly cold as a character. On a surface level, Eve wears revealing clothes and has jiggle physics working overtime, but compared to characters like Rayne or Bayonetta, what's the appeal? She seems to have no understanding that she looks like a supermodel and is wearing a dress slit up the sides with red silk. None of her movements are seductive, and characters often regard her with boredom. Is she actually hot in this reality? The game never answers. It feels odd to be criticising a game for not making its pretty female characters twerk for my amusement, but given how hard Eve has been pushed as a frontline soldier in the culture war - including the developers emphasising the time spent designing the bounce of her behind and adding a naked costume as a pseudo-hard mode, it's odd to see the final result. Maybe it was a reservation over being criticised for being exploitative, swinging past the Bayonetta sweet spot into Quiet's skin breathing. Or maybe developer Shift Up is simply better at animating beautiful women than it is at writing them." Again, this is talking about how her looks releates to the story, not that they have a problem with her being hot. Thesixthaxis: Their main contention seems to be how the female characters are portrayed compared to the male characters (which seems true): "The contrast from Eve (or any of the other female characters) to how every single male character is so thoroughly covered up is hilarious. It’s something that will matter to a lot of people, but whether it’s positive or negative will depend on the individual." They also issue a warning to people sensitive to this type of stuff, but this doesn't fit with your point either: "Stellar Blade is a pretty enjoyable game to swing your hairband sword at, so long as you don't mind the obvious sexualisation." I don't think you lied, but I urge you have a more critical look in the future. Be careful about getting dragged into this reactionary outrage culture.

[@-Sparagmos-]

@@nicholasseitler4997 If you have to do research in order find out about an issue that people pretend is a big deal, it’s not a big deal which was my point to begin with.

[@nicholasseitler4997]

@@-Sparagmos- Okay, well I didn't have to do research. But who cares about anectdotes? Anyway, you want evidence and now you don't care. So what you've done is set up a scenario where you always win. Good job.