Shift Up Says Stellar Blade isn't Done as The Weeknd Tests Sequel

You've probably already picked apart the Stellar Blade 2 reveal trailer, but a lot has happened since. The director says the first game still isn't finished; The Weeknd played the sequel, and the studio had to apologize for one of its own promotional videos.

In a September interview, Kim Hyung-tae was told that with the Nintendo Switch 2 Complete Edition ready, the first game was finally complete and fans were waiting for the sequel. He said it isn't, and even hinted the original could see changes around the time Blood Rain arrives.

No new costumes, quests, or story DLC have been announced, so for now the only confirmed detail is that more changes could come.

He also said playing Stellar Blade 2 will give you a better understanding of what happened in the first game. You can follow it without playing the original, but if you've played both, you'll catch more details, and some old scenes may look different on a replay. He didn't reveal which mysteries will be answered or which characters will return, and the fan theories about Mother Sphere and Raven remain unconfirmed.

On the world itself, Kim Hyung-tae explained that the first game was built using photos of real locations and physical references. Since the team wants far more content in Stellar Blade 2, that approach isn't enough anymore, so production has changed. That doesn't mean you're getting an open world, as he never said that. An August investor statement added that Shift Up wants to improve combat, worldbuilding, and storytelling.

In October, photos showed The Weeknd visiting Shift Up's studio in South Korea, with game screens, artwork some believed showed new enemies, and a shot of him inside a body-scanning rig surrounded by cameras. Fans guessed he'd be a Stellar Blade 2 character, a boss, or working on a new song.

The November investor statement confirmed The Weeknd played a development build of Stellar Blade 2, meaning at least one playable section is ready for outside eyes. That doesn't mean the full game is ready, since it may have been a short demo.

There's no confirmed soundtrack collaboration or in-game appearance.

Including the visit in an investor report shows the company wants the franchise to reach beyond gaming through music, collaborations, and merchandise. Then came the controversy. In late July, the studio released "Wanna be in LOVE," a music video starring Evie made with generative AI, and its strange facial animations drew heavy criticism.

Kim Hyung-tae responded that Evie wasn't designed with AI, since artists and the modeling team spent over a year on her, and AI was only used to animate Evie for the video. At Tokyo Game Show in September, the director apologized, admitting it was a mistake to release an internal experimental project as official promotion.

He said the team will focus on showing real gameplay of Stellar Blade 2 in the future, though he didn't promise to stop using AI entirely. Meanwhile, the original launched on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 6, alongside Bayonetta collaboration costumes that players on existing platforms can get too. Early sales reportedly met expectations.

Platforms for Stellar Blade 2 still haven't been announced, so you can't assume XBOX or Switch 2 versions yet. As for a release date, there was earlier talk of a 2027 target, but the director said he couldn't guarantee it, and the November statement gave no date, only that the company wants to give Blood Rain enough development time.

Some expect a trailer at The Game Awards in December, though nothing is confirmed.

When Project Spirits' announcement schedule changed, some assumed Stellar Blade 2 was delayed too, but the games are separate, with separate timelines. Right now, Stellar Blade 2 comes from a studio that won't abandon its first game, wants stronger storytelling, and has stumbled with its marketing.

What's needed next is uninterrupted gameplay showing combat, exploration, and conversations with other characters. Until that footage arrives, the sequel's release date, platforms, and full scope remain unconfirmed. For now, you'll have to keep an eye on official channels for the next real look at the game.