Games Like Stellar Blade: Stylish Action Combat Worth Playing
The best games like Stellar Blade, stylish action combat, parry-focused mechanics, and post-apocalyptic anime aesthetics.
Stellar Blade is Shift Up's action game that finally came to PC in 2025. Post-apocalyptic Earth, stylish parry-and-combo combat, gorgeous visuals, and a protagonist named Eve who fights against an alien race called the Naytiba. The combat specifically draws from Nier Automata, Sekiro, and classic character action games in a way that feels fresh despite all those influences.
Finding games like Stellar Blade means hunting for that specific intersection: stylish third-person action with parry mechanics, anime aesthetics, post-apocalyptic themes, and combat that rewards precision and aggression.
What are the closest games to Stellar Blade?
NieR: Automata, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Bayonetta 3, and Devil May Cry 5 are the closest games to Stellar Blade. These four titles share its core DNA of stylish third-person combat, parry mechanics, and high-spectacle action. NieR: Automata is the single biggest influence, matching Stellar Blade's post-apocalyptic setting and female-led storytelling.
NieR: Automata is Stellar Blade's biggest influence. Post-apocalyptic setting, stylish combat, philosophical themes, female-led protagonist. If you haven't played NieR, it's essential. The games like NieR Automata post has more.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is the parry-focused combat master class. Stellar Blade's parry mechanics draw heavily from Sekiro. The games like Sekiro post has more.
Bayonetta 3 is stylish action combat at Platinum Games' peak. Different tone but shared commitment to looking cool while murdering everything.
Devil May Cry 5 is the character action genre's current high water mark. Three protagonists, deep combat systems, ridiculous style.
What Soulslike games play like Stellar Blade?
Lies of P, Elden Ring, Black Myth: Wukong, and Lords of the Fallen deliver parry-heavy, boss-focused combat similar to Stellar Blade's aggressive rhythm. Lies of P is the closest match here, rewarding precise parrying and pattern recognition in punishing encounters that demand the same timing and aggression Stellar Blade trains you for.
Lies of P shares Stellar Blade's commitment to parry-focused aggressive combat. The games like Lies of P post has more.
Elden Ring and specifically Shadow of the Erdtree expansion brings similar aggressive boss-focused combat. The games like Elden Ring post has more.
Black Myth: Wukong is Chinese mythology action with similar action-rhythm emphasis. The games like Black Myth Wukong post has more.
Lords of the Fallen (2023) is gothic soulslike with heavy action emphasis.
What anime action games are similar to Stellar Blade?
Code Vein, Scarlet Nexus, Astral Chain, and Hi-Fi Rush pair anime visual style with fast-paced action combat in ways Stellar Blade fans will appreciate. Code Vein is the most direct overlap as a post-apocalyptic anime soulslike, while Scarlet Nexus offers psychokinetic combat with dual protagonist storylines and a similar Japanese action sensibility.
Code Vein is anime post-apocalyptic soulslike. Divisive but beloved by its audience.
Scarlet Nexus is psychokinetic combat with anime style. Dual protagonist storylines.
Astral Chain from Platinum lets you control two characters at once. Stylish and unique.
Hi-Fi Rush is rhythm-action with cel-shaded anime style. Tragically the studio was shut down.
What post-apocalyptic games are like Stellar Blade?
Returnal, Horizon Forbidden West, The Last of Us Part II, and Metro Exodus share Stellar Blade's post-apocalyptic setting with different combat approaches. Returnal is the standout for players wanting intense alien-world action with a sci-fi edge similar to Stellar Blade's Naytiba-ravaged Earth, while Horizon brings massive creature fights.
Returnal is third-person shooter roguelike on hostile alien planet. The games like Returnal post has more.
Horizon Forbidden West is open-world post-apocalyptic action with robot dinosaurs.
The Last of Us Part II is post-apocalyptic action-adventure with darker tone.
Metro Exodus is atmospheric post-apocalyptic FPS with strong narrative.
What classic character action games should Stellar Blade fans play?
God of War (2018 and Ragnarok), Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Ninja Gaiden, and Bayonetta 2 are foundational character action games that helped shape Stellar Blade's combat design. Metal Gear Rising is especially relevant with its parry-heavy system and over-the-top cyber-ninja spectacle that rewards aggressive, precise play.
God of War (2018) and Ragnarok are modern action with similar precision combat.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is Platinum Games' cyber-ninja action. Parry-heavy combat, absurd story, beloved cult classic.
Ninja Gaiden Black / Sigma defined modern character action difficulty. Master Collection is available on most platforms.
Bayonetta 2, if you have Switch. The second Bayonetta is still many fans' favorite.
What action RPGs feel like Stellar Blade?
Final Fantasy XVI, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Tales of Arise, and Ys IX: Monstrum Nox blend RPG progression with precise, cinematic action combat that Stellar Blade fans will enjoy. Final Fantasy XVI is the closest match, delivering spectacle-driven boss encounters and real-time swordplay with a similar emphasis on timing and style.
Final Fantasy XVI shares Stellar Blade's commitment to cinematic spectacle with precise action combat.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has action combat that feels adjacent to Stellar Blade's flow.
Tales of Arise is Tales series at its current peak. Action RPG combat with Japanese sensibility.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is fast-paced action RPG with tight combat.
What indie games play like Stellar Blade?
Katana ZERO, Hyper Light Drifter, Sifu, and No Rest for the Wicked deliver tight, precision-focused combat in smaller packages. Sifu stands out for its martial arts mastery loop and aging mechanic, while Katana ZERO nails the parry-and-kill rhythm in a short but brilliant 2D pixel-art package.
Katana ZERO is 2D pixel-art action with parry-and-kill gameplay. Short and brilliant.
Hyper Light Drifter is atmospheric 2D action-adventure.
Sifu is Chinese kung-fu revenge story with ageing mechanic.
No Rest for the Wicked is isometric ARPG with Stellar Blade-adjacent aggressive combat.
What we make at Choost
Choost Games focuses on different genres than Stellar Blade's character action style. Our game Granny's Rampage is a top-down bullet heaven experience. However, our blog covers extensive action game recommendations including Bloodborne, Dark Souls, and soulslike alternatives for players seeking more combat-focused titles.
We don't make third-person character action, the animation work and combat systems require specific craft we haven't invested in. Granny's Rampage is top-down bullet heaven, completely different moment-to-moment experience. But we respect Stellar Blade's commitment to action-combat rhythm and style. For more action recommendations, the games like Bloodborne, games like Dark Souls, and best soulslike games posts have more.
What is the best game like Stellar Blade?
The single best game like Stellar Blade depends on which element you value most. NieR: Automata is the closest overall match, Sekiro owns parry-focused combat, and Bayonetta 3 or Devil May Cry 5 deliver peak character action. For soulslike with similar aggression, pick Lies of P or Black Myth: Wukong.
| If You Want | Play This |
|---|---|
| Direct inspiration | NieR: Automata |
| Parry-focused combat master class | Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice |
| Character action perfection | Bayonetta 3 or Devil May Cry 5 |
| Soulslike with action emphasis | Lies of P or Black Myth: Wukong |
| Anime action style | Scarlet Nexus or Code Vein |
| Indie 2D alternative | Katana ZERO |
| Action-RPG blend | Final Fantasy VII Rebirth |
Stellar Blade is Shift Up's specific creative synthesis of action game traditions. Nothing else will be specifically it. But its pieces live across enough games that you can keep finding adjacent satisfaction while waiting for whatever Shift Up does next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best games like Stellar Blade?
The best games like Stellar Blade are NieR: Automata (closest overall match), Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (parry-focused combat), Devil May Cry 5 and Bayonetta 3 (character action), Lies of P (soulslike with aggressive parry mechanics), and Scarlet Nexus or Code Vein for anime action style.
What games have combat similar to Stellar Blade?
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Lies of P, and Black Myth: Wukong share Stellar Blade's parry-focused, aggressive combat rhythm. Devil May Cry 5 and Bayonetta 3 match its stylish combo-driven action, while Final Fantasy XVI offers similar cinematic spectacle during boss fights.
Is NieR: Automata like Stellar Blade?
Yes, NieR: Automata is Stellar Blade's biggest influence. Both share a post-apocalyptic setting, stylish combat, a female-led protagonist, and philosophical themes. If you enjoyed Stellar Blade and haven't played NieR: Automata, it is the essential first recommendation.
Are there any anime games similar to Stellar Blade?
Code Vein, Scarlet Nexus, Astral Chain, and Hi-Fi Rush pair anime aesthetics with action combat similar to Stellar Blade. Code Vein is a post-apocalyptic anime soulslike, Scarlet Nexus offers psychokinetic combat with dual storylines, and Astral Chain brings Platinum Games' stylish dual-character action.


