Support NeoGAF

[Giallo Corsa]

No amount of gas lighting is going to convince me that this is a grown ass lady. If someone wants to tell themselves the intent is that she's a fully matured woman, or that she's actually a 1,000 year old cyborg, just so they don't feel weird about jerking off to her, then have a blast. But I know what a young teenage girl looks like. Everyone does. I don't care what amount of makeup and plastic surgery K-Pop stars put themselves through either too look super young. This is a minor-burger right here bro. I do agree that they will likely age her up a bit as development continues, I don't think they want to sabotage themselves out of potential sales from the West. But this is a "don't piss on my head and tell me it's raining" moment.

Here come the generalizations, accusations and hostility again, thanks for proving my point

 

[Sept Terrion Of Nothing]

Edit: Two more things. They were asked about their decision about opting to self-publishing and they said that SIE excels at certain things but there are certain things that SIE as a publisher is unable to do. What this means to me is that as a self-publisher ShiftUp won't be bound by any restrictions or rules and make the game they want to make uninhibited. In other words no censorship and no restrictions on what kind of story they want to tell. And no need to worry about checking off boxes under a publishers checklist of things a game has to have.

This part is so obvious. Stellar Blade director dude (Hyung-Tae Kim) has a good head on his shoulders. He knows what he wants and he is moving to that direction. I can only respect him.

 

[PauloRoberto]

Correct, I would have guessed 16-19 years TOPS.
So if she is 32 and looks like 16-19....

Evie might be 18-22 and look even younger.

What do I know. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

No, I take issue with that. Show me a 16-19 korean that look like a child AND have the body of a fully grown adult and a serious voice at the same time. I took a quick glance into some k-pop photos and they look like tennagers, not children. I insist that Evie face NEED to be reworked so she is 6 or 7 years older (without changing ANYTHING else on her face, including hair and expressions).

 

[TintoConCasera]

MagiusNecros thanks for digging out that info for the rest of us! You are a total bro.

The setting and visual design look super cool and I'm excited to check how the combat plays. Can't wait, hope my current PC is able to handle it proper lol.

 

[Tommi84]

It seems the ASSets are brilliant, nice

 

[Madflavor]

Here come the generalizations, accusations and hostility again, thanks for proving my point

Hold on, what hostility? I'm not being aggressive or insulting towards you, relax dude. And as far as proving your point is concerned, people are allowed to disagree with you on this.

 

[LordCBH]

The Twitter discourse around this game is fucking retarded.

Finally seen someone in a game who isn't a fat, mid (at best) American woman and people lose their minds.

 

[Gudji]

 

[MagiusNecros]

The setting and visual design look super cool and I'm excited to check how the combat plays. Can't wait, hope my current PC is able to handle it proper lol.

I'll be thrilled if I can run it on High settings with my i5-13600k/RTX 4070 combo. It's been such a champ. Very well balanced mid/high end specs.

--------------

Discourse around Evie face design is pointless and is largely IMO a overreaction to a early concept phase. Everyone is a synthetic android-robot hybrid.

I'm confident that with 1 year of dev time there might be a few revisions when the game is complete.

And it all leads back to Adam(Raphael Marks) creating Mother Sphere(who goes S.H.O.D.A.N.) and Andro-Eidos machine race in addition to Naytiba mutated humans. People look the way they do based on his and later Mother Sphere's designs and given MS is designed like a child it isn't unrealistic to think that MS would create other Synthetics with aspects of her likeness...which is childlike.

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

just so they don't feel weird about jerking off to her,

This kind of remark doesn't contribute to a civilized conversation.

If you want examples of sexualized minors, I found one for you.

Spoiler

 

[TGO]

So fancy my thoughtprocess here, if say guy is 19yo and 20yo girl is attracted to/has sex with him, but he looks 16yo(babyface syndrome, slim body with barely any musclemass, plenty guys have it nowadays with low test being prevalent) does it make her a pdf-file suddenly?

Or, and thats how reality works, if a female highschool teacher sleeps with her student, actual 15/16yo boy who is over 6 feet tall/has a mustache and could pass for 21yo looks wise- who is actual pedo here? Law is pretty clear cut, no ifs and buts
Reality matters, not perception.

True, I see loads of couples that are probably the same age, but all I see is a 6'5" dude that looks in his 20's walking around with what appears to be 5'1" 12 yo

 

[TintoConCasera]

No amount of gas lighting is going to convince me that this is a grown ass lady

Their faces are just built different man. Check this one out:

This lady is 34 years old, yet her facial structureis pretty similar to Evie's: big eyes, small and round face. If you wanna label that as "child's features", you do you. Just keep in mind that the world is pretty big and not everyone's gonna look like you do.

Evie's just a petite tomboy with a korean's model face.

It seems the ASSets are brilliant, nice

 

[LordCBH]

The reason these people are focusing so hard on this game instead of talking about the games they like is because they don't like any game.

They'd rather get into a mid-off instead of just finding a game they like.

 

[TintoConCasera]

I'll be thrilled if I can run it on High settings with my i5-13600k/RTX 4070 combo. It's been such a champ. Very well balanced mid/high end specs.

Damn I have a very similar setup. Hope our 4070s can carry us through many more years of videogames, specially if they look as cool as this one.

 

[RainblowDash]

I absolutely loved the first game! It was an excellent Sekiro-like, and an amazing accomplishment considering the company only made gacha games before.

No amount of gas lighting is going to convince me that this is a grown ass lady. If someone wants to tell themselves the intent is that she's a fully matured woman, or that she's actually a 1,000 year old cyborg, just so they don't feel weird about jerking off to her, then have a blast. But I know what a young teenage girl looks like. Everyone does. I don't care what amount of makeup and plastic surgery K-Pop stars put themselves through either too look super young. This is a minor-burger right here bro. I do agree that they will likely age her up a bit as development continues, I don't think they want to sabotage themselves out of potential sales from the West. But this is a "don't piss on my head and tell me it's raining" moment.

Are you on the correct forum?

 

[Mortisfacio]

This is a 32 years old woman.

There is a reason why Asian people are considered among the most beautiful in the world.

If that's actually the lady modeled after it, they aged her down. The lady here doesn't look like a child. The character does.

 

[DeaconOfTheDank]

If you want examples of sexualized minors, I found one for you.

Spoiler

Cmon man, this is a bit disingenuous - we all know Griffith is a piece of shit lol. Also, I think Princess Charlotte was 18 in this specific chapter

 

[TGO]

Plus the same people bitching about the design are the same ones wanting FFIX chubby kid design characters to return

 

[Madflavor]

This kind of remark doesn't contribute to a civilized conversation.

If you want examples of sexualized minors, I found one for you.

Spoiler

Was this supposed to be a gotcha because I'm a Berserk fan? I'm not getting this. Everyone knows Griffith is a monster.

Their faces are just built different man. Check this one out:

This lady is 34 years old, yet her facial structureis pretty similar to Evie's: big eyes, small and round face. If you wanna label that as "child's features", you do you. Just keep in mind that the world is pretty big and not everyone's gonna look like you do.

Evie's just a petite tomboy with a korean's model face.

The woman at the top looks like a woman to me though. The bottom pic of Evie does make her look older, and I pointed this out earlier in the forum:

Weird how she looks older here.

But in many shots she does have a kid's face, and I don't think it's a wild take to understand why some people would find that off putting.

 

[AtomicStarving]

Day zero.

 

[TintoConCasera]

But in many shots she does have a kid's face, and I don't think it's a wild take to understand why some people would find that off putting.

I can understand why it could be off putting, but I believe the reason for that is people not being able to understand that women in other parts of the world can have a different bone structure to their faces. That's just my take tho, don't want to make it sound disrespectful to those that think otherwise.

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

Cmon man, this is a bit disingenuous - we all know Griffith is a piece of shit lol. Also, I think Princess Charlotte was 18 in this specific chapter

For me, there's no issue. I'm just using the same standard. It should apply equally to everyone, from Ellie in TLOU1 (minors kissing) and Ashley (RE4) to every petite JRPG character scantly dressed.

It's fine to not like this character or think that she looks too young. To each their own. However, accusing devs and other people of some nasty things is a completely different matter.

 

[Liopleurodon]

If that's actually the lady modeled after it, they aged her down. The lady here doesn't look like a child. The character does.

Jesus Christ...

Look, you are free to look at character in whatever way you wish.

The real truth is that in the end Evie is, regardless of her visage, an adult - and she will be the protagonist of something official, she is fictional, and most people, me included, like her design, face included.

She is cute as an angel, and hot as hell.

I honestly hope, whoever designed her, receives a castle as a gift, or at least billion dollars.

 

[kruis]

No amount of gas lighting is going to convince me that this is a grown ass lady. If someone wants to tell themselves the intent is that she's a fully matured woman, or that she's actually a 1,000 year old cyborg, just so they don't feel weird about jerking off to her, then have a blast. But I know what a young teenage girl looks like. Everyone does. I don't care what amount of makeup and plastic surgery K-Pop stars put themselves through either too look super young. This is a minor-burger right here bro. I do agree that they will likely age her up a bit as development continues, I don't think they want to sabotage themselves out of potential sales from the West. But this is a "don't piss on my head and tell me it's raining" moment.

Ehmmmm ....

 

[Madflavor]

Jesus Christ...

Look, you are free to look at character in whatever way you wish.

The real truth is that in the end Evie is, regardless of her visage, an adult - and she will be the protagonist of something official, she is fictional, and most people, me included, like her design, face included.

She is cute as an angel, and hot as hell.

I honestly hope, whoever designed her, receives a castle as a gift, or at least billion dollars.

For the record, I like Evie's design too. Game is a Day 1 for me. The only issue I have is with people being dismissive towards those who are weirded out by how childlike she looks. It really shouldn't be that hard to love the design but understand the criticism.

 

[TintoConCasera]

For the record, I like Evie's design too. Game is a Day 1 for me. The only issue I have is with people being dismissive towards those who are weirded out by how childlike she looks. It really shouldn't be that hard to love the design but understand the criticism.

I understand your take and imo the only mistake you made was using the "they want to jerk off to it" card.

Whatever the character I hope we get a real cool action game to play, that it looks like the reveal (they claim it's in-game footage) and that it comes sooner rather than later lol. Haven't been this excited after a game's reveal in forever.

 

[Zacfoldor]

Day Birth!

 

[Mortisfacio]

Jesus Christ...

Look, you are free to look at character in whatever way you wish.

The real truth is that in the end Evie is, regardless of her visage, an adult - and she will be the protagonist of something official, she is fictional, and most people, me included, like her design, face included.

She is cute as an angel, and hot as hell.

I honestly hope, whoever designed her, receives a castle as a gift, or at least billion dollars.

Yes, I'm aware you think people that look like children are hot. Yourself and others have made that very clear in here.

 

[Madflavor]

I understand your take and imo the only mistake you made was using the "they want to jerk off to it" card.

Whatever the character I hope we get a real cool action game to play, that it looks like the reveal (they claim it's in-game footage) and that it comes sooner rather than later lol. Haven't been this excited after a game's reveal in forever.

Yeah I'm just taking the piss out of the situation and how some people try to rationalize it. Ultimately I don't care how people enjoy their game.

 

[Liopleurodon]

For the record, I like Evie's design too. Game is a Day 1 for me. The only issue I have is with people being dismissive towards those who are weirded out by how childlike she looks. It really shouldn't be that hard to love the design but understand the criticism.

People can think whatever they want.

The only problem I have is the fact that they haven't shown anything with Evie wearing a short pleated skirt, paired with turtleneck sweater.

 

[DeaconOfTheDank]

For me, there's no issue. I'm just using the same standard. It should apply equally to everyone, from Ellie in TLOU1 (minors kissing) and Ashley (RE4) to every petite JRPG character scantly dressed.

It's fine to not like this character or think that she looks too young. To each their own. However, accusing devs and other people of some nasty things is a completely different matter.

For the record, I'm not participating in this argument around Evie's appearance. Just pointing out the example use might not be the "gotcha" you think it is

 

[Zacfoldor]

For the record, I like Evie's design too. Game is a Day 1 for me. The only issue I have is with people being dismissive towards those who are weirded out by how childlike she looks. It really shouldn't be that hard to love the design but understand the criticism.

Too many purp hairs and jelly fatties being disingenuous for me to give that bullshit the time of day. Legal asian women look young sometimes, we hate them for that? Honestly they can deal with it and eat our sales. Legality is all that matters and don't inject morals into others. If people don't like the game, skip it.

 

[Madflavor]

People can think whatever they want.

The only problem I have is the fact that they haven't shown anything with Evie wearing a short pleated skirt, paired with turtleneck sweater.

You need a cold shower.

I can tell if you Stellar Blade 1 is anything to go by, you'll probably get that in spades I'm sure.

 

[Zacfoldor]

You need a cold shower.

I can tell if you Stellar Blade 1 is anything to go by, you'll probably get that in spades I'm sure.

 

[Bernardougf]

People talking about the MC looks like stellar blade is a game about sucking dicks ... outside some outfits cant think of a more sterile game ... who is obsessed with relationships and sex and who fucks who is western devs

 

[MagusMajul]

mods can you please perma ban every woke moron on this thread?

 

[Tomeru]

Setting looks much much better than tge first game (which I have not played). Characater, while shorter in height, also look better.

Them asians are just built different.

 

[Madflavor]

Too many purp hairs and jelly fatties being disingenuous for me to give that bullshit the time of day. Legal asian women look young sometimes, we hate them for that? Honestly they can deal with it and eat our sales. Legality is all that matters and don't inject morals into others. If people don't like the game, skip it.

I don't. Look at Western diets compared to there's.

 

[delishcaek]

I'm usually one of the first people to defend sexy ass women in games, and I bought Stellar Blade twice cause I loved it so much. Blood Rain is going to be a Day 1 buy for me, so ultimately I personally don't give a shit. That said, I mean it is hard to argue that Evie absolutely look like a kid. There are certain angles where she looks a bit older, but in a lot of shots that is 100% a minor. I'm happy to tell the usual suspects who bitch about the objectification of women in games to fuck right off, but with this I can absolutely understand why some people are put off by it.

There is only ONE angle where she looks very young and it's exactly the image you posted already. In every other scene she looks like a young adult. In ShiftUp's own PR stuff she looks like a young adult.

 

[Zacfoldor]

People talking about the MC looks like stellar blade is a game about sucking dicks ... outside some outfits cant think of a more sterile game ... who is obsessed with relationships and sex and who fucks who is western devs

The game is really good but it may suck to watch. Just like Marathon they say, lol.

SB is legit a fun game sans MC skin.

 

[Tams]

For the record, I like Evie's design too. Game is a Day 1 for me. The only issue I have is with people being dismissive towards those who are weirded out by how childlike she looks. It really shouldn't be that hard to love the design but understand the criticism.

Why do you care about those people?

Just let them seethe.

 

[Zacfoldor]

I don't. Look out Western diets compared to there's.

Damn bro, you legit gave the perfect response.

That's a huge factor imho.

 

[LordCBH]

I don't. Look out Western diets compared to there's.

Fat western women ruin themselves and then feel threatened by cultures that don't. Then they make it every body's problem.

 

[Madflavor]

People talking about the MC looks like stellar blade is a game about sucking dicks ... outside some outfits cant think of a more sterile game ... who is obsessed with relationships and sex and who fucks who is western devs

Yeah I've had this problem with those people too. Like when they celebrated all the crazy sex and bestiality that was in Baldur's Gate 3, but Eve wearing hot outfits crossed the line for them. I really think most of this shit is masked by people who are insecure about their own looks, which is most women.

 

[ungalo]

The character design has upgraded since the first game.

It's clearly inspired by Gunnm (and Gunnm never got anybody freaked out like that), whereas in the first one it was a random top model character to highlight the different outfits.

I don't like the gameplay of Stellar Blade though, i doubt i will appreciate this one. Visuals look great.

 

[Madflavor]

Why do you care about those people?

Just let them seethe.

I mean ultimately I'm in agreement with Giallo Corsa that they're going to end up aging her face up a bit anyway. The game has only been in development for 1 year.

I'm sure once they make her look a bit more mature, the same people complaining about her face will move onto complaining about the objectification.

 

[Loboxxx]

At this point, "she looks like a child" has become more of an assertion than an argument.

She's clearly presented as an adult character by the developers (do you think a multi-million company would use a "child" for a mainstream game?) and nothing about the game's marketing, story, or presentation suggests otherwise. If the only evidence is that she's petite, has a youthful face, or X type of hair, then you're not identifying a child - you're projecting your own subjective age standards onto a fictional character.

Simply repeating "she looks like a child" doesn't make it true. It just means you've decided that any adult woman who doesn't conform to your idea of what an adult should look like must be a child.

Now, after the storm of backlash they're currently facing (mainly from Western audiences, obviously), some changes will likely follow. Personally, I don't mind or care either way - It's the same with the new God of War Faye character, I don't care whether people call it feminist propaganda, claim she was "uglified" on purpose, or argue she's attractive or not. It all feels like noise to me.

The ONLY real issue I have with these discussions is the constant pearl-clutching, moralizing, projection and lecturing. People getting hostile over opinions, acting like they're scoring moral points online and turning every disagreement into a personal attack.
I mean, shit, yesterday alone, we had someone openly accusing another user of being a pedophile - that kind of escalation shouldn't feel normal, yet here we are.

It really does feel like things are getting increasingly combative, with people quick to throw baseless and ugly accusations at each other. That's not just exhausting, it's worrying.

We don't have to agree on everything but this level of hostility isn't healthy for anyone.

Also : "evil is what evil does" - when minds are warped by constant online drama and hyper-fixation on culture wars you start seeing malice everywhere...

We all know what the Stellar Blade team is playing at. It's nothing new in manga/anime. I'm not saying it's good or bad, but it's undeniable that when these kinds of characters are sexualized, it's uncomfortable, or at least it should be, if you're an adult.


This is a child:

This is an "adult":

 

[Gameplay Gods Bless]

New protagonist, new rules...

Stellar Blade: Blood Rain is the next chapter in the acclaimed action-adventure franchise from SHIFT UP. The sequel will continue the story beyond the events of the first game and introduce a new protagonist, Evie


Captured entirely in-game on PC

*Chef's kiss* Benissimo!

 

[near]

mods can you please perma ban every woke moron on this thread?

Noticing a character looks like a minor is woke now. Incredible.

 

[Gameplay Gods Bless]

We all know what the Stellar Blade team is up to. It's nothing new in manga/anime. I'm not saying it's good or bad, but it's undeniable that when these kinds of characters are sexualized, it's uncomfortable, or at least it should be, if you're an adult.


This is a child:

This is an "adult":

You're ignorant, people have different faces and there's plenty of women (and some men) who have round youthful faces even when they're of age. Most people engaging in this discussion don't know jack shit about human anatomy and psysiology and are instead projecting their political ideology.