Shift Up job listings hint Stellar Blade 2 may be multiplatform

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Shift Up, the studio behind the action game Stellar Blade, is hiring, and a recent job posting suggests they may be planning to release a sequel on more than just PlayStation consoles.

The company has confirmed that a sequel is in development, responding to long-time requests from fans. They also plan to make it available to a larger audience than before.

The company is hiring for its next big game, described as a high-quality action title for multiple platforms – including consoles and PC. This new game will build upon the story and world of the first game. Unlike the original, which first launched only on PlayStation 5 in April 2024 and later came to PC in June 2025, this installment is planned for wider release on various consoles and PC from the start.

The listing also highlighted the successful launch of the PC version, which attracted more than 200,000 players simultaneously. This suggests that Stellar Blade 2 could be released on multiple platforms, just as it could potentially be a PlayStation 5 exclusive for a limited time.

What we actually know about Stellar Blade 2

Shift Up has been upfront about plans for a follow-up to Stellar Blade. CEO and Game Director Kim Hyung-tae has admitted the first game’s story wasn’t perfect and that they’re working to improve it in the sequel. He explained that high costs for cutscenes and a lack of experience making large, story-focused games were the main reasons for the original game’s narrative shortcomings.

To meet the release date and budget, a lot of scenes focusing on characters and developing the game’s world were removed. This included explanations for details like Eve’s large collection of clothes and more detailed stories for supporting characters. Much of what was originally intended for a major downloadable expansion is now being included in the sequel, which is being described as having a more complex and engaging story.

After the game’s release, Shift Up added three new epilogues that show what happens to Eve and the people of Xion following one of the game’s endings. These additions might be setting the stage for a future sequel.

Where the story could go next

(Minor spoilers for the first game below.)

The ending of Stellar Blade is open-ended, offering three different possibilities based on the player’s decisions involving Adam, the Mother Sphere, and Xion. Because these endings lead to such drastically different futures, a sequel will need to definitively choose one as the official storyline.

Considering Kim Hyung-tae’s statements about incorporating previously unused story elements and canceled content into the next game, it’s highly likely that Stellar Blade 2 will:

  • Choose one of the original endings as canon, while using the epilogues as a bridge.
  • Keep Eve as the lead, but develop her as a character instead of having her as somewhat of a blank slate super soldier that dodges well.
  • Actually push Xion and its politics to the forefront, exploring the possibility of Mother Sphere’s retaliation after the events of the original game.
  • Dive deeper into Mother Sphere, Adam/Raphael Marks, and pose the question of who is going to inherit humanity’s future.

Since the Nier series heavily influenced our studio, and we’ve already created a post-apocalyptic world filled with humans, androids, flawed experiments, and rebellious AI, Stellar Blade 2 has the potential to explore deep, philosophical themes like its inspiration, all while maintaining the exciting action and appealing visuals of the first game.

We hope future peaceful areas feel more impactful and less like just waiting rooms between missions. We’d love to see cutscenes where characters reflect on what happens and deal with the aftermath of their actions. And for the next game, we’d like the combat system to build upon the strengths of Stellar Blade’s ending, rather than resetting the character’s abilities – that feels repetitive and doesn’t make sense with the story.

However, the biggest question Stellar Blade avoids answering is what future Eve is ultimately trying to create through her fight.

Currently, Shift Up is hiring talented staff to develop their ambitious plans for a sequel to Stellar Blade. Whether that sequel – Stellar Blade 2 – will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and potentially the new Nintendo Switch, depends on how confident the studio is after selling over 3 million copies of the first game, and how strongly Sony pushes for exclusive rights on PlayStation consoles.

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2025-11-24 10:54