Stellar Blade Sequel Is Official—And It’s Launching Way Sooner Than Expected
Who would have thought we’d be talking about Stellar Blade again so soon? Korean studio Shift Up has taken everyone by surprise by already hinting at a sequel—and the clues suggest it may arrive much sooner than expected.
Just over a year after the release of Stellar Blade, South Korean developer Shift Up seems ready to fire up the engines once more. In a document intended for investors, a subtle yet striking revelation was made: a sequel is in the works. And if everything goes according to plan, it could launch as early as 2026. It’s a bold and ambitious timeline, far from the norm in the gaming industry.
Image credit: Shift Up
A subtle yet explosive confirmation
On May 16, Shift Up released a financial presentation for its partners. Keen-eyed readers spotted an intriguing detail in the document: a single word, “Sequel”, listed beneath the Stellar Blade banner. Nearby, another term appeared: “Platform Expansion”, which strongly hints at a forthcoming PC version of the previously console-exclusive title.
But just the word “Sequel” was enough to set the community abuzz—Shift Up is indeed working on Stellar Blade 2. A discreet announcement with explosive potential, it confirms that the success of the first game won’t be left without follow-up.
A release sooner than expected
The most surprising part? The timing. According to the production roadmap included in the report—a graphic outlining projects between 2024 and 2027—the sequel to Stellar Blade is clearly marked for release before the end of 2026. That puts it potentially less than two years away, a remarkably fast turnaround for a AAA action game. In the world of Sony exclusives, a two-year development cycle is virtually unheard of. Just for context:
- Four years passed between God of War (2018) and its 2022 sequel,
- Five years separated Horizon Zero Dawn from Horizon Forbidden West.
So a return of Stellar Blade this quickly would be almost revolutionary for a game of this scale. This aggressive schedule shows Shift Up’s clear intent to build on the first game’s success, which sold over a million copies and delivered a record year for the studio.
A packed future for Shift Up
In addition to the Stellar Blade sequel, the same presentation also references a mysterious new title called Project Witches. Details are scarce, but it’s described as an urban sci-fi action RPG, with a planned release in 2027.
This dual development effort shows Shift Up has big ambitions. Previously best known for Goddess of Victory: Nikke, the studio now seems poised to become a lasting force in blockbuster game development.
Of course, these projects remain subject to delays, as is often the case in this unpredictable industry. Still, even a 2027 release for Stellar Blade 2 would be an impressive feat for a studio so new to the console AAA scene.
In the meantime, players can (re)discover the first game, praised for its fast-paced gameplay, bold aesthetics, and charismatic lead, Eve. One thing’s for sure: if Shift Up keeps up this momentum, the name Stellar Blade is far from fading into obscurity.
