Let’s be real for a second. When Shift Up first teased a collaboration between Stellar Blade and NieR: Automata, nobody was actually surprised. I mean, the DNA of Yoko Taro’s existential masterpiece is basically baked into every corner of Eve’s world. From the post-apocalyptic desolate vibes to the high-heeled android combat, the influence wasn't just a nod; it was a full-on embrace.
But then the details dropped. It was a paid DLC.
Immediately, the internet did what the internet does. People started arguing. Is $9.99 too much for what is essentially a glorified "dress-up" pack? Is there actual story content hidden in there? Honestly, after spending a lot of time with the Stellar Blade Nier Automata DLC, the answer is kinda complicated. It depends on whether you're here for the "lore" or if you just want to see Eve look like 2B while slicing through Naytibas.
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What You Actually Get for Your Money
So, let’s clear up the biggest misconception right away. If you’re looking for a new story chapter or a secret boss fight where Eve teams up with 9S, you’re going to be disappointed. There are no new missions. Basically, this is a premium cosmetic expansion.
You’re paying for the presence of Emil, everyone’s favorite rolling shopkeeper from NieR. He shows up in the world of Stellar Blade, and you have to track him down to get the goods. Inside his shop, you’ll find 11 exclusive collaboration items. Here’s the breakdown of what’s actually in the pack:
- Four Iconic Outfits for Eve: You get the classic YoRHa No.2 Type B (2B) uniform, the YoRHa Type A No.2 (A2) outfit, the YoRHa Uniform 1 (the one with the fox mask), and the Unofficial Ceremonial Attire.
- A "Pod" Skin for the Drone: Your floating tactical drone transforms into Pod 042. It’s a small touch, but it feels right.
- Cosmetics for the Crew: Lily gets a 9S-themed outfit, and Adam gets the most hilarious addition: an Emil head mask. Seeing Adam try to be serious while wearing that giant, grinning round head is worth the price of admission alone.
- Extra Polish: You get three new hairstyles and the Battle Goggles (the signature YoRHa blindfold) for Eve.
The coolest detail? If you equip any of the NieR outfits, the background music in the Wasteland and Great Desert changes to tracks from the NieR: Automata soundtrack. It completely changes the mood of exploration.
Tracking Down Emil and the Stellar Tears
You can’t just buy the DLC and have everything appear in your inventory. That’s not how Shift Up rolls. You actually have to work for it. Once you buy the DLC from the PlayStation Store, you have to find Emil’s shop roaming around the Wasteland or the Great Desert.
He’s fast. Like, really fast. You’ll hear his iconic, slightly annoying music before you see him. To get him to stop, you have to hit him with your ranged weapon. Once he flips over, you can access the shop.
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But here’s the kicker: you don't buy these items with gold. You need a new currency called Stellar Tears.
There are 15 Stellar Tears scattered across the map—eight in the Wasteland and seven in the Great Desert. Finding them is a bit of a scavenger hunt. For example, there’s one hidden near the beached boat in the southwest Wasteland, and another tucked away in a dark cave north of the Solar Tower. You’ll find yourself parkouring over rubble and checking behind every rusted container. It adds a few hours of "content," even if it’s just hunting for collectibles.
The "Self-Destruct" Secret
One thing fans were dying to know was if the "self-destruct" mechanic from NieR made it over. In NieR: Automata, self-destructing would blow off 2B’s skirt. In the Stellar Blade Nier Automata DLC, they handled this a bit differently. You don’t have a dedicated self-destruct button, but if you die while wearing the 2B or A2 outfits and use a WB Pump to revive, Eve will come back in the "damaged" or skirtless version of the outfit. It’s a very specific, very "Yoko Taro" way to implement a fan-favorite feature.
Is the Free Update Just as Good?
The DLC launched alongside a massive free update, and honestly, some of the best features don't cost a dime. Shift Up added a full-blown Photo Mode that is surprisingly deep. You can change poses, adjust lighting, and apply filters. If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the "masterpieces" people are creating with it.
They also threw in some quality-of-life stuff that people had been begging for:
- No Ponytail Option: You can finally ditch the long ponytail in the settings. It’s a small change that drastically alters Eve's silhouette.
- Lip-Sync Support: They added lip-syncing for six additional languages, including French, Spanish, and German.
- The Turntable: When you're resting at a camp, you can now pick specific songs to listen to rather than just whatever is playing.
- Battle Tweaks: They added auto-targeting and ballistics correction for enemy insta-kill skills, making the combat feel a bit more refined.
The Verdict: Who is This For?
Look, if you hate the idea of paying $10 for skins, this isn't going to change your mind. It’s a cosmetic pack, plain and simple. However, for those of us who consider NieR: Automata a life-changing experience, seeing Eve move through the desert with "City Ruins" playing in the background is incredibly nostalgic.
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The high-fidelity rendering of the 2B and A2 outfits is probably the best they’ve ever looked in any game, including the original. Shift Up clearly put a lot of love into the textures and how the fabric moves. It doesn't feel like a cheap cash grab; it feels like a tribute from one fan (Shift Up CEO Kim Hyung-tae) to another (Yoko Taro).
If you’re still playing the game or planning a New Game+ run, the DLC gives the world a fresh coat of paint. But if you’ve already Platinumed the game and you’re over it, a few outfits probably won't be enough to pull you back in for long.
How to Get Started with the DLC
If you decide to take the plunge, here’s how to make the most of it:
- Check your progression: You need to have reached the Wasteland to find Emil and start collecting Stellar Tears. If you're still in Eidos 7, you won't see the new content yet.
- Search the "Sunset" sign: One of the trickier Stellar Tears is under a large "Sunset" sign in the Condemned Shops area of the Wasteland. You’ll need to do some climbing.
- Equip the "Symbol of Legacy": Don't forget the new accessory added in the update. It changes the appearance of Tachy Mode, giving Eve a more ethereal, glowing look that fits the NieR aesthetic perfectly.
Once you've collected all 15 tears and bought out Emil's shop, he actually stops appearing. So, take your time, enjoy the music, and make sure you grab all the screenshots you want in Photo Mode before he rolls off into the sunset for good.