Look, we have been hearing whispers about a follow-up to Stellar Blade since the year before last, and finally, the curtain was lifted at Summer Game Fest 2026.

SHIFT UP officially unveiled 'Stellar Blade: BLOOD RAIN' during the event on the 6th. The narrative picks up after the events of the original title, introducing us to a brand-new protagonist, 'Evi'.

The three-and-a-half-minute trailer gives us a cheeky look at our new lead and the world she inhabits. Evi sports a short haircut and a suit that screams 'drop trooper', giving off a proper warrior vibe. As for the setting, the city appears significantly more advanced than Zion, the main hub from the first game, suggesting quite a bit of time has passed.

What really caught my eye, however, is the combat—which was arguably the best bit of its predecessor. Unlike Eve, who relied heavily on her blade, Evi favours close-quarters fisticuffs using a futuristic gauntlet. She can attach a blade to her arm when things get hairy, and she still retains 'Blink', the familiar evasion skill we all know and love.

Hyung-Tae Kim, the director at SHIFT UP, remarked, "I'm absolutely thrilled to finally present the next chapter of Stellar Blade to the fans who adored the first game." He added, "Though we are still in the early stages of development, we are putting our full focus into evolving the stylish action and world-building that players loved, aiming to deliver an entirely fresh experience."

On the business side of things, SHIFT UP is taking the reins and handling the publishing for 'Stellar Blade: BLOOD RAIN' themselves. Details regarding platforms and a release window are being kept under wraps for now—we will let you know once we hear more. Best of luck to the team!