Stellar Blade has just dropped its first DLC, featuring an exciting collaboration with NieR: Automata! Read on to learn more information about the DLC, its price, and whether or not it's worth purchasing.

Stellar Blade x NieR Automata DLC

A Crossover Fans Have Been Waiting For

Shift Up Studio’s technical director, Donki Lee, made two major announcements on November 11, 2024, to celebrate the tremendous success of Stellar Blade. The first was a free update, version 1.009.001, which added a host of exciting features. This update includes four new outfits and one accessory that you can obtain through one of the endings. Additionally, it introduces extra lip-sync support and the long-awaited photo mode—a feature fans had been requesting for quite some time. For obvious reasons.

The second announcement was even more exciting: Stellar Blade’s first DLC, a collaboration with NieR: Automata. While this partnership wasn’t entirely unexpected—given Director Kim Hyung Tae’s previous statements about NieR: Automata’s significant influence on the game—it was officially revealed as a creative collaboration between Directors Kim Hyung Tae and Yoko Taro. According to Lee, it was “a collaboration marked by mutual respect and creativity, leading to this successful outcome.”

Now that the DLC has been released, the question is: does this monumental collaboration live up to its “Stellar” name, or does it fall “NieR” to the mark?

How Much is the Stellar Blade DLC?

Unlike the 1.009.001 version update, Stellar Blade x NieR Automata DLC is not free, it costs $10 in the PSN Store.

DLC Storefronts
Playstation
$9.99

What’s Included in the DLC?

The DLC features four unique outfits for Eve that can be mixed and matched, one special headgear option for Adam, a cosmetic outfit for his Pod, and a 9S-inspired uniform for Lily. The DLC was released on November 20, 2024.
Eve Outfits:
　⚫︎　2B Outfit
　⚫︎　A2 Outfit
　⚫︎　YoRHa Uniform 1
　⚫︎　YoRHA Unnoficial Ceremonial Uniform.
　
Adam Outfit
　⚫︎　Emil’s Head
　⚫︎　Pod 045 Pack

Lily
　⚫︎　YoRHa No.9 Type S Uniform

Stellar Blade x NieR Automata DLC Review

Yoko Taro Written All Over It

If there’s one way to describe this DLC, it’s unique. Unlike typical cosmetic DLCs, where outfits are simply handed to you, this one adds an unexpected twist that makes the process feel more engaging. The DLC revolves around two main tasks: finding and capturing Emil, the beloved character from the NieR franchise, and collecting Stellar Tears—a blend of Stellar Blade’s cans and NieR: Automata’s Lunar Tears.

Here’s how it works: Emil randomly spawns on the map, and you need to stop him to access his shop. Once you locate him, you must attack him (I recommend using your gun to make it easier) to prevent him from escaping. If he gets away, you’ll need to hunt him down again. My advice? Fast travel to the Junkyard Area in the Wastelands, as he tends to spawn there frequently. After you stop him, Emil opens his shop, allowing you to purchase the outfits—provided you’ve also collected the Stellar Tears.

The Stellar Tears themselves are scattered across the map and act as a collectible. Thankfully, the game provides hints in the form of photos in the menu, giving you clues about their locations. These Tears are only found in the Wastelands and The Great Desert, so you won’t be scouring the entire game world. Collecting them can take some time, especially without a guide, but it feels rewarding with each discovery.

It’s clear that Yoko Taro’s influence shines through in this DLC. His trademark unconventional design philosophy is evident, bringing a quirky, out-of-the-box approach reminiscent of the oddities that made NieR: Automata so iconic. While this mechanic can occasionally feel tedious or frustrating, it transforms the DLC into a fun, extra mission that can take 5–6 hours to complete. Each Stellar Tear feels like a small victory, adding depth and challenge to what could’ve been a simple cosmetic pack.

Stellar Blade’s Nier Outfits Makes It Better

If you’re a fan of NieR: Automata, you’ll love the outfits in this DLC as much as I did. They’re meticulously crafted and look stunning on EVE, especially the 2B and A2 outfits. A standout feature is the inclusion of their iconic self-destruct versions—when EVE is revived at the WB pump after dying, these outfits reflect the tattered look just like in NieR: Automata.

What’s even more amusing is that you can continue playing in the self-destructed versions until you manually switch back, adding a fun layer of immersion.

There’s also a delightful easter egg when you’ve completed collecting all the outfits, and it’s a joy to hear Mai Kadowaki reprise her role as Emil, who remains as adorable as ever. This attention to detail makes the DLC feel like a true labor of love from the developers.

My personal favorite is the 2B outfit—it just looks incredible on EVE and feels like a perfect homage to the NieR series. It’s clear that a lot of time, effort, and thought went into designing these outfits, making them a must-have for fans.
There’s quite a bit more fan-service that I wouldn’t want to spoil.

Is Stellar Blade DLC's Price Worth It?

A Stellar Collaboration!

Stellar Blade’s DLC is absolutely worth the $10 price tag. What makes it stand out is how the developers approached unlocking the outfits—they didn’t just hand them to players outright but turned it into an engaging challenge. Finding and earning the costumes felt like an extra mission. This definitely has Yoko Taro’s signature innovative touch written all over it.

You can tell a lot of care and creativity went into designing this experience, making it feel rewarding and thoughtful.

This DLC is of great value, and I hope more cosmetic DLCs in Stellar Blade and other games adopt a similar approach. It adds an extra layer of fun and immersion that’s often missing in standard DLC releases. The timing couldn’t be better either, as the new update—especially with the photo mode—allows players to fully appreciate these additions in creative ways.

Yoko Taro and Kim Hyung Tae have done an incredible job, and this DLC is a treat, especially for NieR: Automata fans. The nods and fan service to NieR are delightful, making this collaboration even more special. Hopefully, this paves the way for even more Stellar Blade DLC in the future!

DLC Storefronts
Playstation
$9.99

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Uriel Rodriguez

Writer | Gamer | Self-Proclaimed Digimon/Sujimon/Persona/Palworld/Pokémon Master