The Stellar Blade region lock on the new Complete Edition has been a disappointment for everyone who was waiting to get their hands on the game on PC. After months of anticipation, especially following the announcement that Stellar Blade would no longer be a PlayStation 5 exclusive, People were eager to finally experience it on PC. But then it was revealed by Sony that the Stellar Blade Complete Edition wouldn’t be available in over 150 countries.
The game’s shift from a PlayStation 5-only title to a broader PC release had created real hype, especially among players who had been waiting for a more accessible version. However, instead of welcoming a global audience, publisher Sonydecided to region lock the PC version, limiting its availability for no sensible reason, and Shift Up said it didn’t even know this was happening.
This Stellar Blade region lock isn’t just a minor inconvenience; it’s a major barrier to entry. Gamers in dozens of regions, many of whom were excited to finally get their hands on the title, are now left out entirely. For a game that aims to expand its reach and expand its player base, it’s a confusing decision. Region locks might have made more sense in the past, but in 2025, when most major titles launch globally, it only muddies the interest and hinder sales.
Stellar Blade Complete Edition includes all the previously released content, making it the final version of the game. Locking that content behind regional restrictions means players in blocked areas can’t even access the full experience, even if they were willing to pay for it.
Some speculate this might have to do with regional censorship laws or licensing issues, but nothing has been officially confirmed. Others believe it’s simply a mistake from Sony in understanding the current expectations of global PC gamers. Some even worry that this could impact the game’s long-term success. This isn’t the first time Sony has pulled a stunt like this, the company did something similar for Helldivers 2, and then rolled it back after severe fan backlash.
The Stellar Blade region lock, and the handling of the Stellar Blade Complete Edition highlights a larger issue: when publishers make inconsistent or restrictive choices, it’s the global player base that suffers. For now, many are hoping that Sony reconsiders and gives the game the universal launch, but it looks unlikely.
