'Just make p*rn at this point’: Evie's more 'appealing' outfits in Stellar Blade:Blood Rain have sparked major fan backlash over Kim Hyung-tae's decision

The reveal of Stellar Blade: Blood Rain at Summer Game Fest on June 5, 2026 has quickly reignited debates over character design in high-profile action games. Shift Up’s new protagonist Evie, presented as a shorter, younger-looking operative, drew immediate attention, particularly after director and CEO Kim Hyung-tae confirmed her outfits would be “even more appealing” than those of the original game’s Eve.


Stellar Blade (2024) established itself as a notable commercial success, selling millions of copies and generating strong concurrent player numbers on PS5 before its PC release.

The sequel, now self-published by Shift Up, continues the narrative universe while introducing Evie as the lead. This development has gained traction online because it directly engages longstanding discussions in gaming culture about creative vision, audience expectations, and the role of visual presentation.

Kim Hyung-tae has addressed the topic directly in multiple outlets. On Evie’s wardrobe, he stated: “It will be even more appealing… That’s all we can say.”

Regarding her overall design, he explained (via Inven Global)-

He added that she possesses “a stronger personality” and that players should experience the game fully: “If you actually play the game, you will not think that.” Kim emphasised her potential appeal through narrative and gameplay:

These comments reflect confidence in the team’s direction following improvements in skills and production capabilities.

The original Stellar Blade made outfits a central element of its identity. Eve’s wardrobe featured high-fidelity, form-fitting designs with advanced physics simulation, including realistic fabric movement, jiggle effects, and dynamic responses during combat and traversal.


Many unlockable variants incorporated revealing cuts, skin-tight materials, strategic exposure, and customisation options that highlighted the character’s athletic proportions and fluid animations. These elements generated visual spectacle, rewarded exploration, and became a key driver of player engagement and discussion.

For Evie in Blood Rain, the base design shown in the reveal trailer already leans into a sleek, form-fitting aesthetic: a solid white, full-body suit that clings closely to her frame, paired with a black poncho featuring gold highlights. This creates a clean, tactical look while maintaining emphasis on silhouette and movement.

Kim’s promise of “even more appealing” outfits signals an escalation in quality and impact. Expectations include higher-resolution assets, more intricate detailing, expanded customisation with additional variants, enhanced physics for greater visual fidelity, and designs that amplify contrast with Evie’s petite stature.


The revealing elements are intended to heighten the visual pop of her intense close-quarters combat, making brutal melee sequences more striking and immersive. This approach draws from Shift Up’s experience with titles like Goddess of Victory: Nikke, aiming to blend sensuality with personality and gameplay depth rather than relying solely on appearance.

Social media responses, notably around Dexerto’s coverage, remain sharply divided. Critics have expressed blunt disapproval, with one comment stating: “Just make p*rn at this point man.”

Others focused on Evie’s appearance, noting reactions such as -

“She looks like a child WHAT DO YOU MEEEEEAN”

Another user wrote-

“Ahh more gooner content. God forbid we have a video game losers can't je*k off to…”

“Also its not the first time Kim and Shift Up s*xualize children and teenagers, and they often play sexual teasing with them in NIKKE encounters. The CEO and some in the company are probably pedophiles disgused” - wrote another user

Another comment read-

“While Evie is a new character, the original protagonist Eve's highly detailed body was not completely made from scratch! Her physique was actually created using high-tech 3D body scans of a real-life South Korean model named Shin Jae-eun to ensure realism.”


Many comments also defended the choice, saying-

“Devs already know exactly who buys their game. Why ruin the vibe for noise from people who never supported you? They weren’t gonna buy it anyway “

“They know how to sell the game.” - wrote another user

Stellar Blade: Blood Rain is a direct sequel set in the same universe as the 2024 original, continuing the story beyond its events while functioning as a standalone experience for new players.

It introduces Evie as the new playable protagonist, a member of a special forces squad hunting the terrorist organisation Scarlet Sin, which conducts attacks in a neon-lit metropolis. The narrative expands the lore, with ties to Eve’s story that Kim has teased without spoiling.

Gameplay shifts emphasis toward intense close-quarters combat. Evie uses mechanical gauntlets for hand-to-hand action, wields a wider variety of weapons (including a reverse-blade sword), and delivers brutal, stylish takedowns. Her smaller stature is designed to heighten the visual impact of her tough battles. The game promises more extensive side content than the predecessor and builds on ideas the team could not fully realise previously.


Development began roughly a year ago using Unreal Engine 5, with the core team largely intact and improved capabilities. Shift Up is self-publishing to reach as many players as possible, aiming for multiplatform availability rather than PlayStation exclusivity. No specific platforms have been confirmed yet.

A 2027 release has been mentioned as an aspirational target, though Kim noted the growing project scale means more time is likely needed. The game remains in early-to-mid development, with further details expected as progress continues. The reveal trailer highlighted familiar high-production cinematic action in urban environments.

The original Stellar Blade is available on PS5 and PC.