u/AustronesianArchfien — reddlx

So a bit of background, I already beat Normal mode a year ago when the PC version came out, did a NG+ Hard mode run and another NG++ Hard mode run but I didn't finished the latter cuz I was burn out.

So after like 8 or 9 months of hiatus, I decided to go back and do a hard mode fresh run knowing the mode is balanced on NG+ (not a good design choice but more on that later).

The mode is quite really brutal quite early, which is to be expected. The only really reliable way to kill enemies is to perfect parry and then do an execute move do reliably deplete their health (It would at least deplete 90% of their health). Every enemy and bosses are damage sponges in this mode for better or worse. Eidos 7 was brutal until you get past Abaddon, it does became more manageable if you got past that.

But otherwise, Hard more FRESH does makes you learn the enemies and bosses FAR FAR better than Normal mode or NG+ Hard especially considering how easy both of them. You actually need to use any bit of your resources (lingering/biotic field, concentrated potions), learn the weapon properties/combos that can destroy shields faster, manage your SP early by picking what best skill to have early etc. This is mostly applicable to bosses as unfortunately, fighting mobs especially multiple ones is a struggle (not due to the difficulty but how the game is mostly built on 1v1) due to high their damage and how spongy they can be. Replaying the levoires and maelstrom was quite a chore ESPECIALLY Eidon 9 which just breaks the game's pacing overall.

I think a hard mode fresh run needs to be experienced by any hardcore Stellar Blade fan if you really want to learn the game more mechanically BUT I sincerely hope the devs don't make a hard mode BALANCED for NG+ on Stellar Blade 2.