A Naughty Dog concept artist's artwork of Stellar Blade's protagonist, Eva, sparked significant backlash on X. Fans overwhelmingly criticized the design, deeming it unattractive and masculine, with many comments describing it as "ugly" and "terrible." The artwork was widely considered repulsive, and some accused the artist of portraying Eva in an "awakened" state.
This negative reaction follows recent criticism of Naughty Dog's inclusion of explicit DEI content in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, a sci-fi adventure whose trailer holds the record for most dislikes. This incident further fuels concerns about the studio's design choices.
The original design of Eva, created by Shift Up, was a key factor in Stellar Blade's success earlier this year, with her beauty earning widespread praise and contributing significantly to the game's popularity. The stark contrast between the two designs highlights the significant divergence in aesthetic appeal.