Senua's Saga: Hellblade II review: Remarkable experience, okay game

Best Prices Today: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II was caught in improvement for a very long time. First introduced in 2019 and lengthy referred to as the sport that confirmed off the graphical muscle of the Xbox Series X, it was lastly launched on May 21, 2024… to sudden silence. So, it was with trepidation that I launched into this journey.

Microsoft

Microsoft

Microsoft

Storytelling over motion

On the floor, Hellblade II would possibly seem like any motion or journey sport, like God of War and even Zelda.

But Hellblade II isn’t any atypical motion sport. It’s a sport that scales down its gameplay moments to as a substitute concentrate on its storytelling—a story that revolves across the outcast warrior Senua and her battle in opposition to each interior and outer demons.

This isn’t to say that basic sport sequences are lacking. There are secrets and techniques to search out, enemies to destroy, and some puzzles to resolve. But the way in which ahead, between all of the motion moments, consists principally of marked paths with little alternative for vital exploration.

Microsoft

Microsoft

Microsoft

Despairingly stunning

In Hellblade II, you’ll be handled to many dialogue-filled walks by means of stunning environments. From wet seashores and terrifying caves to huge fields and smoking volcanic rocks. Across overgrown plains, gilded with magical sunrises. Through burnt villages the place bloody, masked our bodies cowl the bottom.

No matter the place you’re as Senua at any given second, Hellblade II is incomparably stunning—each when it comes to technical visuals and environmental design. The incontrovertible fact that many scenes provide magical lighting, enhanced by glorious use of HDR, is icing on high.

Microsoft

Microsoft

Microsoft

Desperate voices

The dialogue in Hellblade II is of a excessive customary, whether or not spoken between associates or inside Senua’s tortured thoughts. The character gallery isn’t massive—and I might’ve preferred to get to know the facet characters extra—however the dialogue that’s there’s delivered with bravura.

And, actually, the sound of the dialogue would possibly simply be the strongest facet of this journey. The voice performing, the candy music, and above all Senua’s interior voices.

It’s straightforward to know why the builders suggest enjoying with high quality headphones. (I used Logitech’s Astro A50 X.) The immersive expertise of her voices whispering round my head is phenomenal, and it takes a noticeable hit once I play with a daily soundbar.

Senua’s Saga Hellblade II

Senua’s Saga Hellblade II

Senua’s Saga Hellblade II

Cinematic limitations

In phrases of sound and graphics, Hellblade II is nothing wanting masterful, however not with out sacrifices.

For instance, the sport world principally consists of little greater than a pre-determined path by means of fancy surroundings—and even some particulars within the surroundings (e.g., grass and crops) are utterly static, together with when Senua walks by means of them.

There are few objects to work together with, and it isn’t all the time apparent the place the bounds of an atmosphere are. This could make some components unnecessarily tough to navigate, and among the puzzles may be ridiculous to resolve when there’s actually nothing greater than a fence or meter-high rock in the way in which.

Fortunately, the environments really feel extra vibrant than they really are because of intelligent use of particles that whiz round within the air.

Microsoft

Microsoft

Microsoft

Fleshy battles in a small area

Something else that’s restricted in Hellblade II is the sport’s fight system. This limitation, nevertheless, is generally benign and totally intentional on the a part of the builders.

Instead of reducing down hordes of enemies by the minute, Senua by no means fights multiple enemy at a time. This creates intense, close-quarter battles the place every opponent feels considerably extra harmful than those you usually discover in motion video games.

However, I can’t shake the sensation that Hellblade II‘s battles are partially autoplay. It feels like the game—not me—decides whether Senua makes a nice parry or is flung away by a hard punch. There’s little variation within the assaults and lots of duels play out in comparable methods. It’s an apparent limitation of the easy controls and cinematic setup.

The larger they’re, the more durable they fall

While I purchase the builders’ option to go for stripped-down battles, the most important highlights of Hellblade II‘s adventure are the times when you’re up in opposition to actually large beasts. (I’m maintaining it imprecise to keep away from spoilers, however think about huge areas torn aside by fireplace and water, accompanied by majestic music.)

The incontrovertible fact that the large battles, behind the thunderous setting, are literally comparatively easy may be forgiven as a result of whereas the standard battles really feel extra monotonous than they are surely, the alternative is true right here. It’s a disgrace that the journey doesn’t comprise extra such sequences.

Microsoft

Microsoft

Microsoft

A grand saga in a restricted sport

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is a strong expertise that ticks many of the packing containers, nevertheless it’s additionally a sport—like its predecessor—that’s comparatively quick and restricted so far as gameplay.

What disappoints me is how the story by no means totally grabbed me. Similar story-heavy adventures have stayed in my reminiscence for days afterwards, however with Hellblade II it’s the graphics I keep in mind most.

That being mentioned, if you’d like an action-packed audiovisual smash hit with an exhilarating plot, there isn’t a lot that beats Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. Just don’t anticipate something like God of War or Zelda.