360°

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 Appears To Have Received A Substantial Visual Upgrade, Comparison Inside

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 has received a substantial visual upgrade, and we've put together a comparison that shows the improvements.

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twistedvoxel.com
Petebloodyonion17d ago

And still no marketing for this :(

Barlos17d ago

Why market something that isn't designed to be sold?

This has GP rental written all over it.

Petebloodyonion17d ago

Why bother showing me X shows streaming on Disney before my YouTube video since it's a rental?
Why bother showing what movies are coming to a theater?
Actually, how come game companies bothered in them past with advertising games since a lot of ppl used to rent them at BlockBuster?

Here is a simple reason: making ppl Interested in this game by making them subscribe to Gamepass, or buying the game on PC/Xbox, or worse giving them a reason to buy an Xbox console.

Noskypeno16d ago

@Pete, speaking of movies, Microsoft should copy that business model and sell the games at $70 for 3 months and then let it hit Gamepass after those 3 months. It gives them time to let the game receive a big profit, so for that big game you've been waiting years for that you don't want spoiled, I don't mind paying the $70 a couple times a year. And for those small niche games that don't require a big budget and big profits to succeed, well Gamepass is perfect for that to see if you enjoy it.

Petebloodyonion16d ago

@Noskypeno
I agree, always said that there are no financial gains in putting established games that will sell on names alone (COD, GEARS, HALO, FORZA, etc), the same way Disney won't give you the next Avenger Day 1 on Disney plus +.
MS could release game some smaller games with some AA game day 1 while making money for a couple of month on big titles.

Tacoboto17d ago

They just posted a 20+ minute video about Psychosis and how the game portrays that through Senua.

Regardless of what Microsoft is doing (retweeting Ninja Theory is about as low effort as it gets, and Dashboard Dynamic Themes should've come months ago), Ninja Theory themselves are at least trying.

It's sad though. That new video was a really good behind-the-scenes too, and it just came at such a bad time.

Terry_B17d ago

who knows..they might be the next developer that gets shut down..6-12 months after Hellblade 2 is released.

Charlieboy33316d ago

"a 20+ minute video about Psychosis and how the game portrays that through Senua".....game sounds like a bundle of fun!

Tankbusta4017d ago

How much marketing do games really need these days? People that play games know when its coming out. I really think the days of the constant tv ad etc are going the way of the Dodo. What scares me more is the lack of "previews" on big video game websites, it only got a few on April 4th and then nothing since.

RNTody17d ago (Edited 17d ago )

Wow Tankbusta40 how out of touch with reality can you be, mate. Do you think companies are insane to spend millions on having giant billboards for big releases and TV adverts and superbowl slots and round the clock PR and interviews? Most of the people who buy games aren't on gaming forums like these knowing the exact release dates!

This isn't being marketed because Microsoft isn't selling the product, it's a Game Pass day one and they don't throw their weight behind games like this.

Chevalier16d ago

"Here is a simple reason: making ppl Interested in this game by making them subscribe to Gamepass, or buying the game on PC/Xbox, or worse giving them a reason to buy an Xbox console."

No one is buying a Xbox for Hellblade 2. Lol. Advertising will not change that. Just considering after all this time Xbox confirmed numbers they were not good for Hellblade 1

"The last numbers we have for Hellblade 1 is that it had 6.3 million players after four years. That’s players, not sales, and that includes launching on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Switch and it was also on Xbox Game pass starting in 2018."

https://www.forbes.com/site...

Killer2020UK16d ago

Wouldn't be surprised if one of the money men at Microsoft have already earmarked this studio for closure regardless of how well Hellblade 2 does. Hence the lack of marketing spend.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 16d ago
Hugodastrevas17d ago

Wait, this game's actually still being made?

Hugodastrevas17d ago

Clearly, because there's tons of promotion about this game everywhere! /S

ThinkThink16d ago

Under a rock much? This game has been trailered to death already over the past 5 years.

Hedstrom17d ago

Ninja Theory is gonna be MS next cut!

Crows9017d ago

Most likely. Otherwise more people would know about the game....most people don't...it'll drive some in Gamepass but that's probably going to be it.

ThinkThink16d ago

Most people don't know about the first game either. I don't see this driving new members to gamepass though, it's too niche.

Terry_B17d ago

yupp..most likely just a matter of time.

more or less every studio that got bought by them was killed later.

Walalon17d ago

It's sad that Ninja Theory can update graphics, lighting, made a marvelous game but still the sword of Damocles moving up their heads... After Tango Game works every one that works on any studios under the wing of MS are probably having a Plan B looking for another place to go thanks to that stupid idea of even if you create a jewel they can axe you...

DarXyde17d ago

I mean, we'll have to see.

What I find problematic was Bond really saying that each case for success metrics with different studios is different. However, the studios recently closed seemed surprised when it happened so... Is Microsoft not telling the studios what their expectations are?

It's entirely feasible, but I suspect Starfield didn't really move the needle and Bethesda is safe... But Tango, who made a game that was very well received with a smaller budget gets closed?

We really don't understand what they want. It doesn't help that they shadow dropped HFR with no marketing and I would say outperformed any expectations for it. But somehow, that wasn't enough?

In truth, we don't really know what the criteria for closure is. Specific engagement metrics? Mean play time? Some internally developed index to assess some engagement-to-budget ratio?

We don't know. I think the concern for Ninja Theory is valid, but sink or swim at MGS seems to be a moving target.

MrBaskerville16d ago

The most concerning thing about Senua is that it's a farily niche title that MS for some reason spent a fortune on. Makes you think about what their expectations are. If they are hoping for God Of War money I would expect another closure.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 16d ago
Nacho_Z17d ago

The new pics look more orange but that's about it.

glenn197917d ago (Edited 17d ago )

aha just like death stranding

Skuletor17d ago

It's been over 4 years since that game released. I wonder if Ninja Theory will even be around 4 years from now, maybe not even 4 months, lol.

Flewid6381d 8h ago

Less game than Death Stranding. Better graphics tho

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310°

‘Hellblade 2’ Launches As The 23rd Most-Played Xbox Game, What Does That Mean?

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 launched last week to solid reviews from both fans and players. But its playercount? That's another story.

helicoptergirl8h ago(Edited 8h ago)

That's awful. This combined with the really low Steam numbers paint a disastrous picture imo. Really bad timing too because Tango was closed down for a similar thing. Great reviewed game, and low sales and/or player count. Hi-Fi Rush reviewed a hell of a lot better and it was widely loved by everyone, Hellblade 2 nowhere near that.

I know the rumor is that the studio has their next game already green-lit, but if I worked at Tango, I would be furious. "Why do they survive while we get binned?" I'd be telling myself.

But the suit woman will have you believe "Oh we have different metrics for the success of one studio compared to another studio. We judge each studio and game on their own set criteria" or something like that, I'm paraphrasing here but you get the idea. But no one who works there knows what the hell that even means. I mean the DLC for Redfall was getting worked on days before they even got the news their studio was getting dumped in the trash. So what are these mysterious metrics to let studios survive and others perish? I bet this is all hogwash, I bet MS don't even really know. They just had to make cuts and certain studios just found their way on the chopping block. Someone had to bite the dust, why not you?

Well I bet all this does nothing for the confidence of other employees in other studios. The truth is you have no idea where your career will be in a year from now working at one of their studios that aren't the mega big ones. MS just have too many studios to manage efficiently. "We'll just throw money at them and buy them and worry about the details later on. I mean we can do it, we're Microsoft."

darthv727h ago

...have you seen what the top 10 consists of? Its things like fortnite, roblox, CoD, apex... etc. This being a new game that has a niche appeal is actually surprising to see at 23. Its also the 33rd top paid game on the PC through the MS store.

tay87017h ago

Those are dreadful numbers any way you slice it dude. They hyped this game to hell for the last 4 plus yrs. It was supposed to be xboxs big game this yr. Ninja Theory is probably sweating right now.

Scissorman6h ago

And it's already slipped out of the Top 100 on Steam. Meanwhile a port of the 4-year old Ghost of Tsushima is sitting comfortably at #8.

RiseNShine6h ago

One of the biggest games of the year, a multi million sequel and heavily advertised game, at 23 most played? There's no way to justify those numbers.

darthv726h ago

^^heavily advertised game...?

I mean, I knew the game was coming but outside of a boot screen ad for it, there has been little to no marketing. And yet it still managed 23rd. Make of that what you will.

Elda5h ago(Edited 5h ago)

Here in the East Coast on NY/NJ on cable tv Hellblade 2 has been advertised pretty well. I see the commercials every day at least 3 times a day for the past 3 weeks. It's even advertised as YT commercials.

Chevalier4h ago(Edited 4h ago)

What an idiotic comment. Let me guess the next comment would be GTA V outsold everything so....

Absolutely terrible numbers all round for this game. Ghost of Tsushima at number 8. Good games going to sell regardless of excuses

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4h ago
RpgSama5h ago

What a disaster, 2 failures in a row for Ninja Theory, first Bleeding edge, now Hellblade 2, any way you slice it these are not the numbers the most awaited game of the year for Xbox should show (before Activision purchase), also player numbers is extremely low and even more surprising considering is day 1 on gamepass.

Crows901h ago

If they worked on heavenly sword instead then they would have something worth playing and waiting for... unfortunately that won't happen.

Terry_B8h ago

It means that it will be the..50th? 75th? most played xbox game in June.

CrimsonWing697h ago

That people played it 🤷‍♂️

Scissorman7h ago

If this game cost more and took longer to develop than Hi-Fi Rush, then I would worry if I were Ninja Theory. Projects may have been greenlit, but the increased scrutiny over at MS may very well put them on the chopping block. The incredible irony here is that it was PlayStation players that pushed the original game passed its 1 million copies sold milestone. With that purchasing power cut out, and the Game Pass effect having trained Xbox players to not purchase games, it seems that the sequel may have been set-up for failure.

italiangamer6h ago

And that's exactly what pisses me off about Hellblade 2 not being on PlayStation, Sony promoted the original game and I bought it basically on D1 back in the day because I liked what I saw and ended up really enjoying it!
I really hope Hellblade 2 is next on the porting list because I would buy it in a heartbeat, asshole microsoft robbed me of this game!

darthv726h ago

Just get an xbox. Then it will be YOU that is robbing Microsoft. Gamepass is a hell of a deal and an addictive one at that.

AndrewM6h ago

No darth, buying an Xbox only helps xbox lol he can play gamepass on com if he wants to take advantage of them destroying themselves.

Show all comments (39)
90°

Hellblade 2's Excellent Presentation Goes Far Beyond Its Graphics

Hellblade 2 has great presentation, and that includes more than graphics.

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gamerant.com
anast11h ago

74 user score on meta. I wouldn't say it includes much more.

PrinceOfAnger10h ago(Edited 10h ago)

81 meta-critic
Steam user score 85% from
(2,677)..

Death stranding
7.4 user score

Last of us part 2
5.8 user score on meta..

Days gone 71 meta-score.

MrNinosan7h ago

All you proved with those numbers is that Xbox fanboys do everything they can to make Sony games look bad and Xbox games look good, while Sony fans mostly are busy playing games instead of review bombing Xbox games.

romulus235h ago(Edited 5h ago)

Death Stranding
82 meta-critic

The Last of Us 2
93 meta-critic

Figured I'd give some context since you conveniently left those scores out.

MrNinosan5h ago(Edited 5h ago)

Btw, why not use Meta for every game or doesn't it fit your agenda?

Current Gen scores:
Hellblade 2 - 7.4 User Score (81MC)
Death Stranding 2 - 7.6 User Score (85MC)
Last of Us Part 2 - 8.1 User Score (90MC)
Days Gone - 8.5 User Score (71MC)

Death Stranding on Stean has 91%
Days Gone on Steam has 92%

Crows9011h ago

Let it die already. Nobody cares...they should have expanded the games systems

Inverno11h ago

Yeah and many games before it have done what it did and more. Why are we impressed by features that have been standard in many games before? Sites are gonna keep up these fluff pieces for a while longer while everyone has already moved onto some indie game that costs less, took less time to make and does more with gameplay. So many games have been killed off by negative reviews and negative opinion pieces for being more of less like Hellblade 2, but nah this one's special.

EternalTitan11h ago

It dosent even go beyond beyond its mediocre combat.
Graphics will get outdated in a mere two years.
And there is no combat system to hold it up.

PrinceOfAnger9h ago

I hope NT show their next game Project Mara in the coming showcase

Show all comments (12)
170°

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Review: A Technical Masterpiece Weighed Down by Mediocrity | CBR

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II continues Senua’s struggles against her own reality, but undermines its nuances for an Xbox epic that’s lesser in design.

Jin_Sakai1d 9h ago

Hellblade 2 looks incredible but the gameplay is a linear slog from the looks of it.

gold_drake21h ago

yea, you are essentially walking around in a straight sort of line or corridior for the most part and just ... look at stuff.

Sonyslave31d 6h ago

It funny seeing some of these sites that praise the 1st one but not the sequel.🤔

piroh1d 4h ago

Both games have the exact same metascore 81

MrBaskerville21h ago(Edited 21h ago)

Maybe because it's different?
Personally I liked the puzzles and combat more in the first one and the story was better.

Bathyj19h ago

From what I've seen this game is worse in every way except graphics

Chevalier5h ago

Yeah agreed! Funny seeing idiot Xbox fans who called the 1st game a walking simulator trying to sell this on graphics alone. Then now 'cinematic' games are cool? Talk about flopping like a politician

2h ago
ChevalierAutistic45m ago

What an austistic Sony cocksucker

Chevalier2h ago(Edited 1h ago)

"You call people idiotic because you’re actually autistic."

Ouch your IQ is pretty damn low if you think Autism is anything like what you're saying. Lol. Nice spam account. Can't refute anything so just need to make a new account in desperation.

2h ago
Chevalier1h ago

"Only a low IQ person would have a comment history that only calls others idiots.

Only one idiot on N4G - you.

P.S. I reported all your comments. Calling people idiots is against the rules"

https://m.youtube.com/watch...

1h ago
+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 45m ago
andy8521h ago(Edited 21h ago)

I'm confused how it's locked 30 on Series X tbh. Admittedly my laptop is a touch more powerful than a Series X but I'm getting 90-100 fps with low settings. Which is still absolutely stunning btw, even at low settings its the best looking game I've played (i play on high though, which I'm getting 60 with DLSS quality mode). I guess it's a CPU thing but surely it was possible

Skuletor18h ago

I noticed the same thing with Gotham Knights, when I was getting over a hundred fps and wondering how the consoles were stuck at 30.

Elda20h ago

The game is mostly walking around while hearing voices, then puzzles then battle sequences then a talking sequence then repeat.

Doomeduk19h ago

I have some stick drift on my controller,I started the game and an Amazon parcel came after a short but enjoyable chat with the driver I returned to see the end credits rolling

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