Hellblade's Permadeath Might Be a Bluff; Destroying What Made it So Unique

Death is the tie that binds.

[coffeemaster]

People are arguing that the idea of perma-death is all a hallucination caused by her sickness, but it would have been cool if it was an actual mechanic

[Thatguy-310]

That's what made me get the game TBH. That being said, it just shows you the power of social media. Many had no idea it was a bluff. Many complained and were scared about it and others were up for the challenge. Before I knew that it was a bluff panic grew in me when entering battle and fighting the bosses. I think it was smart for the developer to trick players like that since it affected the way people played. Would've been nice if ppl didn't spoil it all over social media though.

[trouble_bubble]

Sounds like it is real but only in the section you're in. It doesn't count the whole game against you, only if you die an inordinate amount of times in your checkpoint.

Article says person's got a vid of dying 50 times and is still going. Needs more research.

LMAO @ all the internet tough guys who ran away scared from their own shadows! I should buy this just to support them for exposing the casuals.

[zuul9018]

Ya that'll teach those "filthy casuals" a lesson......
Be like, "Oh you just casually enjoy games? I enjoy more than casually so Im gonna put you in a sub group and mock you, even though we both just play games...."

[trouble_bubble]

Or are you the one mocking? That judgy mc judgerson camp that've been crying since news of this broke?

They feel everything's about them and developers should have their picture in their cubicle as an effigy so they can worship their casualness and dare not create the game they want. Cuz everything should be for everyone, everyone's a winner, everyone's special, internet lives matter!

So now that it's not real, are they all gonna admit they overreacted? Nah. They still won't buy the game, they were never going to. People like to complain. Just don't hold them accountable.

[Orejillz]

I would've liked that too. I still enjoyed the game enough to get the platinum though, lol. I think the idea of it was enough to really make it feel great, though.

[UKmilitia]

so there isnt a permadeath?

[Soulst0rmer]

Just stop before you all spoil the game

[SubZtx]

If you have to restart a game you may have 6-8 hours in is an actual deciding factor on if I want to buy a game or not though.

[SirTapTap]

Yeah this is why I don't buy the "spoilers!!!" argument. I was immediately turned off from this game once I heard this was a factor. Whether it's real should be common knowledge. Imagine if a game lied about being online multiplayer only (or worse, just actually was online multiplayer only despite NEVER mentioning it in marketing whatsoever).

For some permadeath is just as big a potential dealbreaker as online multi only.

[ginsunuva]

TBH, you only permadie if you are a really bad player. This game isn't THAT hard.

[ginsunuva]

Below you mentioned it's a marketing nightmare, but I believe the attention the game has gotten because of the viral talk of permadeath sold it more than it prevented. Maybe you, personally, wouldn't have even heard of the game if people didn't discuss the permadeath so much.

That's how Dark Souls became so popular. It was advertised as so hard that people wanted to challenge themselves.

[SubZtx]

Heh if I see a cool looking trailer and I see "from software" I am like "fuck whyyyy??". Actually I had seen ads and videos before the news and was really interested. Now I am meh on the whole thing.

[slappy508]

If it is a bluff.. well the lie certainly would make people on their toes the whole time, which would suit the theme of the game. I certainly have been paranoid about dying, been playing extra careful, maybe thats how they want people to play the game

[UCForce]

Well, the game want you to be fully prepare. So it tricked you but for good reason.

[Orejillz]

I agree, I believe the threat of death made the game more immersive and far more enjoyable.

[SubZtx]

I completely see your point, but it is also a marketing nightmare because I still have not bought the game yet because of it.

[Orejillz]

SubZtx, I can totally get that. I too normally skip games that say permadeath, but I'm sure they knew the risk going in.