Xbox gamers are in the midst of a severe drought right now, due to the lack of big-budget exclusives on Microsoft’s console. While Game Pass continues to offer great indie titles and passion projects from developers, the tentpole titles that gamers expect from Xbox have been largely absent over the last two years. With Xbox gearing up for a showcase in June, one title that needs to take the spotlight is Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.
Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga: Review – A sequel that builds upon the original's psychosis theme, but still lacking in gameplay depth.
The review embargo for Hellblade 2 appears to lift on the same date as the launch of the game, just an hour before it's available.
Reviews dont usually spoil its usually the players that get it early spoils it
Like all other games being reviewed before launch day ?
This game will disappoint many players. Ninja Theory’s last game
A well written review normally won't spoil anything though.
Come on, we all know it's usually not a good sign when the review embargo lifts on launch day. Doesn't mean to say the game is going to be bad or anything, but it does often point to a lack of confidence.
@Cacabunga Microsoft will dismantle Ninja Theory, even if the game reviews well, Bc that's how they roll! 😎
That's quite strange and early. They should lift review embargo a week after the game launches
OtterX
Unfortunately true.
I wish they stayed independant and signed with big publishers to develop some great licences like DMC.
I think Heavenly Sword 2 would def be successful if done right. Same way they can be the Bluepoint Games of action games.
Ummm...review embargos have nothing to do with spoilers...if someone gets it early they can still spoil it
If they didn't provide review copies until launch day, I would agree with you, but reviewers got their review codes this week. Since it's only an 8 hour game, that's plenty of time to have a review ready. I'm taking the studio heads word though, based on yesterday's interview.
Reviews on launch day is never a good sign.
If this games fails, goodbye Ninja Theory.
There has been good games where this happened. I think they did it to Arkanes Prey, which was a very good game. But it shows a lack of interest/faith from the publisher.
With Senua I think it's more that Ms could 't care less about a prestige project like this atm. They have pivoted and only want big hitters, so why put money in supporting Senua? Just throw it out there and move on. It's the last part of their old vision for xbox and no longer relevat. A Phil Spencer game.
Sadly. Game will probably be very good, like the first one.
Potentially even if it doesn't fail. HiFi Rush was critically praised by journalists and gamers alike and look what happened to Tango.
Well they'll be in good company, next Microsoft will have to buy EA for their graveyard building expertise, I'm sure Spencer would only just dig half a grave now, then finish it later.
Personally, I think the game will flop commercially. It doesn't really have any visible marketing campaign from what I can tell. It's also clearly got a hefty budget and development cycle. I'm sure this doesn't have a AA budget.
Critically... I'm not sure. I think if it's judged as its own product, it'll be fine. 85+ on metacritic, I'm thinking. But the problems I see this game's score running into are comparisons to the original which touched on some fascinating concepts (and thereby set a high bar already) and the time between announcement and release. Quite some time, and this was the game that introduced the Series X. I think if reviewers and gamers remove themselves from those two things, it's a good game. But my sense is that's going to influence perceptions quite a bit.
Would have been a perfect launch title tbh . The way it showcases the power of xbox.
6/10 confirmed.. they are definitely hiding something probably the length and replay value
I mean what does it even matter? People aren't going to buy it anyway. They are going to play it on Game pass.
Will they not download it if the reviews don't come out the day of release?
That's not a good sign.
Review codes have been sent out as of 8 hours ago (according to Tom Henderson on X) so at least they aren't withholding those... But you'd think with confidence they'd want positive reviews to get buzz going online the weekend before release.
... But if they're expecting mid reviews, yeah sure lift that embargo when most people are asleep.
MS might be withholding review codes from more critical reviewers to inflate the launch window Metascore. Just like they did with Starfield.
Yeah, They've been doing that for a while. Picking and choosing publications. At the end of the day if you do that then don't be surprised if that taints reviewers attitude towards your game.
This is the first time I'm starting to think that MS may actually want this game to not do well so they can more easily justify closing the studio down? Am I crazy for suddenly thinking that? I mean, no advertising. Review embargo on launch day? This game and studio goes against what Matt Booty has said they will be focusing on going forward in regards to their business.
I know people were speculating and half joking that Ninja Theory "is next". But this is the first time I get that feeling in my stomach. I'm probably thinking too much into it. Anyway, I hope I'm wrong.
Wouldn't go that far, but they must have spent a fortune on it and I can't imagine it being very profitable. I don't think current day MS would greenlight it.
More appropriately, it makes more sense to believe they really expected the acquisitions of such major publishers to increase game pass subs with high retention. This doesn't seem to be the case though, and Activision cost an extraordinary penny.
At this point, it's just about turning things around quickly.
However, I don't think you're wrong either. It's not about wanting to close them, per se, and that might be the secret metric for success they haven't disclosed: "Did this new game drive Sub growth by a certain percentage?" In that case, even a very well received game could doom a studio if it doesn't generate enough interest or hype in Game Pass. It's very safe to assume that XGP is very clearly aligned to closures. It's become damn near THE metric for Xbox. So when a game isn't played much or generating subs, studio closes. I think this is extremely problematic for Ninja Theory if true. I can't say I know many people playing through their games more than once and I don't see Hell blade 2 driving user retention either.
That's the kinda funny thing about all the concern for the game... It's only like 8 hours... Good or bad a very small portion of my gaming time will be impacted.
If GTA6 got hosed, on the other hand, I'd probably cry lol
Zero marketing and embargo lifts when the game launches?
No confidence from team Xbox.
We're another day closer to the release of Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 on May 21st, and that means Ninja Theory is continuing to tease us with new snippets of info and footage - including a closer look at the game's Photo Mode.
I like photo modes. I will find some awesome shots and use them as wallpaper on my SX.
Gears 6 is going to look insane on UE5. The Coalition are UE experts. Hellblade 2 is going to be epic.
First game’s photo mode had some sweet filters. Even if they just port those over, I’ll be good!
Halo Infinite didn’t turn things around.
Redfall definitely didn’t turn things around.
Starfield likely won’t turn things around either.
Heck let’s just wait til E3…
The first game was really good, but the gameplay was really not good and kind of bare bones. Hope they rectify this in the 2nd game.
Psfanboys crossing their fingers to starfield and every xbox console exclusive to flop. Sick attitude. Any true gamer would be exited about new big triple A games. Starfield gameplay look stunning people are less toxic on youtube and more eager to play the game than judge it pre release.
One game couldn't solve Xbox's drought. Even if the game's going to be amazing.
If you're hungry, one plate of food wouldn't make you feel full.
It could be a sign on change, sure. But first, i would like at least to see some unedited gameplay.
But after a recent interview with Phil Spencer, when he said that great games won't help to turn things around, i don't expect much. Better to keep your expectations low and be pleasantly surprised than to overhype everything and repeat the Halo Infinite/Redfall situation, imo.
Wasn't it stated the game was still in early development sick months ago don't expect this one for another year