Why Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 Looks Set to be One of the Most Notable Xbox Games of This Generation

Even though it’s a Microsoft exclusive coming to Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud, and Game Pass day one, the next chapter in Senua’s Saga is set to be one of the biggest games of the year after it releases on May 21st.

[Obscure_Observer]

it will be such an unique experience blended with unparalleled realism, visuals and art.

May 21st can´t come soon enough.

[BehindTheRows]

Unique in what way? “Unparalleled realism” in what way?

[GamerRN]

You kinda gotta play the game to understand it. Videos don't do this game justice.

[Obscure_Observer]

"Unique in what way? “Unparalleled realism” in what way?"

If you don´t played the first game you can´t possible understand.

[Barlos]

Have we never had realism, visuals and art in games before?

How exactly will this be a 'unique experience', and why do you always have to sound like a salesman?

[dveio]

"it will be such an unique experience"

I agreed here.

"blended with unparalleled realism, visuals and art."

Ah come on, bro.

You can't tell me you're not laughing your ass off when typing such PR babble. You've got to be kidding me if you say otherwise.

Why ... do you do that? What's inside you causing this awkward type of overacting?

I really, really wish you and plenty other die-hard Xbox and Hellblade 2 enthusiasts that this game won't go down as a 65 scored metacritic/opencritic Xbox first party title.

Otherwise hell freezes over then I guess.

[GamerRN]

It will arguably be the best looking game so far this gen

[mkis007]

Gamer
No arguments there; that is the focus of the game so far: PResentation. Kind of like a Ryse situation so far.

[BehindTheRows]

@GamerRN

I own the original. Unless it is drastically different from that, I don’t see what so unique. Visuals look fantastic, yes, but not a blowout if the best of the best currently out there. And, it’s doing far less.

[babadivad]

Lots of salt in the replies.

[BehindTheRows]

I own and have beaten the first game. Yes, the mental health aspects (particularly with headphones) was cool. Outside of that however, I don’t see anything new and unique from it (though I’m sure once it’s out, we’ll have a better idea).

Potentially the best looking game to release? Yep.

[glenn1979]

Can't wait , I dint care if its 30 or 120fps if its llay good Im all in

[Sonic1881]

I'm keeping my expectations low on this one because I thought the first game was mediocre at best with good-looking graphics. The gameplay had no depth in the first game and I remember doing more walking than fighting in the first game. It has the potential to win graphics of the year though.

[Crows90]

Good idea. MS has been doing a banger job at hyping up their games...they don't typically deliver.

It's probably going to be a solid 3/5 game..maybe a 4

[Nerdmaster]

I guess we all liked different aspects of the game. I actually wanted a little less fighting so I could concentrate on Senua's psyche.
My fear is exactly that they'll "mainstream" the game and make it more hack'n slash, in detriment of the deep dive into Senua's mind that the first game had.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

That headline is the most unfortunate setup for a dig at Xbox, given the lack of games that have warranted even purchasing an Xbox (and that can date back to 2013). It's almost a notable Xbox game by default.

[InUrFoxHole]

What a horrible take

[Sgt_Slaughter]

Sales and review scores don't lie, and those support my take.

[InUrFoxHole]

No they don't

[Chevalier]

"No they don't"

Really name a 1st party Xbox exclusive that was GotY for Xbox in the last decade? Or that sold 10+ million? So yeah sales and reviews definitely do back it up

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

I can’t wait to play. I’m also very eager to watch Digital Foundry’s technical analysis of Hellblade 2.

[Obscure_Observer]

"I can’t wait to play. I’m also very eager to watch Digital Foundry’s technical analysis of Hellblade 2."

Don´t pay some serious attention to that jealous PC fanboy Alex Battaglia, though.

He was caught lying about the original Hellblade in the last video. Lol!

He said he couldn´t understand the combat mechanics and or how it works, if players can dodge, if players can block, he couldn´t tell by the footage that he saw.

Clearly perplexed, Richard had him Interrupted and asked him:

"Sorry, you don´t have a sense of the combat mechanics is that right?"

Which Alex replied:

"I still don´t have a sense of it, no. Because when I look at it a see a number of finishing animations at times... uh... I see what looks like slashing animations which could be from like tapping X or A... I don´t really know... um... which... I just don´t have really good sense of like what the beats and what you´re avoiding and like... are there invulnerability frames or can´t you block? There´s like a lot of things that I just exactly know about the combat yet "

A few minutes later, when a confused John asked: "Have you played most of the original, Alex?"

Alex gagged and responded: "Yeah, I´ve, I´ve beaten it."

John: "Wow! Okay..."

Lmao! MF lied through his teeth!

He couldn´t make a sense of how the entire game works, and yet, he had the balls to claim he´d beat the first game.

What a sad liar! Smdh.

That clown got both Richard and John clearly embarrassed by his clueless comments. Lmao!

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[Eonjay]

Are you sure it's that and not his comment about the game looking really soft? I know it wasn't just me but the game looks really soft on some videos. They alluded to the YouTube compression but I am interested to see a proper comparison. How does it look on PC and what can we expect from UE5 on consoles for the rest of the Gen.

I suspect, looking at Immortals of Avian and Remnant 2 and their incredibly low native resolutions that this may be impacting Hellblade 2. However let's hold off judgement until Immortals gets the FSR 3/framegen treatment. I feel like these techs would boost Hellblade up nicely.

[canoffanta]

Alex Battaglia is a graphics purist. The console currently on the market and the ps5 Pro coming to market simply cannot come anywhere near what PC's are doing right now. Graphics are his passion and he is an enthusiast. Saying he is jealous, what exactly is he jealous of?

[tronyx12]

His critique is valid. The game is cinematic to a level kinda not seen before in an action game. I'm also very skeptical there will be any meaningfull engaging gameplay at alll. He's digging at the fact the game literally feels like a cutscene. Not like Last of Us or Metal Gear which have a lot of cutscene, the whole games feel like a one-shot cutscene.

[Cockney]

I'm more interested in seeing some gameplay

[Elda]

I thought the first one was boring. With a update in visuals I'll demo the game through Gamepass to see if the gameplay is better. If it's boring I won't at all feel bad not spending $50 solely on a digital game that I didn't enjoy playing.

[badkolo]

its free on gamepass

[ocelot07]

True but gamepass ain't free.

[Elda]

Gamepass is not free, I paid for a year subscription.

[badkolo]

its been 10 years of garbage, hopefully this is a hit

[YourMommySpoils]

Seriously, if that's their most notable, they're a total goner.

[Aussiesummer]

Interested to see how it looks running on my 4090

[InUrFoxHole]

Good

[Psychonaut85]

I think if you go into it having a rough idea what to expect, it will be good. It’s an experience game. A graphical showpiece. But it’s just by it’s nature not something that will drive a bunch of sales. I feel a little bad for Ninja Theory honestly, there’s all these expectations for this 8 hour story game to pull attention because the lineup is so lean.

[Obscure_Observer]

"I feel a little bad for Ninja Theory honestly, there’s all these expectations for this 8 hour story game to pull attention because the lineup is so lean."

Lean?

Xbox has best line up of games for 2024 by far!

Hellblade II
Flight Simulator 2024
Starfield: Shattered Space
Avowed
S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2
Indiana Jones
Towerborne
S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2

Since the competition has nothing to compare, all the spotlight will be over Xbox games by default. Hellblade II is set to become one of the best looking games of the current generation and that possibility alone draws a lot of attention for that game.

That said, I´m glad that Ninja Theory has complete creative freedom and all the resources they need to continue and focus on what they do best which is deliver high-quality, over the top experiences through their games with focus on unique themes, realism, sounds, atmosphere, beauty and art.

Definitely one of the best and true unique studio acquired by Phil Spencer. Already excited by Project Mara which might be their next game.

[Tody_ZA]

The competition has nothing to compare he says.

Meanwhile

Nintendo and Sony have put out a multitude of bangers and Microsoft hasn't even lifted off the ground. You're as delusional as you are foolish, making this comment in the same year that Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Stellar Blade and Helldivers 2 landed on the competition, and Super Mario Bros Wonder released in just October last year which is probably better than 90% of Xbox's line-up.

Besides, Stalker 2 is likely to end up on PlayStation by next year.

[Obscure_Observer]

@Tody_ZA

Funny how you forgot to mention Foamstars, Rise of the Ronin, and Silent Hill 2 as part of PS5´s gaming line up for this year. I wonder why.

In Nintendo´s case, you had no option but to resort to a Switch game from last year since you don´t even know what Nintendo have in store for 2024, which is nothing big or groundbreaking like a new mainline Mario, Zelda, Pokémon or Metroid.

As far quality goes, I willing to bet that both Pentiment and Hi-Fi Rush, two Xbox first party games released this year on PS5, will probably best the vast majority of third party exclusive games released on Playstation this year.

We´ll know for sure soon enough.

[purple101]

that awkward moment:

when you have to double up games on the list to make it seem big

[Tody_ZA]

@Obersever Every time you reply you do more harm to yourself than anyone else. Foamstars, Rise of the Ronin and Silent Hill 2 are not or are unlikely to be bangers, which is the topic of conversation here. But hey, thanks for listing more PlayStation games, I guess.

The point, which you always miss because you have both a serious comprehension problem and rampant fanboyism, is that Sony and Nintendo CONSISTENTLY release top tier games, Microsoft does not. That Microsoft now has a busy 2024 does not suddenly disqualify the competition who have brought the goods since the generation started and before.

The reason for bringing up Mario Wonders is that Nintendo released a GOTY title a couple of months ago. You'll break your neck trying to find the last GOTY level title from Xbox on the release calender.

Nintendo and Sony players don't have to meltdown over a lack of announcements until such time that the consistent quality of games declines.

Xbox still has no consistency, no system sellers. What are you trying to argue? That Avowed will move consoles? That Microsoft is finally releasing some games after years of dropping the ball?

Help me out here.

[ironmonkey]

Looks like the most dull and boring titles. Hellblade is a great feature movie but the rest is bland. Let us know when you preorder all of them for 79 bucks.

[goddi]

U didn't list Stalker twice don't you😅

[Obscure_Observer]

@Modpeel

"Pentiment and hi fi rush better quality than helldivers 2 and final fantasy 7 rebirth 🫠😳 wow that is some claim there Observer"

No sure what you understood by *the vast majority* in my comments, but Rebirth is a minority.

And yes, both Hi-Fi Rush and Pentiment has better quality than Helldivers 2, check it out on Metacritic.

"Rise of the Ronin and Silent Hill 2 are not or are unlikely to be bangers, which is the topic of conversation here. But hey, thanks for listing more PlayStation games, I guess."

What are you on about now? What do you mean by Bangers? None of the games that I´d mentioned in the Xbox list got released yet. And 2024 line ups for any consoles don´t exclude the bad or flopped ones. You try to hide those games because you didn´t wanted to mention them. Shame on you.

"is that Sony and Nintendo CONSISTENTLY release top tier games"

Nintendo I agree. But Sony? Please. Sony had one first party released next and zero first party to be released this year, so you can stop and drag Nintendo into your nonsensical fallacy.

Even PS diehard fans agrees that this is the worst generation in Playstation history. So far, there´s nothing but remakes, remasters, re-releases and cross gen games. If you´re ok all that, more power to you. I rather play actual current gen games, and that´s what Xbox gamers will be getting this year.

"Nintendo and Sony players don't have to meltdown over a lack of announcements until such time that the consistent quality of games declines."

Again, trying to drag Nintendo fans into the mud. We don´t have Nintendo fans on Xbox related topics. Tbh, they couldn´t give a damn about Sony or Microsoft business. They´re happy with what they have.

"Xbox still has no consistency, no system sellers. What are you trying to argue? That Avowed will move consoles? That Microsoft is finally releasing some games after years of dropping the ball?"

Avowed? Hardly. But Indiana Jones most definitely will, just like Starfield did last year:

"Starfield's hotly anticipated launch led to a 46% increase in sales for the standard Xbox Series X during these successful weeks, with the 1TB Series S making up for 20% of sales on the week of September 9."

https://gamerant.com/starfi...

And please, don´t even get me started on Fable, Perfect Dark, Gears 6, TES VI, Blade, Fallout 5, Forza Horizon 6, OD and many many more.

We got the whole generation covered while you don´t even know what first party game will be playing next year. Those are the facts!

[isarai]

I've heard that before 😒

[GotGame818]

Flight Simulator 2024 comes out this year. I can't wait. Hellblade 2 looks fantastic, but I know it's going to be a once and done game for me. I doubt I'd play through a second time.

[jambola]

lol
what a high bar
not shitting on the game at all just to be clear

[shaenoide]

Because nearly all the other ones were lacking (IMO as a Serie X owner).

[Barlos]

That's not saying much, given how lacklustre this generation has been so far

[Markusb33]

its a low bar, so i agree it really should

[Cockney]

The only notable game this gen, and the jury is still out on this one

[poppatron]

Come on… it’s not hard is it

[Good-Smurf]

When all your games are duds, it doesn't take much to be a notable one.

[Petebloodyonion]

How about we see the game, play the game, feel the game, and then we can express ourselves on the quality of the game instead of having 100000000000 articles trying to sell us the game as the best thing since slice bread?

[Hereandthere]

Digital foundry said it tops out at 1072P and drops down to 900p.

[Trilithon]

playstation did it first ya xboners

[jznrpg]

What else is there? Some AA games that were being made before acquisition that’s the competition

[UltimateOwnage]

It looks technically interesting. However if it’s anything like the last Hellblade, it’s the type of game that will appeal to a niche group of psychological horror / linear gameplay enthusiasts looking for something that finally pushes the Series X. It may be one of the biggest “Xbox” games this year, but I don’t expect it to be industry wide with so many incredible games slated through ‘24.

[Tzuno]

overhyped walking simulator, it will be a disappointment

[Nerdmaster]

Still doubting they will ever beat the emotional punch in the gut of the first game ending, If felt like a complete experience that didn't need a sequel. But I'm curious to which direction they will take the franchise to, and I'll be playing it on release day.