370°

Tameem Antoniades: "'Hellblade 2' will make 'Hellblade' look like an indie game"

The Ninja Theory co-founder says the game is focusing on "capturing reality"

VenomUK828d ago

From the last big trailer it definitely seems that Ninja Theory was announcing its big ambitions - this could be Xbox's own God of War.

rippermcrip828d ago

Are we talking about the same trailer? The completely scripted trailer with near zero gameplay?

VenomUK828d ago (Edited 828d ago )

@rippermcrip The above comment is not a prediction on quality of the final game, it is a statement that Microsoft will be viewing Hellblade II as a game that can fill a gap in its lineup for a narrative-led action adventure.

You have expressed that for you it will not compare favourably to God of War and its okay to share your feelings. But there are many people who only game on Xbox and the prospect of taking Senua the lead from the first game and then being able to play her in a game that possibly has the action and scale of God of War is very exciting.

Brazz828d ago

Too soon to say.... GoW is not just about visual, it's a gameplay heavy game... so far we have near "zero" Gameplay from HBII, so it's a bit too soon to call this game "Xbox's GoW"... it can end up as "Ryse: son of some" with vikings.

RickRoland828d ago

This game is not even close to GoW from a gameplay standpoint if the first one is anything to go by. A beautiful game with cinematic cutscenes and walking with pretty generic combat. They have alot to do to match what God of War does.

MajorLazer828d ago

Loooool, God of War without any of the gameplay.

darthv72828d ago

lol at all the above who are taking venom comment literally instead of figuratively. @venom, i knew what you meant. This could be the XB game with the amount of scale and attention to detail that GoW is to PS. Not a direct (aka literal) comparison.

I am reminded of another MS game called bloodforge. It too was compared to GoW but it wasnt very polished. If given another chance it too could really shine in terms of the brutality and similar approach that GoW has. It isnt uncommon to zero in on some sort of comparative, like how Killzone was compared to halo and then Haze was compared to Halo... it happens. But people need to know the difference between direct and indirect comparisons.

itsmebryan828d ago

@Venom
I hope not. I didn't care for GOW when I had PS3.

828d ago
wiz7191828d ago

@ripper that trailer was gameplay .. it even says it in the trailers description lol , are you that salty or what ?? If you played the first you can tell when it switched from gameplay to a cutscene .. Some of you Sonys fans are very delusional ctfu when ever Microsoft comes out with something good y’all can’t help but try to downplay everything .. “zero gameplay” ctfu it’s says gameplay reveal
https://youtu.be/fukYzbthEV...

828d ago
wiz7191827d ago

Lmao y’all really must be mad disliking facts .. It’s gameplay get over it and stop trying to downplay that visual masterpiece ..

+ Show (9) more repliesLast reply 827d ago
SyntheticForm828d ago

Damn indeed.

I'm very much looking forward to any info on this game now.

n1kki6828d ago

The first game was an Indie. So...

2moda5gamer828d ago

Wasn't it an indie game though?
Like a massive, well-put high end indie, mind you.

Think of films or music where indie still have big names or support etc.

Eonjay828d ago

RIght I was gonna say that. Hellblade was an indie game.

alb1899828d ago

https://www.eurogamer.net/a...
That article can help to clarify if it is or not a AAA game.

"it helped Ninja Theory create a triple-A game at half the price and half the size, without compromising on quality, or giving the rights away to a publisher."

ABizzel1828d ago

Ninja Theory themselves were the ones to call it an Indie game, they said "AAA Indie" if I remember correctly and that's where the term came from.

alb1899828d ago

Abizzel1, read the article, it won't bite you hahaha!
In the article they them self describe everything about the make of the game.

Atticus_finch828d ago

It literally was an indie. Lol

Flawlessmic828d ago

We know its gonna look great im curious to see how it will play though

Crows90828d ago

Hopefully the next one has some combat variety.

Teflon02828d ago

But the first one WAS a indie game... Sure Sony assisted where it was needed, but it was a indie game lol

GamingSinceForever828d ago

Where are you getting that Sony had something to do with its development? This game came to Windows at launch too.

purple101828d ago

Yeh ninja theory made an exclusive ps3 launch game with 'heavenly sword'.

Paid for seunas sacrifice to be exclusive so even if it flopped the studio wouldn't go bankrupt.

Gave them marketing as part of their e3 show and playstation blog posts etc.

They have a longer history with playstation than they do with Xbox many times over.

Microsoft probably offered them a deal they could not refuse.

gangsta_red828d ago

@purple101

"They have a longer history with playstation than they do with Xbox many times over."

I believe their first game at least for consoles was an Xbox exclusive, not really sure where this longer history with PS comes from exactly.

Seunas Sacrifice was exclusive because they barely had the money to make it, they had to take separate jobs just to fund this project and bring it to one console.

"Microsoft probably offered them a deal they could not refuse."

Yeah, the deal was to keep Ninja Theory from shutting their doors forever.

https://www.polygon.com/e3/...

ReadyPlayer22828d ago

Hmmm, I seem to remember Kung Fu Kaos on my OG Xbox. I also seem to remember Sony taking all of Ninja Theory's tech in exchange for helping with Heavenly Swords.

TheTony316828d ago

The first one was an indie game.

OptimusDK828d ago

The point is it did not look like one at that point :-)

TheTony316828d ago

it didn't look but it sure played like one.

Harryvok828d ago

I think it did. It certainly didn't look or feel like a high budget AAA game. It was decent quality, but still felt indie to me.

alb1899828d ago

It started as an indie game but finish as a AAA game.

https://www.eurogamer.net/a...

Show all comments (64)
70°

Ten Beloved Nintendo Titles That Still Need a Remaster

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60°

Yosuke Saito working on new project with Yoko Taro and Keiichi Okabe

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510°

Hellblade 2 Review Embargo Lifts On Launch Day

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.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
blackblades1d 8h ago (Edited 1d 7h ago )

Reviews dont usually spoil its usually the players that get it early spoils it

Cacabunga1d 7h ago (Edited 1d 7h ago )

Like all other games being reviewed before launch day ?

This game will disappoint many players. Ninja Theory’s last game

Barlos1d 7h ago (Edited 1d 7h ago )

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.

OtterX1d 4h ago

@Cacabunga Microsoft will dismantle Ninja Theory, even if the game reviews well, Bc that's how they roll! 😎

_SilverHawk_1d 3h ago

That's quite strange and early. They should lift review embargo a week after the game launches

Cacabunga1d 3h ago

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.

Crows901d 1h ago

Ummm...review embargos have nothing to do with spoilers...if someone gets it early they can still spoil it

romulus2321h ago

Games can be reviewed without spoiling.

ThinkThink21h ago

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.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 21h ago
lelo2play1d 5h ago

Reviews on launch day is never a good sign.
If this games fails, goodbye Ninja Theory.

MrBaskerville1d ago (Edited 1d ago )

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.

romulus2321h ago

Potentially even if it doesn't fail. HiFi Rush was critically praised by journalists and gamers alike and look what happened to Tango.

PapaBop13h ago

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.

Ninver13h ago

Even if it does remotely well they're still getting the 🪓 from lumberjack MS.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 13h ago
DarXyde1d 1h ago

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.

MrBaskerville1d ago (Edited 1d ago )

Would have been a perfect launch title tbh . The way it showcases the power of xbox.

seanpitt2315h ago

6/10 confirmed.. they are definitely hiding something probably the length and replay value

Bathyj13h ago(Edited 13h ago)

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?

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 13h ago
Tacoboto1d 8h ago

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.

Kornholic1d 7h ago (Edited 1d 7h ago )

MS might be withholding review codes from more critical reviewers to inflate the launch window Metascore. Just like they did with Starfield.

Jingsing1d 4h ago

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.

helicoptergirl1d 5h ago

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.

MrBaskerville1d 2h ago

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.

DarXyde22h ago(Edited 22h ago)

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.

TheColbertinator1d 8h ago

Nice. I could speedrun it by midnight and go to sleep after.

Notellin1d 1h ago

It's a walking simulator you can't speed run them. It's a power walking game.

crazyCoconuts16h ago

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

Flakegriffin1d 7h ago

Zero marketing and embargo lifts when the game launches?

No confidence from team Xbox.

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