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.
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!
Realism is one of many valid art forms and not the only recipe for success.
"Anything below the pristine, realistic scenes we see in pretty trailers is quickly dubbed a “PS3 game", which was the case during Rise of the Ronin’s debut."
Er... no thanks. Last thing we need is a PS3 looking Hellblade game.
I rather have Hellblade II truth to its roots. Dark Fantasy narrative driven adventure, focused on photo-realism, believable world, stunning looking environments, realistic combat, exceptional animations, state of art sound engineering and Melinda´s beauty and superior act skills to take Senua and Hellblade II´s immersion to a whole new level in gaming.
@Kornholic no it's worse than that. He loves Xbox and Phil so much that he does this for free! Honestly I struggle to believe this is a grown adult. Sometimes his comments are so ridiculous they border on parody.
@Korn/ Barlos: “He is an MS employee. It has become pretty clear at this point”
It’s even sadder than that he’s a guy that gets paid for every response he gets out of the community😱
And he does it for free. Microsoft doesn't pay the old man anything and most gamers disagree with his comments 😂
@obscured: “I rather have Hellblade II truth to its roots. Dark Fantasy narrative driven adventure, focused on photo-realism, believable world, stunning looking environments, realistic combat, exceptional animations, state of art sound engineering and Melinda´s beauty and superior act skills to take Senua and Hellblade II´s immersion to a whole new level in gaming.”
I rather be Amazon owner guess what your wish and my nether are happening ,there’s no such thing as a perfect game as you describe it.
I would say atmosphere is a huge part of this graphics are a big part of that. But it's not the whole thing. I hope there's more to the gameplay than the original. I gave up on it before the story could really hook me.
I always thought the game was a walking simulator *most* of the time. I mean calling it a game is a stretch. Sure it has the glossy graphics and atmosphere, but beyond that, there's just nothing there. She jogs through the woods at an octogenarian's pace and solves illusion puzzles. That's about the gist of it. Sure there's a bit of combat if you consider slashing the same identical figures a few time here and there combat. The gameplay didn't have no depth but I finally realize that they wasn't aiming for that. I always thought the first game was overhyped and overrated. The graphics has always been the selling point and the reason to play it. I'm glad the second game will be on PC gamepass so that I don't have to pay $70 dollars to play it.
You never played the first game and you won´t be playing the second either!
I can´t wait for Hellblade II to drop, so we can see your benchmarks since you said you´ll be running it at 4K/60-120fps. Lol
Already got my popcorn ready. Just one month to go!
What are you talking about he's summed up the gameplay loop perfectly. I bet when the game was a PS4 exclusive you even called it or walking simulator. You have no credibility here.
@Sonic1881 - calling it a walking simulator (like many other Sony fanboys or Xbox fanboys who call Death Stranding a walking simulator),makes me think that most people dont know what a walking simulator is (which happens to be one of my favorite game genres).
Games like Dear Esther, Everybody Gone to Rapture, What Remains of Edith Finch, are clear showcases of the genre.
A walking simulator typically has no combat and limits gameplay to very basic interaction while foregoing action sequences.
"Sure there's a bit of combat if you consider slashing the same identical figures a few time here and there combat." - Now this comment here shows how biased you are.
"Yes there is combat but it is a rare instance and therefore this is not a game". Ok no comment there as you obviously did not play the game.
I would not disregard this game simply because is on Xbox and not on playstation. Just wait to see the game for your self since as you say you have game pass and you can try it for free.
If it turns out to be a good game, is a win for everybody as it will most likely end on playstation as well in the future given MS new multi platform strategy.
This game is going to flop so massively.
A decade of anticipation and development.
Only to receive a message a couple weeks ago that gamers shouldn't expect the game to be very long.
Sure, it's going to be the most successful X-box exclusive this generation, but that isn't saying much.
10 years ago you could distract people with having a pretty picture on screen, you didn't need much in terms of gameplay / length.
But now? You can dress up a pig as much as you want, it still is a pig.
The fact that we haven't seen ANY real gameplay videos says more than enough regarding this.
Only pre-rendered "Gameplay" videos.
This generation is truly a sad one.
From both Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo.
"10 years ago you could distract people with having a pretty picture on screen, you didn't need much in terms of gameplay / length."
The Order: 1886 came out nearly a decade ago, in 2015, and pretty picture on screen was not enough even back then.
Pretty sure Order 1886 was actually a pretty good game but it was waaaaaaaay too short, that's why it failed.
Oh man...I forgot how good The Order: 1886 was - it was sure a fun time and looked absolutely stunning but holy hell it was simply too short and I'm so glad I ended up not buying it. I rented it and finished it over the course of a weekend and didn't have much desire to just go play it again. If I recall, there wasn't at all much one could do as far as exploration either and maybe had a random collectible tucked away in corners, that's it.
@JusttJD0099
"Pretty sure Order 1886 was actually a pretty good game but it was waaaaaaaay too short, that's why it failed."
And I´m "pretty sure" that you never played that game also. That game been "short" has nothing to do with "why it failed". FYI that game sold 1.6+ million copies which is far from a failure.
1886 has many flaws regarding level design, gameplay, combat and how all those elements interact combined. I´d loved the setting, graphics, atmosphere, plot and the characters. And I hate how fast Sony dumped RAD and put that franchise on ice.
The Order had the potential to be Sony´s response to Gears of War, but just like they did with Days Gone, they rather measure one game´s success based on Metascores. Smh.
@JusttJD0099
I would also add awful boss battles (those werewolves - ugh) and the ending was very meh.
Other than that, i did enjoy the game, the graphics, the world, the gun play... But yeah, also very short, got platinum in 8h total without trying much or following guides.
Its visuals have to be pretty much spotless at this point to make up for the lack of engaging gameplay not to mention story that have to hit all the right notes and then its potential lack of replayability.
I learned from cinematic games like these is that if the story not up to snuff then the game pretty much not worth replay through again.
In this day and age, I'm surprised that we still have games like this as the gap between not as cinematic one and cinematic game like Hellblade 2 are no longer big, not like back in 7th gen.
It takes far more effort now just to wow us with these push for filmic photorealistic visuals.
So many studios big and small so obsessed at getting their cinematic games' visuals to look right to the point they forgot they still have to do Gaming part of it.
"This game is going to flop so massively."
Only in the minds of those spiteful fanboys that wouldn´t be able to play it.
The first Hellblade had an all time peak of 5,653 concurrent players on STEAM. I´m positive that even been available on PC Gamepass day one, Hellblade II will easily beat that number and you´ll be called out on your bs predictions.
"A decade of anticipation and development.
Only to receive a message a couple weeks ago that gamers shouldn't expect the game to be very long."
A decade?! What the F* are you talking about?!
The first Hellblade was released back in August 2017 and development for Hellblade II started 2 years later!
Where did you get that "A decade of anticipation and development." BS? Why are you here spreading lies about a game you don´t know sh!t about?
"The fact that we haven't seen ANY real gameplay videos says more than enough regarding this.
"Only pre-rendered "Gameplay" videos."
Lmao!
That line is nothing but further proof that you never played Hellblade in your life! The game is focused on REALISM and IMMERSION, genius!
There´s NO VISIBLE HUD AT ALL!
IT´S ALL GAMEPLAY RUNNING ON AN ACTUAL XBOX SERIES X!!!
It´s baffling how some dumb and arrogant people believes they´re in a position of authority to talk about subjects they have zero knowledge of!
Next time you go out running your mouth spreading lies and misinformation, make sure you made your homework first!
We'll see when it drops. I'll say this, based on how 1 played prepare to be disappointed lol.
"FYI that game sold 1.6+ million copies which is far from a failure."
Nice. So FF7 Rebirth or 16 for that matter, are doing just fine. Aye Observer 👀 👍🏽Thanks for telling the truth.
"Nice. So FF7 Rebirth or 16 for that matter, are doing just fine. Aye Observer 👀 👍🏽Thanks for telling the truth."
Always my pleasure.
And just to put things into perspective; By the time of its release, The Order: 1886 were a new IP from a relatively unknown and unproved studio. The game sits at a 63 Metascore.
The PS4 had 20+ Million consoles sold after 1 year and 3 months in the market.
Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, is well known, highly regarded as one of the most prominent RPG of ALL TIMES, by one of the most beloved and traditional gaming studio in the market. Rebirth also ranks at the same 92 Metascore as the original.
By the time of its release, the PS5 had sold 50+ Million consoles after 3 years and 3 months in the market.
I´m sure you can connect the dots.
Have a good week.
""FYI that game sold 1.6+ million copies which is far from a failure."
Releases between PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch then Series S/X is absolutely 💯 a failure. That's 450+ million gamers between all the platforms and it barely sold anything
I would generally agree with the article to be fair.
I enjoyed the original well enough but the puzzles and combat were excruciatingly repetitive.
If the gameplay hasn't advanced then that is going to be really disappointing.
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