Now, it’s finally here…
But was the next chapter of Senua’s story really worth the wait?
This review was made possible with a review code provided by Xbox Game Studios.
No matter how busy the game got, performance was excellent on Xbox Series X.
The company did not see the contents of the review before publishing.
What is Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II?
you’re free to read ourin-depth recap of the story of Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrificefor more information.
you might buy Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II for$49.99 at Amazon (Xbox & PC).
However, thisisn’ta bad thing.
I played the game on Xbox Series X, and the framerate felt rock solid my entire playthrough.
No matter how busy the game got, performance was excellent on Xbox Series X.
Gameplay is smooth and just the right amount of responsive for a slower, narrative-driven title.
Even during fast-paced combat sections, I never struggled to stay competitive and the framerate never suffered.
When movement is introduced, it is spectacular.
I’d play Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II all over again just for these views.
The full picture is one of sleight inconsistency.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade IIalwayslooks amazing, but howaliveit feels shifts from moment to moment.
An element that isn’t lacking in dynamism at all, though, is the audio.
This world isn’t always static, either, with plenty of bold and epic cinematic moments.
Seriously, if you’re able, to play this game with headphones on.
And that… Is where I’ll leave it to you to find out for yourself what happens next.
The delivery of this narrative further elevates it, as the voice acting and performances fromeverycharacter are amazing.
Stunning visuals are paired with impeccable audio design and voice acting.
Ninja Theory invested heavily in upgrading its motion capture studio, and the results are nothing short of stunning.
Hellblade 2 review: Gameplay experience
Gameplay highlights
An open-world RPG franchise Hellblade is not.
That means gameplay often takes a backseat compared to the story, which some players don’t enjoy.
Actual paradise.(Image credit: Windows Central)
However, I really enjoyedplayingHellblade 2, not just experiencing it.
Sadly, this area is Hellblade 2’s biggest weakness the Windows PC port has problems.
To get one thing out of the way, Hellblade 2 looks mind-blowingly good on Windows PC.
This moment was so peaceful, and the distant ocean was gorgeous in motion.(Image credit: Windows Central)
There are absolutely no complaints there my issues are with performance and controls.
None of that would’ve ultimately affected my ability to play and enjoy the game, however.
The real issue is with controls.
Volumetric effects like fog and steam also look amazing.(Image credit: Windows Central)
I also experienced some audio desyncing during cinematic sections.
By far the most egregious concern with the PC port was the mouse.
However, I ended up being surprised… With caveats.
Hellblade 2 has some of the best lighting I’ve ever seen in a game.(Image credit: Windows Central)
If you’re sensitive to any of those themes or topics, be wary when playing Hellblade 2.
From an accessibility standpoint, though, Ninja Theory did a good job.
Interactive elements in-game stand out without breaking environmental immersion thanks to white scoring or markings, for one.
Just look at this view across Iceland’s tundra.(Image credit: Windows Central)
The game also opens with an accessibility menu to customize visual, audio, and subtitle tweaks before beginning.
Overall, there’s nothing major missing here, and everything worked well.
One area I wish was better is localization.
The detail in the environments is remarkable.(Image credit: Windows Central)
It’s a cinematic adventure in all the best ways.
This is a dense, shorter narrative-adventure.
Senua feels so human.(Image credit: Windows Central)
Hellblade 2 isn’t always photorealistic, and will twist reality to its needs.(Image credit: Windows Central)
Hellblade 2 establishes itself as a visual powerhouse within moments of starting.(Image credit: Windows Central)
Lost in Iceland during a storm, Senua’s latest journey starts with a struggle for survival.
You’ll gain new perspectives into Senua’s past.
Combat has never felt so good in Hellblade.
Visually this game shines on PC… But not so much with performance.
You’re able to see so much with a widescreen setup.(Image credit: Windows Central)
No annoying letterboxing, and vistas are breathtaking.(Image credit: Windows Central)
The game still looks great, even on the ASUS ROG Ally.(Image credit: Windows Central)
Of course, you do lose a fair amount of detail, especially in character models.(Image credit: Windows Central)
Ninja Theory gives you plenty of options so you can experience moments like this, too.
The lack of an interface for puzzle sections like this may be a challenge for some players.
One of my favorite screenshots I took with my mediocre Photo Mode skills.
