Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 Game Overview

by  John Uke Last update: June 12, 2024

To be honest, I was really looking forward to the release of the continuation of Senua’s adventures since almost seven years have passed since the release of the original Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. The latest trailer of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, which was shown at The Game Awards, made an incredible impression on me and showed phenomenal graphics! Senua’s story is beloved by many and is considered one of Ninja Theory’s best games, as well as the studio’s first major flagship release since becoming the first first-party Xbox team.

Hellblade 2 Release Date

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 was released on May 21, 2024. This information appeared after the last Xbox Developer Direct, where the developers of Ninja Theory showed a new look at their game with Unreal Engine 5. The event was held on January 18, and on that day, the development team announced the release date of the game. It has not changed since, which is quite surprising to me because the game took seven years to make.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Story

The events of this action-adventure game take place in Iceland in the 9th century. As in the original game, we play as Senua, a Celtic warrior suffering from psychosis. Senua travels to Iceland to destroy the Vikings who raided her village in Orkney and enslaved her people. The game is also filled with Norse mythology. According to Ninja Theory, the giants have thrown the land into chaos, allowing Draugurs to overrun the various settlements in which Senua ends up. Since the original game, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua has come to terms with her past and is no longer afraid of the voices and visions in her head. In the course of her search, she finds not only new enemies but also allies. To me, the plot is very exciting, and the landscapes of Iceland definitely please the eye.

Hellblade 2 Gameplay Explained

The gameplay of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is similar to the gameplay of the first game. We travel through a linear world, fight enemies, and solve visual puzzles, but Ninja Theory said that they have improved the combat, which I agree with. According to VFX director Mark Slater-Tunstill, Hellblade 2 has “all-new combat” that “does feel very different from the first game” and is “very brutal.” 

Speaking to Xbox Wire, Ninja Theory studio head Dom Matthews revealed that Hellblade 2’s combat is entirely motion-capture-based. This means that every movement of Senua and her enemies in the fights is based on the movements of real actors, rather than just being animated. 

Hellblade 2 also added a variety of enemies compared to its prequel – there are many more types of opponents in the game.

In addition to the combat, we are also treated to visual puzzles that are most likely be similar to those we see in the original game. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is similar in length to the first game, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, so we’re looking for around 6-10 hours of pure Icelandic aesthetics, interesting quests, and harsh battles.

Hellblade 2 Available Platforms

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is only available on Xbox Series X/S and PC; at least, that’s what is stated officially for now. As a primarily PS5 user, this certainly disappointed me. However, I still have a chance to play Hellblade 2 on PC!

Why Hellblade 2 Will Not Be On PS5?

Yes, you read that right. The game won’t be coming to PS5, at least not as of now, according to rumors. The prequel was released on PC and PlayStation 4 in 2017, with versions for Xbox One and Nintendo Switch coming later. So, it would be reasonable to ask, “Will Hellblade 2 come to PS5?” Yet, answering this question is no longer as easy as it used to be.

Microsoft now owns Ninja Theory, so it is quite obvious that Hellblade 2 is an Xbox exclusive. 

However, in recent months, Microsoft has reconsidered its strategy of releasing a number of its games on Nintendo Switch and PS5. Before those games were announced, leaks claimed that Hellblade 2 was also being considered for a multi-platform release. Yet, as of now, Microsoft hasn’t confirmed any plans to release Hellblade 2 on other platforms. In any case, even if Hellblade 2 appears on PS5, it will most likely not happen soon, as Microsoft’s goal is to keep this exciting game exclusive for as long as possible.

Will It Be Available On Game Pass?

Yes, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is a part of Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass and is available on Xbox Cloud Gaming since the launch day.

Hellblade 2 Unreal Engine 5

The game was developed on the latest game engine, Unreal Engine 5, and leverages cutting-edge technologies available on Xbox Series X/S and PC. Thanks to the power of the Unreal Engine 5, the developers achieved very realistic and cinematic images. According to recent Hellblade 2 news, the developers said that the game footage shown at The Game Awards in 2019 “was captured in-engine and reflects the power of Xbox Series X available to developers to deliver new universes, experiences and games in ways you have never imagined.” And, boy, I couldn’t agree more. The game does look amazing.

Game System Requirements

Minimum requirements for PC:

• Memory: 16 GB
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or Arc A580 or Radeon RX 5700
• CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 or Ryzen 5 2600
• File Size: 70 GB
• OS: Windows 10 64-bit or higher

Recommended requirements for comfortable gaming in 4K resolution

• Memory: 16 GB
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or Arc A770 or Radeon RX 6800 XT
• CPU: Intel Core i7-10700K or Ryzen 5 5600X
• File Size: 70 GB
• OS: Windows 11

NOTE:

If you want Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II to be a truly cinematic adventure with all the effects and graphics settings available, you’ll need a powerful gaming device, as those system requirements are quite high by today’s standards.

Also, the game does not run in 60 FPS mode on the Xbox Series X/S. The developers instead opted only for a 30 FPS option to achieve a more cinematic feel to the game. Let’s hope that owners of powerful PCs will not be affected by such restrictions and, in general, the game’s optimization will not let us down.

Find People Who Share Your Interests With GameTree

Well, just one day is left before the game’s release! Join our community on GameTree if you want to discuss Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, share lifehacks on the walkthrough, and meet other fans of the game!

GameTree is an application for gamers that allows you to find friends who share your interests. We bring together people from different parts of the world, united by the love for games. Also, given that Hellblade 2 has very few hours of gameplay (up to 10), you might want to look for other games that are similar in style to this one. In this case, you can explore individual recommendations that our AI will prepare for you. The more games you play and add to your favorites on GameTree, the more accurate our recommendations for you will be.

Final Thoughts

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is a masterclass in storytelling and immersion, leaving an indelible mark. The breathtaking Icelandic vistas and brutal combat blend seamlessly with Senua’s harrowing psychological journey, culminating in an unforgettable and emotionally resonant experience that cements Ninja Theory’s prowess. And what are your thoughts, I’d be glad if you could share them here, or on our Reddit page.