Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,546 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Game Cover
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In "Senua's Saga: Hellblade II," players control Celtic warrior Senua, who has psychosis and is on a mission to save her loved ones from Viking tyranny in 10th century Iceland. The game features a cinematic immersive experience with brutal combat and a unique perspective into Senua's world through her senses. The game's stunning visuals and recreation of real-life locations provide an epic journey.

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  • Windows
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Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,546 reviews
story634 positive mentions
grinding41 negative mentions
  • Visually stunning with breathtaking graphics and exceptional sound design.
  • Engaging story that explores deep themes of mental health and personal growth.
  • Strong performances from the cast, particularly Melina Juergens as Senua.
  • Combat feels simplified and less engaging compared to the first game, often limited to one-on-one encounters.
  • Puzzles are too easy and lack the complexity that made the first game enjoyable.
  • The game is relatively short, with many players feeling it doesn't justify the full price.
  • story1,799 mentions

    The story of "Senua's Saga: Hellblade II" is a visually stunning continuation of Senua's journey, exploring themes of mental health and resilience. While many players appreciate the emotional depth and character development, some feel the narrative lacks the intensity and focus of the first game, with a broader scope that introduces new characters but may dilute Senua's personal struggles. Overall, the game is praised for its immersive storytelling and artistic presentation, though opinions vary on its pacing and depth compared to its predecessor.

    • “A phenomenal story accompanied by some of the best graphics the industry has to offer.”
    • “The game excels in blending rich storytelling with striking visuals and audio, creating an experience that is both immersive and emotionally impactful.”
    • “The story is beautifully written and emotional.”
    • “The plot itself is decent but lacks the depth to truly captivate.”
    • “New characters are introduced, but without much backstory, it’s challenging to form a connection with them, making the narrative feel a bit hollow in places.”
    • “The motive and core of the story is terribly narrated, and even though I guess I know what Senua is trying to do, it is so vague and unspecified that it feels very random.”
  • graphics1,043 mentions

    The graphics of "Hellblade II: Senua's Saga" have been universally praised, with many reviewers calling them some of the best in gaming history, showcasing stunning photorealism and exceptional detail. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the game delivers breathtaking visuals that enhance the immersive storytelling experience, although some players noted performance issues on lower-end systems. While the graphics are a standout feature, there are mixed feelings about the gameplay depth and narrative engagement compared to its predecessor.

    • “Coupled with outstanding performances, especially from Melina Juergens as Senua, the game shines as a cinematic masterpiece with next-level graphics and immersive sound design.”
    • “The graphics are simply stunning, showcasing some of the most breathtaking and realistic environments ever seen in a video game.”
    • “Graphically, it's pretty but can be optimized better.”
    • “Ninja Theory is a great studio to tell a story, but they wasted too much money and time on the visuals.”
    • “Despite the next-gen graphics, the storytelling art with the two separate voices in her head whispering her feelings... you will love this second part if you loved the first one, because the voices are even more mixed and disturbing.”
    • “The only good thing about the game was the sound design, the graphics, and the music, but the gameplay is mediocre at best.”
  • gameplay700 mentions

    The gameplay in "Senua's Saga: Hellblade II" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it remains largely unchanged from the first game, featuring simplistic combat mechanics and repetitive puzzles. While the game excels in its cinematic presentation and storytelling, some critics feel that the gameplay lacks depth and innovation, making it feel more like an interactive movie than a fully-fledged game. Overall, while the visuals and narrative are praised, the gameplay is often described as minimal and linear, leaving some players wanting more complexity and engagement.

    • “The gameplay is simple but tense.”
    • “The combat is simplistic (but a visual feast) and I never figured out how to deal with the flame guys besides saving up the mirror release for them and the puzzles are easy so the actual gameplay isn't deep or extensive, but as a film analog (and this is the most filmic game ever made, right down to an enforced 21:9 ratio), it's an extremely satisfying story to engage with, better than any movie I've seen this year.”
    • “The gameplay feels even shallower, which is an impressive achievement!”
    • “Unfortunately, the mechanics of the fights are not engaging, with there essentially being only a handful of enemy types you'll fight across the entirety of the game.”
    • “The gameplay is simple and does not significantly depart from the first game, with visual puzzles taking full advantage of changes in perspective, angles, shapes and light.”
    • “The gameplay is uninspired.”
  • music269 mentions

    The music in "Senua's Saga: Hellblade II" has received widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and immersive quality, with many praising the contributions of the band Heilung, which enhance the game's atmosphere. Reviewers noted that the soundtrack effectively complements the narrative, elevating key moments and combat sequences, although some felt it lacked the standout tracks of the first game. Overall, the audio design, including voice acting and sound effects, is considered top-notch, contributing significantly to the game's cinematic experience.

    • “The soundtrack is unique, combining a diverse choice of music with a flawless audiovisual production.”
    • “The music is phenomenal and really makes the scenes better, as if it wasn't good enough to begin with.”
    • “The immersive soundtrack and binaural audio is perfect.”
    • “Oh and the soundtrack, and the final battle gave me chills in the first game, there is nothing like that here, I had to force myself to finish it, hoping that there would be something that would give me similar goosebumps.”
    • “But the story, music, horror elements, combat, puzzles, boss fights, etc. were really lacking compared to the first game.”
    • “The soundtrack is just okay compared to the first game.”
  • atmosphere199 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Senua's Saga: Hellblade II" is widely praised for its breathtaking visuals, immersive sound design, and emotional depth, creating a hauntingly beautiful world that captivates players. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong feelings through its atmospheric storytelling and meticulous attention to detail, making it a standout experience despite some criticisms of gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game is celebrated as a masterclass in atmospheric design, drawing players into a rich narrative experience that resonates deeply.

    • “The northern landscapes are a stunning blend of realism and atmosphere, drawing players into a world that feels both vast and hauntingly beautiful.”
    • “The atmosphere is great, graphics are top-notch, the story is enjoyable, the gameplay is... present to some extent?”
    • “From the moment you step into Senua's world, you're enveloped in an atmosphere that is as haunting as it is beautiful, a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship of Ninja Theory.”
    • “For almost all my playthrough, I found myself alt-tabbing to do something else or getting distracted... it wasn't due to me feeling uncomfortable by hearing the voices in Senua's head or the creepy atmosphere; it was due to sheer boredom.”
    • “The puzzles are easier and way less frequent, the atmosphere is nowhere near tense or claustrophobic, the voices in Senua's head that once were scary and actually cast doubts in every step I took are now just plain annoying, and the combat is just sluggish and also scarce.”
    • “They focused too much on the atmosphere and on the psychological side of the main character, which isn't interesting at all.”
  • optimization183 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with many praising its stunning graphics and overall performance on high-end systems, while others report significant issues, including stuttering and poor performance on lower-end hardware. While some players experienced smooth gameplay with high frame rates, others noted that even powerful setups struggled at times, indicating that the game may not be well-optimized for all configurations. Overall, the visuals and audio design are highly regarded, but the optimization could benefit from further improvements to enhance the experience across a wider range of systems.

    • “This game is optimized for headphones and if you've got a pair of good ones, the spatial audio in this game can sometimes blow your mind.”
    • “The best looking and sounding game I've ever played, and the optimization is pure wizardry.”
    • “Performance-wise, the game excels on high-end systems.”
    • “My only big quarrel is the performance throughout the game.”
    • “This game needs more love on the optimization end of things.”
    • “The game is very demanding and has limited optimization capabilities, except for the intensive use of resolution scaling technologies, as performance doesn't scale by much by tweaking in-game graphics settings.”
  • emotional183 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Senua's Saga: Hellblade II" has garnered mixed responses, with many players praising its ability to create deep emotional connections through rich storytelling, stunning visuals, and an immersive soundtrack. While some found the sequel to be less emotionally impactful than its predecessor, "Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice," others appreciated its exploration of themes like grief and mental illness, noting that it still delivers a powerful emotional journey. Overall, the game is recognized for its emotional depth, though opinions vary on its effectiveness compared to the first installment.

    • “The emotional journey is incredible.”
    • “The ending made me very emotional and hearing the credits song only intensified this, just like in the first game.”
    • “This is an emotional and unique adventure that will leave a lasting impression on those who are ready to fully immerse themselves in it.”
    • “I could talk about all the things other people complain about: restricted linear path, boring story, no real plot, voices being just directions, no character development (Senua is actually not in this game, they just used her likeness), no real connection to NPCs, joke puzzles, tedious walking, and the awful, just awful combat.”
  • grinding49 mentions

    The reviews highlight a pervasive sense of tedium associated with grinding in the game, particularly due to repetitive puzzles and slow-paced walking segments that detract from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the improved visuals and reduced puzzle frequency compared to the previous installment, many still find the gameplay lacking in challenge and engagement, leading to a frustratingly monotonous experience. Overall, the game is criticized for its tedious mechanics, which overshadow its narrative and aesthetic strengths.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The thing holding it back is the tedious puzzles that are not satisfying, the really annoying performance hitches, and the major fact it seems to end on a cliffhanger without explaining what happens to some of the characters.”
    • “It's so long, tedious, and nothing really happens.”
    • “You only fight one enemy at a time during combat sequences and it feels tedious.”
  • replayability32 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed among reviewers. While some appreciate the unique twists in new game+ modes and the option to experience different narrators, many criticize its short length and linear design, leading to limited replay value. Players generally suggest that while the game can be enjoyed in multiple playthroughs, it lacks the depth and variety needed for extensive replayability.

    • “It thankfully has some unique twists on new game+ that do make it very replayable, and you will enjoy getting all the achievements in 2 or 3 playthroughs (I'm on my 2nd right now).”
    • “It seems to encourage replayability by adding two different narrator choices (unlocked after certain milestones; one seems to be after beating the game).”
    • “Once you beat the game once you also unlock narration from some of the other characters you meet for your next playthrough, which I think is a really fascinating way to add replay value since you get to keep learning new things about the characters in a story that is still mostly Senua focused on the initial playthrough.”
    • “It's a short game and there is not much replay value other than some secrets you can miss and some extra dialogs you can get by choosing other narrators for your playthrough.”
    • “€50 for a 6 hour experience which has 0 replay value, the story is honestly confusing and not worth the price point, the only saving grace is the art, that's it.”
    • “The game seems like it was made to be experienced once...not much replayability in my opinion.”
  • character development20 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some praising the depth and emotional resonance of the main character, Senua, while others criticize the lack of growth for her and supporting characters, describing it as shallow or rushed. Many reviews highlight the impressive character designs and voice acting, but express disappointment over the repetitive nature of the narrative and the underwhelming resolution of character arcs compared to the first game. Overall, while the story is engaging, the execution of character development leaves much to be desired, with missed opportunities for deeper exploration of themes and relationships.

    • “Everything from the character development, the fights, the music, the animations, and the graphics is just insanely good.”
    • “Interesting story and plot build-up, good character development, and excellent voice acting.”
    • “Story and character growth = the story is very well written, and I like the addition of new people in Senua's journey, and her character development with the voices in her head is really well written, and it really comes to show that what Senua faces and goes through her mind is not easy to conquer, and what her views and goals are as the story progresses, this is probably the second strongest aspect about this game.”
    • “On the other hand, the story and writing is crowded with fillers, shallow or unfinished character development, and an underwhelming and anticlimactic ending.”
    • “There is simply not enough character development for them, which is what they desperately needed and deserved.”
    • “In typical modern AAA fashion, the slow burn of character development from the first game is replaced with monotonous, repetitive rehashes of scenes from the first game until all of Senua's problems are finally solved with 0 buildup in two 10-second cutscenes with no care or anything.”
  • monetization17 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some praising the absence of microtransactions and viewing it as a fair value for the experience, while others criticize it as a potential cash grab due to minimal advertising and a perceived lack of content for the price. Overall, players appreciate that there are no gameplay-affecting purchases, but some feel the game could have benefited from better marketing and more substantial content for its cost.

    • “No microtransactions.”
    • “No bad monetization.”
    • “Though one thing is really bothering me, the game got basically no advertising closer to release, meaning it was on barely anyone's radar.”
    • “I didn't find it good and honestly felt it was lazy, boring, disrespectful, and a bit of a cash grab release.”
    • “-- microtransactions that in any way, affect gameplay (cosmetic purchases are allowed)”
    • “You’re not getting the same amount of hours you would a long RPG, but nowadays you’re paying $70 USD + more if you’re getting microtransactions or deluxe editions for most RPGs, and most of the gameplay boils down to repetitive grinding.”
  • stability14 mentions

    Overall, the stability of the game has been positively received, with most players reporting minimal to no glitches or bugs during their playthroughs. While a few minor issues were noted, they did not significantly impact the overall experience, and many praised the game's smooth performance and reliability, especially in contrast to other recent titles. Players appreciated the solid frame rates and the absence of major technical problems, highlighting the game's polished launch.

    • “Though it says a lot that people with the systems to do it justice could count on a basically bug-free and perfectly clean experience on day one, a hyper rarity these days for a game this technologically cutting edge.”
    • “So even with all the bells and whistles this game has, it runs great.”
    • “It's so nice to have a game that runs great on day one.”
    • “My only complaint is that combat felt a little buggy at times, but I'm playing with MK and didn't bother to redo the controls, so that could easily be on me.”
    • “There are also some minor glitches and bugs that I encountered, but very rarely and didn't affect my experience, mostly regarding the fire.”
    • “🔲 Buggy asf -_-”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding enjoyment in meme-like moments and amusing battle transitions, while others feel that the comedic elements often fall flat, leading to a sense of frustration rather than laughter. The game's self-aware absurdity, particularly in its villain's motivations, adds a layer of humor, but it ultimately detracts from the overall experience.

    • “There is a funny thing about this game though: the ratings it has received.”
    • “I particularly liked some of the battle transitions, although it was a little funny when there was always another guy charging at me from off screen the moment I killed the previous guy.”
    • “Without spoiling, this leads to a hilariously nonsensical villain whose half-baked motivations only dampen an already poor excuse for a climax.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

7hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
6-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 34 analyzed playthroughs

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