Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,885 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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Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,885 reviews
story1,209 positive mentions
grinding78 negative mentions
  • Incredible graphics and sound design, showcasing the power of Unreal Engine 5.
  • Engaging story that explores deep themes of mental health and personal growth.
  • Cinematic experience that immerses players in Senua's journey, with strong character performances.
  • Combat feels simplified and repetitive, lacking the depth of the first game.
  • Puzzles are too easy and do not provide significant challenge.
  • Game length is short, with many players completing it in under 8 hours, leading to concerns about value for the price.
  • story3,427 mentions

    The story of "Hellblade II: Senua's Saga" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its emotional depth and stunning visuals, while others criticize it for being less compelling than its predecessor. Players appreciate the continuation of Senua's journey and the exploration of themes like mental health and resilience, but some feel the narrative lacks the personal touch and complexity that made the first game impactful. Overall, while the game excels in storytelling and atmosphere, it is often described as more of a cinematic experience with linear gameplay, leading to a divide in player satisfaction regarding its narrative execution.

    • “The writing and the acting is top notch and the best thing about this game is that it develops the story of Senua instead of subverting it as so many sequels often do these days.”
    • “The game excels in blending rich storytelling with striking visuals and audio, creating an experience that is both immersive and emotionally impactful.”
    • “Senua's story, filled with sadness and psychosis, but also hope and inner strength.”
    • “The characters and plot are as basic as they come, and the ending is a huge disappointment.”
    • “When you look past its gorgeous presentation and excellent performances, what you'll find is a frustrating mess of a game--a dated walking sim occasionally broken up by boring puzzles and terrible combat sections, all held together by a story that has its moments, but ultimately falls apart under any amount of scrutiny.”
    • “The worst thing about the game is the poorly-executed story.”
  • graphics2,005 mentions

    The graphics of "Hellblade II: Senua's Saga" have been universally praised, with many reviewers calling them some of the best ever seen in a video game, showcasing stunning photorealism and exceptional detail. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the visuals create an immersive experience that captivates players, although some noted that the game's performance can be demanding on hardware. While the graphics are a highlight, opinions vary on the overall gameplay experience, with some feeling that the focus on visuals detracts from other gameplay elements.

    • “The visuals are without the shadow of a doubt the greatest piece of 3D media ever crafted.”
    • “The upgraded visuals in this game were absolutely mind-blowing.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely stunning, especially on higher graphics settings.”
    • “The only good thing about the game was the sound design, the graphics and the music, but the gameplay is mediocre at best.”
    • “Sadly worse than the first game in every way except for the shiny graphics and music.”
    • “The graphics just drive these points home as they are some of the best graphics I've ever seen.”
  • gameplay1,357 mentions

    The gameplay in "Hellblade II: Senua's Saga" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it remains largely unchanged from the first game, featuring simplistic mechanics and a linear structure. While the visuals and narrative are praised for their cinematic quality, the gameplay is often described as shallow, repetitive, and lacking in depth, with some players feeling it prioritizes storytelling over interactive elements. Overall, those seeking a rich gameplay experience may find it lacking, while fans of narrative-driven games may appreciate its immersive qualities.

    • “The gameplay is simple, with the main challenge being the perfect parry.”
    • “The gameplay feels wonderful.”
    • “The smooth fade in between cutscenes and gameplay, the input reaction, the camera movement and lighting, it's a masterpiece to watch and to play.”
    • “The gameplay is still bare bones, and has not evolved in any way from the first game.”
    • “The only good thing about the game was the sound design, the graphics, and the music, but the gameplay is mediocre at best.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, there is no player agency; everything is scripted to the fullest.”
  • music512 mentions

    The music in "Hellblade: Senua's Saga" has been widely praised for its immersive quality and emotional depth, with many reviewers highlighting the contributions of the band Heilung, which enhance the game's atmosphere. While some fans feel the soundtrack is slightly less impactful than the original game, it still effectively complements the narrative and gameplay, creating a cinematic experience that resonates with players. Overall, the sound design and music are considered standout features, elevating the game's presentation to a high level of artistry.

    • “Hellblade: Senua's Saga is an absolute cinematic masterpiece, offering a rich, immersive experience underscored by high-quality soundtracks.”
    • “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.”
    • “Sadly worse than the first game in every way except for the shiny graphics and music.”
    • “The soundtrack is just okay compared to the first game.”
    • “Hellblade 2's story lacks the same impact, and the music, while decent, doesn't reach the heights of the original.”
  • atmosphere380 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 intense feelings through its atmospheric storytelling, enhanced by stunning graphics and a powerful soundtrack. While some note that the gameplay may feel secondary to the narrative experience, the overall ambiance and attention to detail are considered exceptional, making it a standout title in atmospheric gaming.

    • “The atmosphere is breathtaking at times.”
    • “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.”
    • “The sound design and atmosphere are god tier.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization357 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players praising its performance on high-end systems, achieving stable frame rates and minimal stuttering, while others report significant performance issues even on powerful hardware. Many users noted that the game is visually stunning but can be demanding, leading to occasional frame drops and requiring careful adjustment of settings for optimal performance. Overall, while some players found the optimization satisfactory, others felt it needed further improvement, particularly for lower-end systems.

    • “It is very well optimized and everything looks so amazing.”
    • “What a wonderful masterwork have they done on this title when it comes to optimization.”
    • “The best looking and sounding game I've ever played, and the optimization is pure wizardry.”
    • “This game needs more love on the optimization end of things.”
    • “The story is great, and the graphics are amazing, but the performance is literally bad.”
    • “I wish the game ran better; it really hurts my eyes playing the game at 50-60 fps. Otherwise, I would recommend it, and the camera movement feels like a slideshow. The game looks great; I just wish they put a little more effort into the performance section.”
  • emotional352 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Senua's Saga: Hellblade II" is characterized by its stunning visuals and immersive storytelling, which create a profound and impactful experience. While many players found the emotional depth and intensity to be less than that of its predecessor, "Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice," the sequel still offers a rich narrative filled with relatable themes and emotional journeys. Overall, it is praised for its ability to evoke strong feelings, though some critiques highlight a lack of emotional attachment to characters and a less gripping climax compared to the first game.

    • “The game excels in blending rich storytelling with striking visuals and audio, creating an experience that is both immersive and emotionally impactful.”
    • “Senua’s saga: hellblade ii is a visually stunning and emotionally charged journey, though it falls short in some gameplay aspects.”
    • “This game is an emotional rollercoaster.”
    • “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 (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.”
  • grinding94 mentions

    Reviews indicate that "Hellblade II" features a significant amount of tedious gameplay, particularly in the form of long walking sequences and simple puzzles that detract from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the lack of traditional grinding mechanics, many find the pacing slow and the combat unchallenging, leading to a repetitive and uninspired gameplay loop. Overall, the game is criticized for its tediousness, despite its visual and audio strengths.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Gameplay is very tedious and boring.”
    • “It's so long, tedious, and nothing really happens.”
    • “You only fight one enemy at a time during combat sequences and it feels tedious.”
  • replayability62 mentions

    Hellblade 2 offers limited replayability, primarily due to its linear structure and short playtime of around 5-8 hours. While players can unlock different narrators and discover hidden lore on subsequent playthroughs, many reviewers feel that the overall experience does not warrant multiple runs, likening it more to a cinematic experience than a game with deep gameplay mechanics. Overall, it has some replay value, but it is generally considered low compared to other titles in the genre.

    • “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, 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.”
    • “This and the first game are mostly an experience; they always have a replay value, but I believe this one has more of it than the first one, especially due to the more hidden lore tablets and more diverse and fluid combat.”
    • “It's €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.”
    • “In my opinion, the game doesn't justify its price. Despite looking great, there's no big reveals, no memorable characters, no boss fights, and foremost, almost no replay value.”
    • “The game seems like it was made to be experienced once... not much replayability in my opinion.”
  • character development39 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some praising the depth and emotional resonance of Senua's journey, while others criticize it for being shallow, repetitive, and lacking the nuanced growth seen in the first installment. Many reviews highlight that the character arcs, particularly of side characters and companions, feel rushed or underdeveloped, leading to a disappointing experience overall. Despite impressive character designs and strong voice acting, the overall execution of character development fails to meet expectations, often relying on rehashed elements from the previous game.

    • “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, let's walk to the next cutscene.”
  • monetization33 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and labeling it as a non-cash grab experience, while others criticize the lack of advertising and perceive it as a lazy release. Overall, the game is seen as a refreshing departure from typical monetization practices, focusing instead on delivering a quality experience without additional costs.

    • “No microtransactions.”
    • “No bad monetization.”
    • “You're not getting the same amount of hours you would from a long RPG, but nowadays you're paying $70 USD plus more if you're getting microtransactions or deluxe editions for most RPGs, and most of the gameplay boils down to repetitive grinding.”
    • “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 from 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.”
  • stability27 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is praised, with many players reporting a smooth experience free from major bugs or crashes, especially on high-end systems. Some minor glitches were noted, particularly related to fire effects, but these did not significantly impact gameplay. Players appreciate the game's solid performance at launch, contrasting it with the prevalence of buggy releases in the current gaming landscape.

    • “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 -_-”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its self-aware absurdity, with players noting the comedic timing of battle transitions and the ridiculousness of certain scenarios, such as enemies appearing off-screen immediately after defeating others. While some moments elicit genuine laughter, others, particularly the villain's poorly developed motivations, detract from the overall experience, leading to a mix of amusement and frustration. Overall, the humor is hit-or-miss, often leaning into meme-like situations that can be entertaining but also feel overdone.

    • “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 damper an already poor excuse for a climax.”
    • “There is a funny thing about this game though: the ratings it has received.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

7hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
6-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 68 analyzed playthroughs

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