Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
" Brutal action-adventure with stunning visuals and sound but repetitive combat and linear gameplay "
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Review
Senua's Saga: Hellblade II continues the journey of Senua with a focus on a cinematic, narrative-driven experience. The game is widely praised for its stunning graphics and exceptional audio design, showcasing the power of Unreal Engine 5 with beautiful environments and detailed character models. Melina Juergens' performance as Senua is highly regarded, adding emotional depth to the story.
However, many players felt the gameplay was disappointingly simplified compared to the first game. Combat is mostly one-on-one encounters with little variation, puzzles are fewer and less meaningful, and the pacing is uneven, with long walking sections and anticlimactic moments. The story explores Senua's evolving mental state and her role in a broader social context, which some found less engaging or coherent than the intensely personal narrative of the original.
Overall, the game is considered a beautiful and immersive experience but falls short in gameplay depth and narrative impact for some fans of the first installment.
Highlights
Players consistently praise the game’s masterful graphics and art direction, citing it as one of the best Unreal Engine 5 showcases. The sound design and soundtrack are lauded for their immersive quality, enhancing the portrayal of psychosis.
The storyline, while divisive, is appreciated for its ambition and emotional performances, particularly Melina Juergens’ portrayal of Senua. The game’s atmosphere and mature themes resonate strongly with many, making it a memorable artistic experience.
The combat system, although simplified, retains some depth and complements the cinematic presentation.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the lack of gameplay depth, with combat reduced to repetitive one-on-one fights and puzzles feeling trivial or out of place. Many players found the game too linear and slow-paced, with excessive walking and insufficient engaging content.
The story’s shift from a personal psychological struggle to a broader social narrative was seen as less compelling or coherent by some. Additionally, the game’s short length and perceived lack of closure disappointed fans expecting a more substantial sequel.
Technical issues like forced letterboxing and depth of field effects were also noted as immersion breakers.
Pros
- • Stunning visuals showcase Unreal Engine 5’s capabilities beautifully.
- • Exceptional sound design immerses players in Senua’s psychosis.
- • Melina Juergens delivers a deeply emotional performance as Senua.
- • Atmospheric and mature storyline explores complex themes.
- • Well-optimized performance even at high graphical settings.
- • Cinematic presentation enhances narrative immersion.
- • Art direction and animation are of the highest quality.
Cons
- • Combat is repetitive and lacks enemy variety.
- • Puzzles are minimal and often feel meaningless.
- • Game pacing is uneven with too much walking.
- • Story shift less personal, some find it less engaging.
- • Short game length disappointing compared to expectations.
- • Forced letterbox and depth of field reduce visual clarity.
- • Some narrative sections feel anticlimactic or rushed.
Rating Criteria
The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without.