Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is out now, and we have a question for you: What’s your ideal game length? 8 hours? 20 hours? 50+ hours?
Or maybe it’s less about length– size isn’t everything after all… and more about design.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, like the first game in the series, is a tight, focused, narrative-driven experience in which “every step of that journey is meaningful,” (according to Ninja Theory studio head Dom Matthews). If that sounds like your type of game, read on to find out everything you need to know before you start your journey.
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Hellblade II Release Date and Platforms
Release Date: 21st May
Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II builds on the groundbreaking psychological storytelling of its predecessor, offering an even more immersive and visually stunning experience. Which… we’re honestly not sure if we can handle…
Developed by Ninja Theory, the game once again follows the troubled Celtic warrior Senua as she continues to grapple with mental illness and the hordes of supernatural horrors that it manifests.
With a focus on intense combat, intricate puzzles, and a narrative that delves deeper into Senua’s psyche, Hellblade II promises to be a gripping and emotionally charged journey. The game’s commitment to portraying mental health challenges with sensitivity and depth sets it apart; making it not only a visually impressive gameplay. but also a thought-provoking exploration of the human mind.
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Do I Need to Play Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice First?
While playing Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice before starting Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is not essential, it is highly recommended for a richer experience.
The original game introduces you to Senua, her complex psychological struggles, and the mythological world she inhabits. This background helps you understand her motivations and the narrative’s depth in the sequel. Moreover, experiencing the first game’s atmosphere, themes, and gameplay mechanics provides a solid foundation for appreciating the developments and new elements in the second game. Ultimately, starting with Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice will enhance your connection to the story and characters, making the sequel’s journey even more impactful and immersive.
And here’s the good news: both Hellblade games are available on Games Pass (for consoles and PC), and both happen to be on sale right now (for a limited time) in the CDKeys store.
Is Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II on Game Pass?
Yes, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is available on Xbox Game Pass from its release date on May 21, 2024. And the original game in the series, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, is also on Game Pass! This means subscribers can play it on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and via Xbox Cloud Gaming at no additional cost beyond their subscription fee. Find the membership level that’s right for you over at CDKeys.
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Hellblade II System Requirements – PC
Like Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua’s Saga will push the limits of your PC hardware. And it’s well worth it if your rig can handle it. More detailed specs are noted in the image above, and here are the “recommended” requirements for your PC:
- OS: Windows 10/11
- Graphics Preset: High @ 1440P
- Processor: Intel Core i7-10700K, AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3080, AMD RX 6800 XT, Intel ARC A770
- VRAM: 8GB
- System RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 70GB SSD
Why is Hellblade II so graphically demanding; or in other words– “why does it look so darn good?” Well, Hellblade II utilizes Unreal Engine 5, and features “Nanite”, a virtualized geometry technology that allows for the integration of highly detailed, film-quality assets without compromising performance. This results in environments rich with intricate details and lifelike textures. Additionally, Lumen, a dynamic global illumination system, ensures realistic lighting and reflections, adapting in real-time to environmental changes and enhancing the overall atmosphere. These advanced graphical capabilities make Hellblade II visually spectacular, and push the boundaries of what is possible in real-time rendering.
Is Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Multiplayer?
Hellblade II is strictly a single-player experience that is short but sweet by design. The game is made for players who value thought-provoking, immersive experiences. Players who like games with a defined “end”.
As Ninja Theory studio head Dom Matthews explains: “I think particularly with Hellblade we love and I love that magic that you can achieve by creating something that makes people think and feel.” He continues:
I think there’s a lot of pressure on people’s time these days and I think our fans, from what we hear from them, they enjoy a shorter game where our intention is that every step of that journey is meaningful… There’s an audience of people that want games that are focused.
Is Senua’s Saga Hellblade II Coming to PS5?
Unfortunately no. Hellblade 2 is not available on PS5. And it will not likely arrive on a Sony console (or a Nintendo one either) any time soon (or probably ever).
The first game in the series, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, was, however, released for PS4 (and Nintendo Switch); but since 2017 Microsoft has acquired Ninja Theory, the studio behind the games, and has made them exclusive to the “Green Team” as a result.
Is Hellblade II Open world? What’s the Gameplay Like?
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is not an open-world game. Like its predecessor, it maintains a linear structure with a strong focus on narrative and cinematic immersion. The game is set in 9th-century Iceland. And while it may have more expansive environments compared to the original, the gameplay remains centered around a guided, story-driven experience rather than the open-world exploration found in some other titles
In Hellblade II, the gameplay emphasizes a third-person action-adventure experience with story and character development at the forefront. Players navigate through a meticulously crafted world set in 9th-century Iceland, encountering intense melee combat scenarios, and challenging, story-informed puzzles.
Check out this list of the best new games in May for more ideas of what to play. Or this list of our 24 Most Anticipated games of 2024.
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