Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was a launch that brought in players from different walks of life. There were those who were simply looking for the next best single-player action-adventure with compelling themes. And then, there were those who found the storytelling and atmosphere dark and larger than life. Hellblade 2 is slowly becoming a household name for Xbox fans as they speak about their favorite single-player experiences.
In retrospect, Hellblade 2 has been in development for a while and there are many new things to expect from the sequel. Based on the insights from Tameem Antoniades, Ninja Theory’s co-founder, several notions for the sequel experiment with unique gameplay design. Something that we haven’t seen before.
Hellblade 2 Will Challenge the Extent of Its Reality
In an interview with NME, Temeen Antoniades sheds light on how the game’s development is pushing the studio’s limits.
Apparently, the team has crafted a sequel into something that will make the previous game feel like a much smaller title:
The goal with Hellblade 2 isn’t to perfect it, but to create an experience that feels more believable and more refined. Its ambition in terms of scale is bigger. I think Hellblade 2 will make Hellblade look like an indie game
Temeen further commented on how the game’s realism will encompass not just the player’s virtual surroundings, but all deeper concepts like religion and philosophy that play into the game’s narrative as it progresses.
The game’s development also included a tour of over 40 locations in Iceland that made their way into Hellblade 2’s geography.
What Can Players Expect From Hellblade 2’s Story?
This time around, players can expect better combat mechanics that feel realistic and adapt to the situation. Likewise, enemy AI too will respond carefully, making the gameplay feel more versatile and nuanced.
On the story front, players will now continue with Senua in a new light, who is prepared to face new kinds of demons this time. There’s a focus on Viking marauders and a fresh perspective on the game’s focus on mental health.
Given the circumstances of the first game, Senua is now more actualized in the context of her inner voices, and the game’s shift towards a different psychological state is something that will further solidify itself as the story progresses.
Coming back to the realism of it all, Unreal Engine 5’s potential will be further utilized by Ninja Theory, bringing to attention the finer details that are much expected by current-gen games. PC and Xbox players are in luck with this aspect, as PlayStation 5 fans will have to skip Hellblade 2 altogether.
What are your thoughts on Hellblade 2 so far? Let us know in the comments below.
