When Ninja Theory embarked on creating Hellblade 2, they knew they would have to outdo the predecessor by a wide margin. That’s a pretty lofty goal since the first game garnered high praise from the community for its story and setting.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was one of the best-selling games on Europe’s PlayStation Store in the month of its release. The game did a lot of things differently as compared to its contemporaries. That spirit of innovation helped it to stand out in the market.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice Broke the Mold in Many Ways
At launch, the game became a phenomenon for several reasons. The game’s Norse mythology setting intrigued many players. There hadn’t been a lot of titles exploring this mythology by then, given that God of War came out the next year. So it was a fresh experience for many players who wanted to explore a new mythos.
The dark and oppressive atmosphere perfectly reflected the difficult themes the game challenged. One could almost feel Senua’s despair and confusion, and the voices in her head further added to the experience. But the game stood out for more than just what it offered players.
The title was among the first to be released via digital channels only. This was a big leap of faith from the studio, and Ninja Theory co-founder Tameem Antoniades expressed as much in a 2022 interview with NME.
I thought, let’s make something that looks AAA, but shorter, and we’ll sell it at half the price. And we’ll do it digital only. We had no data on digital at all, no one wanted to release on digital. So we had no idea whether it was feasible.
Not only did the studio want to adopt a new distribution method, but it also wanted to go against the AAA trend and offer a complete experience, just shorter in length and lighter on the pocket. These risks paid off, as Hellblade became a roaring success, setting the stage for Hellblade 2.
Hellblade 2 Will Follow in its Predecessor’s Footsteps
The sequel will also be a digital-only release for Xbox consoles and PCs on May 21. While there has been very little hype generated for Hellblade 2 by the studio, it is undoubtedly on many fans’ wish lists. The game is aiming to drastically change the perception of Senua’s character from the first game.
In Hellblade, Senua could be seen as a victim, shunned by society, and afflicted with mental illness. In Hellblade 2, Ninja Theory wants to show how she has the power to change the world. The trailer reflected this, with Senua chanting an invocation before a dramatic finish. It appears she is now leading a faction, so she will be taking on a role of authority.
The narrative for the sequel has not yet been shared, and we assume Ninja Theory will play things close to the chest until the game’s release. What we have seen so far has been very impressive, and we are looking forward to the game despite the 30 FPS lock on consoles.
Have you pre-ordered Hellblade 2? Let us know in the comments below.
