From the outset, a hardware limitation that theoretically should have increased player enjoyment has instead made things extremely challenging for developers, especially in the case of Hellblade 2. The Xbox Series S is making Microsoft have to cut corners. Many studios have complained about how the hardware limitations of the Series S have made games harder to launch.
PS5 users are very happy with their console. With the latest exclusive, Stellar Blade, reaching 60 FPS, players can choose several video configurations. This is another nail in the Xbox coffin, especially with the reveal that Hellblade 2 will be locked at 30 FPS.
Xbox Upsets Yet Again, with Hellblade 2 Only Reaching 30 FPS
Microsoft’s strategy with the acquisition of many studios has not yet yielded earnings; exclusive titles like Starfield have not sold well at all; and the Xbox exclusive crisis keeps going strong. Phil Spencer could change the angle to make the brand more profitable; one possibility is launching exclusive games on other platforms, such as the PS5 and Nintendo Switch. However, at the moment, this has only happened in a few games.
The latest bad news for Xbox fans is that Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 will not have a physical release. This could mean that the sales projections are not good at all. This was not the only bad news regarding this title; the Ninja Theory game will only run at 30 FPS on both Series S and X. The Microsoft gaming platform, aside from Game Pass, has not been lucky with sales or decision-making for exclusive games.
On the other side of this war, PlayStation will receive another exclusive title that will probably be a success: Stellar Blade. This Shift-UP Corporation title has already confirmed that it will have two graphic modes. This title will have a performance mode that will run at 60 fps with 1440p and a quality mode that will have upscaling up to 4K working at 50 and 60 fps. Another exclusive title, another win for Sony.
Will Hellblade 2 Be Another Failure for Microsoft?
Ninja Theory announced their new game nearly five years ago. The first title in this saga made an amazing impression in the gaming industry, so much so that Microsoft acquired the studio and confirmed that the sequel would be an exclusive title. Ninja Theory was an independent studio that took advantage of the technology that the Unreal Engine could offer, making one of the most immersive titles ever while also getting deep into a very sensible subject, mental illness.
On the other hand, Sony will have a low exclusive AAA budget year; the Japanese company confirmed this a couple of months ago, and as a result, the stocks went down hard. But it is not all that bad; PS5 fans can rely on more low-profile projects that are still exclusive titles, like Rise of the Ronin and the upcoming Stellar Blade that will be available at the end of this month. The year is far from over, so there could be more surprises.
What are your thoughts on Hellblade 2 only running at 30 FPS? Let us know in the comments!
