With Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 ready to hit the shelves next month, people are wondering how the game is going to pan out. One question most fans would be asking is if the game is going to be ported to other platforms.
Microsoft acquired Ninja Theory, the developer of the game, for a respectable $117 million. This had many Hellblade fans worried the sequel would be an Xbox exclusive, and that fear was not unwarranted. The first installment was available on multiple platforms, including VR, but it appears the sequel will not be as widely available.
There Are No Plans to Port Hellblade 2 to the Most Immersive Platform Available
As we creep closer to the release of the title, the developer is now more open to attending interviews to build excitement. Ninja Theory recently spoke with PCGamesN, where it was very explicit in its answer to a pertinent question: Will Hellblade 2 be available on VR?
We asked Ninja Theory about a possible Hellblade 2 VR port… the answer was very simple.https://t.co/DA4ioALUEm pic.twitter.com/eLhkUZAhAi
— PCGamesN (@PCGamesN) April 4, 2024
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was released in 2017, a time when VR technology was still very nascent. We had the PlayStation VR, Oculus, and a few others, but their capabilities were limited. The first Hellblade was available across platforms, even getting a Nintendo Switch release. A VR edition of the game was released on July 31, 2018 for the Oculus Rift.
VR games often start as traditional titles, which are then ported for the immersive experience, and Hellblade VR performed quite well. Currently, it has a 7.7 user rating on Metacritic. Given the advances VR technology has experienced over the years, fans were hopeful a Hellblade 2 port for the platform would be available, but that sadly is not the case.
Ninja Theory Shuts Down the Possibility of Hellblade 2 VR Port
When asked if a VR edition is in the works, Dom Matthews, Head at Ninja Theory, offered a very unambiguous “no.” Given the lack of hype around the game, it’s not surprising people don’t know the future of the title. Studios sometimes enlist third-party entities to work on ports for VR platforms, but the blunt response indicates no such plans are in discussion.
The VR port of the first game was handled by Ninja Theory itself, so it seems unlikely the studio would hand over its baby to someone else. The VR world has seen marked improvements over the years, but given the volatility of the current gaming industry, such a port may be an unrequired risk.
The original Hellblade told the touching and tragic tale of Senua, a shunned Pictish warrior, on a journey to Hel to fight for the soul of her lover. The game mechanics, such as voices in Senua’s head acting as warnings for incoming hits, the spectacular set pieces, and the well-paced narrative, helped the game amass a strong fan base.
However, the sequel does not seem to be getting the same amount of love. There has been barely any fanfare about the release, and we have hardly gotten to see any gameplay. We’re hoping that changes in the coming weeks.
Are you going to pick up Hellblade 2? Let us know in the comments!
