Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

I hear voices in my head
They council me
They understand
They talk to me...
God of War felt like Disney after playing this.
The Hellblade series is a great example of what can happen when you give a female protagonist a personality instead of D cups.
This is not a game series, this is art! The most beautiful and terrifying games that l've ever played. The games just sucked me in its twisted and engaging story. Also, you get used to them (even if it probably isn't a good thing) but the voices were extra unsettling at the beginning. The fact you get used to them being part of the simulation of real psychosis. You just start trusting and taking them for granted.
This game and its predecessor are important. What Ninja theory did with these two games transcends gaming. As a person that has intimate knowledge of mental issues, not in hearing voices, but in other areas of self doubt, in losing someone close to depression and as a friend of a girl that had a dark voice following her on her right side since the age of five up until the present day, like a crying child portait by Giovanni Bragolin, this game is something special.
I can tell you that Ninja Theory has done something incredible with these games, they’re grotesque and beautiful, and most of all something real with real meaning behind it all. These are full fledged games, that they've made created because they want these to be experienced... It is a great feat. To take such a chance, and not just make damn good games and experiences, but give it such an important context...
This behavior needs rewarding, it needs to be spotlighted.
The sequel like the first one is not a gamer's game. It's a cinematic experience that overloads your audio and visual senses. If you don't particularly care for these kinds of experiences, Hellblade II will do nothing for you. If you play games specifically for the "gameplay", the Hellblade series would ultimately be a waste of time. They’re very much the "art house cinema" of video games. It requires a very specific set of tastes, specifically tastes of people who are sick of video games that are purely just about the gameplay. Sometimes it's nice to play a game where it just wants to tell a story. Having a break from collecting 100 annoying artifacts, unlocking map fast travels or having to hunt and forage materials so you can advance.
Sometimes simplicity in gameplay elements is a boon in disguise. It ensures the story and atmosphere have room to breath and take center stage. If anything else Hellblade 2 shows again people are having difficulty accepting what a "game" can be for an audience. It doesn't matter if its running time is long or short, if its open world or lineair, has replayability or not. It doesn't matter if this is a walking sim or a game filled to the brim with expected upgradable skill trees. Hellblade 2 doesn't need to be a game for everyone, but it can be a game for you. Those that liked or loved the first game know what they are in for.
Story-wise I think it’s important to adjust perspectives when trying this game. Comparing HB1 to 2 isn’t going to do either game justice. HellBlade II is focused around Senua beating back OTHER’S darkness for them, to reach them. She’s beaten back her own darkness, and now she uses that to help others. I think it’s a beautiful change in narrative direction. Another reason I love it and love Senua even more is the fact that she doesn’t have to. The first game is necessary, Senua HAS to get through this. MUST come to terms with things but cannot stop until she reaches her destination. In this new game Senua CHOOSES to help others even though it hurts her, even though she could choose not to. But she knows their pain and wants to help them end it. First game is about closure, second game is about purpose.
On a personal note these games also helped me with the suicide of my sister. I've used these games to explain to friends how it's like because they just don't get it. The way they handled such a delicate issue, and portrayed something that varies massively from person to person in such an encompassing way impressed me massively. When you really listen to what is being said it can be therapeutic.
That's what people don't get about this series. It's not a typical "gain xp, unlock this, explore this area, get new fighting mechanics" type game. It has those elements sure but ultimately it's an interactive experience that many people struggling with grief, depression, and anxiety can all relate to. It's more than a soulless product meant to get you hooked on battle passes and highscores or speed runs. It's not Dark Souls or Witcher or whatever people expect from this game.
It's strictly about emotional connection in a way that I think a lot of people can't appreciate or relate to or rather don't have the patience to. It's simply shameful that cinematic games are so absurdly criticised just because they're not littered with pointless collecting tasks, endless side quests, sprawling skill trees, thousands of combat combos and an empty open world, but instead deliberately focus on a linear narrative for once and therefore don't last 40h+.
Finally, HellBlade II is exactly what I wanted... which is more HellBlade. It's not for everyone but this one is definitely for me. Honestly one of the best games l've played in a long time. If you're a gamer that likes a story and decent puzzles, this is your game. If you get through it, you will never forget it, and you'll be glad that you did. And thank's again to Ninja Theory... Bravo. These are rare gems in gaming history, and even though they might be overlooked somewhat... I just had to tip my fedora to them. Truly something special. Special games, for special people, which are thinkers in their head and warriors in their heart.
Play it. Feel it.
100000/10

And how a game can show us that in the most lonely and difficult moment in life, there is always a way and always a light that can help us even in the worst times of life. ❤❤❤❤❤
It was one of the most beautiful and powerful story lines I have ever played
The sound of this game is one of the best,which makes the story of the game more beautiful
And compared to Hellblade 1, there were a lot of changes. The atmosphere of the game was completely similar to reality and I felt like I was watching a movie. And the graphics were great :))
I enjoyed it ツツツ

If you know what Hellblade is about, you know it’s not a typical action game – it’s a cinematic, psychological journey that prioritizes atmosphere and storytelling over complex gameplay. Maybe you’ll never play it, but I still have to share this – I’ve just finished Hellblade 2.
Pros: breathtaking audiovisuals – from incredibly detailed environments and cinematic camera work to top-tier sound design; probably the most beautiful game on Unreal Engine 5; immersive atmosphere; epic combat; a psychologically well-crafted story; engaging characters; full Czech subtitles; collectibles that expand the world and lore; replayability through alternative story perspectives; film-quality performances; authentic environments captured with photogrammetry; and binaural audio that makes you feel like you’re truly inside Senua’s head.
Cons: could have been a bit longer; very linear; the slower, atmosphere-driven pacing might not be for everyone.
Verdict: Hellblade 2 is an experience that comes around only once in a long while. Don’t expect it to play like other games – it’s its own thing, not made for the masses, and proudly walks its own path. For anyone who loves strong narratives and cinematic presentation, it’s an absolute must-play. For me personally, one of the games of the year.

This game leaves me conflicted, but a tentative rec is better than indifference.
On the one hand, it is visually phenomenal, this game eschews full motion video insets of the first one because the visuals are BETTER than real, and it does a lot pf things that would have been impossible or impractical to do via FMV.
On the other hand, it simplifies the gameplay something fierce. Less puzzle variety, simpler patternized one on one combat that has QTEs written all over it instead of crowds of enemies and a pretense at tactical combat from the first one.
On the third hand, Melina Jurgens once again delivers a phenomenally haunting performance as Senua struggles with communicating What She Sees and What She Thinks to people who do not see what she does -- and accidentalies herself into the role of a spiritual leader for a people without guidance.
On the fourth hand, the first game's strongest point was the uncertainty of how much of her journey was real and how much she hallucinated. Here, the delineation is much cleaner (or is it?), as the game explores the subject of mass hysteria as a crowd manipulation tool, giving maybe-intentional social commentary on Dark Age statecraft.
It's definitely thought provoking and unforgettable, but unlike the first one I don't see myself returning to it any time soon. It's a little sad, but maybe my opinion will change on my next replay of Sacrifice.

When you let story tellers work in peace...what a story you will get. Every thread. Every detail accounted for.
What a game. What a series.

More like a walking simulator with a few puzzles but a good walking sim with excellent visuals and audio. Rather short took just under 8 hours to do so I would get on sale

Visually stunning game with breathtaking landscapes and gorgeous character models. The story, while interesting, feels less impactful than in it's predecessor. The inclusion of multiple narrators is unique and adds depth to the narrative.
However, the gameplay quickly becomes repetitive, with little variation in locations and enemies.
While worth playing, not worth the full price.