Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
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From the makers of Heavenly Sword, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, and DmC: Devil May Cry, comes a warrior’s brutal journey into myth and madness. Set in the Viking age, a broken Celtic warrior embarks on a haunting vision quest into Viking Hell to fight for the soul of her dead lover. Created in collaboration with neuroscientists and people who experience psychosis, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice will pull you deep into Senua’s mind.
Steam User 399
This is usually not the type of game I play. This is the most linear game I have ever played which usually is something I extremely dislike, but weirdly enough I really enjoyed this game.
In this game you can't jump, the only thing you can interact with is opening doors, climbing ladders, picking up a torch, listening to the stories from the rune stones. Literally can't do anything other than that. There are no items to collect, no nothing, just battles, jogging, and cut scenes. Everything I hate, all in one game. Yet I enjoyed this game.
I think it's the whole, sad, creepy, eerie, and dark ambient atmosphere, the music together with the norse theme, and the beautiful graphics. What impressed me the most was the unique binaural audio, the highlight of the whole game experience. The game being based on psychosis, all those whispering sounds gave me chills so many times. It felt like the voices were right behind me, whispering right next to my ears, it's hard to explain but it felt so real. It was a little annoying at first, I was wondering when it would stop, but it grew on me after a while. I can't imagine what it would be like for people who live with psychosis everyday. The voices were making fun of Senua, but also helping her during fights, then criticizing and belittling her, but also cheering for her. It sure was a roller coaster of feelings.
The illusions were so trippy, I had no idea what was going on but then I realized my eyes were being tricked. I liked the challenges, loved the fighting, even if I played on hard mode it was really easy to beat the game.
I wish there could be more to the game, the lack of interaction other than walking made the game feel empty. I hope the sequel will be greater. I wish you could skip the cut scenes. Many of them were really long especially if you want to re-play some chapters.
For 4 euro this sure was worth it.
Steam User 93
This is my first steam review, and it probably won't be read in the sea of other comments on this title, but I felt that despite years of gaming (okay, decades) I've never felt the urge to strongly recommend a purchase until now. Sure, there are things I would have preferred to be more complex, spoilt by the combat systems of Dark souls and the Witcher, but what's so special about this game is the storytelling and the creative courage Ninja Theory bring.
This isn't just a game. This is a sincere artwork, using game design, to tell the most compelling story about psychosis I've ever experienced. They did their homework, not just with the depiction of mental illness, but also on the wonderful Norse mythology, joyously wrestled from the bubblegum claws of Marvel studios and told with all its blood and guts and grim darkness.
Senua is easily the most human heroine I've seen in any game ever, and while there have been more 'strong' female characters, there's no heroism like the heroism of the truly broken and crippled. She has to fight her demons, and it's all the more meaningful because unlike fem-Shepard who eats Reapers for breakfast, you can see in the gorgeously motion captured performance of Senua's face, that she is truly terrified as she fights.
This game is short. This game probably has awful replay value. All the same, this game is a must play.
Steam User 221
At the heart of the narrative, we follow Senua, a celtic warrior grappling with psychosis, on an intense journey to rescue the soul of her loved one. Hellblade's standout feature lies in its commitment to authenticity in depicting mental health. Through immersive narrations and stunning visual hallucinations, players are plunged into the complexities of Senua's tumultuous mind, creating a genuinely unique and emotionally impactful experience.
The fusion of Norse mythology with Senua's personal struggles adds nuances to the narrative. The dark and atmospheric world, coupled with a striking soundtrack, amplifies the emotional impact, generating an immersive and memorable atmosphere.
Hellblade strikes a precise balance between intense combat sequences and challenging puzzles, each element skillfully intertwined in Senua's story. The result is gameplay that not only entertains but also deepens the player's emotional connection with the protagonist.
Visually, the game is a masterpiece, with meticulous attention to detail and a distinctive artistic style that elevates the overall narrative. Melina Juergens' performance as Senua is remarkable, adding a level of authenticity to the character that resonates profoundly with players.
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice transcends conventional gaming experiences, offering a profound and contemplative journey. Its seamless integration of narrative, gameplay, and a respectful exploration of mental health solidifies its status as a modern classic, leaving a lasting impact on those who venture into Senua's striking world.
Steam User 59
Set in the Viking Age and steeped in Norse/Celtic mythology, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is one of those games you just don't forget. It is a brutal journey deep into darkness - into the hellish underworld and into the most vulnerable parts of the mind. It is a masterpiece in terms of atmosphere. The music is out of this world, like a dark, epic fairy tale, it sends shivers down your spine - absolutely magnificent. Hellblade's representations of mental illness and dealing with a traumatic past are both beautiful and terrifying.
Senua's incredible determination to reunite with her soulmate and learn the truth is so tragic and devastating, so admirable and beautiful, that it brings tears to your eyes.
The combat style is very unique and a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. Some of the puzzles and pacing of the game can be a bit frustrating at times, but it all adds up to an extraordinary gaming experience.
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a hauntingly beautiful game that stays in your mind and in your heart. Fantastic job!
Steam User 81
astonishing story,great visuals
ANNOYING puzzles.
Steam User 52
This is a really hard game to review! I think I'm gonna have to split it into two parts.
Firstly, gameplay. It's kinda mediocre, in all fairness. There are a lot of environmental puzzles, which are mostly opening runedoors by finding the rune(s) in the environment and focusing on them. It's not hard, by any means, and more busywork thatn anything else. That said, some of them are hidden in clever places, like having to light a fire and finding the rune in the shadows cast and so on. It also forces you to explore the gorgeous and well crafted levels, so not all bad.
There are other puzzles, some boil down to run a bit, but the illusory trickster god levels are a standout, with you manipulating the environment through looking through a circle and seeing an obstacle disappear, and then walking through the circle to find out your viewpoint has altered the level geometry enabling traversal. It's a lot better then I made it sound and really cool. Some of the later game trial levels are similar in scope, with you have to navigate a level by following the sound of water, or the rumble of your pad. I don't want to spoil them, but some of them are amazing and show some really good and unique gameplay ideas.
The combat is just kinda there. The parrying feels good, and you can parry a lot of enemy moves, but the overall it's not anything great. Apparently you can string a bunch of attacks together and combo off of a lot of things, but it's not really very rewarding in any way, or even necessary when you can parry -> strong attack most enemies to death. The enemies themselves look amazing and are well-crafted utter norse horrors, but there's not much variation, and you'll fight the same enemies a lot. The graphics and sound are top-notch even now. Senua looks great, the mo-cap is excellent, and the levels and environments are incredible.
The plot, lore, voicework and journey are also nothing short of excellent, with Senua having very real and well-portrayed personal development over the course of the game. Game narrative usually leaves me cold, but when Senua screams in frustration and anger at the gods that have failed her, or fondly remembers the beautiful day she met her boyfriend, you absolutely feel it deep in your heart. I'm kinda running out of superlatives here, but it's amazing all the way through.
That's the game really, kinda medicore with some excellent standout gameplay parts which put a lot of more modern games to shame.
So why is it so great? Well Senua suffers from psychosis, and is reportedly an excellent (and respectful) portrayal. Headphones are kinda a must for this game, because all through the game, you will have different voices telling you things. Sometimes helpful, warning you of enemies behind or telling you when you're near the solution to a puzzle. Most of them time though, they laugh at your hopeless efforts in your hopeless quest, telling you you're a failure and that your quest is stupid and unachievable. Sometimes they blame you for the death of your boyfriend, family and tribe, sometimes they mock Senua's apparent abusive upbringing. Sometimes enemies do it too. I've never really experienced anything like it, and it is such a daring, determined and successful attempt at something most game devs would not have the balls to attempt that I'm in awe, frankly. It really works so well in the context of the game that it's nothing short of brilliant. There are other bits too, such as the face of Senua's mother hidden all around the game or a lot of the trials that are just amazing.
So yeah, in gameplay terms, Hellblade is kinda weak with some standout parts. As an overall package or experience or whatever, it's simply one of the best games ever made. And I don't think I can really praise it more than that. Play it.
Steam User 51
Got through the game over a year ago and the voices never left my head :D