Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

I just finished Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II in one playthrough because I couldn’t put it down.
Honestly, I really enjoyed it.
The graphics, acting, and combat were all excellent.
The storyline was decent, not overly complex, but the combination of these elements created an incredibly immersive atmosphere.
I’ve never played anything quite like it, except for the first game, of course.
The photorealistic environments and graphics are absolutely stunning, truly bringing the world of Senua to life.
The attention to detail in every scene is remarkable, making exploration a visually captivating experience.
The face animations are some of the best I've ever seen in a video game, capturing the subtle nuances of emotion and adding depth to the characters.
The combat is fluid and engaging, with a perfect balance of challenge and satisfaction.
Each battle feels intense and rewarding, thanks to the precise controls and well-designed mechanics.
The voice acting is top-notch, adding to the overall immersion and bringing the story to life in a powerful way.
Even though the game is quite short, taking me only 5.5 hours to complete, and the storyline couldn't quite keep up with the first game, I still think it’s a worthy and outstanding successor.
I can confidently say that this is among my favorite games of all time.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is a masterpiece that excels in every aspect, setting a new standard for what a video game can achieve.
If you loved the first game, this sequel will undoubtedly impress you even more.

From a technical showcase and story perspective, this is undoubtedly a well-crafted game. It offers a visually stunning experience in every aspect, from realistic lighting and intricate textures to detailed character expressions. Although the running speed is still slow, this allows you to leisurely take in the beauty of the surroundings and be amazed every time you enter a new location.
However, despite all these technical achievements, the game's inherent fun seems to have been sacrificed. The frequent cutscenes and limited interactions make this game feel even less like a game than its predecessor did.
In the end, Hellblade 2 doesn’t seem to be a game for everyone. While it boasts highly impressive aesthetics and technical marvels, it might have been better suited as an interactive movie. As someone once said, it's more akin to an atmospheric walking simulator. If that sounds intriguing to you, then it truly is. If it sounds boring, then it really is.
인상적인 그래픽과 기술적인 놀라움을 가진 워킹시뮬레이터입니다.
흥미롭게 느껴진다면 정말로 그렇고,
지루할 것 같다면 그 또한 정말 그렇습니다.

Favorite of 2024! Waited a long time for the release, and now It's finally here… The atmosphere, the story telling, the graphics… everything is perfect, I hope they will make more games like this in the future.
9/10 (Game has Minor bugs)

I don't quite know how to explain this game. I can't say I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I suffer from PTSD and this game, along with the first one, portrays flashbacks incredibly well. It is a beautiful game, 100%. The detail in almost every aspect is amazing. Some parts of the game I just sat and stared at for a while because it was so beautiful.

But this game is a tiny glimpse into the world that is psychosis. Voices in your head, self-doubt, irrationality, improperly perceived feelings of danger, snap reactions to nothing, flashbacks that can be utterly debilitating... this game portrays it incredibly well and I really felt everything Senua went through -when she's alone-. In games like this, it's not the combat or the puzzles, although they are quite entertaining in this. It portrays what goes through the minds of traumatized individuals when they don't have something else to focus all that high-strung survival energy on.

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

Beautiful game, I didn't care about the limited gameplay because every scene had me staring with my jaw wide open. The game immerses you in a way very few do, just like the first one, it's really something special. 10/10 would play again.

"What happens when you stare at the void and human eyes stare back"
"Every monster was once a man"
It would not be fair to compare this sequel and it's predecessor, Senua's sacrifice hooked us with such a heartbreaking and dark storyline, carrying her dead lovers head on her waist and travelling to hell to bring him back.
It was so deeply heartfelt, petrifying and heartbreaking.
The sequel, storyline wise could never match that and it didn't try to, they didn't aim for the story to hit higher than the previous.
They continued it.
While keeping the same themes, grief, loss heartache and rage. They've shown us what happens after, what comes next is the promise Senua made.
Mental illness of any kind is usually portrayed heavy handedly as someone as victim or a villian, it's not often we see someone with such strength and resilience.
To see anyone so Ill, represented in this way is like a bringer of light in the darkness, not only does it make you feel like it's possible to be this strong, it makes you want to be.
When you boil them down the first game represented accepting loss however hard that may be and coming to terms with your own mental illness and the second is the hope and purpose that comes after, however faint that hope might be.
Audio comment
I can't overstate the power of the audio in this game, Senuas binaural inner voices kept me fully present all through the game, they make successful moments feel even grander with their comments and in unsettling areas they kept me in a constant state of anxiety.
"She's going the right way, no I don't like this something feels wrong here, she should turn back this looks bad, what's she doing? She doesn't know where to go!"
"OHMYGOD please shut up i'm trying to think!"
This added so much to the immersion of the game.
Should you buy this?
The length of the game for me was under 8 hours, so if you equate time to worth then I guess this isn't for you.
I've seen this described as a walking simulator and I would have to agree... I don't think that's a bad thing (for me at least) but I can see why others wouldn't want that.
It is ultimately a continuation of a story, it's not going to have 20 hours of fetch quests or a skill tree but you should know that before you buy it.