Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is an experience like no other 

When the first Hellblade was released seven years ago it managed to surprise the world with its deep engaging story about a girl suffering from psychological problems and fighting both real and inner demons. The follow-up takes you back to a dark world where the voices in your head steer you in the right or wrong direction. And it is excellent.

Mental ghosts 

Senua’s saga takes place right after the first game, putting her on a boat to an Island in search of people to save and Northmen to kill in vengeance. As the first game had you encountering real enemies and enemies of the mind, Senua’s saga does the same, the difference now is that she and therefore the player can more easily distinguish what is real and what is in her head. 

The mental state of Senua may be better than last time, but her illness is still very much there and makes Senua’s saga a great experience in the mind game of someone sick trying to survive in a hostile world. 

Audiovisual experience with no peers

Senua’s Saga might be one of the best-looking games I have ever played. While the game is very linear and therefore can focus on a visually striking experience, it is still amazing. Everything from its beautiful environments to the charterer’s movements, and facial features, I’m constantly stunned by how it looks. 

The real stand-out feature is not its visual, but the game’s audio design. Hearing voices was a cool feature in the first game, here it has evolved into something even greater. The game should be played with headphones for the best experience and what an experience it is. When Senua hears voices it is not just voices in different directions in your headphones, but they feel like voices in your head, it is hard to explain and something you really must try and experience for yourself. 

Raw combat which feels real 

Combat was one of the things that stood out negatively with the first Hellblade, it just felt slow in a boring way. With Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, the combat is still slow but this time around it feels raw and real and is great. 

Every swing you make feels heavy like Senua is giving it her all, which she is. Every swing in the game feels hard but necessary to make for Senua and by extension you as a player. The combat might not be for everyone, there is only a light and heavy attack combined with dodge and parry, kind of like in real life, which fits the game’s story and overall feeling perfectly. 

Conclusion 

Senua’s saga: Hellblade 2 is an experience like no other. If you have seen the movie “The Northman”, this is the gaming equivalent. But if you come looking for a big and open third-person action game, you are in the wrong place. This is a linear experience with some combat and a few puzzles, but a great story, great visuals, and amazing audio design. Everything works very well together to give the players an experience like no other that sticks with you long after the credits have rolled.