Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Developed by Ninja Theory
Published by Ninja Theory
Initially Released August 8, 2017
Available on Playstation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Action/Adventure
Personal Playtime: 7 hours 45 minutes
Environments / Graphics – 9
It is appropriate to start with graphic fidelity when talking about Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. This game’s visual presentation is absolutely astounding, especially when you consider it was independently made by a small team at Ninja Theory. They were one of the studios that pioneered the idea of AAA indie games, a concept that has been carried on by developers like Remedy, Team Cherry, and Moon Studios. The in-game graphics are so good that the transitions from high-end cutscenes to actual gameplay are nearly imperceptible. The character models, particularly the faces, are certifiably stunning to look at, and there are moments that will leave you slack jawed in sheer awe. That said, the level design does leave something to be desired, though that may be due more to the limitations of the gameplay loop. More on that below.
Music / Sound – 10
Hellblade tells you at the start that this game is designed to be played with headphones, and they truly do mean what they say. This game’s audio design is unlike anything I have played before. Using headphones, the 3D Binaural Sound creates an atmosphere and ambience that will keep you glued to the experience. And you really do feel like you are inhabiting Senua as you make your way through the game. The voices and sounds that she hears come from all angles, creating an immersive world of grimdark madness. It is rightly considered to be among the gold standard for audio design in video games. David Garcia, audio director for the game, creates an entire world and mythos through your ears that you can instantly buy into.
Narrative / Performance – 8
The story behind Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is dark and tragic and foreboding. Senua must wrestle with her demons in both physical and psychological warfare in her quest to save her love. The non-linear revelations about her past inform your understanding of her journey as you progress. This can be jarring at times, but it always seems to fit within the themes the game is entrenched within. The performance of Melina Juergens as the titular Senua is fantastic. The tech behind the facial animations allows her to show you every aspect of Senua’s struggle, and she does not let the opportunity pass her by. The rest of the cast matches her investment, delivering eerie and committed performances. This is clearly the game’s biggest strength and could easily make the entire experience a worthwhile venture for those who crave immersive narrative experiences.
Gameplay / Mechanics – 6
The only place that I feel like this game’s limited budget begins to show through is in the gameplay. Most of what you are doing is walking through these impressive looking locations and taking in the visual and audio storytelling. For some, that can be an immediate dealbreaker. However, if you do not mind the gameplay taking a backseat to everything else that is happening in a game, then you can still find much to enjoy here. There is combat as well, but it is very narrow and restricted. Your attacks are limited to quick and heavy, and the camera automatically focuses on an enemy which creates tight one-on-one feeling encounters that can end up feeling all the same. There are some interesting things they sprinkle throughout to break things up, and those help to provide a bit more variance in the experience. There are also a lot of environmental puzzles. These were pretty interesting at first, but the repetition in their execution eventually began to show. The actual button-pressing gameplay of Hellblade is obviously not the focus of this game. And as such, it is clearly designed so that it can operate mostly to shine a light on all the other strengths this game possesses.
hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
- Graphics – 9
- Sound – 10
- Narrative – 8
- Gameplay – 6
Overall: 8
This game can be a bit polarizing amongst the gaming community. It is hard for someone to argue with the technical achievement on display, but there is a lot to be desired from the gameplay. Everything is done in service to the narrative and the story of Senua herself, so in a way, being a part of Senua could be considered part of the gameplay. If you can buy into that concept, you will still find an enjoyable experience. If you can’t buy into that concept, then you may not find as much enjoyment here as you would hope. The game is relatively short, around 7-8 hours or so, which makes it an easier pill to swallow if you don’t like it and leaves you wanting more if you do. The value is still there as well because it is a pretty cheap purchase, coming in at about $20. If you have Xbox Gamepass, it will be included in the available library, so it is worth the few days commitment to try it out for free. In that case, the visual and audio triumph will make it a rewarding experience if nothing else. This game is an assault on the senses and mind of the player, and I mean that in the best way possible. It is an experience that defines one of the many reasons I love games.
Game Overview
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.
