When Hellblade 2 launched on the Xbox last year, I took off work and finished Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga in one day. Before I begin, Hellblade 1 is in my top 10 gaming experiences of all time. So I love these games dearly. Also. important to remember this game is more of a piece of art. When I call it an “experience.” It’s just that, an experience. This isn’t really a game you’re gonna come home and chill out to play over and over.

Before we begin, I am going to gatekeep this game by saying: If you don’t play with headphones, then do not play this game. You are doing a disservice to the game. The 3d Audio is a core part of this game, and without it, you are depriving the game of a fair shot.

Hellblade, What’s a Saga?

Hellblade 2 Senua’s Saga is a direct sequel to Hellblade, warts and all. It still contains amazing writing, amazing animation, combat, music etc. But it contains some of the worst pacing and most monotonous gameplay I’ve experienced from a game. Just whenever you think the pacing picks up, the game will literally halt your progress and go :” NOPE! Now go stare at some rocks til they line up correctly so you can open a door.” Yes I understand the significance of the puzzles, but they’re horribly unfun. There are way too many of them, too. I genuinely have a hard time putting into words just how much I love this game outside of those sections. That’s how much they detract from the experience. This is an incredible experience. Note the “experience.” Hellblade 2 is a wondrous experience, but I’d be hard-pressed to say it’s an amazing game. For $50, you get one of the most unique pieces of interactive media that exists. It lasts you about 5-8 hours, but it doesn’t give you much of a reason to return.

It’s unfortunate that this game suffers from literal same exact criticism of the first game. There are moments of the game that are insane, awesome set pieces, but they’re few and far between. I want more!

The best change the sequel brings is Senua actually interacting with friendly characters. It really helps to bring some peace of mind to certain gameplay sections or at least create the atmosphere that you are not entirely alone. The combat is much improved and Senua interacting with the people she meets adds so much to the game. Knowing Senua is able to make friends really warms the heart-it provides a much needed breath of fresh air during the game.

Hellblade 2 Senua's Saga Screenshot — Uh oh, foggy ghost man

Combat-wise, the game is much improved from the first. It’s much smoother, more responsive, and tougher. In Hellblade 1, combat felt more like a minigame than an actual system. Thankfully, Hellblade 2 puts a bigger focus on the combat. You have standard attack, heavy attack, dodge, parry, and block. While combat is still fairly basic, the experience is really elevated by the production surrounding the fighting. The voices are yelling at you, the rain in Unreal Engine 5 is dripping off you, and more people yell in the background. It’s a rich experience. Finally, the finishing moves are just brutal-the facial expressions of both Senua and the enemies are gruesomely realistic and show off what the tech is capable of.

It’s just unfortunate that there isn’t more of it, nor that it never expands. I won’t spoil the experience, but the best moment in the gameplay is a massive setpiece against and giant. It’s powerful, shocking, and memorable-Hellblade needs more of that.

Factually The Best Looking Game

Now this? This is graphics. These are graphics. Go look outside. Your real-life graphics suck compared to this.

This is an incredible experience, and *factually* the best-looking game that exists right. If you, for some reason, look at this and think:” yeah, these graphics are just okay.” Hop into photomode. It is INSANE the level of detail in this game. Also, shoutout to those levels that are in the sun. Honestly, the graphics are so good I have a hard time writing about them.

Pause the game at any moment, and you will see the looks of effort and anguish that are the result of whatever Senua is experiencing. Pause during combat, and you’ll see scarily realistic facial expressions, skin stretching, and just general realism.

This Game Hears Better Than Your Ears

I’ll reiterate what I said in my intro: DO NOT PLAY THIS GAME IF YOU PLAN TO PLAY WITHOUT HEADPHONES. The different voices in Senua’s head are brought to life in such a horrifying, realistic, and rich way. The 3D audio elevates this audio experience to one that is not present in any other game. The audio design is a big part of Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga, and you should engage with it as much as you would with regular gameplay. The first few moments with the voices are jarring, but after a few minutes, you begin to recognize the different voices. Some are soothing and kind, while others are degrading and pessimistic. It’s an awesome subtle touch.

From Senua swimming past a pile of submerged bodies as she hears their dying screams to the seeds of doubt or encouragement planted in her head, the audio design is the best in the industry.

See You in 7 Years

Look, I know you’re probably thinking:”wow, this guy hates this game, or this sounds like a 5.5/10, and yeah, get you. But sucks for you that my score is 8/10. But seriously, next time- a little less talk and a lot more action. Hellblade 2 is a game I WANT to give a 10/10 to. It’s an incredibly unique experience that is such a leap forward for storytelling in the medium of video games. However, there needs to be an intersection somewhere that maximizes the experience with entertaining gameplay. Unfortunately, gameplay feels like an afterthought in much of Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga.

I love these games like an illegitimate child, but I need more gameplay for the 3rd iteration or for it at least to come out sooner.