«A new standard for Xbox Series X»: gameplay and impressions from Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2

Leading gaming media have released previews of Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, launching on May 21st. Journalists got their first hands-on experience with the psychological action game and recorded fresh gameplay clips.

Reviewers had the chance to evaluate the combat. The battle system has largely remained unchanged, yet it has been significantly refined. According to IGN, sword swings feel heavier, and the animations have become higher quality and more varied. The main inspiration for the developers turned out to be the Battle of the Bastards from «Game of Thrones».

In other respects, Hellblade 2 also mirrors the original game. Besides combat, players will explore the world around them, solve puzzles, and watch as Senua descends into madness. The journalists were most impressed by the sound with binaural effect, the detailed animations, and the «next-gen» visuals, which seem to set a new standard for Xbox games. To make the graphics as realistic as possible, the developers spent several weeks in Iceland, utilizing the latest photogrammetry methods, taking thousands of photos of rocks, and filming with drones. The Unreal Engine 5 with Nanite technology for creating believable geometry also played a part.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 will be released on PC and Xbox Series X/S. The game will be available through Game Pass.