The highly anticipated Senua’s Saga | Hellblade II, developed by the British studio Ninja Theory, has garnered its initial ratings from various gaming sites. The review embargo lifted concurrently with the global launch of the narrative adventure game. As of this news article’s publication, the game has scored 81 and 84 out of a possible 100 on the review aggregators Metacritic and OpenCritic, respectively.
Reviews of Senua’s Saga | Hellblade II are mixed, with various elements receiving both praise and criticism. The overall impression of the game seems to be highly subjective, greatly influenced by individual preferences and perceptual traits.
A Forbes reviewer complained that sometimes the game looks like a walking simulator, offering nothing but walking through beautiful locations.
Those who favor the game describe it as an intensely immersive audiovisual journey—a vast, dark, and emotionally challenging odyssey with flawless execution, numerous impactful scenes, and high artistic coherence.
Admirers highlight the exceptional sound design, the powerful performances of the actors, and the superior visual fidelity. Some reviewers have even declared Senua’s Saga | Hellblade II as the most visually stunning game of the current console generation, or certainly among the top contenders.
The first 20 minutes of the playthrough by IGN
Simultaneously, negative reviews often target the gameplay and the overall framing of Hellblade II as a “traditional game.” Critics have pointed out that several gameplay elements are notably simplistic – the combat is straightforward, the puzzles lack depth, and level exploration doesn’t offer complex mechanical interactions or non-linearity.
The narrative aspect also sharply divides opinions. While some find the storyline of Hellblade II gripping and rich in emotional depth, others frequently describe the narrative as “patchy,” suggesting that significant segments seem to have been excised from the script abruptly.
A common thread in the reviews of Senua’s Saga | Hellblade II is this | despite its polished appearance, the project should not be viewed as a conventional blockbuster. Ninja Theory has crafted a standalone piece that is likely to draw strong reactions, both positive and profoundly negative.
Checkpoint Gaming – 10/10
“Senua’s Saga | Hellblade II was worth the wait, and I can confidently say that this project is a clear contender for the title of the best game of the year. Senua’s new story offers perhaps the most entertaining interactive exploration of mental health issues, accompanied by powerful visuals, poignant metaphors, and sound work that literally immerses you in every scene. The developers were able to bring to life the most photorealistic game in my memory, taking you with them on a beautiful and sometimes creepy journey through the lands of the Vikings. Through dust and dirt, flesh and bones, the authors from Ninja Theory do not hide anything from you, exposing the whole essence of their work. It’s a masterpiece, a benchmark, a magnum opus, Hellblade II is a narrative triumph that is literally impossible to forget quickly.”
Eurogamer – 5/5
“Hellblade II continues the story of Senua with all the grace, confidence, unexpected brutality and sheer unceremoniousness it needs.”
Game Informer – 9/10
“Senua’s Saga | Hellblade II ends on a very strong note. Previously, I was skeptical about whether it was worth taking on the continuation of the story of Senua at all. But after completing the playthrough, I remained in positive feelings, witnessing how the heroine conquered new monsters – literally and figuratively.”
IGN – 8/10
“Senua’s Saga | Hellblade II is a direct attack by the Vikings on your senses and emotions, which confidently matches the level of the first game, even if it doesn’t offer anything completely new.”
CGMagazine – 7/10
“Senua’s Saga | Hellblade II gets off to a very strong start, but after a certain point, the plot starts to rush headlong towards a climax, which makes the ending feel crumpled and somewhat unfinished.”
GameSpot – 6/10
“Hellblade II is probably the most visually impressive game available on Xbox consoles today. However, relying on external presentation, rather than gameplay or script work, significantly spoils the final impression.”
Metro GameCentral – 5/10
“A faded and viscous swamp, barely consisting of interactive elements, and even with not the most subtle discussion about mental health. What’s even more amazing is that this same game has the most beautiful GUI of the current generation of console systems.”
Some bloggers released videos comparing graphics on Xbox and PC with different settings.
Senua’s Saga | Hellblade II is now available on Xbox Series X|S and PC. Subscribers to Game Pass can download the title without any additional charge.
