Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced Edition PS5 Review – The Pursuit of Peace

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Let me put it straightforwardly. The game “Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2” is no joke. It might not be as tough as games like “Wuchang: Fallen Feathers,” but its story set in Norse mythology will lead you to some emotionally intense territories that you may find challenging to navigate.

As a devoted admirer, I eagerly anticipate the sequel to 2017’s “Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.” Although it might not introduce groundbreaking changes to the gameplay mechanics established in the franchise’s inaugural release, it more than compensates by immersing players further into Senua’s harrowing journey. This captivating narrative serves as a compelling continuation of her epic saga, offering a satisfying resolution to her tale that justifies all the hardships and anguish she endured along the way.

Additionally, the new Performance Mode ensured a consistently smooth 60fps experience throughout the entire journey without any hiccups, freezes, or skipped frames.

The coastlines of Iceland provide an ideal backdrop for the cinematic masterpiece created by Ninja Theory, a work born out of passion. Meanwhile, the latest Performance Mode on PS5 significantly enhances how players can appreciate its breathtaking scenes. However, I strongly feel that Senua’s Saga could have found a better equilibrium between these spectacular set pieces and a more captivating gameplay mechanism to bring out its full potential.

Of course, you might be pondering whether the updated Enhanced Version is worth spending your valuable time and resources on. Let’s explore together.

From the outset of Senua’s newest journey, the game’s stunning new environment rivals the visual grandeur I’ve encountered solely in the sequel to Death Stranding. The intricate details abound within the framed depiction of Senua’s quest for redemption following her acknowledgement of her precarious mental condition in the previous game.

The territories she investigates abound with signs of a struggle that has inflicted immense damage on both the environment and its inhabitants. The deceased are omnipresent, providing a stark contrast between the haunting beauty of these islands and the reality that there remain elements within them that persistently bring about ominous, harmful outcomes as a result of their actions.

In simpler terms, Senua’s mental illness often adds more complexity to the game’s contrast, making it hard to predict her actions. During one instance, I paused to appreciate a stunning view, but Senua’s inner turmoil swiftly took over, causing the scenery around me to become almost unbearably dark.

In that instance, as well as every other throughout the game, felt incredibly authentic due to exceptionally crafted character models that convincingly portrayed the characters’ emotions such as desperation, fear, and even terror based on the specific scenario. Each emotion was palpable through the tiredness in their eyes or the lines on their foreheads. This high level of realism left me captivated, a feeling intensified by it being my inaugural playthrough since the game’s debut.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the Performance Mode in the latest version ran flawlessly at 60fps throughout the journey without any hiccups, glitches, or skipped frames. In terms of graphics, Hellblade II sets a high standard, and I fervently wish that more developers strive to create experiences as captivating as this one does.

It’s likely that many people will be eager to try out the new Photo Mode, given the stunning visuals available when exploring Iceland’s barren coastlines.

“Credit must also be given to Steven Hartley for his sinister portrayal of The Shadow.”

Enhancing the game’s exceptional visuals, the audio design and voice acting were equally impressive, making them standout features of the overall experience. In fact, I would venture to say that the voice acting in this game is among the best I’ve encountered in a video game since my time with Baldur’s Gate 3.

I must say, Melina Jürgens’ portrayal of Senua resonates deeply with me as a fan. She brilliantly captures Senua’s fears and insecurities, yet her determination shines through powerfully. In scenes of sheer terror, her anxious breaths, chilling screams, and labored breathing make the tension so intense it feels like I could almost reach out and feel it myself.

Abby Greenland and Helen Golan are equally exceptional, stepping back into their roles as the Furies and truly shining. They effortlessly transition between suspicion, scorn, disdain, curiosity, cautious hope, and sheer terror, all while showcasing Senua’s inner turmoil. Their portrayal of the Furies serves as a mirroring of Senua’s self-doubt, significantly enhancing the overall experience.

Steven Hartley’s portrayal of The Shadow was notably menacing and ominous. His harsh criticisms of her, highlighting her shortcomings, served as a sobering reminder that acknowledging one’s flaws may not be enough for him to truly heal from the harm he caused her.

Credit should also go to Steven Hartley for his chilling portrayal of The Shadow, which was marked by a sense of foreboding and menace. His biting criticisms of her, pointing out her shortcomings, served as a humbling reminder that overcoming her flaws might not be enough for him to fully heal from the emotional damage he had inflicted upon her.

Playing the game on a home theater provided an immersive experience, but using Ninja Theory’s recommended headphones significantly enhances this adventure. I managed to create a strong audio connection via some wireless earbuds connected to my television, and the improvement was noticeable.

In this game, nearly every second character trades the resources they’ve been provided, which gives each non-player character (NPC) that Senua encounters during her voyage a unique and distinct character trait.

Indeed, what a captivating adventure! For those well-versed in the game’s narrative, it’s clear that this story presents a compelling exploration of how past traumas can lead individuals down two distinct paths: either propelling them towards personal growth or plunging them deeper into their perceived despair.

If you’re new to playing Senua on PS5, be prepared for an extraordinary journey unlike any other game. Kudos to Ninja Theory for their delicate yet daring portrayal of Senua’s hallucinations and psychosis. Throughout the story, there were moments that left me pausing my gameplay, deeply contemplating the profound and intricate themes this narrative masterfully explores.

The individuals Senua interacts with, along with certain adversaries she overcomes, have stories steeped in moving pasts. Their behaviors are reactions to circumstances that left them bereft of hope and seemingly unable to prevent themselves from treading on dark and ominous paths.

“The game’s combat is so absurdly easy that it almost negates the newly introduced Dark Rot Mode.”

In Hellblade II, the game’s Nordic influences offer an ideal foundation for its storyline, enabling Ninja Theory to portray Senua’s internal struggles as a means for players to experience her personal torment throughout her journey to finally put an end to the Northmen’s oppression once and for all. This way, we, as gamers, become immersed in her emotional journey.

In the tale presented within Senua’s Saga, the storyline harmonizes beautifully with its impressive visuals and top-notch acting ensemble, making it one of the game’s key strengths. Yet, delving into the experience requires confronting the game’s most conspicuous flaws.

What I’d like to point out about this experience is a part that I find myself reluctant to describe as underwhelming. The primary gameplay mechanic, unfortunately, falls short when it comes to delivering an engaging and thrilling experience compared to other options available.

During your playthrough, you’ll often find yourself leading Senua from place to place, tackling relatively straightforward puzzles that serve as hurdles on her journey. These puzzles aren’t particularly challenging; instead, they usually involve cleverly employing the recurring Focus mechanic or lighting torches to banish bothersome shadows obscuring her path.

When Senua finds herself surrounded by foes eager to cut her journey short, she merely needs to evade their assaults, searching for the perfect instant to counterattack and knock them off-guard. Later, by employing Focus, she can temporarily pause the action, allowing her to deliver a rapid series of blows before finally delivering the decisive blow.

It’s perplexing that despite Ninja Theory’s goal to integrate combat smoothly into the gameplay, the action in this action-adventure title lacks depth. The enemies and their attacks seem repetitive, with minor differences in animations necessitating fine-tuning of your parry timing to gain an advantage.

In simpler terms, during my gameplay, I encountered a remarkable monster that used fire and caught me off guard with a swift move I couldn’t dodge in time. This left me disadvantaged for the rest of the battle as my reactions weren’t quick enough to keep up with the fast-paced action. However, on my next try against this same enemy, Senua effortlessly deflected its attacks and struck it down with a casual, almost dismissive blow.

The ease of the game’s combat makes the Dark Rot Mode, a returning feature from the first game, less impactful. For those unfamiliar, think of it as a difficulty mode similar to New Game Plus, where Senua is affected by Hel’s darkness. This curse intensifies after each battle loss, potentially erasing all progress and requiring players to start their journey again from the beginning if they die too much.

“There’s a lot to love in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II Enhanced Edition.”

The mechanic, being inherently challenging due to its frequent death occurrences, primarily functions as a reminder to exercise extra caution during fights and perfect your parry timing. Unfortunately, Ninja Theory could have improved the experience by refining evade and parry opportunities, thereby enhancing the significance of dying with Dark Rot Mode engaged, thus making each demise more impactful. However, the current state remains as it is.

In simpler terms, the game design could’ve been significantly improved by incorporating intricate puzzles and tougher battle sequences. These elements were noticeably absent in what was otherwise an exceptional gaming experience.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

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2025-08-08 21:17