Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2’s new “Enhanced” version just launched on more platforms — that includes PS5, believe it or not

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As a tech enthusiast, I can’t help but share my excitement about the latest development! Microsoft is expanding its horizons, bringing some of their top-tier Xbox games to the PlayStation 5. That’s right, from the groovy rhythm of Hi-Fi Rush and the intriguing tale told in Pentiment, to the high-octane thrill of Forza Horizon 5 – they’re all now available on Sony’s flagship console! And guess what? Another big exclusive has made its way to the rival platform. It’s truly a game-changing moment for cross-platform gaming!

The title in discussion is Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, which is the dramatic sequel to Ninja Theory’s highly praised 2017 action-adventure game, Hellblade. It was one of the top Xbox games last year and a significant launch for Microsoft’s renowned Xbox Game Pass service on both Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC.

The game debuted on PlayStation 5 early Tuesday, featuring an “Enhanced” edition that retains its original price of $49.99. Players who already own the sequel on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, or Steam can upgrade to this version for free. This enhanced version was initially announced in May and is now available.

It’s noteworthy that a $29.99 version of the original Hellblade, boosted for PS5, has been released concurrently. This updated edition offers enhanced visuals, along with innovative features like ray tracing, smooth gameplay up to 120 FPS, and haptic feedback. If you’re a PlayStation user who hasn’t experienced the first game yet, I strongly suggest giving this remastered version a try before diving into Hellblade 2.

Although the term “Enhanced” may give the impression that Hellblade 2’s latest version is a remake, it is actually more about enhancing the game with better performance choices and added features, rather than a full-scale remaster.

One significant enhancement introduced is a 60 FPS Performance Mode available on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PS5 Pro. However, this option is missing on the less expensive Xbox Series S. Furthermore, there’s a new “Very High” graphics setting on the Xbox version for PC and Steam, making it simpler to achieve top-tier visuals on powerful gaming systems.

From a gameplay perspective, there’s an additional difficulty mode called Dark Rot, which mirrors the corrosive influence that afflicts protagonist Senua throughout her journey. This mode intensifies combat and becomes increasingly challenging every time you die. If you enjoy a tougher challenge, this mode is definitely worth exploring.

To conclude, the sophisticated Photo Mode in Hellblade 2 now offers extra functionalities for individuals aiming to immortalize Senua’s emotional voyage through their lens, coupled with a Developer Commentary feature where Ninja Theory team members share insights into the creative decisions that shaped each aspect of the gameplay experience.

The upcoming release of Hellblade 2 on PS5 is not unexpected, given the recent prosperity of Microsoft’s games on Sony’s console. Last year, Sea of Thieves and Grounded were exceptionally popular on the platform, even climbing to the top spots on the PlayStation Store for a while, showing that Xbox games have found significant success on PlayStation.

This year (thus far), Forza Horizon 5 has been the top-selling game for PlayStation 5. With its beloved open-world arcade racing style, it sold twice as many copies as Death Stranding 2 within the same timeframe. Even Astro Bot, the 2024 Game of the Year winner for PS5, couldn’t match Forza Horizon 5’s sales in the same period.

Indeed, it’s worth noting that the top-performing Xbox games on PS5 have predominantly been community-focused multiplayer titles. However, PlayStation is renowned for its immersive, narrative-driven adventure games. Given this, Hellblade 2 appears to be an ideal match for the platform, and I anticipate it will achieve strong sales on Sony’s competitor system as well.

Significantly, the game’s PlayStation debut is set to occur approximately a few weeks before the highly anticipated PS5 and PC shooter Helldivers 2 is slated for release on Xbox. The announcement in July of the Xbox version has been perceived as an indication that Sony may be venturing into the multiplatform-friendly approach Microsoft has embraced, with Arrowhead hinting at a potential collaboration between Helldivers 2 and Halo 3: ODST.

Experiencing Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 firsthand, it’s clear that this masterpiece by Ninja Theory has been lauded as a triumph for Xbox. Metacritic bestowed upon it an impressive “Generally Favorable” score of 81. In his evaluation for Windows Central, my esteemed colleague Zachary Boddy declared it a work of “artistry across all dimensions,” even granting it 4.5 out of 5 stars. Currently, you can grab the Xbox and PC versions for an astounding $33.69 at CDKeys – a substantial savings off its regular price of $49.99.

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2025-08-17 14:40