Hellblade 2: 5 Things Senua's Saga Does Better Than The First

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2

By Vlad Mazanko

Published May 25, 2024

Seven years after the original, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is finally out. Despite its short length, judging by positive reviews and high scores from both critics and players, the wait was worth it. Hellblade 2 might not end up as this year's best release, yet this long-awaited sequel already stands out as one of the most technically accomplished games out there, with unparalleled visual fidelity powered by Unreal Engine 5.

Given all the time that passed between Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice and the sequel, it's no wonder that Hellblade 2 is much more impressive in terms of production value. It features stellar graphics and sound quality, animations (including facial expressions), camera work, performances, and even staging in cutscenes and cinematics. But it's not just that. Ninja Theory also manages to surpass themselves in other key areas, such as characters, bosses, puzzle variety, and combat encounters.

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Hellblade 2 Is The Best Example of Unreal Engine 5 Yet

Hellblade 2 is a recently released game pass game, with stunning visuals. These visuals are so good in fact that they are setting a new benchmark for

5 Enhanced Puzzles

Hellblade 2 Offers More Variety For Environmental Puzzles

In the first game, puzzles involved Senua searching for visual runic symbols amid the environments to unlock secret passages. This reflected how her troubled mind operates on familiar patterns, and always looks for something only she can see. While these puzzles migrated to the sequel with little change, new types of mysteries were introduced. Among these are hiddenfolk tests, which require players to collect sacrificial balls for an altar while relying on mind-bending visuals and reality-changing mechanics.

With the addition of new kinds of puzzles, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 plays differently from the original, tossing in riddles to avoid feeling too repetitive. The hiddenfolk puzzles also show off some spectacular visuals, allowing players to create new passages or even turn the world upside down to reveal new paths. Don't be afraid, though: almost every puzzle in Hellblade 2 is fairly easy to solve independently. Even new players are unlikely to get stuck during these sections.

4 Plenty Of Intriguing Characters

Senua's Saga Introduces Many Fleshed-Out Characters To The Story

Senua's Saga's story is much more expansive than the original, and features several new characters who follow Senua on her quest. Some start as foes and evolve into close friends, while others must overcome their distrust to rely on Senua and her special gifts that allow her to take down giants. Every new face is strongly written and well-performed, with characters such as Thorgestr and Fargrimr standing out the most.

Hellblade 2 Spends Too Long Retreading Old Ground

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is a rather short sequel, and unfortunately, it spends a lot of its opening hour or two going back over old ground.

Despite not having much screen time, each new character has their role in the sequel's plot. This more traditional narrative, with plenty of dialogue interactions between various people, might have its fans and skeptics compared to the much more intimate plot of the original. However, it makes Hellblade 2 more grounded and cinematic, which works in tandem with the game's graphics and animations.

3 Cinematic Combat Encounters

The Combat Is Exciting To Look At

Hellblade 2's combat is somewhat simplified compared to the original. Senua has lost several moves, such as her punch, as well as the ability to standoff against multiple enemies at once. However, in every other aspect, the action in the sequel is vastly superior to the first game. It features butter-smooth and impressive combat animations, spectacular and bloody finishers, and exceptional impact from each swing of Senua's sword.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 also goes head and shoulders above the original in terms of how cinematic each of its combat encounters are. Although Senua can fight only a single enemy at a time, there is more variety among her foes. They have unique attacks and tricks, such as shield slam or fire breath. Additionally, every fight is structured to throw players into new encounters once the previous enemy is defeated. Add to this the involvement of other friendly characters in combat, with dramatic events such as group finishers or unexpected aid, and the result is unforgettable.

2 Spectacular Confrontations with Bosses

Instead Of Traditional Boss Fights, Hellblade 2 Offers Something Different

Hellblade 2 doesn't feature traditional boss fights against huge monsters like the original did. However, that doesn't mean there are no such encounters in the sequel — they're just implemented differently. To defeat giants in the game, Senua first has to reach them, which is no easy task.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 Review

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is a feast for the senses, offering a visually impressive cinematic experience with exceptional sound design.

To get to the enormous cursed beings, players must cross lakes of pouring lava, walls of fire, or even a raging ocean with deadly seething waves. These encounters, like the rest of the game, are cinematic and memorable. Not to mention the design of each giant in Senua's path, which is as unsettling as it is menacing.

1 Next-Level Visuals

Hellblade 2 Is A Gorgeous-Looking Game

The development team's dedication to the project's technical side is hard to overstate. During development, the creators at Ninja Theory said it would make the original look like an indie game, and they delivered on that promise. Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is possibly the most realistic-looking game made to date. Its character models and environments are almost indistinguishable from real-life footage. Due to the game's brevity, players are unlikely to get used to such visual splendor throughout the entire journey. There are plenty of surprises, memorable locations, and breathtaking effects for them to experience.

Thanks to photogrammetry technologies, the landscape of Iceland is captured in impeccable detail, transporting players into these beautiful and harsh environments. Powered by Unreal Engine 5's Lumen and Nanite features, Hellblade 2 is a perfect demonstration of the engine's capabilities. it sets a new benchmark for real-time graphics that likely won't be surpassed for quite some time.