Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

 PC
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1377 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,049 out of 1377
  2. Mixed: 197 out of 1377
  3. Negative: 131 out of 1377

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  1. aditya1101
    Dec 22, 2020
    9
    Loved this game and it's use of audio to simulate psychosis for the player. There are some weak areas in the game but overall it was a super unique, super compelling experience and I'm really glad I decided to pick this game up and give it a try
  2. DmitryKuzmin
    Dec 6, 2020
    10
    Hello, Friends,
    Maybe it’s too late since the game was launched something 3 or 4 years ago. However, I’ve just found it and for around a week I’ve been under the impression. So, keeping in mind coming part 2, maybe for someone my review will be interesting.
    My idea in couple words: Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a piece of art. [Not for everyone] Let us look deeper into the    Hello, Friends,
    Maybe it’s too late since the game was launched something 3 or 4 years ago. However, I’ve just found it and for around a week I’ve been under the impression. So, keeping in mind coming part 2, maybe for someone my review will be interesting.
    My idea in couple words: Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a piece of art.

    [Not for everyone]

    Let us look deeper into the essential of art. Actually, every piece of art can’t exist without person or observer, who can understand the piece of art and maybe be impressed. Lat’s imagine a book with the best Shakespearean tragedy in empty room. Is it a piece of art or a dirty paper? I think, the second one… subject to lack of observer, who would be able not just to read, but understand the greatness of art.
    And I really don’t want to describe here the right setting, the right music etc. which create the right atmosphere. Just beg you to be the right kind of observer with intention to understand and empathize.

    [Right size]

    Very possible be the game longer it wouldn’t be better, like a small and tasty candy: one is good, but twenty…) It wouldn’t be possible enjoy the game let say 50 hours with the same quests and fights. However, the shorter timing wouldn’t reveal Senua’s story at all and number of fights would be too small. So the size is perfectly right ;)

    [Human after all]

    I think the reason, why Senua’s story is so easy to believe and to empathize, is the fact that she is so normal. I mean, yes, she’s not quite healthy with these voices and so on. But you see, she is not hyper sexual female with lack of clothes, hyper lips and hyper boobs (though Ms Juergens is pretty enough) and nor hyper cocky with ton of equipment, armor and magic abilities – just normal human being with story, quest, experience and emotions. She is afraid, full of doubts, needing support – exactly like all of us. So you truly want to believe, want her to succeed in the quest and feel really relieved at the end.

    [More than a game]

    If you see, you’ll find out that true piece of art isn’t just thing in itself. The picture of one of the famous Russian artists “The Apotheosis of War” is not just a picture of pile of skulls. It is something bigger, which you may or may not see and understand: story, exhortation, invocation… Likewise Hellblade seems to tell something more than just a story of one person. I think I can’t explain exactly what it gave me personally… Maybe understanding that avoiding negative emotions is not the right behavioral pattern… Or that when life is hitting you and breaking your sword – it’s far from the end of the story… Or that fear and doubts are totally OK but again not the right reason to turn back. Anyway, I hope you’ll find something for you personally and bring it outside the game setting.

    [Social enterprise]

    And couple words I’d like to add in favor of Ninja Theory. Dealing with the problem of mental decease, no doubt, changes a lot of lives in a positive way, bringing something valuable for society in general and making this world better. What the art should do.

    Thank you if you read up to this point) And hope you’ll enjoy the game!    … Expand
  3. OldManGamerOMG
    Dec 4, 2020
    10
    This is a good psychological game, with many well designed puzzles. The graphics are among the best I have seen in gaming, and the combat is simplistic and fun. The story is well written, with excellent voice acting.

    This game does give a lot to think about. How much it reaches you might depend on how much you have dealt with or are dealing with in life. While I do not have the form of    This is a good psychological game, with many well designed puzzles. The graphics are among the best I have seen in gaming, and the combat is simplistic and fun. The story is well written, with excellent voice acting.

    This game does give a lot to think about. How much it reaches you might depend on how much you have dealt with or are dealing with in life. While I do not have the form of mental illness that Senua demonstrates, from the many dark times I have faced in my life, I find many relatable aspects to the psychological struggle. I have long since looked forward to my last day.

    There is a sequel to this game coming out, which looks phenomenal, and I intend on supporting it with my little part of purchasing the game. I consider this game a must play experience, but recommend taking time to enjoy it. Don't use a walkthrough or guide unless you are really stuck. Nothing in this game is truly taxing that you should spoil the story.    … Expand
  4. shatarah
    Dec 2, 2020
    8
    greattttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt
  5. RockerKR
    Nov 26, 2020
    7
    lllllllllllllllllllllllllll Great Climate lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
  6. ErayTellezi
    Nov 17, 2020
    8
    Karakterin oyunculuğu ve yüz mimikleri olarak oynadığım en iyi oyun olabilir. Bunun yanında hikayesi, atmosferi ve çok iyi verdiği psikoz hissi ile oldukça etkileyici bir oyun. Combat'ı vasat altında maalesef.
  7. ghosttoyou
    Nov 16, 2020
    7
    7/10..................................................................................
  8. paulonoob4ever
    Nov 13, 2020
    10
    História emocionante, fiquei muito intrigado e maratonei 2 vezes o jogo.
    Ótimo conjunto da história, trilha, atuação e gameplay.
  9. kimi1775
    Nov 9, 2020
    8
    ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‏‏‎
  10. Meeplivd
    Nov 8, 2020
    9
    Un juegazo! Audífonos indispensables para disfrutar la experiencia. Lo disfrute mucho en pc, no le pongo un 10 por la duración y algunas mecánicas muy repetitivas, pero en general muy buen juego.
  11. Alexander_1996
    Oct 30, 2020
    10
    "Videogames ARE art!"
    It is the first title I gave a shot about which I have hardly ever heard anything about but which ended up to be the one of the greatest I have ever stumbled upon. Sometimes when people say "Videogames are art" you understand that while it is definitely true some games are more "art" than others. For example games like DotA or Fortnite are actually more sport    "Videogames ARE art!"
    It is the first title I gave a shot about which I have hardly ever heard anything about but which ended up to be the one of the greatest I have ever stumbled upon. Sometimes when people say "Videogames are art" you understand that while it is definitely true some games are more "art" than others. For example games like DotA or Fortnite are actually more sport disciplines and literal games in its classic sense than art. Then games like CoD, Far Cry, GTA, Fallout and Assassin's Creed are somewhere in the middle. Then there are games which I can't even call "videogames". While for games like "The Walking Dead", "Life is Strange" and "Detroit: Become Human" we came up with a perfect term - 'an interactive drama', for games like "Firewatch" or "Hellblade" we still have to come up with a better word for these 100% pieces of art. I just don't want to use the same word to describe products like "Hellblade" and "Forza Horizon". Don't get me wrong, "Forza Horizon" is a great game but the problem is "Hellblade" isn't a game - it is an experience, it is a story, it is a challenge, it is a puzzle, it is art.

    "Hellblade" is perfect. It has perfect audio design. Perfect visuals which are worth to be called next-gen-ish - the main charachrer doesn't even look like an in-game charachter. I bet if someone saw her without knowing it is a videogame he would certainly think she is a real person. Your monster-enemies look as good as they only can look - and it all was produced by independent developers with a budget many times less than major AAA projects have. The absence of any HUD feels fresh, immersive and brave. The developers don't consider their cunsomers stupid which is really rare in videogame industry nowadays. The story this game tells or to put it more correctly THE WAY the story is told is worth to be praised not just by gaming community but by cinematography experts as well.

    "Hellblade" is intense. This game will make you burst into tears in one way or another. I personally cried a couple of times after beating some of the toughest challenges. You know, that sort of crying people get into after being milliseconds or millimeters away from death. Some levels are just morbidly dificult and can feel like a dead end through which you will never get pass through and considering the fact you are sure all your progress will be lost after a certain amount of failures the experience can get pretty intense and stressful (no joke - I don't think I will ever decide to go through Hellblade ever again just because how stressful it gets sometimes). Senua is going through hell - and you are with her.    … Expand
  12. llow
    Oct 8, 2020
    10
    This game is an absolute masterpiece. The story is immersive from the very opening credits. The combat is not complicated but is very enjoyable and each boss fight has a unique challenge to overcome. The environments and storytelling are what shine the most and I can't understate how amazing the game is.

    The story telling is perfect and tackles a subject that very few in entertainment    This game is an absolute masterpiece. The story is immersive from the very opening credits. The combat is not complicated but is very enjoyable and each boss fight has a unique challenge to overcome. The environments and storytelling are what shine the most and I can't understate how amazing the game is.

    The story telling is perfect and tackles a subject that very few in entertainment do and do well. I suggest playing only a few hours at a time as you experience what the Senua experiences and it can be a bit overwhelming. It took me about 6 hours total to get through in three sittings.    … Expand
  13. mohammad-gh
    Oct 5, 2020
    10
    This game was so good and so sad It was amazing and made me cry at the end
    If you have fillings you should play it otherwise you should not
  14. Donnattelli
    Oct 4, 2020
    9
    Underrated game, the combat is unique and doesn't have a hud wich is great, the multi enemy combat is the best ive seen from other games nowadays, the bosses are also really good and the story is incredible and well told, you have many storys told by different people about a world full of gods, recomend
  15. headspacej
    Aug 24, 2020
    8
    This is an incredible experience, but I'm not so sure that it's an incredible game. 10/10 on the visuals, voices, and exploration of psychosis. Maybe 6/10 for the puzzles and combat? At some point you realize that the only way to survive is to dodge continuously, trying to get a whack in here and there. Multiple enemies were basically hopeless. On the other hand, I haven't played a gameThis is an incredible experience, but I'm not so sure that it's an incredible game. 10/10 on the visuals, voices, and exploration of psychosis. Maybe 6/10 for the puzzles and combat? At some point you realize that the only way to survive is to dodge continuously, trying to get a whack in here and there. Multiple enemies were basically hopeless. On the other hand, I haven't played a game that has stuck with me like this one, forcing me to think about it weeks later. Flawed masterpiece, perhaps.… Expand
  16. sanchouz
    Aug 20, 2020
    7
    Very special experience. The sound and music outstanding - recommended to use headphones. The game-play is little bit slow - good mix between puzzles and fights that are tough. The plot for my view is not so interesting so i found my self not even listening to Brut at some point of the game.
  17. MaxmilianKohler
    Aug 19, 2020
    5
    Mouse movement sucks no matter what. And at some points it drastically increases your mouse movement.

    Don't mind a story-heavy game. Not a fan of the symbol matching. Not a fan of the fighting. You have to guess what buttons and combos of buttons they want you to press at what points. And it completely locks your movement and vision. There are some things that are buggy. Like I    Mouse movement sucks no matter what. And at some points it drastically increases your mouse movement.

    Don't mind a story-heavy game.

    Not a fan of the symbol matching.

    Not a fan of the fighting. You have to guess what buttons and combos of buttons they want you to press at what points. And it completely locks your movement and vision.

    There are some things that are buggy. Like I lined up the right signals but it doesn't register.

    Found the symbol stuff boring, and the fighting was repetitive, boring, restrictive, and tedious. That's most of the game right there, so I uninstalled early on.    … Expand
  18. Matusiowo
    Aug 16, 2020
    6
    + Emotionally greatly developed with fantastic dubbing
    + Cool idea of puzzle by matching visually the environment to a symbol
    + Interesting main character with incorporation of psychotic reality + Fighting feels good mechanically (though it's not huge part of the game) +/- Surprising handling of ending with mixed feelings towards it - Very narrow variety of what player can do. It    + Emotionally greatly developed with fantastic dubbing
    + Cool idea of puzzle by matching visually the environment to a symbol
    + Interesting main character with incorporation of psychotic reality
    + Fighting feels good mechanically (though it's not huge part of the game)

    +/- Surprising handling of ending with mixed feelings towards it

    - Very narrow variety of what player can do. It feels more like watching a movie with a walking simulator
    - Repetetiveness with puzzles and mostly are about running around    … Expand
  19. Alentejano
    Aug 9, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The story is really well executed (especially with what it has to say about perspective) with one of the best audio designs in video game, a great soundtrack and an amazing performance by the lead actress. It's not a horror game but there are sections of the game that are terrifying and rely on your hearing to get to somewhere safe. The only negatives I can think of is that sometimes the puzzles can get a bit repetitive and the live action parts can be a bit cheesy.… Expand
  20. mikowhynot
    Aug 7, 2020
    5
    PROS:
    very nice overall artstyle
    interesting camera action
    decent fight system

    CONS:
    uninteresting, empty story
    linear to the bone
    repeatable puzzles
  21. pooyamaz
    Jul 28, 2020
    10
    the game is fantastic. fights are very pleasant. the story is pretty incredible. sounds and graphics are great. I literally can't say anything bad about it.
  22. P1oN4ik
    Jul 25, 2020
    8
    A very pleasant game, which, against the background of all games in the Scandinavian setting, is aimed at acquaintance with the inner world of one of the inhabitants of that time, as for me.
  23. haarleeey
    Jul 4, 2020
    10
    La ambientación es brutal y te mete muchísimo en el juego. Tiene puzzles interesantes y la historia está muy bien
  24. dmedd6
    Jun 27, 2020
    0
    If you love games that are fun to play, exciting, engaging, and have a compelling story with an ending that even makes a tiny bit of sense, this game is not for you.
    There is no HUD and no tutorial. The game does not explain how to play itself, it literally turns you loose in Hell and says - here you are, have fun getting killed over and over and over and over again until you either    If you love games that are fun to play, exciting, engaging, and have a compelling story with an ending that even makes a tiny bit of sense, this game is not for you.
    There is no HUD and no tutorial. The game does not explain how to play itself, it literally turns you loose in Hell and says - here you are, have fun getting killed over and over and over and over again until you either figure out the basic gameplay mechanics which we could have explained to you but don't, because fun, or you rage pause and look up a walkthrough online.
    The combat is repetitive and frustrating. It makes no attempt to be anything other than a mindless button masher with an added step or two whenever you face a brute or a boss. There is no stealth, only one weapon, and a slow-motion bullet time effect that I didn't even know existed until I was 2/3 of the way through the game, because as I mentioned before, there is no tutorial or guide.
    The puzzles aren't so much puzzles. None of them require you to think in order to solve them, they simply require that you have patience, which was already wearing thin for me with this game very early on. You don't feel smart, like you just solved something. 90% of it is just you walking around until you've found the correct spot to stand in and press a button. Sometimes, they make the puzzles more layered by giving you two or three spots to stand in and press a button before you advance. Again, patience, not intelligence opens the door to the next area.
    Because there is no map, no guide points, no items in the world to indicate which direction to go, I frequently got lost and spent a lot of time just wandering around not knowing what I was looking for. I don't expect a game to hold my hand, but it's got to at LEAST give me an objective and a direction to walk in.
    The story started out 10/10. I was instantly engaged by the opening cutscene and playing as a Celtic warrioress on a path to save the soul of her beloved on a journey through Hell. This is really f***ing cool, I'm totally on board. Slowly though, I started to realize that there would be no engaging narrative, no satisfying conclusion, no real character development. It makes a heavy handed point of being an avant garde piece of abstract fiction in which the "message" they're trying to convey (mental illness is difficult - oh really?) comes at the expense of a cogent narrative in which a character has a want, but they are having trouble getting it, and we are tuned in to see whether they get it or not, watching them grow and change along the way. You know, the literal core of a good story.
    In short, not for a single moment after the first chapter was I looking forward to what was going to happen next, or having fun doing what I was doing at that time. I only finished the game because I paid for it and I'm cheap.
    Because I couldn't skip the end credits, I ctrl-alt-deleted to close the program and immediately uninstalled it because I'm never, ever going to even feel tempted to play it again. It was hands down one of the worst video games ever. I totally get why it has a high critic score, because critics are hacks, but the high user score blows my mind. I thought the general public was smarter than this.
    Pros: It looks AMAZING. But then again, show me a game made in the last decade that doesn't look amazing. Of course it looks amazing. Who cares?
    Save your money and just go back and replay Skyrim as a female Nord.    … Expand
  25. SkinBintin
    Jun 27, 2020
    8
    The visuals are absolutely stunning. The story draws you in and remains captivating right to the end... especially if you explore the environments and unlock all the runes talking about the mythology behind it all.

    The only real downside is the rather repetitive boring combat. Bosses are a little different, but you quickly learn their patterns and dispatch them easily as a result.    The visuals are absolutely stunning. The story draws you in and remains captivating right to the end... especially if you explore the environments and unlock all the runes talking about the mythology behind it all.

    The only real downside is the rather repetitive boring combat. Bosses are a little different, but you quickly learn their patterns and dispatch them easily as a result.

    The story, graphics and atmosphere absolutely make up for the dull combat.

    Played it a week or two ago, and it captured me so much, I've been reading mythology books since trying to learn more. Can't wait to play the sequel later this year!    … Expand
  26. zzz_DeV1L_zzz
    Jun 25, 2020
    8
    Good story, design, sounds. This all conveys the story very well. But unfortunately the incredibly bad gameplay will lower my rating. The puzzles are not bad, but their diversity is not enough. Fights are just disgusting, they follow the same pattern, you can not change the appearance of the camera. In the middle of the game, there was already a feeling to skip all the gameplay and justGood story, design, sounds. This all conveys the story very well. But unfortunately the incredibly bad gameplay will lower my rating. The puzzles are not bad, but their diversity is not enough. Fights are just disgusting, they follow the same pattern, you can not change the appearance of the camera. In the middle of the game, there was already a feeling to skip all the gameplay and just listen to the story. As for me, the developers should have made a film on this, and if you make a game, then with good gameplay. Unfortunately 8, it would be a movie, put 10.… Expand
  27. bmullenbach
    Jun 23, 2020
    10
    This game will not be for everyone. It is a slow burn, and you will have to put a lot of yourself into it to get something out of it. That being said, it is one of the most meaningful experiences I have ever had with a piece of entertainment. The puzzles and combat themselves are good enough, but the sights, the sounds, the story, and the emotion are second to none.
  28. Bobrovschi
    Jun 23, 2020
    10
    Take a look Naughty Dog, beautiful story game with a strong female protagonist should be like this masterpiece.
  29. ahrek
    Jun 22, 2020
    10
    a great example of the superiority of gaming storytelling. excellent game. would say it is a nordic Dante's Inferno with the style and mechanics of Ryse: Son of Rome.
  30. Manchosuarez
    Jun 22, 2020
    8
    Great audiovisual experience with a compliant gameplay but lacking in mechanics, nevertheless a great success on the part of Ninja Theory in portraying the problems of Senua's mental problems.
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Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best PC Game of 2017
14
#14 Most Discussed PC Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Jeuxvideo.com
    Jun 3, 2018
    85
    Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice takes us on a long road to hell paved with contemplative yet stressful scenes, and an impressive respect for Norse myths and legends.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Oct 30, 2017
    90
    Hellblade can disappoint you with repetitive puzzles, linear structure and the fact that it was stripped down to most basic, indispensable mechanics. But Hellblade is not about gameplay. It’s about darkness and fear and despair. The emotional weight of this game is unbearable. Forget about The Last of Us, To the Moon or Telltale’s The Walking Dead. Hellblade is soul-crushing in a way I never thought a game could be. Remember Requiem for a Dream? That’s what Hellblade does to you. I will NEVER forget Ninja Theory’s masterpiece. [10/2017, p.38]
  3. PLAY! Zine
    Oct 12, 2017
    75
    If Heavenly Sword had an opposite, it would without a doubt be Hellblade. A dark, gritty, psychotic, atmospheric hell-ride through the forest of insanity. It looks great but plays like a gloomy record. Not everyone will enjoy this dark adventure. But what it does, it does great. Maybe even too great, if I may say so.
    Read full review
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