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. 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.
  2. ZoroGust
    Jan 8, 2022
    10
    [ENG] Beautiful game! A wonderful saga in self-knowledge and personal evolution, with an excellent plot. It has beautiful graphics and simple gameplay, but functional and in tune with the rest. In short, it's a great game to play from start to finish! Best part is that it still allows you to have all the achievements without giving you unreal challenges as we see in most games today. Game[ENG] Beautiful game! A wonderful saga in self-knowledge and personal evolution, with an excellent plot. It has beautiful graphics and simple gameplay, but functional and in tune with the rest. In short, it's a great game to play from start to finish! Best part is that it still allows you to have all the achievements without giving you unreal challenges as we see in most games today. Game 10 out of 10!

    [POR] Jogo lindo! Uma saga maravilhosa no auto-conhecimento e na evolução pessoal, com um enredo excelente. Possui gráficos belíssimos e jogabilidade simples, mas funcional e em sintonia com o restante. Resumindo, é um excelente jogo para jogar do inicio ao fim! Melhor parte é que ainda te possibilita ter todas as conquistas sem te passar desafios irreais como vemos nas maiorias dos jogos hoje. Jogo 10 de 10!    … Expand
  3. watchm824
    Feb 23, 2022
    6
    I really liked the game "Enslaved: Odyssey to the West" from this studio. But "Hellblade" I was not able to pass. I started it twice and both times I quit playing after a couple of hours. The game didn't pull me in.
    Pros: visually attractive, atmospheric.
    Cons: very monotonous, not interesting gameplay. The story did not hook me and, probably, that's why there was no incentive to play    I really liked the game "Enslaved: Odyssey to the West" from this studio. But "Hellblade" I was not able to pass. I started it twice and both times I quit playing after a couple of hours. The game didn't pull me in.
    Pros: visually attractive, atmospheric.
    Cons: very monotonous, not interesting gameplay.
    The story did not hook me and, probably, that's why there was no incentive to play further. And the gameplay is really, really boring.    … Expand
  4. Ordnik
    Nov 3, 2021
    10
    One of my favorite games. I love Viking based games. The story is really interesting and makes you wanna play non-stop. Gameplay is so fun, never getting boring. Puzzles are adding extra challenges. Surroundings are really well made, the atmosphere is breathtaking. The character's mental health problem takes this game to another level, you are experiencing both character's inside andOne of my favorite games. I love Viking based games. The story is really interesting and makes you wanna play non-stop. Gameplay is so fun, never getting boring. Puzzles are adding extra challenges. Surroundings are really well made, the atmosphere is breathtaking. The character's mental health problem takes this game to another level, you are experiencing both character's inside and outside world The graphics are gorgeous too.… Expand
  5. 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
  6. Amber-kyou
    Dec 23, 2019
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. As much as I'd love to give this game a positive review, I just can't. The game is ambitious and Ninja theory made something that has never been done before. But I just couldn't get into the game because confusion and getting lost in parts made it a undesirable experience. I could get over that and move on. The story telling and the visuals are amazing. The game hyped you up for a big ending, defeating Hela, which I understood was Senua's so called 'darkness'. I was so ready for it.. I fought through hordes and hordes, awaiting my turn to get my hands on Hela. I got confused yet again. I would not have understood for the live of me that you had to fail. The game hyped you up, the voices are liar's.. so why would you listen to them now? It gave me a bitter aftertaste and made me shut down the game before it even ended. It made me feel like a failure and betrayed. I would have loved to have more 'hints' to the idea of you having to fail to end it. It was just a never ending boss fight with voices that told you tell completely different things which are confusing at best.… Expand
  7. withinmyself
    May 10, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. There are plenty of reviews that talk about how good this game is. They reference many of the incredible details that make this game such a masterpiece. I just want to share some of my own thoughts about Senua's Sacrifice.

    I came into this game not really knowing anything about it. I had seen the trailer with the fans that emailed Ninja Theory regarding mental health but I brushed it off as promotional material. It was way too intense and strange to actually be real.

    I've since come to believe that Hellblade should represent a new epoch in gaming. A moment in gaming history that needs to be studied and understood in order for other development studios to achieve similar results. Because on its surface, Hellblade really isn't that great of a game. The combat is pretty basic. The puzzles are very easy. The boss fights follow very predictable patterns. And the story isn't even the greatest I've seen in a game. So why the hell would I even suggest that this should be considered a new epoch in gaming?

    One word. Empathy. I felt true empathy for Senua almost from the start. Where it really kicked in was her first fight. I found myself standing up almost in tears by the time the fight was over. When Senua dies and then you see her walking up towards her dead body is one of the most powerful scenes I've ever experienced.

    From that point on, it doesn't matter what the game throws at you. You aren't playing it to have fun. You're playing it to help Senua. I've never felt that amount of immersion in a game before. And I'm a VR enthusiast (This game is available in VR as well which is just insane)

    Senua's character development is the best I've ever seen in a game. I'm not talking about stats and spells. Her actual character becomes stronger as she faces insurmountable tasks that often lead to complete failure. But each time she fails, she gets up stronger than before. It's inspiring and absolutely unheard of to see this in a game.

    I would think that studios would at least take away the fact that games are exponentially better if as much time and passion is put into the character you're playing as is the world your playing in. Ninja Theory went the extra mile to work with mental healthcare workers throughout the development of this game in order to bring together a truly remarkable character that you will fall in love with, empathize with and ultimately lead into hell.    … Expand
  8. Gamepolit
    Jan 2, 2020
    10
    Хорошая графика, отличная боевка, интересные головоломки и самое главное интересный и захватывающий сюжет. не вижу не какого смысла ставить балл ниже!
  9. patron11
    Jan 10, 2020
    9
    Looking for a bloody, schizophrenic, demon-hunting Viking-Game? This is it! Whilst the fighting can feel a bit boring after a while, pretty much everything else in this game is perfect. Interesting, easy to follow Story combined with a dark and scary atmosphere and a badass, strong woman as Main-Character who tries to defeat her inner demons and solve a sad plot. Graphics are stunning andLooking for a bloody, schizophrenic, demon-hunting Viking-Game? This is it! Whilst the fighting can feel a bit boring after a while, pretty much everything else in this game is perfect. Interesting, easy to follow Story combined with a dark and scary atmosphere and a badass, strong woman as Main-Character who tries to defeat her inner demons and solve a sad plot. Graphics are stunning and especially the cut-scenes make you fall in love with it. The last 30mins of the game are incredible and just thinking about playing this in VR really makes me shiver!

    8.5/10    … Expand
  10. PanMrkvicka
    Feb 12, 2020
    7
    It was an experience to say the least. It looks amazing and the facial animations are gorgeous. Story is great and well written and the voices in your head are amazing idea. Still the setting of north mythology doesnt really fit into this and ending was kind of meh. Story still told a deep message which I like in games you know because games are art. Combat was kind of meh tho, it can lookIt was an experience to say the least. It looks amazing and the facial animations are gorgeous. Story is great and well written and the voices in your head are amazing idea. Still the setting of north mythology doesnt really fit into this and ending was kind of meh. Story still told a deep message which I like in games you know because games are art. Combat was kind of meh tho, it can look cool at times when you know how to play it and it looks cinematic but is too simple and repetitive and not much variety in enemy types.… Expand
  11. ghosttoyou
    Nov 16, 2020
    7
    7/10..................................................................................
  12. erdogfu96
    Feb 8, 2020
    10
    Graphics are amazing, sounds are amazing, story is amazing, gameplay is amazing and not like boring long time taking other games. It gets full mark from me because price is also very cheap and optimization is well.
  13. PLAYBOYPIJON
    Nov 16, 2021
    7
    Хорошая игрушка
    Бодрая бродилка
    Махач тоже не плох
  14. danbut110
    Apr 22, 2021
    8
    Приятная игра, с приятной боевой системой и музыкой в конце.
  15. Antros
    Mar 6, 2020
    10
    Amazing Game, has a consistent story with amazing audio features and fantastic acting
  16. JuliMumi
    Mar 8, 2020
    9
    Que juegazo. Lleno de matices, momentos tensos, puzzles sin respuesta aparente. Muy bien logrado, recomendadisimo.
  17. wiseria
    Dec 25, 2022
    8
    basit dövüş mekanikleri, güzel grafikler, başarılı hikaye anlatımı. biraz kısa geldi tadı damakta bıraktı. deneyimlenmesi gereken bir oyun.
  18. Wrathzo
    Mar 25, 2022
    8
    Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is an action-adventure game developed and published by Ninja Theory. Set in a dark fantasy world inspired by Norse mythology and Celtic culture, the game follows Senua, a Pict warrior who must make her way to Helheim by defeating otherworldly entities and facing their challenges, in order to rescue the soul of her dead lover from the goddess Hela. The gameHellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is an action-adventure game developed and published by Ninja Theory. Set in a dark fantasy world inspired by Norse mythology and Celtic culture, the game follows Senua, a Pict warrior who must make her way to Helheim by defeating otherworldly entities and facing their challenges, in order to rescue the soul of her dead lover from the goddess Hela. The game blends different gameplay mechanics and concepts like puzzle solving, psychological horror and melee combat. Voice acting is an integral part of the game, while its cutscenes combine motion capture by Melina Juergens, and live action performances by other actors.… Expand
  19. Alexb1096
    Apr 19, 2020
    10
    ITALIAN:
    Questo gioco è stato realizzato da soltanto 21 persone ed è un gioco indie, quindi non riesco ad essere totalmente oggettivo e sono obbligato a perdonare alcune minime sbavature che su un altro titolo mi avrebbero portato a dare 4.5 stelle.
    Ora analizzerò il gioco per punti. AUDIO E GRAFICA: Una qualità grafica così elevata è difficile da trovare in titoli AAA, in uno indie    ITALIAN:
    Questo gioco è stato realizzato da soltanto 21 persone ed è un gioco indie, quindi non riesco ad essere totalmente oggettivo e sono obbligato a perdonare alcune minime sbavature che su un altro titolo mi avrebbero portato a dare 4.5 stelle.
    Ora analizzerò il gioco per punti.

    AUDIO E GRAFICA:
    Una qualità grafica così elevata è difficile da trovare in titoli AAA, in uno indie è semplicemente impensabile. I modelli 3D sono semplicemente perfetti, le animazioni sono fluidissime e l'espressività dei volti è impressionante. Una cosa che mi ha stupito poi è l'ottimizzazione, visto che il mio PC non è nuovissimo ma il gioco funziona benissimo anche con impostazioni grafiche al massimo.
    Unico difetto solo alcune texture, soprattutto delle rocce e di alcuni oggetti in legno, che sembrano sgranate.

    Per il comparto audio va detto che non è presente molta musica, se non nel finale, dove comunque, pur non essendo molto azzeccata secondo me, è molto bella.
    Per il resto i suoni sono tutti di ottima qualità, ma sconvolgente è il doppiaggio dei personaggi, in particolar modo quello di Senua.

    GAMEPLAY:
    Molto diverso da come me l'aspettavo, alla fine è un puzzle game alla Rime farcito di elementi action-RPG. Il risultato è piacevole ma non è neanche il suo punto forte.
    Molto belle e difficili invece le battaglie, anche se spesso decontestualizzate e finalizzate solo a rendere più impegnativa l'esperienza di gioco.
    A volte avrei preferito un po' più di mobilità della protagonista, visto che non può saltare, scavalcare e arrampicarsi liberamente.

    STORIA (no spoiler):
    Il vero punto di forza del gioco insieme al comparto grafico. La storia non è mai chiara, ma risulta estremamente empatica. Dopo poco tempo ci si immedesima moltissimo con la protagonista, capendo la sua storia e la sua malattia, nonostante il tutto oscilli tra realtà e fantasia.

    Nel gioco ho trovato solo alcuni piccoli errori, come alcuni oggetti di scena senza collisione, tracce audio che cambiavano attraversando una porta e bug in alcune cut-scene. Visti i problemi di giochi molto più grandi di questo penso che trascurarli non sia un reato.

    VOTO: 10/10 (9/10 se non fosse indie)    … Expand
  20. Thejodjeremie
    Jan 31, 2022
    9
    The game was just a awesome experience. The graphics, gameplay, and music were all incredible. Cant wait for the sequel.
  21. HELLnnan
    May 11, 2020
    5
    Looking for a good gameplay? AVOID!
    First of all: THIS IS A STORYTELLING GAME, JUST THAT.
    I'm somebody who looks for a good gameplay, so that is one of the most boring games ever. For the ones who don't like games story, like me(because I have Shakespeare's books), this is a game you just walk through forests and "viking villages", and solve puzzles which seem to be the same. So, if    Looking for a good gameplay? AVOID!
    First of all: THIS IS A STORYTELLING GAME, JUST THAT.

    I'm somebody who looks for a good gameplay, so that is one of the most boring games ever.
    For the ones who don't like games story, like me(because I have Shakespeare's books), this is a game you just walk through forests and "viking villages", and solve puzzles which seem to be the same.
    So, if you are a person who usually enjoy stories in games and don't care about a good fighting system, that is your game.
    My rating is not because of the genre, but because you could have good system of combat here.    … Expand
  22. bancandrei
    May 16, 2020
    6
    For a game developed by a small studio it looks amazing. Unfortunately it is also very boring and repetitive. Couldn't get into the combat. But if you find the flow you will be rewarded with a tight original experience, which brings you some joy of exploration
  23. 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
  24. cadu_sg
    May 16, 2020
    10
    I really wish I could forget this game, so I could play it again for the first time. But unfortunately, playing this game was an unforgettable experience.
  25. ritas666
    Jan 1, 2021
    10
    This is a rare and exeptional game. Gloomy atmosphere, beautiful graphics, pleasant combat system, but most importantly - a deep and tragic story. Hellblade clearly stands out from a number of ordinary games, even AAA, it is not like anything else and it catch you with its images and deep psychologism. Mental illness is a pretty scary thing, you only really understand it when you get toThis is a rare and exeptional game. Gloomy atmosphere, beautiful graphics, pleasant combat system, but most importantly - a deep and tragic story. Hellblade clearly stands out from a number of ordinary games, even AAA, it is not like anything else and it catch you with its images and deep psychologism. Mental illness is a pretty scary thing, you only really understand it when you get to the experiences of people who are going through this torment. Strongly recommend.… Expand
  26. efekandemiroz
    May 20, 2020
    7
    Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice has really different taste. You experience completely something different. The atmosphere, story, gameplay, graphics & audios… Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice has proved us, an indie game can compete with AAA productions. There are some facts which I really liked about this game. However, there are also things which bothered me.

    The atmosphere of this game is    Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice has really different taste. You experience completely something different. The atmosphere, story, gameplay, graphics & audios… Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice has proved us, an indie game can compete with AAA productions. There are some facts which I really liked about this game. However, there are also things which bothered me.

    The atmosphere of this game is completely amazing. Senua has psychosis and she copes with inner voices. All the voices you hear during the game, feels you perfectly uncomfortable, they have adapted really well. Designing of the environment, the quality of the graphics and audios, puts you into the middle of the atmosphere and let you feel it deeply.

    The story is neither an epic story nor the worst. It is just fine, could be better though. It doesn’t make you bored but also doesn’t make you excited either.

    The biggest problem is game-play. Although the combat sequences are pretty satisfying, variety of the enemies are not enough at all. In the very beginning I thought that, puzzles have designed really wisely then I have realized that is completely repetitive. What I mean is, you do almost the same puzzles from the beginning till the end.

    As a summary, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice provides an amazing experience with good price. I believe that everyone should play and experience it.    … Expand
  27. metesuzuk
    Jan 14, 2022
    8
    It's one of the best atmospheric things I've ever seen, It might sound boring as the gameplay hasn't changed much but it's not because the game isn't long. I was so nervous playing it, great
  28. waverfader
    Jun 20, 2020
    5
    great graphics, beautiful environment, boring game. insanely repetitive combat and some of the most tedious and boring game mechanics ever conceived.
  29. aes23
    Jun 17, 2020
    9
    This game is kind of a game changer when you know the budget it was made with. I found the animations to be even better than even some more recent games made with higher budgets.

    The voices are very well thought in a sense that it serves the story, the character's characterization and even the gameplay when they warn you about a opponent in your back, combat is very pleasing, almost    This game is kind of a game changer when you know the budget it was made with. I found the animations to be even better than even some more recent games made with higher budgets.

    The voices are very well thought in a sense that it serves the story, the character's characterization and even the gameplay when they warn you about a opponent in your back, combat is very pleasing, almost similar to the witcher 3, you can feel like a dancer with swords when you fight.

    Puzzles are also clever and well thought.

    Sound design and music are also top notch. It's definitely a game that stays in your mind for a long time and again, when you consider the "small" budget they had, they put to shame many many many other games.

    9/10    … Expand
  30. 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
Page:

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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