Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 68 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 68
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 68
  3. Negative: 1 out of 68
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  1. Twinfinite
    Aug 9, 2017
    70
    Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice proved to be an interesting experience that I both loved, and at times grew bored of. The story is dark and deep. It forced me to really look inward and think about everything I was witnessing. Yet the gameplay leaves much to be desired.
  2. The Jimquisition
    Aug 8, 2017
    70
    What I have experienced is at least seven hours of good, quality gameplay, that was scuffered by the worst luck imaginable and the unfortunate decision to do the whole single save file auto-save structure...Even with the game ending the way it is, I have to admit that it was a good bloody time and there are a lot more expensive games out there that offer a lot less.
  3. Everyeye.it
    Aug 8, 2017
    65
    Ninja Theory's last effort is intriguing and fascinating both at a conceptual and executive level - primarily due to its dark tones and its unusual emotional intensity - but at the same time unfortunately quite weak and questionable in terms of pure gameplay.
  5. Telegraph
    Aug 21, 2017
    60
    It is probably best summed up by a battle with a beast in the game’s denouement: a suffocating struggle in the dark, punctuated by fierce assaults on the senses that goes on for ten minutes too long, losing its lustre in the process. By turns thrilling, terrifying, thoughtful, thoughtless and tedious. A strange game indeed.
  6. Metro GameCentral
    Aug 8, 2017
    60
    A technical masterpiece with some of the best swordfighting combat in years, but the storytelling and puzzle elements come across as muddled and awkwardly mismatched.
  7. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Sep 7, 2017
    50
    For all its good intentions and moments of skin-crawling tension, the areas it impresses in aren't as important as the ones it doesn't. Ultimately, it leaves you hollow. [Oct 2017, p.83]
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  1. Eurogamer
    Aug 8, 2017
    Ninja Theory crafts a highly competent action game and a nuanced, powerful exploration of mental health. [Essential]
  2. The A.V. Club
    Aug 8, 2017
    Ninja Theory created an empathetic tour de force, a game that takes advantage of all the powerful modes of sensory and emotional manipulation the medium affords to create a gut-wrenching personal journey of acceptance and empowerment.
  3. The Verge
    Aug 9, 2017
    Obviously a game like Hellblade shouldn’t be fun. It’s a dark and tortured experience, one that explores sensitive subject matter through interactivity. And for the most part, it succeeds. Venturing through the viking underworld resulted in some of the most powerfully memorable gaming experiences I’ve had in some time, particularly toward the end, when things take a gruesome turn. But getting to those moments requires patience. Just as Senua needs to push forward through nightmares to find her truth, you will need to put up with some dreary gameplay to see all Hellblade has to offer.

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Best PS4 Game of 2017
17
#17 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2017
26
#26 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1461 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,097 out of 1461
  2. Mixed: 178 out of 1461
  3. Negative: 186 out of 1461
  1. alkimistaaa
    Aug 8, 2017
    10
    Hellblade is a slap in the face of the giant and greedy publishers, for the sake of the game industry i hope this game will be a success inHellblade is a slap in the face of the giant and greedy publishers, for the sake of the game industry i hope this game will be a success in critics and sales.I highly recommend it if you love games that can be more than just fun experiences...a true work of art and i hope to see more indie developers… Full Review »
  2. Dronozoider
    Aug 8, 2017
    8
    A good and oppressive atmosphere. Great sound. Good graphics. Great story. Great puzzles.
    There would be more studios like Ninja Theory, who    A good and oppressive atmosphere. Great sound. Good graphics. Great story. Great puzzles.
    There would be more studios like Ninja Theory, who put their souls into their projects, despite the limited budget.    … Full Review »
  3. C3realkillah
    Aug 8, 2017
    9
    One of the best indie games ive ever played. A deeply emotional and beautifully told story, some of the best fighting animations ive seen in aOne of the best indie games ive ever played. A deeply emotional and beautifully told story, some of the best fighting animations ive seen in a game, phenomenal art direction, and amazing atmosphere and setting. I still cant believe it was only $30. I highly recommend it if you love games that can be more than just fun experiences...a true work of art and i hope to see more indie developers learn from ninja theory's successful project. 9/10… Full Review »
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