User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1461 Ratings

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  1. Nov 12, 2020
    10
    one of the best games i ever played !! nice story, sound, all of this game is exellent!
  2. Jan 14, 2022
    10
    Ninja theory poured their souls into this project knowing they dont have triple AAA budget yet they never stop fighting the darkness and created a triple AAA game experience with amazing graphics amazing sound immersive norse mythology story great puzzles great combat system good boss fights they showed that you can make a triple AAA game with less than a triple AAA budget the only costNinja theory poured their souls into this project knowing they dont have triple AAA budget yet they never stop fighting the darkness and created a triple AAA game experience with amazing graphics amazing sound immersive norse mythology story great puzzles great combat system good boss fights they showed that you can make a triple AAA game with less than a triple AAA budget the only cost that it was a short experience Phil spencer was smart to acquire Ninja Theory i hope Microsoft gives Ninja Theory a huge budget for Hellblade Senua Saga 2 because they deserve it i cant wait to play Hellblade 2 Expand
  3. Oct 24, 2021
    10
    O jogo é muito bom. A história e ambientação do jogo são muito bem construídas. Os gráficos ficaram excelentes. O jogo é curto porém a experiência é intensa e vale muito a pena jogar.
  4. Mar 7, 2021
    10
    Not just an incredible game but an incredible piece of art, a unique experience that will stick with you forever. A level of perfection and passion that every developer should strive for
  5. Jun 13, 2021
    10
    A masterpiece, gave me goosebumps throughout the whole game. One of the best games I have ever played
  6. Apr 3, 2022
    10
    This game is absolutely beautiful, the story is really good, and the game-play is decent. It is the most immersive game I have ever played, and it makes a really powerful experience, though it may not be "fun".
  7. Feb 12, 2022
    10
    Jogo fantástico, uma das mais fantásticas experiências que já tive com videogame. Brutal e cultural. Recomendo para quem conhece um pouco da cultura Celta ou/e Nórdica e que entenda um pouco de doenças mentais, pois assim conseguirá ter o máximo da experiência que o jogo quer passar. Nota 10
  8. Nov 4, 2021
    10
    Best game ever!! ❤️ The development of Senua as a character is just the best I have ever played. As simple as that.
  9. Feb 20, 2022
    10
    El juego más conmovedor que he podido jugar y disfrutar que me emociono y aterro por igual, Senua se transformó en mi segunda heroína favorita después de Aloy, aunque la historia y complejidad de Senua son inigualables, adoro a Dillion y adoro cada parte de la historia. Un juego altamente recomendable que te dejara con un vacío existencial y con ganas de más. Amo a Senua.
  10. Jan 9, 2023
    10
    Played this early 2023 on ps5 with 60hz turned on- this game still looks better than almost everything released in 2022. This game feels like it was made for me, the quest through hellheim being paired with this girl's madness makes for the coolest envioronments and design in any video game I've played. I just finished witcher 3 and thought whatever I played next would be disappointing-Played this early 2023 on ps5 with 60hz turned on- this game still looks better than almost everything released in 2022. This game feels like it was made for me, the quest through hellheim being paired with this girl's madness makes for the coolest envioronments and design in any video game I've played. I just finished witcher 3 and thought whatever I played next would be disappointing- Hellblade blew me away, I played the whole game over the course of one sunday and it was an experience I won't forget. Sure, the enemies can feel repetitious, but the combat feels awesome and the boss characters are really cool. They already killed it with the first installment, now I'm going to buy an xbox x just to play hellblade 2 because I'm that confident it will be a major event for me. Expand
  11. Jul 1, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
  12. Jan 18, 2023
    10
    ¿Un pequeño equipo de unas 20 personas creó esta maravilla de experiencia? GRACIAS. Un juego más que notable en todos sus aspectos. Deseando más de Senua.
  13. Dec 19, 2022
    10
    Breathe of fresh air, an experience very different, i loved it from finish to end
  14. Sep 10, 2023
    10
    Muito lindo esse jogo e desafiador, é meio confuso no começo mas é uma delícia de gameplay
  15. Aug 13, 2017
    9
    Excellent game that shows it's calibre more the deeper you go in the game. Enjoyed my time with it, and appreicated Ninja Theory's researches on mental illness as made it more visceral and disturbing in places.

    This game I think will probably remain with you when coming across issues of mental health in every day life.
  16. Aug 29, 2017
    9
    I don't know where to even begin with this. But I'll start with first impressions. This game looks amazing. Far better than big studio productions lately. A true breakthrough in quality and with recent games like Zero Dawn, I thought the bar was set high. It has been reset again. Soon after playing you notice the game provides no HUD or out-of-scene visuals, cues, notifications (other thanI don't know where to even begin with this. But I'll start with first impressions. This game looks amazing. Far better than big studio productions lately. A true breakthrough in quality and with recent games like Zero Dawn, I thought the bar was set high. It has been reset again. Soon after playing you notice the game provides no HUD or out-of-scene visuals, cues, notifications (other than saving). it doesn't hold you hand, provide you with numbers to obsess over. There's no inventory, no crates or barrels to loot. No gear to gawk over, none of that. This game ventures off in a bold new direction. The vision and bravery of this small team to conceive of an experience (I don't even call it a game) so profound, thrilling, confusing and contemplative as this, is just remarkable. I remove my hat and bow to these visionaries.

    This experience centers on a woman, her past, her lost love, her journey into the depths of her mind. It uses metaphor to paint a landscape that is cold, vast and often confusing and frustrating to convey the very emotions the narrative embodies. This brings you into the character. Even though it is 3rd person, you are immersed in this story, which is one of pain and suffering. But also one of determination, faith in oneself and strength. I can see how the layers of this game may not be appreciated by true "gamers". To really appreciate this title, like you would any true piece of art, one must reflect on it. And on oneself. It is an introspective journey.

    This game touches your senses, emotions and thoughts in different ways simultaneously. The stark, solemn and empty world separated by amazingly intense combat, juxtaposed by puzzles that emerge from the subtle shapes and illusions of the world around you.

    This experience is not about diversity, gameplay, looting, or skills. Those things matter to traditional type games where you are the "player". This game is something entirely different. It's an interactive narrative,. a struggle; a rethinking of genres, groundbreaking.
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  17. Mar 20, 2019
    9
    Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is yet another successful creation of Ninja Theory, and is probably the best manifestation of their game philosophy.

    The game showed a lot of focus and dedication towards its subject matter, which is something many current gen games don’t do enough. It went full deep dive into the subject and crafted the entire game around its main theme and it is brilliant
    Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is yet another successful creation of Ninja Theory, and is probably the best manifestation of their game philosophy.

    The game showed a lot of focus and dedication towards its subject matter, which is something many current gen games don’t do enough. It went full deep dive into the subject and crafted the entire game around its main theme and it is brilliant because of it.

    While I do not want to write a synopsis on its plot, I recommend players to play with either surround sound or a headset. Pay attention to its audio and visual beauty. It also may help you understand the lore a bit if you have some knowledge of Norse mythology (if you played the 2018 God of War or watched MCU Thor movies, you should be ok). Most importantly, after you finish the game I strongly urge you to watch the Hellblade Bonus Features under the main title screen. It’s about 20 minutes long but it provides such valuable insight to the subject.

    It always pains me to get around to reviewing the combat aspect of Ninja Theory games after being so emotionally satisfied with everything else it offered. The combat felt a bit shallow. I noticed this flaw is shared by some of Ninja Theory’s best titles, the most apparent and recent example being DmC: Devil May Cry reboot. Whether it’s due to the budget limit or creative differences, the combat, while fluid and polished, just felt like it’s not on the same level as all of its other aspects. But please don’t get me wrong here, the combat is still very fun and engaging and by the time you finally notice its flaws it is already over.

    In conclusion I find Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice to be very enjoyable and memorable. While it does not quite reach the heights of titles such as God of War (2018), Bloodborne, or The Last of Us in terms of flawlessness, it is a valiant effort and sets the bar high for all other indie-AAA games.
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  18. Aug 9, 2017
    9
    You know a review is fake if it complains about wasting $60 because the game only costs $30...
    Otherwise, this is one of the most unique, emotionally fresh, graphically pleasing, unnerving experiences of all time. I did not even know about this game until a coupe days ago, and I bought it already. That was the fastest discovery-to-purchase time for any game in my library.
  19. Aug 11, 2017
    9
    Finally, something different to play! I've been gaming since 1985 and gaming in recent years has become very stale. That is until British developers Ninja Theory gave us HellBlade: Senua's Sacrifice. This is made by a team of just 16 people yet has AAA productions for a price of just £24.99. The graphics are pretty amazing, especially the character models, lighting, reflections andFinally, something different to play! I've been gaming since 1985 and gaming in recent years has become very stale. That is until British developers Ninja Theory gave us HellBlade: Senua's Sacrifice. This is made by a team of just 16 people yet has AAA productions for a price of just £24.99. The graphics are pretty amazing, especially the character models, lighting, reflections and atmosphere. Some things like rocks and trees can have low res textures, but it doesn't really take anything away from how well polished this game is. The atmosphere of the game is a thing of beauty and really sucks and draws you into it. This is also helped by the impressive sound quality and voice acting. Gameplay wise it is pretty basic and is a mix of solving puzzles and sword play. The sword play is fun and fluid even if easily mastered. The puzzles take me back to games of the early 90's when games were harder. Finding and lining up symbols to unlock gates can sometimes be a bit of a chore but the game does let you know when you're on the right track, as it gives off cool red symbols that appear and float about all over the screen to let you know you are close. Not so when having to repair something like a staircase though. You have to figure that out by yourself and while i personally like it i can see some people getting frustrated by it and finding it hard. But if you have been around gaming since the 80's and 90's when games were harder you will more than likely enjoy this aspect of the game compared to all the modern dumbed down games of today. There is that sense of challenge and achievement when completing a puzzle which allows you to move forward in the game. There's no rushing through here. Other puzzles include remembering short paths to escape and the highlight for me is the alternative world puzzles. You walk through certain markers or look through certain objects and they will open up routes you couldn't previously see. Some of these are very subtle like a new route will appear that wasn't there before, or a bridge appearing, wall vanishing opening up a new path to complete a puzzle. Or the entire world scenery will change from dark blue, glum and rainy to bright and sunny as you have to keep switching back between the two to progress through a level and solve puzzles as some routes will only appear when it is dark, rainy and glum and others will only appear when it is sunny. The story is pretty good but what makes it interesting is Senua's mental health problems. She suffers psychosis and hallucinations so you're never quite sure what is real and what isn't. You hear the voices in her head which either encourage her, go against her, or guide her. They can be quite harrowing but can also be quite humorous. The voices in her head made me feel genuinely sorry for her and for the people out there that suffer this horrific mental health problem. But it also made me root for her and i desperately wanted to do right by Senua and guide her down the right paths. And as much as i enjoyed playing such a dark game i got great pleasure when seeing Senua experiencing something joyful like a joyful hallucination that put her in a good place and showed off the innocence of her character, the real her. She is a great character and will go down as one of the most memorable characters in a video game. This is a brilliant game and just £24.99. Contender not just for game of the year but game of this generation. Expand
  20. Nov 7, 2017
    9
    This game is an amazing experience and I have never played anything like it. I am so grateful that such an ambitious and visionary game was made for me to play. The game is beautiful, the story is incredibly engaging and the way that it deals with mental health is so interesting. They have created an amazing character that is so vulnerable but so much stronger because of it. I found theThis game is an amazing experience and I have never played anything like it. I am so grateful that such an ambitious and visionary game was made for me to play. The game is beautiful, the story is incredibly engaging and the way that it deals with mental health is so interesting. They have created an amazing character that is so vulnerable but so much stronger because of it. I found the combat to be very engaging and stylish. The puzzles can go on a bit but the way they are used to tell her story and the way the story evolves as you do the puzzles makes it very worthwhile.

    The only criticism I have is that the fighting mechanics could be a little bit more varied, however this was no a focus of the game and I still found the fighting very rewarding and enjoyable. The second boss fight was one of the most intense and cinematic I have ever experienced.

    I do not often have the privilege of playing games with such a clear vision and where all of the elements of the game are executed in the service of that vision. I recommend it to everybody, it is an experience like no other. This game reminds me why video games are so special as a medium. I have been so excited telling people about this game and I will keep recommending it to everyone I can.
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  21. 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 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 developersOne 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 Expand
  22. Feb 26, 2018
    9
    An amazing game and experience. I play a lot of games but games like this is why I love them and I appreciate the story and characters and the world that has been created. If you love games play this it will leave memories
  23. Aug 11, 2017
    9
    Guns - no
    Explosions - no
    Intelligent storytelling - definitely
    Atmospheric - totally
    Stunning visuals - absolutely
    10/10 - very nearly
    Game Of The Year - quite possibly
  24. Aug 15, 2017
    9
    One of the best games of recent years. Great story, beautiful heroine, madness and anxiety mixed with amazing graphics and a very nice fighting system. I would definitely recommend. 9/10!
  25. Sep 7, 2017
    9
    hell blade is sort of an exploration/puzzle/adventure game with with a combat system that's very familiar and fairly simple, but really satisfying and very tense a lot of the time. I enjoyed a lot of the puzzles in the game and thought a lot of the challenges with puzzle aspects were really interesting, but some of the puzzles get repeated quite often and even though I enjoyed them andhell blade is sort of an exploration/puzzle/adventure game with with a combat system that's very familiar and fairly simple, but really satisfying and very tense a lot of the time. I enjoyed a lot of the puzzles in the game and thought a lot of the challenges with puzzle aspects were really interesting, but some of the puzzles get repeated quite often and even though I enjoyed them and thought they were neat, when you get into the late game and still have to solve the same kindof puzzle you've been doing since the beginning it can become kind of annoying, but thankfully there is a lot of variety to the kinds of challenges youll be facing through the game. the game uses audio very creatively and incorporates its audio as a main mechanic in the game and it works really well and makes you feel like a crazy person much like the main character Senua, and is one of the most original and fresh concepts ive seen in a game and brings a lot of awareness to mental illness and how greatly it affects people. the narrative is really good and there are many powerful and emotional moments that are well earned, and is one of the strongest aspects of this game. the story is very smart and well told and I became very invested in senua, her story, her struggles and her flaws. the story creates a very well realized world as well. this is a very dark tale with some really dark subjects being told and there are times where I was actually really scared and disturbed which I wasn't expecting. I think this is one of the best games ive played this year. the only problems I had were with a few of the puzzles being a little frustrating because the didn't give enough clear direction, but that was only with two of them, and a few sections of the game were drawn out a bit to long taking me out of the experience a little I don't understand why they needed to be that way they could of just shortened those small moments and I felt these little frustrations took me out of the game a lot especially the some of the reapeating puzzles, but other wise this is a must play game and I highly recommend it. there is no game like this out there and its a very unique, fresh, intense, epic and emotional experience. the game is about 8 hours but is half the price of a full price game, and I forgot to mention that the game is absolutely gorgeous and I adored the games design of the locations, enemies and atmosphere. Expand
  26. Aug 13, 2017
    9
    Aside from a few small bugs sprinkled here and there, Hellblade is a groundbreaking achievement in the gaming industry. It is the new golden standard in terms of how far games can go at delivering such a powerful and personal narrative, enough to really make me feel a strong connection to all the mental suffering and anguish that this poor girl was going through. It is a game aboutAside from a few small bugs sprinkled here and there, Hellblade is a groundbreaking achievement in the gaming industry. It is the new golden standard in terms of how far games can go at delivering such a powerful and personal narrative, enough to really make me feel a strong connection to all the mental suffering and anguish that this poor girl was going through. It is a game about struggling to cope with loss, and is an absolute masterpiece and a true work of art.

    9.5/10, would be a 10 if they can patch all the technical issues.
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  27. Aug 13, 2017
    9
    You've got to love a story driven game, not another h&s. Some people believe that "a walking simulator" cannot be a good game. Here a story plays a role, not fighting, visuals (pretty good for a non AA game). Worth the money. Keep up the good work Ninja Theory!
  28. Aug 15, 2017
    9
    This game heavily relies on narrative and fantastic sound design, to immersive you in a journey that approaches the subject of mental illness in a way I hadn't experienced before, and I really enjoyed that. Combat is not the main focus here, the mechanics are good but quite basic (even during boss fights) and you're fighting for about 30-35% of the time in total. If you don't like the wayThis game heavily relies on narrative and fantastic sound design, to immersive you in a journey that approaches the subject of mental illness in a way I hadn't experienced before, and I really enjoyed that. Combat is not the main focus here, the mechanics are good but quite basic (even during boss fights) and you're fighting for about 30-35% of the time in total. If you don't like the way that sounds then honestly you'll probably want to skip this because it's not for you.

    As for the puzzles, in the first couple of hours I felt they were hurting the pacing of the story a little bit ,but once I started paying attention to sounds and visual cues, they were pretty straightforward for the most part, but I could see others not being a fan of them. You'll understand why they were implemented like that when you watch the bonus documentary they included in the game. Again, Hellblade is not for everyone, but if you appreciate the effort to push storytelling in videogames, you should really check this out.
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  29. Nov 29, 2017
    9
    Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
    Best story telling of the year
    Senuas Sacrifice is a psychological action adventure game with a dash of horror elements. Here you play Senua, a Pict warrior battling her way through Helheim to rescue the soul of a man that loved her… But you’re not on this journey alone... The games focus is mental illness… And I feel the game does a great job of this...
    Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
    Best story telling of the year
    Senuas Sacrifice is a psychological action adventure game with a dash of horror elements.
    Here you play Senua, a Pict warrior battling her way through Helheim to rescue the soul of a man that loved her…
    But you’re not on this journey alone...
    The games focus is mental illness…
    And I feel the game does a great job of this... of filling you with constant anxiety
    as you journey you’ll hear voices…
    These voices never leave you...
    They’re constantly going, whispering the way you should be going while at the same time telling you to go back, they’ll encourage you and discourage you, these voices were probably my favorite part of the game, and because of them I played the entire game with headphones…
    letting them whisper to me as id fight and solve puzzles…
    this is a very linear game that takes around 7 hours to complete,
    You’ll be going through this gorgeous world and frequently be stopped by a gate…
    On this gate are symbols... its then up to you to find the symbols in the world to unlock the gate…
    Turning this into a perspective puzzle game...
    The screen will start filling with the symbol when its near, you then can focus to find it, and then it’s onto the next symbol…
    And to stop this from getting tedious the game will add different elements to each section, such as portals that will take away a section of an area, or add to it, fix a broken bridge or staircase..
    Constantly keeping the game feeling fresh and new...
    Along your way you’ll run into lorestones that will tell you the story from Norse mythology.
    These can be cleverly hidden as well giving you incentive to explore…
    My least favorite part of this game however is its combat...
    There as boss battles which I actually really enjoyed...
    But I didn’t enjoy the combat encounters with smaller enemies…
    the combat at first feels cinematic, you have a regular attack, heavy, and melee to break shields, you can block and doge, and you’re able to focus to temporarily slow down time...
    But the game just throws way too many enemies at you to defeat in these thankfully rare moments...
    The multiple enemies don’t necessarily make things hard, especially thanks to the voices telling you to look out before an enemy can strike you…
    the fights just drag on for too long most of the time killing the pace and emersion of the game…
    The rest of the game however comes together perfectly…
    You’ll feel all sorts of emotions, good and bad while playing this game, and there really is a beautiful story to be told here…
    No matter the type of gamer you are, you owe it to yourself to pick this on up.
    I give Hellblade: Senuas Sacrifice
    a 9/10
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  30. Aug 10, 2017
    9
    One thing I'll never understand is when a gamer who likes FPS's, who wants to kill something every 2 seconds, gets annoyed with a game like this, when they can't?

    Are peoples eyes painted on? Do they not watch the trailers? The game is exactly what they told us it would be - and something truly unique and special. Saying that, it's utterly disturbing and totally messed up... but in
    One thing I'll never understand is when a gamer who likes FPS's, who wants to kill something every 2 seconds, gets annoyed with a game like this, when they can't?

    Are peoples eyes painted on? Do they not watch the trailers?

    The game is exactly what they told us it would be - and something truly unique and special. Saying that, it's utterly disturbing and totally messed up... but in an amazing, engaging, can't-take-your-eyes-off-the-screen, type of way. I couldn't stop playing, and knocked it out in one 8 hour session... not something any other game has managed to get from me before.

    Is it perfect? No. I found there were some pacing issues and graphical inconsistencies. But as an overall experience - and for only $30 - you can'y go wrong.

    If you want something different, this will satisfy your needs.
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  31. Aug 8, 2017
    9
    Wow what a great game. As many people along side with me has been watching this game come to life by the Dev Dairies. The game has gone through massive changes over the years and it shows by the polish and improvement overall. I love what Ninja Theory is trying to do with the whole indie game but an AAA product and I hope that developers start to experiment with this strategy as well. NowWow what a great game. As many people along side with me has been watching this game come to life by the Dev Dairies. The game has gone through massive changes over the years and it shows by the polish and improvement overall. I love what Ninja Theory is trying to do with the whole indie game but an AAA product and I hope that developers start to experiment with this strategy as well. Now onto the game. The voice acting and the presentation/graphics are stunning and Ninja Theory should be commended on there work with such a low budget. The story is so fascinating and how realized psychosis is in the game. The illness is very well implemented into the game too. During combat the voices can yell behind you, or focus. And finish him and end it so you can know when to charge in for that final blow. The combat I really like but I can see people wouldn't because it is a little simplistic, but it wasn't necessarily needed to progress the story. The game heavily relies on cutscenes and cinematic presentation which is always a plus in my book and clearly makes sense why is a PS4 console exclusive, since Sony loves its cinematic gameplay presentations. The game can be beaten in roughly 5-6 hours but the game is very unique and something different and I think if people would give it a chance and help support Ninja Theory they will like it. And heck for $30 you can't go wrong with that. Expand
  32. Aug 13, 2017
    9
    As the developers said its and indie game but its like an AAA game,yes his game is wonderful:unique story,great environment,perfect game play & combat system,unique cutscence and,etc
    Its one of the must buys,and the price is totally fair.
    The only problems is some of technical problems like some of sound effects;for example when you walk on water the sound of that is really deep,but they
    As the developers said its and indie game but its like an AAA game,yes his game is wonderful:unique story,great environment,perfect game play & combat system,unique cutscence and,etc
    Its one of the must buys,and the price is totally fair.
    The only problems is some of technical problems like some of sound effects;for example when you walk on water the sound of that is really deep,but they are just some little problems that most of games has so you can easels pass this little problems
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  33. Aug 10, 2017
    9
    You know something is wrong with the game industry when a small studio with a low budget makes a better game than most other games coming out in the years.

    Graphics 9/10 Very good, some lower resolution textures here and there but still solid all around. Story 9/10 Lot's of great story telling with deeper meanings. Gameplay 9/10 Combat is phenomenal but might get repetitive after a
    You know something is wrong with the game industry when a small studio with a low budget makes a better game than most other games coming out in the years.

    Graphics 9/10 Very good, some lower resolution textures here and there but still solid all around.
    Story 9/10 Lot's of great story telling with deeper meanings.
    Gameplay 9/10 Combat is phenomenal but might get repetitive after a while. So it's good the game isn't too long.
    Puzzles felt tedious at first but then I really started to appreciate them how they fit perfectly with the story with unique take on puzzling.

    Definitely worth the 30$ and ninja theory is being a great examply in a industrythat is becoming more and more toxic.
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  34. Aug 8, 2017
    9
    This game focus mental illness which terrifying to be honest. It's remind me of Spec Op The Line which also focus psychological and morality. Spec Op The Line haunted me because the loading screen quote : "This is all your fault" and the music sound terrifying. Hellblade will push Senua psychology to the test.
  35. Jul 9, 2022
    9
    Good atmosphere with maybe the best sound effects i've experienced in gaming. The cast performance was perfect. Maybe you will get stuck in some puzzle parts, but in the end, game is almost perfect.
  36. Aug 14, 2017
    9
    This game has received some criticism (albeit I feel unfairly) and some adorations. All in all it set out what it meant to do and that was to get people talking.

    You play as Senua. A young girl troubled with psychosis fighting through the underworld based in Norse mythology looking to free her long lost love Dillian. Throughout her journey she not only battles different god but her own
    This game has received some criticism (albeit I feel unfairly) and some adorations. All in all it set out what it meant to do and that was to get people talking.

    You play as Senua. A young girl troubled with psychosis fighting through the underworld based in Norse mythology looking to free her long lost love Dillian. Throughout her journey she not only battles different god but her own demons as well. She is troubled by the voices in her head and not sure of what or who to trust, including herself. You will soon begin to understand that this is more than just a battle for the soul of your love but also a journey to vindicate yourself and to prove once and for all that you were not the cause of what happened to your people.

    I played this game entirely with headphones on. I would recommend anyone that plays this to do the same as the voices in Senua’s head are also in yours. It definitely provides a level of immersion that to my recollection has not been achieved as of late this gen.

    Throughout the heavy narrative you will be put in situations that test Senua’s ability to overcome the doubt inside her head to overcome an obstacle that is placed there to hinder your progress to protect the gods. The game is heavily dependent on the narrative aspect with a few sequences where you will fight enemies. During these sequences you will be challenged not only with just regular combat with enemies but also with timing as well as to when you place them in focus in order to take them out of their shadow form. The level at which you encounter these different enemies is very well thought out as to increasing in difficulty and the amount of damage required to defeat them.

    The puzzle sequences in this game I feel offer a twist on your average puzzles that I’ve encountered in recent games and provides you with enough clues and hints that completing them will be relatively easy. Just don’t let the voices in your head confuse you and you will be fine.
    This game is a must play for all those on the fence and I’d say even for those looking past it. This game explores mental health in a way few games have ever achieved. It really puts the character right in your hands and head.
    I don’t feel like this is a game to go in to great detail with as its one that must be played and experienced in order to fully grasp the intriquicies in which Ninja Theory went to in order to tell Senua’s story.

    I rank this game definitely as one of the greatest games this year and give it an overall 9/10 rating. I chose the 9/10 simply because I felt the only thing this game was lacking was a chapter select feature after you beat the game for clean-up of the collectibles you missed. Other than that it was a near perfect game for me.
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  37. Feb 17, 2019
    9
    Gameplay/Mechanics: 8
    Sound/Music: 10
    Graphics/Art: 9
    Story/Atmosphere: 9
    OVERALL: 9/10
  38. Dec 27, 2017
    9
    Good:
    - Uses an interactive medium to its upmost potential and sheds an interesting perspective on mental illness
    - Combat was designed a lot better than expected and was genuinely fun and challenging throughout - The feature accessible through the main menu is great and adds a alot of insight to the development behind the game while highlighting the lengths the team went to depict
    Good:
    - Uses an interactive medium to its upmost potential and sheds an interesting perspective on mental illness
    - Combat was designed a lot better than expected and was genuinely fun and challenging throughout
    - The feature accessible through the main menu is great and adds a alot of insight to the development behind the game while highlighting the lengths the team went to depict psychosis accurately
    - Bosses where crazy fun to fight against
    - The perspective puzzles were always fun and interesting
    - The length was perfect for indie title (Around 6 hours)
    - The nordic lore was always interesting to hear about
    - The voices Senua hears in her head not only help drive the narrative, but they also help out with gameplay. They tell the player when an enemy is attacking from behind and will give hints on puzzles and how to proceed.

    Mixed:
    - The ending scene is great, but the song that plays over the credits afterwards is god awful and soils it in a small way
    - There were some noticeable technical issues but nothing that straight up broke the game or soiled the experience in a major way
    - The story can be a little hard to follow, but everything comes together very nicely in the end

    Bad:
    - It was very easy to get lost in a number of areas
    - Alluring to a perma-death feature was very misleading and could have been a really neat feature if it was actually implemented
    XXX
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  39. Aug 8, 2017
    9
    I get it. Prior to release I only saw the self punished madness the developer's threw at the trailers and thought this game was nothing more than a show reel. But I get it now. Under all the motion capture and voice layer beats an independent heart. It's an enthralling and oppressive tale of a poisoned mind fighting vivid nightmares for stakes the player only really starts to appreciateI get it. Prior to release I only saw the self punished madness the developer's threw at the trailers and thought this game was nothing more than a show reel. But I get it now. Under all the motion capture and voice layer beats an independent heart. It's an enthralling and oppressive tale of a poisoned mind fighting vivid nightmares for stakes the player only really starts to appreciate when they reach the end game. It paces well, punishes players who are too weak and not dedicated enough to rise to it's puzzles and combat and rewards those who triumph with a genuinely very good little title you can buy at a good price on release. Expand
  40. Aug 10, 2017
    9
    Such a great game... Visually stunning and a fantastically written narrative and amazing performance by the actress. Music that enhances and enriches the experience, a story that questions what is real and what isn't. Prices at 30 dollars but has a better triple A experience than most of today's latest games.
  41. Sep 8, 2018
    9
    The game’s intro is very cinematic. You start out on some type of Canoe and your rowing through water, you hear these voices that are kind of there to Narrate what is happening in the sequence. You quickly realize that the voices that you hear aren’t just there for the intro, these are voices you’re going to hear for the entire game.

    The character Senua has some type of serious Mental
    The game’s intro is very cinematic. You start out on some type of Canoe and your rowing through water, you hear these voices that are kind of there to Narrate what is happening in the sequence. You quickly realize that the voices that you hear aren’t just there for the intro, these are voices you’re going to hear for the entire game.

    The character Senua has some type of serious Mental Illness, I’m not going to sit here and make a statement of what exactly plagues her. The game doesn’t say and I don’t know enough about Psychology to make any presumptions. All I know is, it’s probably something fairly severe considering she hears voices in her head and the game shows this by having you experience those voices as you progress through the game.

    I don’t know how well the game represents Mental Illness if it’s fairly accurate. As I said, I am far from an expert but I do know the Studio did speak with multiple experts so I do think they tried to make it as accurate as they could. It certainly left a lasting impression on me because I remember one moment where I was trying to think but these voices just kept talking. I will always remember me saying, “Can you stop for a second?” I will never know what its like to hear voices but I can at least draw from this experience and I do have a slightly better idea of what that’s like.

    The gameplay itself is pretty basic, if I had to boil it down I would call it a very good looking walking simulator. It’s very dark and grimy but graphically the game is very impressive. When you’re not just walking forward, you’re doing 1 of 2 things. You’re either in combat which is also very basic where your options are a light attack, heavy attack, dodge or block. The other is a series of very basic puzzles where you see shapes and then you have to line the shapes up. It’s kind of hard to explain but I can say that they’re not fun but easy to truck through. One of the weakest aspects of the game is the gameplay.

    This is a very linear game and with a very linear story, it’s very interesting and I really enjoyed this game but I understand that this game is not for everyone. If you’re looking for a chaotic, action-packed game then this is not for you. If you’re looking for an interesting story then this game may be for you.
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  42. Dec 10, 2017
    9
    It shouldn't but it really bothers me when I see people knocking a game for something it was never going to be. If you walked into this game expecting Devil May Cry then you were always going to be disappointed but that doesnt mean the game is bad.

    Hell-blade offers is a developer branching out and approaching mental illness through this medium which is something that hasnt really been
    It shouldn't but it really bothers me when I see people knocking a game for something it was never going to be. If you walked into this game expecting Devil May Cry then you were always going to be disappointed but that doesnt mean the game is bad.

    Hell-blade offers is a developer branching out and approaching mental illness through this medium which is something that hasnt really been done on this scale before, they have done the research and the finished product is beautiful and painful representation of someone going through psychosis.

    Headset is an absolute must.

    Outside of the underlying theme the gameplay is solid, the puzzles while straightforward add to the theme of the game so it never feels like you are doing something for the sake of doing something, the battle system is simple but intuitive, even though the battles themselves are repetitive the ever looming thought of perma death makes things slightly more intense.

    I wouldnt change a lot in this game, Ninja Theory have achieved something here that should be used as starting point for someone building a story driven game,
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  43. Aug 13, 2017
    9
    This must be the most beautiful game for 30 euros I have ever played
    The story is epic,puzzles are good,the sound is nearly perfect
    Recommended for everyone
    BUT there's one thing, its a lot of walking so not for those people who wanna explode everything in their path
  44. Feb 20, 2018
    9
    Hellblade is a short game it’s true but it was also half the price of a full retail game. I think it worth every dollars. The binaural mix is really well handle and the VOs are super clean. Dont play that game without headphones because it is really meant to be played with it.
    The lore is rich and the narrator is really entertaining.
    At first I was not a fan of the combat system but the
    Hellblade is a short game it’s true but it was also half the price of a full retail game. I think it worth every dollars. The binaural mix is really well handle and the VOs are super clean. Dont play that game without headphones because it is really meant to be played with it.
    The lore is rich and the narrator is really entertaining.
    At first I was not a fan of the combat system but the more you progress the it’s getting better
    I had some moment where I tough « that fight was epic, »
    It really feels different to play a character that feels so weak and strong at the same time.
    That game established the new standard in term of gaming audio.

    Rating:
    Audio: 10/10
    Story : 10/10
    Level design: 8/10 ( no innovation but the challenge is well balanced)
    Art : 8/10 everything that is in game is stunning but I found the « real » image mix a bit weird.
    Overall: 8.5 plus a « must play » seal of approval.
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  45. Aug 9, 2017
    9
    This is a game about mental illness, and it is capable of making you mentally ill, lol.

    The graphics and story are amazing. Do not buy this game if you are looking to play a 100+ hour game; at max this is a 6-9 hour game. Besides the story, which is phenomenal, the sound is what gives it a creepy feeling. This game is intended to be played using a headset. There is hardly any music,
    This is a game about mental illness, and it is capable of making you mentally ill, lol.

    The graphics and story are amazing. Do not buy this game if you are looking to play a 100+ hour game; at max this is a 6-9 hour game.

    Besides the story, which is phenomenal, the sound is what gives it a creepy feeling. This game is intended to be played using a headset. There is hardly any music, the sound you hear is that of the landscape and the voices in the characters head all talking at once. You might hear one in the right earpiece telling you to move forward while one in the left earpiece is telling you to go back. There can be a bunch of different voices talking at once.

    This is not a typical game like Uncharted or Tomb Raider (both great) where you play to play. This is a game you play for the experience.

    Also, there is a perma-death feature in the game which adds to the story. If you die too many times then it will delete your saved progress and force you to restart (the mental illness gets worse after each death). This adds to your heart beating faster as you play. There is even a credited 'mental health adviser' who helped make the game what it is.

    Definitely recommend.
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  46. May 20, 2018
    9
    A game that gonna provide a experience that definely really few can do it, a experience that you probably didn't had much times during your gaming moments. This is the best indie game that have ever played and is a full proof that money isn't everything what it takes to have sucess into some work. The biggest right thing about this hole game is the immersiveness that it provides for thoseA game that gonna provide a experience that definely really few can do it, a experience that you probably didn't had much times during your gaming moments. This is the best indie game that have ever played and is a full proof that money isn't everything what it takes to have sucess into some work. The biggest right thing about this hole game is the immersiveness that it provides for those who play, a lot of aspects that put you all the way inside of the game feeling like the characters, suffering or just watching. The game have a nice story that is presented to us during the journey that you gonna enjoy and feel with Senua, basically without spoiling anything, Senua needs to reach the goddess of death, Hela, to try something. Senua is a Celtic warrior that had her tribe annihilated by the vikings.
    This game is based on the Norse mythology, and if you like and know it, surely, you will like this game a lot, you will recognize a bunch of aspects and dialogues that happens during the game, the characters tha show up and tell you something or that you gotta face it, and if you don't know the mythology, you will learn a lot, this game is culture as well. The collectibles of this game are the called lorestones, they will tell a little part of this Norse story and let you know a little more about their beliefs and culture at that time, wich was awesome.
    The fact that Senua does have schizophrenia makes everything more interesting, because you may caught you asking if all of that is real, but for a schizophrenic person it is, even if that is all in her head, but it is. Sometimes when she looks at you, you feel like you are just one more ghost that it is in her head, and that was awesome.
    The environment of the game are all just perfect, scenarios are all very well done, the details make everything so real and believable wich makes everything better. The sounds are other big deal in here, probably the best aspect of the hole game, you gotta play it with headsets on, the "3D sounds" make this game unique, the character of Senua, does have voices in her head, you hearing them from everywhere, and hearing the enviroment like rivers, bush and stuff, it is a big differential here. A lot of times you got scary because of all the aspects of the game working together, scenario and sounds, walking trought strange forests or full dark places.
    The battle system is great, it isn't much complex but still very miscellaneous, letting you do combos, dodge, pary and all of that in a peculiar way, with the cam stuck and very close, you need to hear the voices in Senua's head to know when someone is getting to your back to attack you. All the boss battles are phenomenal, since the first one and until the last are all great and very creative, during some fights i just didn't want it to end cause of how badass that was, because of the visuals, the song and the fight itself, all gorgeous.
    The puzzles that the game have are, in most, very good, somethings that really will put you in thinking mode and definely in searching mode, some things that are needed to open doors and stuff, you gott to find some templates to fit into the mold, and that worked out very well.
    The camera got some tricks that maybe bother some people, but for me was a very smart way to put things in table. First of all the game posses no HUD at all, for me that was great, make things more realistic and to got yourself asking that things like "I think that he is almos done" but just for what you are seing in the battle, isn't the most commom thing these days and i did appreciated it a lot. The camera is very close and locked in the character, the movies are very limited, you could take this as a problem or, like me, think that is like a narrative resource to show how Senua is in the situations, without much to do or go, she is locked in her journey. During some cutscenes that the character is talking to someone, the camera goes straight to her face and she looks exactly to our face, like she is really talking to us in some moments, for me that was just great.
    The big deal here is most likely the engagement that the developers had while doing the character of Senua, the study that they did with schizophrenia, taking interviews with doctors and patients to do it in the most perefect way as possible, the hallucinations and voices in this game are all formidable and well deserved, the story is great and the gameplay is also pretty well done. The interpretive and metaphoric final is great, giving to us some sort of teaching in how to deal with mourning.
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  47. Sep 11, 2017
    9
    Not for those who need a break neck pace, it's methodically paced from it's story to it's combat, this is a story more about narrative than frenetic combat. Everything it does, it does fairly well, looks great, great atmosphere, Druth's narration is silky smooth, some fantastic visual sequences, and solid enough combat. If you can abide a slow paced game, more about plot, it's a must play.Not for those who need a break neck pace, it's methodically paced from it's story to it's combat, this is a story more about narrative than frenetic combat. Everything it does, it does fairly well, looks great, great atmosphere, Druth's narration is silky smooth, some fantastic visual sequences, and solid enough combat. If you can abide a slow paced game, more about plot, it's a must play. As "normal people" don't play games for just one reason, every genre has it's audience. Expand
  48. Nov 27, 2017
    9
    A psychedelic/atmospheric MASTERPIECE that restored my faith in game developers (9.5/10).

    Every once in a while there comes a game that simply blows you away, your jaw just keeps dropping with every scene and you get so emotionally involved you almost think it's all real - this is my experience with this game. I've never felt so attached to a character since Ellie (The Last of Us). I
    A psychedelic/atmospheric MASTERPIECE that restored my faith in game developers (9.5/10).

    Every once in a while there comes a game that simply blows you away, your jaw just keeps dropping with every scene and you get so emotionally involved you almost think it's all real - this is my experience with this game. I've never felt so attached to a character since Ellie (The Last of Us).

    I could speak about the pros of this game for hours, let me just say...even the cons are not really cons, once you play the game, you will understand what I mean - everything simply fits.

    Pros:

    - atmosphere unlike any other
    - motion capture and character graphics are from another planet
    - lead actress Melina Juergens deserves an Oscar, no...in fact she deserves every award available for her performance
    - best audio in a game EVER
    - Ninja Theory literally created a new genre in terms of how this game was made/priced, etc

    Cons:

    - Simplified combat (more about timing than skill)
    - puzzles could be better
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  49. Aug 12, 2017
    9
    A very successful, darkly oppressive northern mythological 3th person enigma game.
    A very successful, darkly oppressive northern mythological 3th person enigma game
  50. Aug 8, 2017
    9
    One of the most different and immersive experiences I've had this year, stunning storytelling, enigmatic , magnificent audio engineering and beautiful graphics with well-modeled characters and incredibly realistic facial expressions, excellent
  51. Aug 10, 2017
    9
    Amazing experience, really enjoyed the game, but found the battle system a little awkward and only got the hang of it in the final fight. The puzzles were wonderful and creative, and the over lap of Senua's story with the Nordic myths was lovely. There were a few little game play things (again mostly related to combat but not all) that bugged me, but nothing deal breaking.
  52. Aug 12, 2017
    9
    A breath of fresh air. Definitely a very much appreciated change and long overdue pace in gaming. Games like this give us gamers a variety in a market where games are over-saturated with FPS, game leagues, and attempts at "open world". Now, listen I love FPS, game leagues and open world, but let's be honest, they are all over the place and starting to be a dime a dozen. I like this walkingA breath of fresh air. Definitely a very much appreciated change and long overdue pace in gaming. Games like this give us gamers a variety in a market where games are over-saturated with FPS, game leagues, and attempts at "open world". Now, listen I love FPS, game leagues and open world, but let's be honest, they are all over the place and starting to be a dime a dozen. I like this walking simulation with some action, with a deep story and is enjoyable in between playing other games in the previous mentioned game formats. Going to rate this one high, but not perfect, so I will be fair. Expand
  53. Aug 13, 2017
    9
    Hellblade is a unique action/adventure/puzzle game what makes the game stand out from the rest is you get to see the Journey trough the eyes of senua in a Viking setting she suffers from mental illness and psykosis IT makes the story really compelling many go in to the game expecting a full on action game and get dissapointed IF you go in to the game with an open mind IT got better andHellblade is a unique action/adventure/puzzle game what makes the game stand out from the rest is you get to see the Journey trough the eyes of senua in a Viking setting she suffers from mental illness and psykosis IT makes the story really compelling many go in to the game expecting a full on action game and get dissapointed IF you go in to the game with an open mind IT got better and better the further in i got i recommend you play IT with headphones For full immersion ! Expand
  54. Aug 14, 2017
    9
    Pros
    +Effectively articulates the experience of mental illness
    +Gripping character driven story +Intensely cinematic +Visually stunning +Inventive puzzle elements Cons -Not enough combat segments Hellblade: Senua's sacrifice implants the player into the mind of Senua, a solitary Celtic Warrior traversing profound layers of  psychosis, on a quest to free her beloved's soul from
    Pros
    +Effectively articulates the experience of mental illness
    +Gripping character driven story
    +Intensely cinematic
    +Visually stunning
    +Inventive puzzle elements

    Cons
    -Not enough combat segments

    Hellblade: Senua's sacrifice implants the player into the mind of Senua, a solitary Celtic Warrior traversing profound layers of  psychosis, on a quest to free her beloved's soul from the clutches of Hell's persecution.  Elements of dark fantasy, Norse mythology and historical fiction, establish the setting for the story, complementing pervasive dark themes and rich context.

    Overwhelmed by confusion, ravaged by fear and haunted by the trauma of her past, Senua must embrace the madness cloaked within the recesses of her own enduring nightmare.  As each subsequent layer of the narrative is revealed, the player descends further into delirium to confront the gnawing darkness.  Driven by a captivating performance from Melina Juergens, Hellblade's unique story examines mental illness through the lens of distorted perception.

    Link to full review

    https://synapticgaming.wordpress.com/2017/08/14/hellblade-senuas-sacrifice-review/
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  55. Aug 20, 2017
    9
    Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice was an experience with a wonderful music, beautiful graphics and awesome voice acting. If you enjoy Norse mythology and games with a great story prepare for a ride. Game took me a 8 hours to complete but for it's price, it is a great deal. For 2017 it is a must play.
  56. Sep 9, 2017
    9
    It was a game full of surprises, twists and i mean mind twists and turns. Great Psychological thriller game. Enjoyed playing it. One thing i didn't like about this game is that it was made a bit draggy maybe because of the short story, apart from that it was good whether it is graphics or whatever, it was nice.
    Voices, mind games, everything was amazing.
  57. Nov 24, 2017
    9
    Hellblade is a really great achievement from developers Ninja Theory!
    Combat is fun and rewarding- you can really feel the hits! It's very responsive. Its nice to see a game that sticks the camera to the players back and requires your wits to doge attacks coming from the side.
    The game is utterly gorgeous and you can see the amount of detail they have put in the create a rich nordic
    Hellblade is a really great achievement from developers Ninja Theory!
    Combat is fun and rewarding- you can really feel the hits! It's very responsive. Its nice to see a game that sticks the camera to the players back and requires your wits to doge attacks coming from the side.
    The game is utterly gorgeous and you can see the amount of detail they have put in the create a rich nordic hell.
    Puzzle solving isnt my favorite, but honestly it wasnt all bad and it kind of added to the lonliness of the mental health issues it was addressing.
    Felt very good supporting a developer who you could clearly see was passionate about making this game.
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  58. Apr 25, 2021
    9
    Первая половина игры скучновата конечно, но потом прям очень сильно затягивает сюжетом и геймплеем. Звук в игре просто потрясающий, играть только в наушниках.
  59. Mar 10, 2020
    9
    It has its flaws, but otherwise it's absolutely amazing game with deep and emotional story. I just couldn't stop playing it. Thank you, developers.
  60. Jul 27, 2018
    9
    This Game is a solid game. You really feel like you can feel the weight of this character, mental illness. the passion for making people aware of the mental ill can be seen as the game goes on. while most of the game is mainly swordplay and puzzles for which i like, the over arching story and insight into the human mind really makes it worth it. And as a bonus on 4k tv with hdr the gameThis Game is a solid game. You really feel like you can feel the weight of this character, mental illness. the passion for making people aware of the mental ill can be seen as the game goes on. while most of the game is mainly swordplay and puzzles for which i like, the over arching story and insight into the human mind really makes it worth it. And as a bonus on 4k tv with hdr the game looks stellar. it's short and for the longtime gamer can be finished in one sitting. however graphics and story aside, this game doesn't strive very much from the average game. As i said in the beginning. it's solid but that's it. nothing eye opening gameplay wise. tough, if you want to respect the mentally ill, you won't be dissapointed or feel you wasted your time Expand
  61. Jan 16, 2022
    9
    Amazing game amazing story amazing graphics. Just play it folks, I guarantee its worth it.
  62. May 19, 2019
    9
    Very impressive game and to think this was created by a small indie developer. It is a very orginal game because of its sounddesign, which really require you to use a headset. The graphics are amazing and the story is, aldo a bit difficult to understand, very deep. I am positively suprised by this game and hope for a sequal.
  63. Feb 10, 2019
    9
    Mi puntuación sobre Hellblade: Senua's Sacriface es de 9, me explico;
    La duración del título es de máximo 10 horas ( si se te atrabanca mucho ), muy escasa a mi parecer. La trama cuenta la historia de Senua en su búsqueda de salvar el alma de Dillion, su amado. Una odisea en la cual, Senua, pasara por múltiples aventuras y combates que sufriremos y al mismo tiempo disfrutaremos de lo
    Mi puntuación sobre Hellblade: Senua's Sacriface es de 9, me explico;
    La duración del título es de máximo 10 horas ( si se te atrabanca mucho ), muy escasa a mi parecer. La trama cuenta la historia de Senua en su búsqueda de salvar el alma de Dillion, su amado. Una odisea en la cual, Senua, pasara por múltiples aventuras y combates que sufriremos y al mismo tiempo disfrutaremos de lo lindo. Un juego indie cuidado a mas no poder y con una actuación magistral de Melina Juergens ( que interpreta a Senua ), nos hará estar pendientes de cada segundo del juego. Una banda sonora muy correcta que pega muy bien con el videojuego.
    Estos motivos hacen que le ponga un 9 sobre 10 ( comparándolo con juegos de su plataforma, PS4, XboxOne y PC ). Mi Dieciseisava crítica u/o review.
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  64. Jul 5, 2021
    9
    Quite a surprise I got with this game, I bought it on sale not expecting much, I assumed it was a low budget third person linear game. But soon I realized it was different, yes it is mostly linear, but the puzzles to move forward, are clever, combat while not very difficult is fun and is actually a feast to the eyes. But what is really great about this game is the script/story and theQuite a surprise I got with this game, I bought it on sale not expecting much, I assumed it was a low budget third person linear game. But soon I realized it was different, yes it is mostly linear, but the puzzles to move forward, are clever, combat while not very difficult is fun and is actually a feast to the eyes. But what is really great about this game is the script/story and the acting, it is top notch, and the actress that played Senua wow she should get an award. It is not very common to get mature adult stories in videogames that rival the best fiction books, but this game is way up there. The game also looks great. If you like deep stories with good gameplay this game is for you. It does not get a ten because the combat could be improved a little to make the game better. Expand
  65. Jun 18, 2020
    9
    Wonderful original game with interesting features and deep idea.
    Great sound, indescribable atmosphere, cool plot, and savvy of developmenters. This game must show everyone that when you can have don't much money but have much mind and savvy, you can create something more than just ordinal game. It can become an art.
  66. Aug 11, 2020
    9
    Um dos jogos mais interessantes e diferentes que eu já vi, realmente me proporcionou uma ótima experiência e tenho muita vontade de jogar a sequência.
  67. Jan 15, 2020
    9
    Such a great game. I really liked the cinematic approach, visuals, fantasy-horror atmosphere and the story. More variety with fights and puzzles would've been great.
  68. Apr 1, 2020
    9
    The concept of psychosis is interesting. But the game has annoying puzzles and a complicated story. When you are done it's important to take a moment to digest it and review the "ending explained" videos to truly appreciate the game. This game is an experience, it's not fun, but it's not made to be fun. It looks amazing. The performance of senua is absolutely amazing. She is making. YouThe concept of psychosis is interesting. But the game has annoying puzzles and a complicated story. When you are done it's important to take a moment to digest it and review the "ending explained" videos to truly appreciate the game. This game is an experience, it's not fun, but it's not made to be fun. It looks amazing. The performance of senua is absolutely amazing. She is making. You play this game to appreciate what psychosis is. Expand
  69. Feb 4, 2020
    9
    Un vero capolavoro. Il gioco è un qualcosa di mai sperimentato fin'ora a questo livello. Consiglio anche di vedere il documentario allegato nel gioco (dopo averlo finito) per notare come nulla sia lasciato al caso. Una meraviglia che non potrà che lasciarvi scossi. Do 9 a causa della brevità del gioco (ma giustificata anche da prezzo e comunque...va bene così) e per il comparto tecnicoUn vero capolavoro. Il gioco è un qualcosa di mai sperimentato fin'ora a questo livello. Consiglio anche di vedere il documentario allegato nel gioco (dopo averlo finito) per notare come nulla sia lasciato al caso. Una meraviglia che non potrà che lasciarvi scossi. Do 9 a causa della brevità del gioco (ma giustificata anche da prezzo e comunque...va bene così) e per il comparto tecnico dove a 2 anni dall'uscita presenta bug tipo compenetrazioni che poco si vedono su questa generazione di console (magari le altre versioni vanno meglio. Da giocare per forza! Expand
  70. Apr 8, 2020
    9
    Ninja theory's take on a warrior dealing with her mental illness and the journey she experiences is a sight to behold it is a beautiful game and with the use of headphones makes the experience so much more mesmerising
  71. May 5, 2020
    9
    This is a great game. It is intended to be played with headphones, and I agree. The voices in your head really do start to mess with you. There is no tutorial for this game, it just expects you to figure it out. (Hint: Press L1 to sprint.... LOL it took me way to long to realize that...) Great Story, smooth gameplay, beautiful graphics... Should I keep going? Only downside is it is veryThis is a great game. It is intended to be played with headphones, and I agree. The voices in your head really do start to mess with you. There is no tutorial for this game, it just expects you to figure it out. (Hint: Press L1 to sprint.... LOL it took me way to long to realize that...) Great Story, smooth gameplay, beautiful graphics... Should I keep going? Only downside is it is very repetitive at times, but even then it keeps you going with its fun combat system. Definitely worth checking out. Expand
  72. Jun 26, 2020
    9
    On my first playthrough, I'd probably give this game a 7-8/10. But I wasn't ever really giving the game a fair chance. On my second playthrough, with headphones at night, I realized that this game is absolutely stunning. It absorbs you into the world, with brilliant atmosphere and writing. Easily a 9/10
  73. Apr 2, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Juego infravalorado, excelente historia y manera de tratar la psicosis, realimente me sentí en la piel de Senua. Expand
  74. Dec 31, 2020
    9
    This game is great! Although it won't be for everyone. This game is focused much more on puzzle solving than on combat. You will get to the gameplay area and the game won't explain what you have to do, which can make it a little tedious, so if you are looking for an action game, this is not for you. However, If you like solving puzzles but above all, an exquisite narrative, this is theThis game is great! Although it won't be for everyone. This game is focused much more on puzzle solving than on combat. You will get to the gameplay area and the game won't explain what you have to do, which can make it a little tedious, so if you are looking for an action game, this is not for you. However, If you like solving puzzles but above all, an exquisite narrative, this is the game for you. This is the closest experience you will get of being inside the mind...of an insane person. I highly recommend playing it with headphones as the 3D audio design is superb! Expand
  75. Aug 3, 2020
    9
    Una propuesta innovadora con una historia muy buena e interesante,con una ambientación y gráficos muy impresionantes pero con la pena de que el sistema de combate es frustrarte y muy torpe.
  76. Jul 21, 2020
    9
    Звук отличные, по уровню звука таких игр просто нет, графически игра смотрится отлично, головоломки тоже показались интересными, боевка хороша, но ее мало, но для triple I игры, ожидать чего-то большего просто непозволительно. Игра отличная.Звук отличные, по уровню звука таких игр просто нет, графически игра смотрится отлично, головоломки тоже показались интересными, боевка хороша, но ее мало, но для triple I игры, ожидать чего-то большего просто непозволительно. Игра отличная.
  77. Sep 7, 2020
    9
    Really loved this game, so did my wife. I hope we get the next one on ps5 as well.
  78. Feb 16, 2021
    9
    This game is an underrated gem. The way they portray psychosis is very elegant and respectful to those that have to live with this view of the world. The story is simple, but very impactful. PLAY IT WITH HEADPHONES for a better immersion! You are living the story as Senua, a Celtic warrior, you live through not only her every day struggle but even through the grief and demons and theThis game is an underrated gem. The way they portray psychosis is very elegant and respectful to those that have to live with this view of the world. The story is simple, but very impactful. PLAY IT WITH HEADPHONES for a better immersion! You are living the story as Senua, a Celtic warrior, you live through not only her every day struggle but even through the grief and demons and the battle of accepting yourself as you are. Very beautify made. Amazing graphics, which I enjoyed on my basic non-4k tv, but still came through so I can just imagine the treat you are in for if you have 4K or Oled; the facial graphics are pristine, even better than naughty dog's if I must tell it as it is from my eye's point of view. I see it as an evolution of interactive story telling. The combat part was what leaves it shy of a perfect 10 (I would have rated this 9.5 personally), it feels odd and the movements are limited; this might be a creative decision to make you feel even more the weight on her shoulders and the need of moving forward, but some of it's limitations just took me out of it a little. Expand
  79. Aug 27, 2021
    9
    Wow what an experience! Having just finished this game for the first time, I can honestly say that I've never experienced anything like that during gameplay. Whilst it's not the longest play through in the world, it's certainly one of the most unnerving, disconcerting and oppressive. A likeable mixture of puzzle solving in a horror atmosphere! Fighting dynamics can take time to masterWow what an experience! Having just finished this game for the first time, I can honestly say that I've never experienced anything like that during gameplay. Whilst it's not the longest play through in the world, it's certainly one of the most unnerving, disconcerting and oppressive. A likeable mixture of puzzle solving in a horror atmosphere! Fighting dynamics can take time to master which I also liked. All that said, at times I almost couldn't wait to finish it so as not to be experiencing Senua's life for lengthy periods of time! Expand
  80. May 4, 2021
    9
    Very atmospheric. Prefer to play in headphones and weed. Waiting Hellblade 2.
  81. Sep 11, 2021
    9
    Beautiful personal story, that took me off my reality and made me watching Senua's path to the end, with eyes wide open. Although battles with enemies some times been a little too difficult for average casual player, that deffenetly i am.
  82. May 1, 2023
    9
    This game is insane! Evem though When u turn the game on and it gives u a warning that it mimics psychosis it doesnt prepare u for what happens next! Put ur headset on and get ready to feel uncomfortable! controls are easy to understand and gameplay keeps u excited and busy. Highley rec to anyone looking for something different.
  83. 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 put their souls into their projects, despite the limited budget.
  84. Jul 27, 2020
    8
    Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is quite different than anything else I've played. Initially, the gameplay loop of finding symbols in the environment to unlock doors feels a little repetitive and dull but as you progress the puzzles get more complex and satisfying. It also gives you an excuse to explore the oppressive, creepy world which is no bad thing.

    The story is great, and the
    Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is quite different than anything else I've played. Initially, the gameplay loop of finding symbols in the environment to unlock doors feels a little repetitive and dull but as you progress the puzzles get more complex and satisfying. It also gives you an excuse to explore the oppressive, creepy world which is no bad thing.

    The story is great, and the characters are brilliantly acted. Druth, in particular, is fantastic and stories of Norse mythology he goes through whenever Senua finds a rune are worth the price of admission alone. Man those Vikings must have been smoking something strong when they came up with those myths!

    The combat is fun and the game lasts long enough to be satisfying without outstaying it's welcome. The lack of open-world busywork is a great gift from the developers, which more companies should copy...
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  85. Jan 20, 2018
    8
    The game has a great atmosphere/story and the combat is excellent, however the puzzles just get a bit tedious and boring. Another slight downside is the camera position during fights. Not so bad early on, but later in the game when you're constantly getting surrounded, you don't know what the enemies behind you are doing & often take a hit that you would've otherwise dodged.
    Still, a
    The game has a great atmosphere/story and the combat is excellent, however the puzzles just get a bit tedious and boring. Another slight downside is the camera position during fights. Not so bad early on, but later in the game when you're constantly getting surrounded, you don't know what the enemies behind you are doing & often take a hit that you would've otherwise dodged.
    Still, a quality game & I'd highly recommend it.
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  86. Dec 4, 2021
    8
    Not sure how to explain this game. There’s no HUD, no life bar no hack in slash or goofing around. When it’s time to fight Senua will pull out her sword & it’s time to fight plus you’d better be ready to block or dodge immediately. The game needs to be played with headphones. The headphones do a great job of really isolating you & putting you in the game with Senua & her really horribleNot sure how to explain this game. There’s no HUD, no life bar no hack in slash or goofing around. When it’s time to fight Senua will pull out her sword & it’s time to fight plus you’d better be ready to block or dodge immediately. The game needs to be played with headphones. The headphones do a great job of really isolating you & putting you in the game with Senua & her really horrible mental issues. The voices that are constantly “in your ears & head” that either are laughing at you, bullying you, doubting you but sometimes they’re encouraging & uplifting. The story is really unique & moving. It’s truly a unique game & really fun. Don’t cheat. Don’t look up the answers to the puzzles. After a little while you’ll get the idea & they’ll actually become fairly obvious & more fun. The game came in a bundle of PS4 games off eBay. Hellblade wasn’t something I was really looking for but since I had it I thought I should at least try it out. I’m sssoooo glad I did. It’s a fairly short game. I took my time, found all lord stones & platinumed in 8 hours. If you are looking for a great looking & fun game buy Hellblade. Expand
  87. Oct 26, 2017
    8
    Hellblade is a amazing game. The fact it has tried to achieve something no one else has in the games industry by creating a video game that targets mental health awareness which many gamers can relate to and feel an emotional bond too. it touches upon very real and sometimes upsetting subject, a rewarding risk that seems to have paid off. So it definitely gets 10 for story, its depth andHellblade is a amazing game. The fact it has tried to achieve something no one else has in the games industry by creating a video game that targets mental health awareness which many gamers can relate to and feel an emotional bond too. it touches upon very real and sometimes upsetting subject, a rewarding risk that seems to have paid off. So it definitely gets 10 for story, its depth and technical achievement. Its also visually superb and one of the most stunning games out there.

    however sadly, the gameplay does not follow suit. While it achieves a lot for being a indie developer. Ninja Theory has a proven track record of being able to develop high quality mainstream titles i.e DmC, Heavenly and enslaved. So for the core gameplay to fall behind its story/visuals it sadly could of been better.

    its a very linear on rails game with some good puzzles and interesting, engaging set pieces (the burning house springs to mind)

    the combat is also good to a degree, while it does get very repetitive and lacks variety both in terms of mechanics and enemy types. its a very visually realistic combat system and is original in its concept.

    it gets a 8 because while it has amazing visuals, technical achievement and storytelling it lacks the gameplay depth to suit, which causes it to become repetitive and lacking of variety very quickly.
    it has a few really memorable moments. and achieves its target of raising mental awareness and successfully converted the idea of psychosis into a video game.
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  88. Sep 2, 2017
    8
    Another great game in an awesome 2017. This year has been amazing for gaming.

    Hellblade is an intense trip though a land of death and mental anguish. It tells the story of celtic warrior woman who has lost her lover to a viking raid. She suffers from severe schizofrenia which is only exacerbated by this loss. She has journeyed north to the viking lands to bring back her lover from the
    Another great game in an awesome 2017. This year has been amazing for gaming.

    Hellblade is an intense trip though a land of death and mental anguish. It tells the story of celtic warrior woman who has lost her lover to a viking raid. She suffers from severe schizofrenia which is only exacerbated by this loss. She has journeyed north to the viking lands to bring back her lover from the underworld.

    This game is somewhat short, but for 30 dollars on release day, I'd say its well worth a play through. There are no side quests in this game, and the level design is pretty linear. It all seems to come together and work pretty well though. The story is intense and exciting, while draining and deeply interesting. The audio in this game is really something innovative and fresh. I really recommend having a good set of headphones if you plan to play this game.

    The actual game play consists of puzzle solving and vivid, flashy combat. Its probably some of the best looking sword combat I've seen in a game to date. And as a whole, the game is very well presented with fantastic visuals throughout. Beyond that, there's not really not much else to this game. It tells a brutal story filled with norse mythology and it does it well.

    Pros:
    -great innovative audio
    -exciting flashy combat
    -interesting and engrossing story
    -well worth the price of 30 dollars on release
    -fantastic visuals
    -No bugs that I noticed

    cons:
    -short
    -somewhat simple gameplay with no sidequests, leveling, inventory, or progression system
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  89. Nov 2, 2021
    8
    Несмотря на вопросы к геймплею (особенно в части сражений, о, как меня бесили схватки ближе к финалу, когда героиню окружают сразу 5-6 врагов), благодаря крепкому сюжету и потрясающей атмосфере проникаешься к игре, по меньшей мере, симпатией. Очень жаль, что после покупки MS студии разработчика NT, развитие игры для PS прекратилось. Техническое состояние на PS5 по обратной совместимостиНесмотря на вопросы к геймплею (особенно в части сражений, о, как меня бесили схватки ближе к финалу, когда героиню окружают сразу 5-6 врагов), благодаря крепкому сюжету и потрясающей атмосфере проникаешься к игре, по меньшей мере, симпатией. Очень жаль, что после покупки MS студии разработчика NT, развитие игры для PS прекратилось. Техническое состояние на PS5 по обратной совместимости удручает..

    Плюс к этому перевод субтитрами - вещь, конечно, хорошая, но в данном случае тяжело успевать следить за происходящем на экране, да еще и читать сабы диалогов + сабы голосов в голове героини..
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  90. Jan 12, 2020
    8
    8,5/10. Intriguing, immersive story. The game has excellent atmosphere with emphasis to the protagonists feelings and thoughts. The combat is not brilliant, but it is enough to keep your adrenaline at enough level to continue Senua's journey. The game has a few environment-based riddles that puts a little variety to the gameplay. Overall - recommended.
  91. Feb 7, 2018
    8
    THE GOOD: Story is fantastic. The motion cature and the sinister elements of sycosis are presented brilliantly. Fights were great. The tribal music during encounters deserve applause!
    THE BAD: The puzzles can be a bit repetitive, and some are down right hidden in very unlikely places. No record of the stories "druth" tells you so this is very easy to miss if you want the PLatinum.
    THE
    THE GOOD: Story is fantastic. The motion cature and the sinister elements of sycosis are presented brilliantly. Fights were great. The tribal music during encounters deserve applause!
    THE BAD: The puzzles can be a bit repetitive, and some are down right hidden in very unlikely places. No record of the stories "druth" tells you so this is very easy to miss if you want the PLatinum.
    THE UGLY: Weird glitches. One especially was when I spawned in a fight without sword and in my normal world stance. Even the boss couldn't damage me. WEIRD. Solved by quitinggame and restarting battle.
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  92. Apr 30, 2018
    8
    Fascinating game, great to play with some minor flaws. Watch the featurette after completion to get a full appreciation of the lengths the team have gone to in order to capture and expose many aspects of mental illness. It tells a great story but the pinnacle achievement, is a sense of empathy with someone so very different struggling with challenges that face many marginalised by modern society.
  93. Feb 16, 2020
    8
    I really enjoyed most of Hellblade. I's a grim, intense tale, one that never lets up and can feel suffocating in just how dark it is. There's plenty of death, existentialism, darkness, corpses, and visual effects that keep things endlessly surprising throughout.

    As many have mentioned, the combat can feel a bit frustrating and under cooked, particularly in the last quarter. Often it
    I really enjoyed most of Hellblade. I's a grim, intense tale, one that never lets up and can feel suffocating in just how dark it is. There's plenty of death, existentialism, darkness, corpses, and visual effects that keep things endlessly surprising throughout.

    As many have mentioned, the combat can feel a bit frustrating and under cooked, particularly in the last quarter. Often it felt like enemy waves were chucked in to increase the length of the game and the limiting camera meant that many times I was struck in what felt like unfair circumstances. You can easily wind up stuck in a corner and getting flustered. The puzzles are quite simple, and a little repetitive, but they were still very enjoyable.

    Overall it's a great game that anyone should play. I really commend Ninja Theory for keeping it short and sweet, and the production values are almost unprecedented. I was often a little confused at the ambiguity of the storytelling, but it kept me playing nonetheless. A fantastic effort with a few flaws that are easy to look past.
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  94. Aug 5, 2021
    8
    8.5

    This game has a lot of depth and treat serious matters. Still you have great combat mechanics and nice choices with the graphics. The story is not very long and it goes straight to the point. One of the best games of the year for sure.
  95. Aug 8, 2017
    8
    Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a very bold game and experience to say the least. Trying to have players go through the mindset of a person suffering from psychosis is something that the in-game documentary tries to address as a modern taboo and no-no when portrayed in media of any kind. There is plenty that this game will do that can frustrate players. Then again, if the point of the gameHellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a very bold game and experience to say the least. Trying to have players go through the mindset of a person suffering from psychosis is something that the in-game documentary tries to address as a modern taboo and no-no when portrayed in media of any kind. There is plenty that this game will do that can frustrate players. Then again, if the point of the game is to play with a mentally unstable person and expect to be mentally messed like they are, then I have to say Ninja Theory did their job in that department.

    Senua's Sacrifice is a third-person psychological/action adventure that puts the player in the role of Senua who has a journey into the depths of her psychosis in a attempt to save her lover. It's really crazy and sometimes really throws unexpected surprises at the player. You have three core things to do in the game: do puzzles by walking around while also listening to optional Nordic lore that ties to the culture Senua is apart of, cutscenes and combat. Let's critique puzzles first.

    Puzzles range from aligning objects to form symbols, running through ritual gates to produce new things and a couple other ones that are best saved for seeing for yourself. They range from boring to great, but the overall variety and quality is decent. It's unfortunate that there wasn't some more clever puzzles that the second half nails, but it gets the job done. A couple frustrated me however and I would like to say that it can be tedious and feel like the pacing is slowed. It doesn't either that Senua moves a little slow in my opinion so even running the whole way is barely passing for consistent pacing (unless you can't figure out the puzzles, in which you can get very upset and feel not compelled to play anymore).

    Cutscenes do a great job transitioning from gameplay and it's amazing how well done Senua's mocap actress is. Her delivery and performance is something to commend and often I felt a bit guilty of pushing her forward and looking directly at me even though she is talking to her own voices. The other characters (of which there is only 4) do a solid job at delivery as well, but the clear star is Senua. The voices played in her head are a bit conflicting for me. On on hand it fits the narrative and can surprisingly be useful when engaging in combat and progressing through certain puzzles. On the other, they can be annoying to listen to and considering the game wants you to listen to it best with headphones, it could drive you insane. Once again though, that has to be the point for the premise of the game. Does it excuse the fun of the game? That's purely subjective. In my experience, I found it just fine and by the end felt sorta attached to it.

    Combat is very interesting. Since the game only shows the controls in the start screen, there is no buttons or prompts when playing. The lack of a HUD and going off adapting to the controls with no tutorial is a great way to immerse yourself in games, so Senua's Sacrifice benefits from this already. The main combat itself is good, sometimes very good, but not great. You have weak and strong attacks with kicks, dodges, shielding and parrying that you can do in combos, with perfect timings on parries let you do a satisfying counterattack. The enemy placement and variety is surprisingly good, with a nice progression all the way to the end being an absolute blast to play, but also really feeling relief after the struggles of puzzles and Senua's toiled mentality. It can be quite hard though in later levels for players due to the amount of enemies on screen. It's a test to overcome and as a player for challenging games like Dark Souls and Devil May Cry, I was happy with the multiple targets, but understand gripes from more casual gamers that try it not knowing how hard it is.

    Overall, the game's three pillars work well enough where I think the game is good (occasionally great), but a few other standouts are here too. The visuals look great aside from the grainy texture on the screen, the music is not too bad and the audio is rock solid from sword twangs to thunder booms. The game does have some bugs and considering this is a game that stresses consequences for dying with a mechanic I won't say this can be maddening, so clearly this needs patched asap.

    What I like about Senua's Sacrifice is that it's bold with its concepts and even implementation. We often have badass demon slayers and gods fighting demons, getting laid and being goofy so seeing a woman going through misery and making her conflicts against herself is a rare treat that hasnt been well replicated since Walker in Spec Ops: The Line. This won't appease everyone, but for those that want to try something new, bold and not spend too much money, this game should cover you. With a price of $30 with 6-8 hours of gameplay, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a welcoming and insightful journey of madness, depression and psychological trauma.
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  96. Aug 20, 2017
    8
    This game takes about 6-8 hours and I can recommend it.
    The told story, atmosphere and the sound are impressive.
    I also like the combat though it is quite simple and feels clunky at first. All riddles are a bit tedious in this game and it brakes the rhythm, but that's more or less all I have to complain about. The first 2 hours I was not amazed with this game because it felt like a
    This game takes about 6-8 hours and I can recommend it.
    The told story, atmosphere and the sound are impressive.
    I also like the combat though it is quite simple and feels clunky at first.
    All riddles are a bit tedious in this game and it brakes the rhythm, but that's more or less all I have to complain about.
    The first 2 hours I was not amazed with this game because it felt like a walking simulator but the second half felt downright awesome. The Gameplay mechanics are more or less basic but it there is so much creepy awesome stuff going on... I was mesmerized at the end. A celtic warrior plagued by psychosis battles with the gods. Personally the blind trial and the sea of corpses were my favourite parts of the game.
    Would buy again.
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  97. Jul 16, 2019
    8
    Atmospheric with some great ideas and touches that make this a game worth persevering with. There are some frustrating parts with the scenery not really conforming to where the character should be able to walk which doesn't help when many puzzles are based on finding a paths through areas. Having said that, the story, narrative and graphics kept me immersed. Progress is less immediateAtmospheric with some great ideas and touches that make this a game worth persevering with. There are some frustrating parts with the scenery not really conforming to where the character should be able to walk which doesn't help when many puzzles are based on finding a paths through areas. Having said that, the story, narrative and graphics kept me immersed. Progress is less immediate than in most games but that is fitting and works well. This is the only game I've played where a lack of a manual save/load makes sense and keeps the gameplay flowing. All in all, an engaging experience. Expand
  98. Apr 25, 2018
    8
    Pros: Intriguing story, fun combat, screenshot-worthy atmosphere, Senua herself as a determined, powerful hero
    Cons: Not much to explore, camera can get annoying during combat, puzzles
    Of course part of the premise in this story is Senua's mental illness, and I think they handled that pretty well. It folded into the story seamlessly and made you sympathize with-but not pity- her
    Pros: Intriguing story, fun combat, screenshot-worthy atmosphere, Senua herself as a determined, powerful hero
    Cons: Not much to explore, camera can get annoying during combat, puzzles
    Of course part of the premise in this story is Senua's mental illness, and I think they handled that pretty well. It folded into the story seamlessly and made you sympathize with-but not pity- her character. As for the actual world of the story, it was pretty empty aside from the puzzles and Druth's side pieces. I also personally hated the puzzles because I don't like puzzles at all in games, so not everyone will hate them. That's just me.
    But even though the world was empty aside from enemies and puzzles, the story made up for it, and made me want to play on. If there was more to the world, the game would be awesome.
    Also, when watching the behind the scenes stuff, it's super cool to learn that Senua was actually a goddess discovered in the early 21st century (Senuna).
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  99. Nov 30, 2017
    8
    Introduction: This game is one of the most surreal experiences I have had this year. This Phycological Horror/Hack N Slash/ Puzzle game had me on the edge of my seat for the entire 8-hour length of the game. Those genres might not sound like they would mix well and in some parts of the game, they really don't. The great narrative and boss fights make up for a lot of this game'sIntroduction: This game is one of the most surreal experiences I have had this year. This Phycological Horror/Hack N Slash/ Puzzle game had me on the edge of my seat for the entire 8-hour length of the game. Those genres might not sound like they would mix well and in some parts of the game, they really don't. The great narrative and boss fights make up for a lot of this game's shortcomings.

    Story: The story follows a Viking warrior named Senua. She goes on a quest to resurrect her dearly beloved from the depths of hell. There is only one problem, she has a mental illness called psychosis and the quest she is going on is a figment of her imagination brought by her illness and the story of Noric God's she was told when she was very little. It's an interesting concept not explored in many forms of media and it makes for an engrossing story.

    Gameplay: The gameplay is broken up into two different styles, puzzles and sword combat. Puzzle have you manipulate the world around you, due to your illness, to solve sections of this game. The puzzle work well around the subject matter but a few puzzle near the end of the game have ludicrous solutions that made me want to toss my controller at the screen. Other than the last few puzzle, most are fairly simple, some have a few gimmicks but most standard and average puzzles are at play here. The sword combat is more simplistic than the puzzles. You have a standard light/heavy attack, parry, slow down time move and evade move. That's all there is to the combat. Combat looks and controls great but mixed in with basic controls and very few enemy types (except for the bosses) combat can get old quick. This is not much of a problem though because the game ends before it over stays it welcome. The gameplay is serviceable and works with the game well, it just has minor problems.

    Technical: The presentation is spot on for an independently released game. The graphics are gorgeous and rivals top notch visuals from AAA games like Horizon: Zero Dawn and Uncharted 4: A Theif's End. The sound design for this game is only meant to be experienced with headphones. You hear the inner sounds of the main character head and makes you feel like you are going crazy with her. I am normally not phased by gruesome imagery or with horror in general but this game made me feel a horror I have never felt within a game before. What this game does on a technical level, is something I have never witness in a game before.

    Conclusion: On a technical level, the atmosphere, the story, the way the game makes you feel like the main character, it on near masterpiece level. Unforchantly, mediocre combat, and annoying final puzzles hold this game back from 9 or even 10/10. I would still highly recommend this game to anyone who is interested in the material being covered or the story in general. Just Be warned that the subject matter in the game is a very taboo subject, so play at your own risk. If you can get passed the passable gameplay and a very taboo story, there is something special here.
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  100. May 7, 2018
    8
    There might be some cons with this title for some folks and I actually understand them. Hellblade is not a game for everyone, but it brings you a truly unique experience that you are never going to witness in real life. A narrative driven game that pushes forward what videogames can deliver as a medium in a away that others can´t.

    The use of sound is simply the best I´ve ever seen in a
    There might be some cons with this title for some folks and I actually understand them. Hellblade is not a game for everyone, but it brings you a truly unique experience that you are never going to witness in real life. A narrative driven game that pushes forward what videogames can deliver as a medium in a away that others can´t.

    The use of sound is simply the best I´ve ever seen in a videogame. Actually, playing Hellblade with headphones is mandatory, otherwise you´ll miss the entire experience. During this 10h journey I´ve felt Senua´s pain every second. Superb art design, soundtrack, narrative and performance. Combat might be simple but it feels as grounded that I didn´t need more skills, it is as intense that you forget about average mechanics.

    Thanks Ninja Theory for showing the industry that talent, pasion and dedication are what we need to deliver creativity whitout big budgets.
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Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 68 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 68
  2. Negative: 1 out of 68
  1. Dec 20, 2018
    90
    Both proof that small development teams can make great games, and that video games can handle heavy themes in their own way.
  2. Dec 20, 2018
    80
    Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a prime example for anyone making the case that video games are a powerful art form. Creatively ambitious, it’s exceptionally well-thought-out and implemented – making it striking at both a sensorial and psychological level as it delves deep into an exploration of life with psychosis. It has its gameplay flaws but remains must-experience for adult audiences. An instant classic for this generation.
  3. 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.