Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

 Switch
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 139 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 101 out of 139
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 139
  3. Negative: 27 out of 139

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  1. nusco
    Aug 16, 2019
    8
    Hellblade is terrible and beautiful. It goes places no other game ever dared to, as you slowly sink into the psychosis of its deeply vulnerable main character. I won't forget this affecting story very soon.

    Technically, the game is also exceptional. Its graphics might not be on par with that of a modern powerhouse console, but it gets close enough to make you forget, at times, that    Hellblade is terrible and beautiful. It goes places no other game ever dared to, as you slowly sink into the psychosis of its deeply vulnerable main character. I won't forget this affecting story very soon.

    Technically, the game is also exceptional. Its graphics might not be on par with that of a modern powerhouse console, but it gets close enough to make you forget, at times, that you're playing on a portable console. The audio effects are incredibly good, and you should definitely play with a headset to fully experience the voices in Senua's head.

    The best facet of the game is how it mixes the experimental approach of an indie game with the high production value of a triple-A. By going solo, Ninja Theory could push not only the story, but also the mechanics into corners where a big production wouldn't dare step. Those mechanics aren't always entirely successful, and some parts of the game suffer from pacing problems and a few lackluster puzzles–but when they work, the mechanics work really well, creating a sense of anxiety and pressure that I rarely experienced in any game. Just to name two, the complete absence of any form of HUD and the "limited deaths" mechanic are both gutsy decision, and they pay off big time.

    Finally, the combat: in pure Ninja Theory style, it's great. It feels exceptionally weighty and brutal. It's a pity that the number of different enemies is very limited, but honestly, I couldn't ask for more from an independently produced game.

    All in all, Hellblade isn't perfect, but it's a must play, warts and all. It's a pity that Ninja Theory is now an Xbox-specific studio, but for Xbox owners at least, they're a team to keep an eye on.    … Expand
  2. Loo_oo
    Apr 23, 2019
    8
    Très bon jeu vous plongeant dans l'univers d'une jeune viking bien décidée à sauver l'âme de son mari des enfers ... Une épopée psychotique et troublante ponctuée de phases de combat et de réflexions, faisant évoluer un scénario riche en rebondissements. Même si il n'est pas parfait techniquement, ce jeu est un excellent portage. Le jeu a certes subit une grosse compression au niveau desTrès bon jeu vous plongeant dans l'univers d'une jeune viking bien décidée à sauver l'âme de son mari des enfers ... Une épopée psychotique et troublante ponctuée de phases de combat et de réflexions, faisant évoluer un scénario riche en rebondissements. Même si il n'est pas parfait techniquement, ce jeu est un excellent portage. Le jeu a certes subit une grosse compression au niveau des textures, mais les développeurs ont été très ingénieux en intégrant des vidéos HD lors les phases narratives et gros plans ! Résultat : on a vraiment l'impression que la Switch surperforme. L'essentiel étant que l'oeuvre soit respectée pour le bonheur et l'immersion du joueur ! Un jeu incontournable que je recommande fortement.… Expand
  3. vodkaffee
    Nov 15, 2019
    8
    Amazing port for the switch, of a game that already was a masterpiece of character study
  4. PPaul27
    Apr 12, 2019
    9
    Great port and great game. The visual, the framerate is absoluty awesome and similar to ps4/xbox one s versions. Senua is a big character ..the travel in a nordic hell and insanity is epic
  5. jacob4
    Apr 15, 2019
    10
    An absolute chilling, memorable, and hauntingly beautiful experience like no other! Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice brings you into a world like never seen before in a video game filled with terrifying and unique monsters, interesting characters, and environments that are both unsettling, but yet visually stunning and beautiful. The whole game experience is driven by a solid original story ofAn absolute chilling, memorable, and hauntingly beautiful experience like no other! Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice brings you into a world like never seen before in a video game filled with terrifying and unique monsters, interesting characters, and environments that are both unsettling, but yet visually stunning and beautiful. The whole game experience is driven by a solid original story of hopelessness, grief, terror, love, mystery, and redemption. No other game I've seen before has ever added a unique psychological and gritty imagining to Norse viking games, but yet this one pulled it off so well. A truly breath taking masterpiece, and a cult classic in it's own right. Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a must play for gamers looking for an incredible story.… Expand
  6. SaigonBrit
    Apr 15, 2019
    9
    Really, really impressive! When I saw just how good this game looked both portable and to my surprise, on a big 4K screen. I was blown away. How can Switch run this game this well? It doesn't look quite as good as my PC or xbox one x versions but very nearly. To a casual gamer they would not see the difference.
  7. MadMeister87
    Apr 17, 2019
    9
    This game makes you feel like you have voices in your head. Or is it just me. Idk but this game has excellent gameplay, a captivating story and will stick with you far after you have played through it.
  8. leche_paterna
    Nov 2, 2019
    10
    El juego es una auténtica maravilla y el port a Nintendo Switch es simplemente prodigioso
  9. kuiriz
    Nov 3, 2019
    10
    Lo compré por 168 pesos mexicanos y para lo que ofrece me pareció más que perfecto
  10. pmdgv
    Nov 13, 2019
    8
    It's a good port. Not the best one, but certainly one of the best Switch ports.

    Presentation: 7
    Story: 9
    Visual: 8
    Sound: 10
    Gameplay: 7
  11. SleepNot
    Jan 21, 2020
    9
    Great game! So depressive and dark! love it! Beautiful sound design and music! And very interesting emotional story.
  12. guizaum
    Jun 21, 2019
    10
    Guys, get a good headfone!!!
    The sound is the best part of this game
    Im loving
    The graphics is amazing for switch hardware
  13. bcomedian
    May 5, 2020
    10
    This is the beautiful piece of art in all parts (graphic as well as sound and gameplay)!
    The story of poor Senua pulled all strings out of my soul and I lived all these 10 hours with her. The major things which made me feel through the story were impressive 3D sound and wonderful actress job.
    Some of puzzles gave me frustration and anxiety which I think was supposed to be done, whereas    This is the beautiful piece of art in all parts (graphic as well as sound and gameplay)!
    The story of poor Senua pulled all strings out of my soul and I lived all these 10 hours with her. The major things which made me feel through the story were impressive 3D sound and wonderful actress job.
    Some of puzzles gave me frustration and anxiety which I think was supposed to be done, whereas others were easy, but starting one point game didn't allow me to relax at all and finished at the peak of anxiety.

    It was literally stunning!

    You should play in good headphones to have better experience.    … Expand
  14. daasanchezma
    Apr 29, 2019
    9
    This game is wonderfull and tecnically marvelous, ive enjoyed a lot with it, im a little upset for the bad notes just cause the type of game it is, its nonsense
  15. quelaudio
    May 10, 2019
    9
    Finished the game yesterday. It's a masterpiece!! Its cons are largely surpassed by the many many beautiful things it does well. The game played smoothly throughout on the Switch and it deserves to be picked up. Best combat I have experienced. Possibly the most gorgeous game on the Switch too. The environment got me hooked from the get go! Do yourself a favor and try it ;)
  16. LeoLore
    Jun 9, 2019
    9
    A great cinematic game with an interesting story, great acting and an important topic, barely touched so far. Must play!
  17. EngrChen
    Jun 13, 2019
    8
    -2 for the graphics........................................................
  18. BlueStark
    Jul 7, 2019
    8
    HellBlade es una experiencia diferente. O lo odias o la amas. Trata más de hacerte enfatizar con la historia y la protagonista que lanzarte a la acción. Por suerte, lo conseguí, con un guion lleno de matices y momentos únicos. Y aun así, pese a no ser el centro de la experiencia, los combates están muy bien hechos y la sensación de los mismos es satisfactoria.
    El apartado técnico en    HellBlade es una experiencia diferente. O lo odias o la amas. Trata más de hacerte enfatizar con la historia y la protagonista que lanzarte a la acción. Por suerte, lo conseguí, con un guion lleno de matices y momentos únicos. Y aun así, pese a no ser el centro de la experiencia, los combates están muy bien hechos y la sensación de los mismos es satisfactoria.
    El apartado técnico en Switch es sobresaliente y demuestra nuevamente, que cuando se quiere se puede a pesar de las limitaciones técnicas de la consola. Un port que transmite lo mismo que en sus otras versiones sin perder mucho en el tránsito.
    Las únicas pegas reales son que no traiga una edición en físico y que su replay value es inexistente.
    Espero más juegos de este estilo que huyan de las convenciones de la industria en un futuro.    … Expand
  19. DVitreous
    Sep 3, 2019
    9
    La carga narrativa que tiene este juego es abismal, creo que la sensación que genera es muy impactante, sobretodo si te llegas a identificar en algún momento. Todo se convierte en un pasaje e introspección hacia una idea muy particular, que de verdad tienes que jugar. No lo veas tanto por una jugabilidad innovadora, sino como una interacción que te lleva a un viaje épico.
  20. Nekohanten
    Oct 15, 2019
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Equilibrado en historia y jugabilidad. Bellísimo estéticamente. Un más que digno 8, siento que faltó quizá un poco más musicalmente, pero dado el contexto de las voces y la sugerencia de jugarlo con audífonos (una experiencia de los nervios) quizá eso hubiese sido demasiado.… Expand
  21. menak
    Nov 14, 2019
    10
    Even with some detail that may need to be polished, it is the perfect game. Graphics, history, gameplay, everything was done with great dedication.
  22. Tribalord
    May 1, 2021
    8
    Not the best looking game on switch as many have stated,but truly a great experience playing handheld in a dark room with headphones. The swordfighting is one of the best in many years, excellent. Took sometime to immerse in the fame though.
  23. lol777
    Dec 27, 2021
    10
    A beautiful game, even on the Nintendo Switch. The story is also very good.

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Best Switch Game of 2019
53
#53 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2019
7
#7 Most Shared Switch Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Starbit
    Jun 16, 2020
    90
    Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a marvelous work that does a fine job at portraying the torments of someone afflicted mental health issues. It's also a very good hack and slash, with a fantastic visual environment, an exquisite audio component with emphasis for its voice acting and an experience that's never enough to recommend again and again.
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  2. God is a Geek
    Jul 16, 2019
    90
    When you think you’re seeing a render in-game that looks too good for Switch, that’s because essentially a video is playing. Yes, the actual game part is lower resolution, and yes, of course if you can play it on PS4, Xbox One, or PC, you’ll get the better looking experience, but if you are a Switch-only console household then you’re getting a great looking game that sounds amazing, and tells a story with one of the best takes on mental health in a long time. Play it on handheld with headphones and you’ll be shocked, just don’t be surprised if it looks blurry (and sub-HD) on the big screen.
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  3. Pure Nintendo
    May 6, 2019
    80
    While the main appeal of Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, – Psychosis and mental instability – was not for me there is still plenty of fun to be had with the game.
    Read full review
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