Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice Reviews

Not worth it. Slow boring game....more of a story and its so confusing that the story kinda fell out of meaning.

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a psychological horror game, with storytelling that will make you develop a psychosis. Satisfying combat makes your every fight feel rewarding and fulfilling, and amazing (God of War-like) scenery will probably leave you speechless. Carrying some heavy lore and ideas behind the gameplay, Senua brings you back in pagan/Celtic/Viking times, successfully leaving Norse mythology nerds (like myself) wanting more. The game uses plenty of different mechanics, including the most breathtaking one (literally) - the surrounding stereo audio. Open-ended ending free to interpret on your own makes this game even more lovable and mysterious. Horror elements are on point putting this game somewhere in the ,,Dread horror" category. Perfect 6-10 hour adventure for anyone brave enough to challenge ,,The black rot" and explore the pagan world of ,,The Northmen". 10/10

Probably one of the most well-done psychological horrors out there. Really impressive audio effects, combat is challenging but satisfying to learn and perfect.

Most things about this game are simply good. What makes this game unique in the sound design. The experience you get from this game is truly like no other and its not because of the game play. The combat is simple but its good. The graphics are great although I needed to turn them down to play this game without lag, which is rare for me considering I can normally play much bigger and more graphically intense games with no problem. The story is great, and I am really enjoying it so far. Its the schizophrenic like voices that you hear that make this game like no other. On paper it sounds odd to have a game where you as the player are constantly hearing voices that question everything that you do, but in practice it is truly an immersive experience that I have never had with any other game. This game makes you feel like you really are the main character and not just playing as them. This game gets a solid 9/10 for me, would be 10/10 if it were not on Unreal Engine 4.

one of my favorite games. pretty linear game, must play with headphones. combat simple but for me it was good enough, i played it for the story. all but one story achievements if someone is interested in hunting those, easy to get last achievement if you look it up or just explore.

The gameplay is a great mixture of intense combat, creative puzzles, and exploration, keeping you hooked from start to finish. But what really makes it special is how it portrays psychosis - it’s haunting, immersive and you literally feel the chills in some situations especially with the 3D audio. The story is emotional and powerful, following Senua’s journey through grief and trauma in a way that feels raw and real. With stunning visuals, incredible sound design, and a deeply engaging narrative, this is one of those games that stays with you long after you finish it. A must-play! 🔥

Fantastic game with absolutely amazing atmosphere. It's worth it for the voice acting alone but the story is a masterpiece. Definitely worth playing.

That was an engaging experience. The story is quite interesting. As for the combat system, it took me some time to get used to it and still it was extremely inconvenient that Senua focuses on an enemy automatically and you can't start fighting another one until you kill the one on the focus point (meaning you can't control well on which enemy to focus to fight it). But other than that, the gameplay is more than satisfying. It was also very interesting to listen to the "Stories of the Norsemen" that Druth tells Senua throughout the game. In the game's cutscenes there are live action performaces that are captured by real actors. I don't really like that approach as it stands out too much from the general atmosphere. I think using just motion capture would be better. But I don't take it as a disadvantage as it's not a big problem for me. I also read that the developers did a lot of work studying psychosis to properly represent Senua's condition it in the game - all these voices in her head and this "Darkness" entity. The horror atmosphere in general is transferred perfectly. The game is quite short, but I'd say with confidence that it's worth the time and money (it's best to buy it on sale with a good discount).

Hellblade is a truly captivating game, edging close to being a masterpiece of artistic gaming. Its tone is somber, tackling a deeply sensitive topic with the use of metaphors and visual intricacies to emphasize its message. The game’s visuals are breathtaking, with lush environments that contrast with the desolate landscapes that accompany you throughout your journey. The facial animations are flawless, and the lead actress, while not fitting the typical beauty standard, feels like a genuinely real person. Her performance is outstanding, capturing the anguish and torment of her character. The voice acting is equally exceptional, with a chorus of voices constantly surrounding you, enhancing the feeling of mental distress. These voices serve not just as a representation of psychosis but as your in-game guide, providing directions during traversal and combat. Without a HUD, the voices act as your compass and even warn of incoming attacks, making them an essential part of the experience. Sound is more integral here than in any other game I’ve played—at times, your hearing takes precedence over your sight, with auditory cues playing a major role in gameplay. The movement can feel slow, especially during traversal, where running feels more like a light jog. The game is linear, which for me, isn’t a drawback. The story is engaging, and the performances are superb, with Druth standing out as a highlight. His tales of Norse mythology, told whenever Senua uncovers a rune, are worth experiencing in themselves. Man those Vikings must have been smoking something strong when they came up with those myths! Though the gameplay can become repetitive, and the combat is average, Hellblade is far more than a game about mechanics. It’s an artistic experience, and I highly recommend giving it a try.

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a truly unique and unforgettable gaming experience. Its stunning visuals, haunting audio design, and deeply unsettling portrayal of psychosis create a powerful and emotionally resonant atmosphere. While the combat is relatively straightforward, the game's focus on atmosphere and narrative makes it a compelling and unforgettable journey. A masterpiece of atmosphere and storytelling, even if it's not a technically challenging game.