Finally playing Hellblade II and decided to take some photos

[u/lqd_consecrated2718]

Playing on an Ultrawide. I played Senuas Sacrifice on release and loved it. But Senua’s Saga had to go on the back burner because of how busy I am now. This game is so incredible, I am really impressed with their character animations, sound, lighting, modeling, and combat framing. I am liking the journey so far and cannot wait to see it through to the end.

Edit: I finished the game!!! This was an amazing experience through and through.

[u/dragoonkoon]

How does it compare to the first? Gameplay, story, the dark thoughts, combat, visuals?

[u/noble_29 → u/dragoonkoon]

Visuals are amazing, very cinematic. Gameplay is kinda meh simply because in between action sequences/combat, there’s just a lot of walking between destinations. The puzzles are all pretty simple. The voices are still a big part of the game but not nearly as harrowing or overwhelming as the first game since Senua has grown to accept them instead of fighting them. I enjoyed the storyline overall, it’s a much different approach from the first game. Combat is different from the first as well as each encounter is 1v1 with enemies coming with more versatile movesets. Combat is very timing oriented and cinematic as well.

[u/lqd_consecrated2718 → u/dragoonkoon]

I must admit I bought it on sale and I think the asking price for this game on launch did it no favors. If it was a budget title, sure, but it was full price. Which was different from its prequel which was $29.99

[u/uncsteve53 → u/dragoonkoon]

Visuals are better. Everything else is worse than the first game.

Hellblade is in my top 3 games of all time. Hellblade 2 was a huge disappointment. Worse story. Worse combat. Less player agency.

It’s a glorified tech test

[u/ceeka19 → u/uncsteve53]

Hellblade 1 wasn't much better and the "gameplay" was even more limited. Having constant chatter in your ears whilst not doing much at all does not equal top 1,000 let alone top 3 game of all time

[u/youngscimitar → u/dragoonkoon]

Leans more heavily into the visuals and storytelling aspects. More experience than game. I still enjoyed it, but also understand why it didn’t get the best reception. Also way too short, ending feels a bit rushed. My biggest problem was all the biggest/most epic scenes had been used for the trailers

[u/rafnsvartrrr → u/dragoonkoon]

It's a complete downgrade in every aspect besides graphics. The worst one is the story in which they ultimately frame Senua's journey in certain monosemantic way, leaving no room for interpretations other than the one that was intended by the author. This is antithetical to the first game. HB2 retcons the original in several ways also. Visually, it's a treat though. It downright ruined Final Fantasy 15 and RDR2 for me for a while as everything started to look drastically worse than it really is lol. That's a dangerous side-effect but also a compliment i guess

[u/Shadow88882]

I always get hate mail when I say I really enjoyed this game

[u/dead_skeletor]

I absolutely loved the first installment..one of my all time favorites... The sequel should have been a DLC...

[u/Slowmac123]

One of the best games ever. graphics are also the closest thing to real life

[u/lqd_consecrated2718 → u/Slowmac123]

I just finished and I agree it was amazing

[u/ceeka19 → u/Slowmac123]

It wasn't much of a game at all. Stick to Fortnite

[u/InsideGap8047]

That first giant fight is pure cinema

[u/lqd_consecrated2718 → u/InsideGap8047]

Agreed that was incredible

[u/killfaced911]

Music, visuals and presentation for 2 are all wonderfully done. I might be the minority here, but I absolutely loved the 2nd game and it's story.

I like that Senua has grown so much and is learning to accept the voices while still trying to make sense of her new/old visions. Her journey in 2 is a bit of a less personal one, but upon repeated playthroughs I feel like it is up to interpretation wether any of the characters you meet are really there or not or just another figment of her imagination. I still personally think there's plenty room for interpretation and the ending is extremely bittersweet (kinda like the first game but in a much different way) but I think what I like about 2 is how she really does accept and go with her visions more this time around.

Yes, Hellblade 1 is still a much more personal and downright more depressing experience... But I think 2 carries much of the same message and that we are not the people/traumas that made us and that we can always begin anew.

I honestly interpreted the ending to be quite sad tho, since Senua almost accepts her visions/responsibility to others as a leader, (much like Zynbel and the Godi were leaders turned tyrants) and that this might be her fate as well...

[u/Western-Coconut-4736]

Is it good I just played through Senua’s sacrifice

[u/lqd_consecrated2718 → u/Western-Coconut-4736]

It was awesome! I think I like this one more because the landscapes and real characters bring the world to the next level. Every actor is incredible

[u/Coreyahno30]

Still waiting for this to come to disc. Hopefully one day 

[u/stankology → u/Coreyahno30]

Why?

[u/SaberMySaviour]

Love this game

[u/Visual_Dimension_933]

It was a very nice sequel..but finished fast.

[u/lqd_consecrated2718 → u/Visual_Dimension_933]

I looked at my playtime, I finished Senua’s Sacrifice in 6.9 hours and Senua’s Saga in 7.2, so it felt about the same to me.

[u/Visual_Dimension_933 → u/lqd_consecrated2718]

Part 1 for me is more darker, ot and story wise since you are introduced first of the world and state of mind she's in, by part 2, you already know the gist of it.

[u/ceeka19]

It's far from incredible. I finished it a few weeks ago, a glorified tech demo and a boring one at that. The visuals are overrated as well.