There are times when youll beg forSenuas Saga: Hellblade IIto just let go.
Actually, linear doesnt begin to describe the process of playingHellblade 2, such as it is.
There are exceptions, but the rule often limits your interactions to moving forward.
Even then, a surprising amount of this 6-8 hour adventure is largely non-interactive.
Its a style of design that Im generally not a fan of.
Interpretations and personal reflections will vary, butHellblade 2is largely designed to offer the same basic experience.
Such moments are often the worst parts of games that otherwise endeavor to offer largely unbroken narrative experiences.
Its not an entirely inaccurate comparison.
At the end of myHellblade 2journey, though, a different comparison sprung to mind:Dragons Lair.
It was stunning, but it came with a catch.
It was closer to an interactive movie.
Yet,Dragons Lairis widely considered one of themost important video gamesever made.
It wasnt that people were begging for more games exactly likeDragons Lair.
Some were, but its influence wasnt limited to that.
Its that more people wanted to see gaming survive and grow to support real games that looked likeDragons Lair.
There was suddenly a light in the darkness that people could get excited about.
Since then, weve obviously played quite a few games that look significantly better thanDragons Lair.
The arguments over and perceived market value of video game graphics havent gone anywhere.
Its all just gotten a lot less interesting and generally more detrimental.
Thats the biggest argument for not justHellblade 2s design but its value.
Mind you,Hellblade 2may very well be the best-looking game ever from a purely technical perspective.
If youre interested in those nuts and bolts, the good folks at Digital Foundryhave you covered.
Yes, you could say similar things about the originalHellblade, but this sequel offers a couple of advantages.
Its a shame thatHellblade 2sometimes struggles to offer more while replicating the surprises of the first game.
Hellblade 2is certainly not perfect.
I cant even confidently say it will live up to the expectations of those who loved the first game.
Senuas Saga: Hellblade II is available now for Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC, and Game Pass.
