Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2

Hellblade 2 is certainly not a game for everyone due to the harsh themes it explores. However, it is an experience that I recommend everyone tries, especially with a decent pair of headphones. The story is incredible, though I will admit at points it felt that it had no interaction, with the game feeling as if it played more like a movie than a game at points, but overall the characters kept me wanting more.

While once again a brilliant showcase in visual fidelity and facial motion capture technology, Hellblade 2 does suffer from overdramatisation at times and the gameplay does leave you wanting a bit more interactivity. Fortunately I am interested in Scandinavian folklore, history and shamanism, else I would not have enjoyed the game much at all.

Hellblade 2 isn't your run-of-the-mill gaming experience, so it isn't for everyone. Admittedly, it wasn't really for me, but I can appreciate it for what it is. It's one of the more visually impressive games I've encountered, and the sound design added unprecedented levels of depth. I enjoyed the puzzle solving and story, but I found the pacing a little too slow and the combat to lack any real flavor. All power to those of you who enjoy this style of game, I can see why, just not totally my cup of tea!

The visuals are jaw-dropping, and the psychological depth looks even more intense than the first game. Senua’s journey feels deeply personal, and I’m ready for another round of mind-bending storytelling.