Summary
- Hellblade 2 showcases Xbox's potential after past struggles, redefining visuals and pushing new boundaries.
- Somewhat mixed reviews aside, Hellblade 2 is a technical powerhouse setting a new gold standard for Unreal Engine 5.
- With the next console generation rumored to be closer than expected, Hellblade 2 proves that the current consoles still have more to give and there's no need to move on just yet.
While it's definitely fared a lot better than its predecessor, the Xbox Series X has still had a tough time competing in this console generation. As Phil Spencer candidly discussed during last year's interview with Kinda Funny Games, Xbox lost the worst possible console generation with the Xbox One, as now that players have built up their digital library, they're likely to stay on that platform moving forward. But Xbox has tried its best to win fans back around, and Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is the latest example of that.
A frequent part of the Xbox Series X's marketing since its announcement in December 2019, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is finally out, and its reception has been a tad more divisive than Microsoft was probably hoping for. Reviews for Hellblade 2 have differed wildly between outlets, with some critics scoring the game a 6, while others have scored it a 10. It certainly isn't a perfect game, but Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 does prove that the Xbox Series X still has plenty of life in it, and by proxy, the PS5 does as well.
Hellblade 2 Proves The Xbox Series X Is Just Getting Started
The Next Generation of Consoles Should Be Right Around the Corner
Console generations have been a thing since the dawn of gaming, though their duration has been in constant flux. For instance, Nintendo's SNES released six years after its predecessor, while the GameCube launched just four years after the N64 in North America. The duration of console generations have been even more erratic for both Xbox and PlayStation. While the Xbox 360 came out only four years after the original Xbox, the Xbox 360 managed to thrive for an impressive total of eight years.
Generally speaking, however, the last few console generations for Xbox and PlayStation have lasted between six and eight years. With the PS5 and Xbox Series X launching in 2020, both are in their fourth year. This means that - based on the past few console generations - the PS5 and Xbox Series X are over the halfway mark in their life cycle.
Over the last few months, the gaming industry has been flooded with various leaks and rumors that claim the next generation of consoles is much closer than fans might realize. For instance, a recent leak from Twitter user TheGhostOfHope claimed that the next Xbox could drop as early as 2026, potentially coinciding with that year's Call of Duty entry. While this would fit the pattern of the last few console generations, many gamers feel as though this generation has only just started, and that it's still just scratching the surface of what this technology can actually do, and Hellblade 2 proves that point well.
Hellblade 2 Shows The Current Generation of Consoles Still Has Plenty of Life
The PS5 and Xbox Series X console generation has already seen some remarkable games released, many of which have felt like solid steps forward for the entire medium of gaming, from Marvel's Spider-Man 2's instantaneous fast-travel system to Horizon Forbidden West's gorgeous open-world to Forza Motorsport's complex mechanical systems. That being said, many gamers still don't feel like this console generation has really pushed the medium forward as much as it could, and that's evidenced by how many PS5 and Series X games are still being released on past-gen consoles.
But Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 goes out of its way to push the Xbox Series X's capabilities in a way that hasn't been seen before. A new gold standard for Unreal Engine 5, Hellblade 2 is a technical powerhouse that delivers some of the best presentation ever seen in a video game, and it's the level of presentation that fans have always thought this console generation was capable of. Hellblade 2 has proven that the Xbox Series X, and by proxy the PS5, still have new boundaries to push.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 79%
- Released
- May 21, 2024
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Ninja Theory
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
WHERE TO PLAY
The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without.
A crafted experience of cinematic immersion: Sink deep into Senua’s world and story, with beautifully realized visuals and encapsulating sound.
Senua’s unique perspective: Experience the world through Senua’s eyes and ears, as a Celtic warrior who experiences psychosis.
A journey into Viking Iceland: An epic journey across 10th century Iceland, recreated from real locations in stunning detail.
Every fight tells a story: Brutal and visceral combat as Senua battles for survival.
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
