In a stunning reveal near the start of The Game Awards 2019, Xbox boss Phil Spencer revealed Microsoft's next-gen console, the Xbox Series X. Xbox's new console is cube-shaped, taller than it is wide, and all black. But most importantly, Spencer promised unprecedented performance on the Xbox Series. To showcase just what he is talking about, Spencer revealed the first confirmed project for the Xbox Series X, Ninja Theory's Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2.
As the name directly implies, this is a direct sequel to Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice. Hellblade being the award-winning action-adventure game exploring mental illness through the lens of a dark, Celtic fantasy. Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 looks to continue the themes of the original game. The trailer features Senua ritualistically chanting, Ninja Theory's impressive Xbox Series X-improved face capture technology shown in all its glory, as well as short gameplay clips featuring haunting imagery -- and a giant rock elemental, too.
Following the announcement of Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, an Xbox press release confirmed one more detail about the new trailer. According to Xbox, the entire trailer was captured in-engine. What was shown should be what the final game looks like. Xbox also confirmed that the footage wasn't exactly run on an Xbox Series X, after all the console is still in production, but it still "reflects the power of Xbox Series X" that will be available to developers.
For an idea of what Xbox means by "reflects the power of the Xbox Series X," some of the console's potential power is detailed alongside Hellblade 2's announcement. Xbox describes this generally as "world-class visuals" in 4K and 60fps, with a possibility of up to 120 fps or even 8K resolution. Considering the visuals shown in the Hellblade 2 announcement trailer, it may need everything the Xbox Series X offers.
Details about Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 are understandable thin for the time being. All that's confirmed is that Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 will be coming to the Xbox Series X console, though whether it's a launch title or simply confirmed for a later release is unsaid. What it does show is just how impressive next-generation visuals on the Xbox Series X console can be, with near-realism becoming more of a possibility than ever. Expect more Hellblade 2 news between now and the console's launch in holiday 2020.
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is coming to the Xbox Series X.