Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice - PlayStation 4

How did I not know about this game until now? If you enjoy adventure games with the heavy emphasis on story and emotional character building, this is an incredible journey. It has just enough action and puzzling to keep you busy, but more than enough story to allow you to connect with the character on a deep level.It’s hard to explain. It follows a character who suffers from severe mental illness, and it helps you see through her eyes how she experiences life - without shoving it on you or trying to guilt trip you. I didn’t feel like I was being forced to learn about her condition, I was just along for the ride. It’s a very interesting way to approach the subject matter and it was quite exciting,Albeit, at a little stressful at times. This is exactly how the developers wanted the game to be. They want you to feel that sense of anxiety along with the character, and they do that very well!It may not be an incredibly long game but it was an incredibly beautiful and satisfying one. I appreciated this experience and I hope more people play it.My only gripe at this point is that it was a tiny bit glitchy on the PS5 but I got through. Sometimes the graphics would stutter a bit or get pixelated. This isn’t the devs intention.I only wish the sequel would be available on PlayStation.

I'm about a third of the way through this, so if it ends up being very disappointing, I'll change the review. But, so far, I am loving the game. I am playing this concurrently with Shadow of the Tomb Raider. While Tomb Raider is also excellent, it is the typical AAA game with an icon-stuffed map, constant reminders about button prompts, skill tree upgrades, fast travel points, online connectivity for scoreboards, scads of DLC...ugh. I love Tomb Raider. But it is very, very representative of AAA bloat.Switching to Hellblade is a wonderful shock to the system. There are no tutorials. There are no action prompts. There is no map and pretty much no collectibles. There is no skill tree. From what I can tell, you get one weapon for the entire game. There are maybe 2 sentences near the start that outline the terms of the game (in short: die too many times, and start again at the beginning). This is such a pared down game that it almost feels too simple. But the graphics are great, the voices and acting are spot on, and the atmosphere is impeccably rendered. The combat is simple but tight and is not integrated into exploration like in God of War...here you are solving environmental puzzles or fighting in closed off arenas and that is it.If you feel like you need a break from 50-100 hour open world games that aim to tick every box, and you can't muster doing another side quest to earn yet another skill point to go one box further in yet another skill tree, and if you are tired of making "choices" in games to affect the "narrative" (but really, you never do), and if you just don't want to start at another gargantuan map dotted with too many things, Hellblade is the stripped down, narrative driven, cinematic shock to the system that every jaded 3rd person action gamer needs.For $20, it would be a crime to miss this wonderfully constructed game.

It is hard to sum this game up. The sound effects/hallucinations are best experienced using headphones and do a great job of immersing you in Senua's experience. The fighting is brutal and feels challenging. It feels fulfilling when you finish a fight or defeat a boss. The bosses represent varying parts of psychosis/mythology and their battles suit the representations. The graphics, acting, and story are worthy of a playthrough or three. The screaming of the Furies when you are close to death and the absence of a health bar are welcome changes in my opinion. This game reminded me of the latest God of War but is definitely its own animal. I'd recommend this, especially for the current range of prices.

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a game that is hard to describe. It's not just a game - it's an experience. From the moment I started playing, I was drawn in by the hauntingly beautiful world and the emotional journey of the protagonist, Senua.The game's graphics are breathtaking. The developers used motion capture technology to create incredibly realistic facial animations, which adds to the immersion of the game. The attention to detail is impressive, from the blades of grass to the weathered stones of ancient ruins. The game's audio design is also excellent, with a haunting score and eerie sound effects that perfectly complement the game's visuals.But what really sets Hellblade apart is its unique storytelling. The game tells the story of Senua, a Celtic warrior who is suffering from psychosis. The game explores the depths of her mind as she battles through a hellish landscape to save the soul of her lover. The game's exploration of mental health is handled with sensitivity and respect, and it adds an emotional depth to the game that is rarely seen in video games.The gameplay itself is a mix of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving. The combat is intense and satisfying, with a focus on timing and precision. The puzzles are clever and challenging, but never frustrating.One of the game's most unique features is its use of binaural audio. This means that the game's audio is designed to be listened to through headphones, and it creates a sense of spatial awareness that is incredibly immersive. The voices in Senua's head, which are a major part of the game's storytelling, feel like they are whispering directly into your ear.The only downside to the game is that it is relatively short. However, this is a minor issue, as the game's emotional impact and replayability make up for its length.In conclusion, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a masterpiece of storytelling, graphics, and audio design. It's a game that will stick with you long after you've finished playing, and it's a must-play for anyone who wants to experience a truly unique and emotional journey. If you're looking for a game that will challenge you both intellectually and emotionally, look no further than Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice!