To Hel and back
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a truly maddening game. It does not pull its punches and messes with your head. I didn’t know what to expect going into this game, the only advice I was given was to wear headphones. I second that advice even though I did not take it. Hellblade is a game about grief, Senua just lost her boyfriend tragically and ventures forth to brave the Vikings Hel to get him back. After dying in combat Senua receives this rot on her arm that grows with each loss slow inching closer to her brain. Once it has consumed her mind the game is over and you have to restart the whole game. This left me in a panic, punishing myself for every death and being extra careful about where I step. It was a stressful game especially when I got near the end and the rot was almost to her shoulder, but I survived and Senua was able to walk away.
The reason people tell you to play this game with headphones is because Senua has many voices speaking to her. Whirling around like a council in her brain. Some are helpful giving hints on puzzles and telling you when an enemy is about to attack. Others cast doubt and seem genuinely angry at Senua and her choices. Its a whole other level of immersive sim. Senua suffers from psychosis, Ninja Theory consulted with professionals as well as individuals who suffered from psychosis in order to portray the depiction accurately and with care. After the end of the first game I wasn’t sure if there would be a sequel. The game to me seemed like a tech demo with how beautiful and impressive the graphics are. So when Senua’s Saga Hellblade 2 was announced at the game awards I was pleasantly surprised. The sequel is set to release sometime this year and it has left me wondering what mind games its going to play.
Leave a reply!