This was the first game I played where I truly felt I played alongside someone's performance. The work Melina Juergens did as Senua is a brilliant display of acting.

@acidreighn

Ай бұрын

and she wasnt even an actor, at all.. (apparently she is now, lol dont blame her.) she worked for Ninja Theory as video editor/photographer or some such.. and while demoing their tech, they liked her so much, they just up and asked her to do the role and she accepted.

@landonewts

Ай бұрын

She is AMAZING.

@lyndonmarquis414

Ай бұрын

True dis…

@propps2253

Ай бұрын

She is a perfect example of method acting, it's rare to see real emotions and facial expressions in movies or games.

@philth7587

Ай бұрын

​@@acidreighn Yeah it's crazy that someone who never pursued that career could be so amazing in their first role

Subtle touches like the voices telling you when to dodge really sold the immersion, especially with headphones. It's like we were in Senua's head

@coldchillin8382

Ай бұрын

You gotta have headphones for sure. Been awhile but I remember the vibe and sound design were well done as well as the immersion, but the actual gameplay wasn’t that great.

I played Hellblade for the first time 2 months ago and I absolutely loved it! I’m super excited for the 2nd game!

@JakeBaldino

Ай бұрын

I hope they nail it

@oliverpilgrim5391

Ай бұрын

@@JakeBaldinogame comes out next week, you haven’t gotten a review code yet Jake?

@drgonzo123

Ай бұрын

I did the same thing. The Plague Tale sequel really hit hard too.

@nickstark8479

Ай бұрын

If you liked the first game I think you'll like the second also.

I played Hellblade around the same time I played the first Plague Tale (about two-ish years ago) and both of those titles changed how I view creativity in narrative development. Absolutely love when developers… well… get weird with it. Hopefully Satya doesn’t get too weird with his finances and cut Ninja Theory 🙃

@Anthonysk9

Ай бұрын

Plague tale was GOOD!!!!!!

@carlopardo-

Ай бұрын

Me too! I played them one after the other. I recommend you to try Bramble The Mountain King

@matthewjalovick

Ай бұрын

@@carlopardo- I’ll look into it :) thanks for the recommendation.

Short length, not full-price and good story, we need more of these!

@fabolousjada5070

Ай бұрын

Better hope it sells or Xbox will axe ninja theory

@sumireravenclaw8034

Ай бұрын

short length and not full priced goes in the same sentence. lol for a game that's like 4-8 hours i still really wouldn't want to spend enve 40-50 for these days.

@acidreighn

Ай бұрын

@@fabolousjada5070 meh, let Sony pickem up then. Heavenly Sword and Hellblade were Sony exclusives at one point. I think theyre a great studio at what they do. Heavenly Sword was kinda rough, but really showcased where gaming was going, early on, in the PS3 life cycle. Everything they've made since has been a banger imo. (Enslaved, DMC, HS stands out) I thought DMC was awesome btw... it wasn't "DMC" but still a sick character action game, all its own.

@krispybowgod9656

Ай бұрын

@@sumireravenclaw8034I sometimes spend 150+ dollars for a 4 hour round of golf. If it’s good entertainment it’s good entertainment people need to stop associating length with value or we will keep getting 200+ hour Assasin creed games with zero soul or creativity

@shifterzx

Ай бұрын

​​@@sumireravenclaw8034I swear every time someone talks about the length they make it shorter and shorter. 4 hours now! lol Hellblade 1 is supposed to be '8 hours', but that's if you can speed run the thing and know exactly what to do. No first timer is going to play that way. I probably spent a good 12-15 hours on the first one and unlike other longer bloat filled games, this one left a long lasting mark on me. Quality over quantity. Sadly the game industry rarely does both

I love Hellblade so much. The accolades trailer where they have the testimonials from people who hear voices in real life is one of my favorite trailers in any game

@stuartmorley6894

Ай бұрын

I hear voices and it's the closest I've seen a game get how it can be. I know Jake wasn't that bothered by the sound design of the voices but it certainly came close to showing (well hearing) what it's like to non voice hearers.

Highly underrated, very stylized, just not a typical game that you'd really call a game. It's more like an experience with gameable elements.

@neilcognito

Ай бұрын

Treating hellblade like a gamey-game will always lead to disappointment. It's not that, every system and even the repetition is tailored for a reason. Everything in the game is to aid the narrative being told. Which in itself is told non-linearly for a reason.

@87CREW

Ай бұрын

​@@neilcognito I couldn't have said it any better! 👌🏾👍🏾

This game was (and is) AMAZING. Playing with headphones is a must. Those voices in your (her) head are always with you and make you question everything. I had not compare it to Alan Wake 2, but now that you say so, both are unique and the story keeps you wanting more. Must play!

@ED-209UHD

Ай бұрын

Anyone that doesn’t play with a gaming headset with any game has issues 😂

Combine a studied depiction of schizophrenia with a literal interpretation of ancient myth, and use technology to manipulate the sensorium to simulate psychosis/nightmarish fantasy, and you get one of the best pieces of magical realism in the medium of video games. The mental journey is so rad, I'm definitely going to play the sequel at some point.

One of the best or should I say memorable game I've ever played. And Im glad u mentioned that "there's nothing like it" in today's games

Druth is my truth. That character was so rad. I'll miss him if he's not in the sequel.

Played this back when it released, I’m replaying it this week to refresh my memory before number 2 🔥🔥🔥🔥

The band that is doing the music for Hell blade two is called Heilung, and if you don’t know who they are check them out! They are absolutely amazing!

I refuse to believe this is 7 years old. I remember playing it on release.

@toptiertech7291

Ай бұрын

I hear 7 years ago and I think 2012-2014. Not 2017 😂

Mad love for you Jake. Keep kicking ass in your batman lair!

@batmanarkham321

Ай бұрын

👍

@geecrispy9809

Ай бұрын

​@@batmanarkham321I was not expecting a reply but boy am I happy to have gotten one! ❤

I finished hellblade 7 years ago and it’s still etched into my brain. One of the most impactful games I’ve played. The ending hit me hard

@DV-ou1yu

Ай бұрын

Ending was so good

For me it was the “if i die too much it’s game over” feeling… the voices and the dark segments… that just got me in the edge of mu seat all the time. What a game!

I replayed it about a year ago. What I remember surprising me most during this second playthrough was how much I ended up actually enjoying the combat. It's one of those systems where it's fairly simple, but has a lot of hidden depth. Positioning, in particular, is much more important and valuable than I originally realized, and understanding how to manage multiple enemies by positioning yourself to see them and timing your movements, blocks, and attacks to dispatch them quickly ends up giving it a unique and fittingly tense rhythm. I'm very curious to see how combat works in the sequel.

I played this game for the first time this week. The puzzles were a bit tedious at times, however the combat is pretty good and the story is excellent. Would definitely recommend it especially if you have gamepass!

Replaying it right now!

@geecrispy9809

Ай бұрын

It really is a great game though. Mechanically it can get a tad... tedious. But the immersion is great

@fabolousjada5070

Ай бұрын

@@geecrispy9809cope

You’re right about the eye-contact from Senua - I don’t think I ever properly understood that before. This game is absolutely unflinching and because it does not spare her, she will not spare you. I love this game so hard.

Crazy how it came out earlier than God of War 2018 and can be argued was first to bring together what made the 2018 reboot unique: The (mostly) one take camera angle and how upclose it can be, the graphical fidelity of environments, good narrative and norse mythology.

I loved the game and can't wait for the sequel. One of the things I appreciate without spoiling anything is how the ending isn't the ending you'd expect from a "traditional fairy tale ending". There is a very obvious expectation regarding Dillion that doesn't happen and instead you get what I refer to as, "the therapist's happy ending" - which if you've played the game you know exactly why I say it like that - the ending she gets is the ending that a therapist would want for their patient dealing with her trauma. And I think that is a really wonderful thing to see in any conversation about mental health and the five stages of grief and finding acceptance. Jake if you've not seen it, Ninja Theory's channel has an Accolades trailer where they spotlight many of the amazing positive "thank yous" they got from fans who felt like their own struggles with mental health were finally seen. It's DEFINITELY worth checking out and will give you chills. Cheers

@JakeBaldino

Ай бұрын

Thank you for this! That accolades video was fantastic. I really hope similar things happen with the next game. It seems really good for people

I replayed it for the first time since it came out, only this time in PC VR. It had its issues in some places, a little jankiness here and there, but I do have to say that it definitely added another layer and was well worth it. It brought a whole new sense of being with Senua on her journey and being IN the environments with her. I’d recommend checking the VR version out, it was a trip (or might I say, a ‘journey’).

I forgot how good Hellblade still looks for a 2017 game. Can't wait to play Hellblade 2, if only for the story & sound design alone.

@landonewts

Ай бұрын

The sound design is/was incredible

Fantastic review, Jake. Excellent use of word play. Describing the voices as a symphony, in particular.

totally agree! u ve capture verbally what i feel about that art . great video ! i've recently played it again , hits everytime !

I still remember hearing the voices for the first time. As I almost exclusively play with a headset, they really had an impact. Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. The clunky combat is the only qualm I have but as the rest of the game is so special and unique, I had no issue with it. Usually clunky combat is a big turn off for me.

I played Hellblade last summer and absolutely loved it! The sequence where you follow the voices in the dark water area still sits with me, I'm so excited for the sequel, hope you like it too Jake

Love this game a lot and I'm very excited for the second one. What I love about it is that you as the player are basically another voice in Senua's head, the distant/silent voice that guides her (that's how I interpret it anyways). Definitely plan to replay it soon just before Saga releases. I forgot to tie my shoes, sorry Jake

When the Passarella death squad song kicks in? One of the better endings I’ve experienced

I played it in VR for my first playthrough, it’s a unique experience, also fights are much more visceral that way, totally recommend!

Absolutely loved this game and immersion of playing with headphones on! Looking forward to the sequel!

I just got done with senuas sacrifice last night... and I loved it.. idk how I feel about the ending but overall it was a very emotional and mentally draining experience.. I loved it.. i wish I could play hellblade 2 but I only have a ps5.

Played it almost 4 years ago and absolutely loved it! This game is art!

Just replayed it the past couple days for 2's release didn't love it as much as I did back when but still loved it!

Hellblade is one of my all time favourites. It sat on my backlog forever and when I finally played it I remember gushing to all my friends about how good it is and that there's no reason they shouldn't play it. I love it so much I did a 100% deathless playthrough in one sitting and uploaded it to KZread because I wanted other people to see how good the game is.

Well you’ve done it Mr Baldino. Now I want to go back to this game and experience it all over again.

I actually JUST started Hellblade for the first time. I'm only about 20 minutes in but it seems like a good story, which is the main thing I look for in a game. I've had it on my list for a while but my list of "wants" is so huge that sometimes things sit for years (or forever). Anyway, great video Jake, I always feel informed, entertained, and just generally in a good mood after your videos.

Hellblade and Shadow of the Colossus are two of the biggest examples of ways to show that games can be different; that they don't have to be the player vs hordes of enemies, that stories can be told in subtle and amazing ways. Those are two of my top ten best games of all time.

ive been looking forward to this game for years, cant believe its finally here.

I have a that plays out similarly. And this game is so helpful and cathartic. I pull it out to remind myself why I'm still trying to live

I played this game for the first time back in January and I loved it. The story was deep, and emotional. The soundscape was unsettling and immersive. At the time I felt it was a masterpiece. And for storytelling I still think that's the case. But your point after the puzzles and game mechanics is spot on. Looking back that is definitely a part I was not a fan of as much and I am glad it was only about 7 hours to complete.

Helll of a game especially that sea of corpses and going down to fafnir oh my god. gold

At the time of release I was astonished with how good it looked and sounded, Ninja Theory really did an excellent job with the story and Melina was absolutely incredible as Senua, yes the puzzles got annoying but the fights were great, I know it picked up a lot of criticism for how there was no lock on and attacks seemed to come from out of knowhere, but I'll repeat (paraphrase as I don't remember word for word) what I said in a letter I sent to Official Playstation Magazine - I felt that's how it would feel for Senua with her mental health troubles and not really being a warrior. The story gripped me from start to finish and I'll be honest Saga is what made me jump ship from Sony to XBox and so far the game has lived up to what I hoped it would be! We need more short story driven games rather than 100+ hour epics and with Microsoft's money and the move to Unreal 5 Ninja Theory have done an incredible job!

I'm actually planning to replay Hellblade in the next couple of days to get ready for the sequel. This game is one of my favorites of all time despite the simple gameplay. I loved the story of Senua and the progression of her character. also I'll never forget that last boss fight with the epic music in the background. crossing my fingers for a dope sequel to this awesome game.🤞💙

Senua surprised me when i played 5 yrs back. Everything was as it should be and giving different experience, something absolutely fresh. The game had its epic moments. If a games or parts of it stays in ur head ypu know devs did something different and good

Loved the video very authentic.

Masterpiece. People are STILL sleeping on this.

I loved how all the fights felt like a struggle for survival, and not a powerfantasy. Also the horror section was really well done

i think i saw ur before u buy and was immediately drawn. i played it. i was soo moved. and i'm not a story-guy, i skip cut scenes- but not here. the scene she finds his body... goosebumps. i am really hoping the sequel goes well for them. i'll try it for sure. hello from australia & keep up the good work JB

Hellblade is definitely an amazing journey i always recommend to anyone with access to it. The love put into this game is immense and i definitely loved it too.

I’m definitely planning to replay this game prior to playing the sequel which comes out next week. I’m looking forward to see where the story goes.

Been ready for hellblade 2 since the teaser

It's an alright AA walking simulator.

Thanks Jake as a game collector there are so many games I have not played and now my interest has really perked on this particular game that I do have. Let's get some pizza sometime!

I love the first game. Having a psychosis myself, I discovered a lot playing it. And apart from it being a psychological masterpiece, it tells such an amazing and utterly terrifying Nordic tale of Senua's immense struggle and retribution. Through out the whole game, we hear about Ragnarok and how it is inevitable to later find out that, in a way, Senua becomes Hela herself. This ending implies many meanings, but all the myths are real in Senua's world. I'm just so excited for the sequel and all the little hints about Gods and Senua antagonizing them in the trailers. When she said "I know you" to that giant in 2021 game awards display, I was out. Hellblade 2 might be the best northern saga ever told, on top of it being such a ground-breaking profound piece of art about psychic disorder and uncontained suffering behind it. I know I'm gonna love second part as well.

I’m playing it right now!! Just beat Fenrir! Tough fight! I had played it an hour around release thought “meh”(but ALWAYS noted the quality and knew i would return to it)and went back to it yesterday-glad i did!!! I love it! They REALLY drip feed Senuas backstory to great effect.

It's one of those games where I felt like the characters' swings of the sword were MY swings of the sword, almost like being a kid again and watching anime. It stands up on its own for what it is. I worry the sequel will be too long.

When I didn’t have the money to afford a PS5 and just had a Series X, this game was my fill for the “Norse god of war” vibe.(I played this in 2022) I love this game so much and I’m so excited for part 2. Great Action, Great narration and my god, for a 2017 launch, the game holds up so damn well in terms of graphics!

On it (again). It feels great (again)!

One of my top-10 games of all time for sure.... such an horrific, mind-bending, heart-pumping experience. Really want to play it again, but honestly - the way it pulled me in, and how nightmare-ish the whole story is - I'm still recovering 😅

I just finished it for the first time today and im stoked for the new one

Senua’s Sacrifice is genuinely one of my favorite games from the last gen, I was surprised by its quality and just fell in love with the care they showed in depicting mental illness. I am so damn excited for the follow up (even if I’m buying a shiny new gaming laptop to avoid having to buy it on Xbox)

I recently bought a Truthear zero and I also got a copy for hellblade .The game sounds incredible with proper audio output and the story is pretty good too.

Played this game for the first time like a year or two ago, loved it

I can't wait for part 2

Love the shirt !

Literally just finished beating Hellblade 1 for the first time a few a minutes ago. Definitely one of the best games I ever played. The sound design is incredible. The atmosphere, level design and cinematography is amazing. Loved the story and music as well. Only thing that was a little annoying was the combat and the targeting. I did enjoy the last ending fights though; by the ending it really good at dodging and partying and I was just bodying the enemies and it actually felt like I was fighting for Senua’s life. Can’t wait for the sequel next week.

I played it when it came out but now you make me wanna replay it 😂

I actually played this for the first time last year; off one of your recommendations. It was incredible! As some one who has experienced drug-induced psychosis, I thought they did a really good, and respectful job of covering it as a semi realistic metaphor. Can't wait to see how the sequel does in 6 days.

Dude the Blood Money shirt is on point

I never played Hellblade, but (finally have a decent gaming PC) I think I'll dive into it. It's funny, but most of the games I've recently tried were via your channel and Gameranx and despite some titles being several years old, they feel new and exciting to play. Thanks!

Played for the first time a couple of weeks ago and it blew me away.

The first trailer was like a metal music video

Played it for the first time this year, and I think these kinds of games do a lot for the public perception of video games. We know they're an art and that games tell incredible stories, but many don't see that side of gaming. Hellblade, like several other games recently, really did a lot to push the bounds of the medium, and I think that really helps people see the potential that games have as a vehicle for creative expression.

I wanted to jump to your defense at the end that I think you're smart and then the thumbnail of you spraying cologne into your mouth popped up lol

Loved hellblade 2 This is what NEXT GEN needs to look like. Hoping more games like this is done across the board. Combat in hell blade 2 is ridiculously intimate, in your face and gory. Exactly how I envision battles were done during those times.

I finally got around to this a couple of months ago, and can't believe I put it off for so long, I was surprised at how good it looks for it's age and, playing in the dark, the look and sound really pulled me in. Needless to say, I *really* enjoyed this game, enough to have seriously considered buying an Xbox X to play the sequel, more than once. Which will look weird next to a full PlayStation collection. I *really* hope M$ drop this on PlayStation, I will happily pay full price for it, day one. They deserve massive credit for how well they pulled off such a complicated issue, it's something that varies massively from sufferer to sufferer, but (as someone who has MH issues) they nailed that side of it.

Man I still remember being stuck in that dark maze after the bridge collapses, getting so frustrated 😂

Fingers crossed for Hellblade II.

It’s a beautiful game with a fantastic story, one of the few games that actually made me cry. I can’t wait for Hellblade 2.

I played this at about the same time as breath of the wild, and Hellblade was much more what I was looking for in a Zelda game than BotW was.

I sat next to a friend while she played the original Hellblade, and I remember thinking it was incredible. The acting, art and sound design, how they handled the character’s mental state… just amazing. But the puzzles were - for my friend - daunting. And if they were hard for her, they would have totally stumped me. I suck at puzzles. That said, I’ll likely play Hellblade 2, and will have no qualms going to the Internet to help me solve any puzzles that take me out of the game. I’ve gotten used to that.

the pre-install of the sequel is available on gamepass now

it absolutely holds up i bought a series x to play starfield but i was so disappointed with that im glad this was there. you are correct about the fighting it becomes repetitive and a bit grinding towards the end but its still a cracking game. looking forward to the sequel

You're doing miracles for Hellblade 2's marketing with this video.

The fact it's often on sale for 3-4$ is insane value.

Oh you should have played it in VR, it makes the game so much more. I played it flat when it first came out and replayed in VR a few years later and found being in the environment with Senua gives even more depth. I wish that the second game would have VR, such a shame it doesn't.

Absolutely loved Hellblade, waiting for HB2 to drop on steam so i can start playing. I played through HB1 on PS4 at least twice, (enough to 100%) played through on PC, and then played through the VR ver. on PC (which was a hella trip, especially if you have OLED lenses)

Just beat it again recently. Definitely held up for me.

Absolutely loved hellblade. Pumped for the next chapter ❤

For me no other game has as much atmosphere and general immersive feel as Hellblade, I just love how there’s no HUD or tutorial or crafting or skill trees or collectibles or any of that stuff. I have such fond memories of just enjoying the incredible soundscapes of each level, the Norse mythology stories were really interesting too. And the trials of Odin were just epic. Oh and the soundtrack 😍

I too forgot the next one is coming out soon. I really hope that's not a bad sign, team ninja might be on the chopping block. It sucks how pessimistic this past week or two has left me.

I've gat a million voices in my head I am used to it

I played it in 2019 and the thing that really stayed with me was the voices in her head. At the start of the game they're just talking down to her and it does mentally get to you, but slowly over time, not only do you put up a mental block to stop hearing them but they start becoming helpful. At the time of playing the game I had been working in a very toxic workplace and after playing the game, i was able to block out the negative nonsense and focus on my professional goals. So overall I see that game as not just helping Senua get through her journey, but defining my own. I occasionally find myself thinking about that game in times of stress, because if she and others like her can work through that, there's no reason why I can't.

One of those I heard a lot about but never actually got to play. I may just dive in.

This was quite possibly the most intimate, emotional, and terrifying journey I've taken in a game. It takes this form of digital storytelling to new heights. It's in my top 10 of all time--easy. My female partner even wanted to watch me play it, which never happens.

Definitely want to recommend watching xbox podcast from this week with Ninja Theory and in Iceland as well as xboxon Henry did a great piece with Ninja Theory and Melina...love your stuff Jake I always love to know your takes even if I may not always see them the same way I really like your oppinions!!

great experience of a game