Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 has officially set its release date for May 21, 2024. The announcement was made during the Xbox Developer Direct, confirming that the game will be available on Xbox Series X/S consoles and PC, with inclusion in the Game Pass subscription on its debut.
The digital-only release of the game will maintain a price tag of $49.99, as outlined in an Xbox Wire blog post published after the Direct event. The game’s duration is expected to be similar to its predecessor.
During the Direct presentation, Ninja Theory, the developer, provided more insights into the game, showcasing new gameplay snippets. The studio’s goal is to create impactful art through innovative technology. For Senua’s Saga, a new motion capture studio has been established to enhance realism, and binaural audio is now incorporated not only for voices but also for music and sound effects, making it an immersive experience best enjoyed with headphones.
The sequel follows Senua’s quest to confront Vikings who have enslaved her people in Iceland. Senua, who has become more resilient to her visions, must adapt to her unique perspective, serving as a beacon of hope for her people.
Combat in the game has undergone significant reworking, promising intense brutality as Senua battles against Draugr for survival in each encounter. Once again, Ninja Theory collaborated with Professor Paul Fletcher and individuals with firsthand experience of psychosis to ensure an authentic representation.
Hellblade 2 was initially revealed at The Game Awards in 2019, with the first gameplay unveiled two years later at the 2021 awards ceremony. Subsequent trailers have generated anticipation among fans of the original game, who eagerly awaited a confirmed release date.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, the predecessor, followed the journey of the Pict warrior Senua on a vision quest to Viking Hell, intertwining her struggles with her past as a metaphor for psychosis. Originally released on multiple platforms, the game became a significant exclusive for Xbox after Ninja Theory was acquired by Microsoft in 2018. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 continues the narrative and builds upon the success of its predecessor.
