82
MONSTER
From the makers of Heavenly Sword, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, and DmC: Devil May Cry, comes a warrior’s brutal journey into myth and madness. Set in the Viking age, a broken Celtic warrior embarks on a haunting vision quest into Viking Hell to fight for the soul of her dead lover. Created in collaboration with neuroscientists and people who experience psychosis, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice will pull you deep into Senua’s mind.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
Expand for full analysis
91
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is praised for its profound exploration of mental illness, trauma, and love, seamlessly integrating Norse mythology into Senua's emotional journey. Critics highlight its vivid portrayal of psychosis and the immersive narrative that enhances gameplay. However, some note issues with narrative clarity and character development, arguing that it can feel muddled and overly explanatory at times. Despite these critiques, the consensus is that the game offers a unique, impactful experience that resonates deeply with players, making it a standout in storytelling and emotional engagement.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
91
Positive Reviews (80-100)
96%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
3%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
2%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is praised for its profound exploration of mental illness, trauma, and love, seamlessly integrating Norse mythology into Senua's emotional journey. Critics highlight its vivid portrayal of psychosis and the immersive narrative that enhances gameplay. However, some note issues with narrative clarity and character development, arguing that it can feel muddled and overly explanatory at times. Despite these critiques, the consensus is that the game offers a unique, impactful experience that resonates deeply with players, making it a standout in storytelling and emotional engagement.
Gameplay Mechanics
Expand for full analysis
72
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice impresses with its deep integration of Senua's psychological struggles into gameplay, earning praise for immersive puzzles and fluid combat. However, critics slam it for repetitiveness and simplicity, labeling the experience as linear and at times tedious. While some elements shine, the lack of depth hampers enjoyment, leaving a mixed overall reception: a gripping narrative experience that may frustrate those craving more dynamic gameplay.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
72
Positive Reviews (80-100)
27%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
72%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
1%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice impresses with its deep integration of Senua's psychological struggles into gameplay, earning praise for immersive puzzles and fluid combat. However, critics slam it for repetitiveness and simplicity, labeling the experience as linear and at times tedious. While some elements shine, the lack of depth hampers enjoyment, leaving a mixed overall reception: a gripping narrative experience that may frustrate those craving more dynamic gameplay.
Graphics and Visual Design
Expand for full analysis
89
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice wows critics with its breathtaking visuals and emotional depth, thanks to advanced motion capture and photorealistic graphics. Reviewers rave about the game's stunning environments and compelling narrative that masterfully blends live-action cutscenes with gameplay. However, the Nintendo Switch port suffers from significantly lower graphics quality, with issues like blurry textures and a dynamic resolution dropping to 400p. Despite these setbacks, the overall consensus remains positive, praising the game for its artistic direction and ability to tackle complex themes of mental illness. Whether on high-performance platforms or the Switch, Hellblade delivers a visually captivating experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
89
Positive Reviews (80-100)
92%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
8%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice wows critics with its breathtaking visuals and emotional depth, thanks to advanced motion capture and photorealistic graphics. Reviewers rave about the game's stunning environments and compelling narrative that masterfully blends live-action cutscenes with gameplay. However, the Nintendo Switch port suffers from significantly lower graphics quality, with issues like blurry textures and a dynamic resolution dropping to 400p. Despite these setbacks, the overall consensus remains positive, praising the game for its artistic direction and ability to tackle complex themes of mental illness. Whether on high-performance platforms or the Switch, Hellblade delivers a visually captivating experience.
Music and Sound Design
Expand for full analysis
93
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice boasts groundbreaking sound design and music, praised for its binaural 3D audio that immerses players in Senua's psychological struggle. Critics highlight how the voices enhance gameplay and atmosphere, with a strong recommendation for headphone use to fully experience the haunting audio. Despite minor issues like voice mixing and some less impactful background music, the overall reception is overwhelmingly positive. This innovative sound design is deemed a defining feature, establishing the game as a benchmark in the industry.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
93
Positive Reviews (80-100)
94%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
6%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice boasts groundbreaking sound design and music, praised for its binaural 3D audio that immerses players in Senua's psychological struggle. Critics highlight how the voices enhance gameplay and atmosphere, with a strong recommendation for headphone use to fully experience the haunting audio. Despite minor issues like voice mixing and some less impactful background music, the overall reception is overwhelmingly positive. This innovative sound design is deemed a defining feature, establishing the game as a benchmark in the industry.
Voice Acting
Expand for full analysis
93
The voice acting in Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is critically acclaimed, with Melina Juergens' portrayal of Senua hailed as masterful and award-worthy, significantly enhancing the game’s emotional depth and immersion. While some minor flaws, like awkward facial animations and a few less impactful performances, were noted, the overall consensus is that the voice acting is a standout achievement that elevates the storytelling and connects players to Senua's internal struggles, marking it as a defining feature of the game.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
93
Positive Reviews (80-100)
98%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
2%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
The voice acting in Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is critically acclaimed, with Melina Juergens' portrayal of Senua hailed as masterful and award-worthy, significantly enhancing the game’s emotional depth and immersion. While some minor flaws, like awkward facial animations and a few less impactful performances, were noted, the overall consensus is that the voice acting is a standout achievement that elevates the storytelling and connects players to Senua's internal struggles, marking it as a defining feature of the game.
Technical Performance
Expand for full analysis
76
"Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice" impresses with solid technical performance on PS4, especially on Pro, but bugs and glitches mar the experience across all platforms. Critics praise the Nintendo Switch for maintaining a stable 30fps despite hardware limits, while Xbox One faces significant gameplay disruptions due to bugs. Overall, the game shines in immersion but needs optimization to fully realize its potential.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
76
Positive Reviews (80-100)
52%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
46%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
1%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
"Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice" impresses with solid technical performance on PS4, especially on Pro, but bugs and glitches mar the experience across all platforms. Critics praise the Nintendo Switch for maintaining a stable 30fps despite hardware limits, while Xbox One faces significant gameplay disruptions due to bugs. Overall, the game shines in immersion but needs optimization to fully realize its potential.
Replay Value
Expand for full analysis
58
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice has emotional depth and a gripping narrative that some players might want to revisit, bolstered by collectible lore stones. However, critics overwhelmingly point out its limited replay value due to a short, linear campaign (7-10 hours), repetitive puzzles and combat, and a lack of traditional collectibles. Ultimately, it's seen as a powerful one-time experience rather than a game designed for multiple playthroughs.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
58
Positive Reviews (80-100)
2%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
90%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
8%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice has emotional depth and a gripping narrative that some players might want to revisit, bolstered by collectible lore stones. However, critics overwhelmingly point out its limited replay value due to a short, linear campaign (7-10 hours), repetitive puzzles and combat, and a lack of traditional collectibles. Ultimately, it's seen as a powerful one-time experience rather than a game designed for multiple playthroughs.
Overall Verdict
82
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
82
Positive Reviews (80-100)
84%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
15%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
1%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is hailed as a groundbreaking narrative experience, skillfully blending storytelling, stunning visuals, and immersive sound design to explore mental health themes. Critics commend its emotional depth and artistic merit, positioning it as a must-play for fans of interactive storytelling. However, gameplay issues like dull puzzles and repetitive mechanics draw criticism, potentially frustrating some players. Despite these shortcomings, the game's strengths in narrative and atmosphere significantly overshadow its flaws, solidifying its place as a noteworthy title in gaming.
82
MONSTER
Reviews
202 reviews found100
Ragequit.gr
Aug 23, 2017
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is hailed as a benchmark in narrative-driven gaming, combining art and technology to deliver a profound and immersive experience.
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100
DualShockers
Aug 14, 2017
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is an incredible and emotionally affecting game that masterfully combines audio-visual design with a powerful narrative about mental illness. It is a masterpiece worth experiencing.
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100
Digitally Downloaded
Aug 10, 2017
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a masterfully executed piece of art that transcends traditional gaming experiences, leaving a lasting emotional impact on players.
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100
XBLA Fans
May 10, 2018
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Despite technical flaws, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a must-play for its powerful narrative and emotional depth, making it a unique experience in gaming.
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100
TheXboxHub
May 10, 2018
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice is a must buy for all gamers, especially those who love character, story, and adventure. The performance, design, and journey are all amazing and the gameplay is hugely enjoyable as well, with a little bit of a challenge thrown in for good measure.
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100
Gamer.no
Aug 15, 2017
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Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a unique and intense experience that masterfully blends psychological horror with action, offering a journey that is both beautiful and harrowing.
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100
TrueAchievements
Apr 18, 2018
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is an amazing game with remarkable storytelling and production value on par with AAA experiences
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98
XboxAddict
Apr 20, 2018
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a groundbreaking title that masterfully combines storytelling, visuals, and audio, making it a must-play experience.
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95
GamesBeat
Aug 7, 2017
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Despite some technical flaws and repetitive elements, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is a powerful and emotionally engaging experience that successfully explores themes of mental illness, supported by strong character development and impressive visuals.
95
PlayGround.ru
Aug 24, 2017
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is described as a masterpiece that transcends traditional gaming experiences, offering a profound exploration of mental illness and emotional depth.