Listen to fanboys instead, they never lie
Senua Saga: Hellblade 2 is a modern marvel!
- Thread starter Gamer79
- Start date
vaibhavpisal
Member
Interesting.
I thought I was the only one who took that long to finish. Considering how prevalent 4 hrs joke is about this game.
analog_future
Resident Crybaby
I'm certainly not a fanboy. And neither are reviewers, where the review average sits at 81 on OpenCritic.
BigLee74
Member
Folk calling it a tech demo, or semi-interactive movie are dead wrong and do the game a massive disservice.
It’s very much a game, with exploration, puzzles and combat.
Unfortunately, it’s just not very exciting.
I do remember some outstanding set pieces though, in particular one level with red lighting and fog that pulsed to the background music - it felt amazing!
I’m glad I played it, and it’s relative shortness meant I didn’t mind completing it either.
It’s very much a game, with exploration, puzzles and combat.
Unfortunately, it’s just not very exciting.
I do remember some outstanding set pieces though, in particular one level with red lighting and fog that pulsed to the background music - it felt amazing!
I’m glad I played it, and it’s relative shortness meant I didn’t mind completing it either.
sainraja
Member
Ninja Theory you mean...
SEGAvangelist
Member
The post was entirely about the graphics in the game, and it's generally agreed on that the game is stunning in that department. What's funny or wrong about the OP's opinion?
nemiroff
Gold Member
FoxMcChief
Gold Member
I couldn’t last longer than 45 minutes. And I enjoyed the first game. I think Ryse is 100x better than both games though.
Soapbox Killer
Grand Nagus
I don't have a super whizbang setup, just a Pixio 277 gaming monitor and a Series X but it was by far the most impressive looking game I have ever seen. Maybe more artsy than I wanted it to be but still so impressive.
Kvally
Member
I can't last longer than 30 seconds, you lucky SOB!
fallingdove
Member
It’s not at all a modern marvel. There are so many qualifiers that have to be applied to the OP, it quickly unravels the argument that they are trying to make.
- The game has very limited gameplay/interactivity.
- Lots of dark areas that hide assets or lack of assets
- Lots of budget around the 3D character models using the latest rendering techniques but everything else? Meh, there are other games that are just as impressive.
It’s the God of War 3 (from a visual perspective) of the generation. Lots of smoke and mirrors, cool for a video game but a remarkable feat? No, and it’s laughable to suggest it.
There are more amazing things happening in computer generated graphics. In cinema you have higher fidelity, more lifelike visuals and in video games there are better examples of gameplay.
Last edited:
Reizo Ryuu
Gold Member
Yes it looks stunning but more than that its animation blending is completely next level, I tried very hard to force any kind weird transitions or hitches or sliding but I couldn't find any, not even in combat, it's completely seamless from start to finish.
The first game has more interesting combat though.
The first game has more interesting combat though.
alphachino
Member
Thanks for changing your avatar. Seeing that idiot Todd Howard's face always made me hate your comments before.
Saber
Newd Member
It's good for dumb people who likes to just staring at visuals and never play games. DF sure must be drowing this game, as they usually don't need to play them just pixel counting(nothing against them though).
Would be better to connect your controller to your PC, watch youtube and pretend you're playing.
Would be better to connect your controller to your PC, watch youtube and pretend you're playing.
TheSHEEEP
Gold Member
Hellblade has always been a "style over substance" kind of experience.
Sure, it theoretically has exploration, puzzles and combat.
But the exploration is absolutely minimal.
The puzzles I would've called insultingly stupid and the worst possible - but then Failguard came out, so I guess the bar did get lower. Anyway, they are rather laughable.
The combat is mediocre at best. It would be the only thing with potential here, but then the game is so short there's really nothing to master about it.
The graphics and atmosphere are very good - too bad that doesn't make a good game.
The protagonist is also downright annoying - yeah, I get she's supposed to be a certain way and I get the theme and topic of the game is mental illness.
But I guess there's a reason people don't generally want to identify with/play as mentally ill characters. Self-indulgent suffering isn't really my thing, either.
Also the metaphors are really on the nose.
I really think this is a case of game where people want to like it, as mental illness is indeed an important topic, and can fool themselves into viewing it as great.
But when you take a step back and look at it with some objectivity, this isn't much of a flag bearer.
Sure, it theoretically has exploration, puzzles and combat.
But the exploration is absolutely minimal.
The puzzles I would've called insultingly stupid and the worst possible - but then Failguard came out, so I guess the bar did get lower. Anyway, they are rather laughable.
The combat is mediocre at best. It would be the only thing with potential here, but then the game is so short there's really nothing to master about it.
The graphics and atmosphere are very good - too bad that doesn't make a good game.
The protagonist is also downright annoying - yeah, I get she's supposed to be a certain way and I get the theme and topic of the game is mental illness.
But I guess there's a reason people don't generally want to identify with/play as mentally ill characters. Self-indulgent suffering isn't really my thing, either.
Also the metaphors are really on the nose.
I really think this is a case of game where people want to like it, as mental illness is indeed an important topic, and can fool themselves into viewing it as great.
But when you take a step back and look at it with some objectivity, this isn't much of a flag bearer.
Last edited:
Madserb2023
Member
Best lighting I have ever seen in a game. They should release it on the PS5. Would look amazing on the PRO. They should reduce the price and sell it as a glorified tech demo.
GymWolf
Gold Member
Nah, the idiots had the best graphic ever in front of their eyes and went with fucking indy as 2024 best looking game, utter uselessness even when it comes to judge graphic.
AeonGaidenRaiden
Member
So basically you haven't noticed any gameplay moment and were just focused on graphics in its tiny linear world? Yup sounds like Hellblade trash.
Valonquar
Member
Quite LTTP, but just finished a 1st playthrough of Hellblade 2 on PC.
The graphics were pretty damn good... but mainly because they only had to focus on one character model for the majority of the game, 4 other characters for conversations, and like 5 enemy models. The rest was just rocks and really good lighting. Like REALLY REALLY GOOD lighting. And rocks...a whole lot of really good textured rocks. The trees looked a bit shit, but there weren't really that many.
The sound design was also really good, but that was expected after the first game. Most def play with headphones! Good deep bass, great atmospheric music and chanting. It's a bit disappointing too that the Heilung ritual from the commercial wasn't actually in the game at all, you see her like that for about 8 seconds in the entire game...
The rest of the game was about 85% holding up+L1 to jog forward very slowly, 3 places where you had to find symbols in the environment at elementary school level difficulty, and the same simplistic fight mechanics from the first game.
It's a super good lore setup, good internal narrative through the voices in her head, and great visuals, but still being fairly boring to actually play.
I played it for free & feel bad for people that shelled out $50 for 5ish hours of game. There isn't even anything different if you manged to find all the totem & tree things, just some extra fluff dialog.
The graphics were pretty damn good... but mainly because they only had to focus on one character model for the majority of the game, 4 other characters for conversations, and like 5 enemy models. The rest was just rocks and really good lighting. Like REALLY REALLY GOOD lighting. And rocks...a whole lot of really good textured rocks. The trees looked a bit shit, but there weren't really that many.
The sound design was also really good, but that was expected after the first game. Most def play with headphones! Good deep bass, great atmospheric music and chanting. It's a bit disappointing too that the Heilung ritual from the commercial wasn't actually in the game at all, you see her like that for about 8 seconds in the entire game...
The rest of the game was about 85% holding up+L1 to jog forward very slowly, 3 places where you had to find symbols in the environment at elementary school level difficulty, and the same simplistic fight mechanics from the first game.
It's a super good lore setup, good internal narrative through the voices in her head, and great visuals, but still being fairly boring to actually play.
I played it for free & feel bad for people that shelled out $50 for 5ish hours of game. There isn't even anything different if you manged to find all the totem & tree things, just some extra fluff dialog.
nowhat
Member
Ah. There's your mistake right there. You must play it twice to truly appreciate it.
Last edited:
Sorcerer
Member
Your more than halfway there. LOL!!!
Valonquar
Member
Sorcerer
Member
Really if they just scaled down what is bad about the game, the combat (which is so ironic coming from Ninja Theory), they could probably really sell this as a visual novel on steroids and I bet they would have a cult following with the series.
The combat is nonsense. Your first fight is the same as the last fight, there is no growth in that area. Wait for that light to pop and then go town.
Not even sure if that light is just there to overcome frustration or if you can win a battle without it.
I appreciate the first game as something unique even with its flaws. But this just doesn't need to exist. The Story was wrapped up in the first game. Now Senua is the kick-ass champion of the people? What?
The combat is nonsense. Your first fight is the same as the last fight, there is no growth in that area. Wait for that light to pop and then go town.
Not even sure if that light is just there to overcome frustration or if you can win a battle without it.
I appreciate the first game as something unique even with its flaws. But this just doesn't need to exist. The Story was wrapped up in the first game. Now Senua is the kick-ass champion of the people? What?
Last edited:
Sorcerer
Member
You could even probably grab a controller or just use your mouse and keyboard and pretend you're playing along. I think you would have the same experience and save some money. LOL!!!
bender
What time is it?
I'm sad your wife knows CPR.
Hero_Select
Member
Visuals and audio yes
Gameplay and puzzles? No, absolutely not.
Gameplay and puzzles? No, absolutely not.
AngelMuffin
Member
Extremely long tech demo.
XXL
Gold Member
bitbydeath
Gold Member
She was probably just putting in the final punches before he woke up.
EtherLakes
Neo Member
Im new here so I can't tell yet if these threads are sarcasm/bait or not lol.
bitbydeath
Gold Member
I mean, who likes Modern Marvel?
nowhat
Member
Even if you'd be more of a regular, you never really know. Just roll with it.
Ritsumei2020
Who did they think I was shilling for?
Hellblade 3 should be CG movie. Skip the middleman.
CamHostage
Member
Oh, this whole forum is sarcasm/bait.
Nobody on GAF has any actual opinions one way or another about a game having a black dude or a queer or a lady in it, we all just test each other for who can come up with the best parody of a curmudgeonly '90s blogger...
Last edited:
manzo
Member
My GF asked me to play through both games because she loves the viking stuff and Heilung. I never cared about either of these games.
Hellblade 1 on PS5 (ps4 ver of course) and the game looked pretty good. Overall a 7/10 experience. After finishing it, dragged the PC to living room for 4k60 with DLSS on quality.
fucking ’ell, the visuals were mindblowing. Has to be absolutely the best looking game I have ever seen. Had to stop to look around many times to enjoy the fireworks. The battle animations like the first boss made it really feel like an interactive movie. Presentation wise a fucking 11/10.
As a game, I really enjoyed Hellblade 1 more. 2 was way more boring with better graphics. Fighting was more enjoyable in 1 and the braindead puzzles were more ”fun” in it too.
The missus enjoyed them both.
Hellblade 1 on PS5 (ps4 ver of course) and the game looked pretty good. Overall a 7/10 experience. After finishing it, dragged the PC to living room for 4k60 with DLSS on quality.
fucking ’ell, the visuals were mindblowing. Has to be absolutely the best looking game I have ever seen. Had to stop to look around many times to enjoy the fireworks. The battle animations like the first boss made it really feel like an interactive movie. Presentation wise a fucking 11/10.
As a game, I really enjoyed Hellblade 1 more. 2 was way more boring with better graphics. Fighting was more enjoyable in 1 and the braindead puzzles were more ”fun” in it too.
The missus enjoyed them both.
Dazraell
Member
clarky
Gold Member
Not as sad as me knowing your mom was able to bare childen.
Sorcerer
Member
Maybe I'm crazy but I discount the graphics in either Hellblade, because there is really not much else going on screen in either game. Your mostly walking or in a stationary fight where you are merely trading blows. Most of the money seems to have been spent on graphics. Is it possible to make a Hellblade game with those graphics if what was comparable to a God of War in gameplay? I guess it is, but the budget would probably be out of this world.
Last edited:
HeWhoWalks
Gold Member
It’s disingenuous to discredit the game’s graphics due to the gameplay. Of course it would have been a little better with more gameplay, but that doesn’t take away its beauty (which is the point of the thread). Yes, we can get technical and it certainly benefits from being a little barren, but not everything has to be full of activities/action. Sometimes, it’s good to sit down with a simpler solution and take in the sights/enjoy the experience.
For that, it is definitely a marvel!
For that, it is definitely a marvel!
Punished Miku
Human Rights Subscription Service
I'm not trying to convince anyone to like this game. Most people here clearly hate it. But the discounting of the game's graphics due to its minimalist gameplay seems completely irrational. It's still an action game, though one with extremely heavy animation priority. It's like saying no turn based RPG's graphics should ever be discussed since you're essentially just moving through menus, hitting A and then watching scripted animations. It's actually less hands on gameplay than Hellblade, but nobody has ever said this about turn based RPGs. Doesn't make a bit of sense to me honestly.
bender
What time is it?
You don't like Walt, Larry, and Igner?
sendit
Member
Fear not, once this game comes to Playstation; it will be good, non-existent gameplay will magically appear, it will jump from corridor to open world, and the environments will actually react to the player/objects/npc.
Last edited:
CompleteGlobalSaturation
Member
10/10 graphics
2/10 gameplay
I stopped playing after 1 hour.
It's pretty to look at but that's it.
2/10 gameplay
I stopped playing after 1 hour.
It's pretty to look at but that's it.
Similar threads
- Locked