Introduced again in 2019, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is developer Ninja Idea’s highly-anticipated sequel to its 2017 title Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice.
Unique to Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC, the sport was revealed on the Recreation Awards in 2019 with a darkish and mysterious trailer that didn’t actually give a lot away. A few years later and we’re nonetheless eagerly ready to listen to more particulars concerning the sport, together with, crucially, its launch date.
It’s now been greater than three years since we fought by the depths of Hel with Senua on her journey to rescue the soul of her useless lover from the goddess Hela, so we’re greater than prepared to leap right into a sequel.
Whereas we’re hoping that 2021 will deliver more news about what we will anticipate from Ninja Idea’s Xbox unique, it does appear that the sport continues to be within the pretty early levels of its growth. Within the meantime, nonetheless, we’ve gathered the whole lot we all know to date about Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 under to your perusal.
[Update: It seems that Hellblade 2 is still relatively early on in its development. Read on to find out more.]
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2: lower to the chase
- What's it? The sequel to 2017's Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
- When can I play it? TBC
- What can I play it on? Xbox Series X/S and PC confirmed
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 launch date
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 was surprisingly introduced on the Recreation Awards 2019 with a heart-pumping reveal trailer. The announcement informed us that Hellblade 2 is coming to Xbox Series X, in addition to PC, however it didn’t really reveal a launch date.
Although it was one of many first-revealed Xbox Series X video games, Hellblade 2 wasn’t known as a launch title, so we weren’t solely shocked that it wasn’t launched with the Xbox Series X/S in late 2020. Nonetheless, now that we’re into 2021 we’re hoping to listen to about some sort of launch date quickly.
We’re tempering our expectations that Hellblade 2 can be a 2021 title, although, after the sport didn’t seem on a January 2021 submit on Xbox Wire revealing the video games coming completely to Xbox in 2021. It appears way more possible that it will likely be launched in 2022 on the earliest.
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 trailers
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 was formally introduced for Xbox Series X on the Recreation Awards 2019, with a peculiar and gritty reveal trailer. Whereas the trailer did not give a lot away when it comes to story and gameplay, it did affirm that this sequel seems to be a lot darker than its predecessor - which was already fairly darkish.
Test it out under:
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvKQ7eTGXns[/embed]
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 trailers
Nonetheless some time off
Ninja Idea has mentioned in June 2021 that Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 continues to be very early in its growth in a teaser reel.
Within the reel (which doesn’t present any new gameplay footage) studio founder Tameem Antoniades explains, “What we're doing right now is building a good chunky slice of the game before we then move into full production to build out the rest.” He provides, “Hellblade was very special to us and we didn't want to do a straight sequel. We wanted to do something extra special and so we're making our lives as difficult as possible in that pursuit.”
Behind-the-scenes movies on Ninja Idea’s social channels along with this video have supplied an perception into how a lot work the group is placing in within the title of element, notably almost about characters and setting. Total, it appears protected to say that the sport continues to be a great way off but and will possibly even be a 2023 or past title.
Trying behind the scenes
Ninja Idea has been giving some more behind-the-scenes seems to be on the growth of Hellblade 2, this time looking at among the sensible results which might be getting used.
In a brief video shared by the developer’s Twitter account, we will see members of the group setting clothes on hearth with the caption “Sometimes to create, you must first destroy. Experimenting with textural effects on clothing.” In a follow-up tweet, the group revealed that they’ll be utilizing prime quality scans of the garments to “reach an amazing level of detail” within the sport.
It is prime quality scans like this that can assist us attain an incredible stage of element in our video games. pic.twitter.com/UpokEyCCjrSeptember 6, 2021
E3 2021 no present
E3 2021 got here and went with out an look from Hellblade 2. We haven’t seen a lot of the sport since its announcement on the Recreation Awards in 2019 and as an Xbox unique, we might anticipate Microsoft to wish to shout about it throughout its present.
That mentioned, it wasn't more likely to start with. Business insider Jeff Grubb revealed throughout a dwell stream (through TheGamer) that he didn't suppose Hellblade 2 was going to be at E3 this 12 months resulting from Microsoft’s want to deal with gameplay footage somewhat than CG trailers. It is disappointing we did not see it there and now we'll simply have to attend for the following massive gaming occasion, GamesCom, to search out out more.
Cloud forming expertise
The Ninja Idea Twitter account has tweeted out a have a look at how the group is utilizing “flow maps” to each make clouds kind and dissolve naturally in Hellblade 2. It’s a really small have a look at how growth on the sport is progressing however it exhibits the eye to element Ninja Idea is making use of to the following Hellblade sport.
Bit cloudy is not it? Here we're utilizing movement maps to make clouds kind and dissolve naturally in Senua's Saga: Hellblade II #WIP pic.twitter.com/OrIoyGjiHKMay 25, 2021
Behind the scenes look
Updates on Hellblade 2 have been fairly skinny on the bottom lately so a behind-the-scenes update from the sport’s star Melina Juergens was little question welcome for followers.
The video diary locations an actual deal with how Juergens ready for the position of Senua this time round, with a glimpse at some fairly intense fight coaching. This does trace at a deal with sensible, genuine fight inside the sport itself.
Juergens launched into a regime of health coaching in addition to taking weapons coaching with C.C. Smiff, the swordmaster and stunt choreographer for the current Star Wars trilogy and Recreation of Thrones. The sport’s animators additionally took fight programs in order that they might present sensible actions for the sport’s enemies throughout movement seize classes.
Juergens additionally revealed that she suffers from the persistent ache situation fibromyalgia, explaining it “basically means my joints and bones and things like that are always in pain and I have a lot of fatigue. And also when I’m training I need quite a lot of time to recover after every session.”
You possibly can watch the video diary for your self under and Juergens has mentioned that more can be coming in one other episode sooner or later.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrNpgATiU4Q[/embed]
No more content material for Bleeding Edge
Ninja Idea has mentioned that it will be including no more content material to Bleeding Edge because it's placing its deal with creating Hellblade 2, Undertaking Mara, and The Perception Undertaking.
With the studio now specializing in our new tasks (Senua’s Saga, Undertaking Mara & The Perception Undertaking) we've determined that there can be no additional content material updates for Bleeding Edge. The sport continues to be playable on Xbox and PC. Thanks to the followers & hold teaming up & inflicting chaos!January 28, 2021
Melina Juergens tweets
Melina Juergens, the lead actress who performs Senua within the Hellblade series, has posted a tweet making reference to Hellblade 2.
For each battle received, a higher battle takes its place ⚔️ #senuassaga #hellbladesenuassacrifice Make-up: @puffjockey pic.twitter.com/ORAqwI71VMJanuary 15, 2021
The tweet features a image of Juergens painted with Senua’s rune-like patterns and scars and is captioned with the phrase “For every battle won, a greater battle takes its place”, alongside Senua’s Saga-related tags. It’s unclear whether or not the tweet is a sign that Juergens is on set engaged on the sport or whether or not she’s simply displaying followers some in-character make-up.
Not on the checklist
Hellblade 2 nonetheless doesn’t have an official launch date or launch window however 2021 is wanting much less possible after a current submit on Xbox Wire. Printed in January 2021, the submit lists the video games which might be coming completely to Xbox in 2021.
Given Hellblade 2 is an Xbox unique and it doesn’t seem on this checklist, it does make it appear unlikely that the sport is coming anytime quickly. That mentioned, the checklist is pretty restricted and we think about Xbox nonetheless has some unannounced dates up its sleeve. We’ll simply should be affected person till one thing official is introduced.
Operating on Unreal Engine 5
Microsoft has confirmed that Hellblade 2 will use Unreal Engine 5 in an official Xbox Wire submit.
In response to Xbox, "The team will be building the game on Unreal 5 and leveraging the power of Xbox Series X to bring the Hellblade franchise to levels never before seen." They added that the footage of the sport proven throughout The Recreation Awards in 2019 "was captured in-engine and reflects the power of Xbox Series X available to developers to deliver new universes, experiences and games in ways you have never imagined."
Icelandic inspiration
Hellblade 2 made an surprising look through the Xbox Video games Showcase on July 23, the place it was revealed that the sport could be going down in Iceland. In developer Ninja Idea's 'Dreadnought' developer diary series, the group spoke of the way it has been location scouting throughout the nation a lot as you'd for a Hollywood movie, together with taking audio recordings for an particular immersive, correct illustration of the panorama. Take a look at the video under for more.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw1DVTdV0P8[/embed]
What concerning the story?
We do not really know something about Hellblade 2's story but however, from the trailer, it appears to be a lot darker than its predecessor. The trailer exhibits pagan rituals, breathtaking landscapes, limbs hanging from archways and some battle sequences. There's additionally some hints in the direction of Vikings - which might make sense given the time interval. However that is hypothesis and we stay largely at the hours of darkness.
