Hellblade 2’s masterful presentation is let down by dated gameplay

It’s a rather odd time for Hellblade 2 to finally be released.

The game was originally announced alongside the Xbox Series X, as a sign of things to come for the console. And yet, here it is, as Microsoft‘s plans appear to be shifting somewhat.

In many ways, Hellblade 2 is exactly the type of game Microsoft and Xbox fans have been crying out for – a third-person, narrative-focused game with a heavy emphasis on presentation.

However, while the game does indeed deliver presentational might that’s virtually unchallenged this generation, it’s unfortunately paired with gameplay that would feel more at home in the previous generation.

Marry this to a narrative that barely fills its already slimline 6-hour length, and it’s difficult not to feel disappointed by Hellblade 2, even considering its best-in-class technical achievement.

The game follows Senua as she grapples with not only the mental scars left over from the first game, but also a desire for revenge against the raiders that destroyed her home.

The character of Senua is far and away one of the game’s highlights. She is incredibly well-rendered, both graphically and narratively, and while her arc isn’t as transformative as it was in the first game, she’s nevertheless a magnetic on-screen presence.

Melina Juergens’ performance as Senua is captured perfectly. She, alongside the game’s visuals, are the game’s undisputed highlights. The rest of the game’s cast is less memorable, sadly, due in part to the short amount of time you get to spend with them. The plot is also somewhat meandering and feels like it’s building to the end multiple times before it actually does.

Iceland, the game’s setting, is utterly breathtaking. On PC at maximum settings, some sequences are indistinguishable from live-action footage. The landscape is stunning, as are the surrealist sequences full of flash and flourish. The character models are also among the best seen in the medium to date. There aren’t many, but all of them are astonishingly detailed.

“