Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is set to arrive in 2024, four years since the first release, and from what we’ve seen, the wait will be worth it. Following an all-new trailer shown at Xbox Games Showcase in June, there’s a lot to digest before jumping in. Between character design and world design, the setting is incredibly detailed and haunting.
We can likely expect this to be a real showcase of what the Xbox Series X is capable of. Read on for everything we know so far about Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2: cut to the chase
What is it? The sequel to 2017’s Hellblade: Senua’s SacrificeWhen can I play it? 2024What can I play it on? Xbox Series X|S and PC
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 release date and platforms
(Image credit: Microsoft)
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 will release for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC in 2024, as announced during Xbox Games Showcase in June 2023. Although there’s no concrete release date and a pretty vague window currently, we do know that it’ll at least be available on Xbox Game Pass on day one.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 trailers
Latest trailer
The most recent trailer for Hellblade 2 was shown at the Xbox Games Showcase, offering another look at the setting of the game alongside a release window of 2024. For a four-minute trailer, not a whole lot of insight into gameplay is provided, but alongside some incredibly immersive 3D audio and some breathtaking graphics, Hellblade 2 is shaping up to be a strong contender for one of the best Xbox games.
More trailers
Prior to the Xbox Games Showcase in 2023, the previous trailer released for Hellblade 2‘s was a Dev Diary that documented how Ninja Theory worked around the pandemic and location restrictions to ensure it portrays the game’s location in Iceland in the most authentic way possible.
We’ve scattered a few extra trailers for Hellblade 2 throughout this article, but for more videos, be sure to check out Ninja Theory’s official YouTube channel.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 story and setting
The first Hellblade saw Senua journey to find her dead lover’s soul. Venturing to the fires of Helheim, she fought against all the odds and even the goddess of death herself, Hella.
While the main story focused on action-adventure Hellblade also saw more mature themes woven through the narrative. Filled with psychological struggles, Senua slowly comes to terms with everything that has happened to her.
We hope that Hellblade 2 will carry on this thought-provoking journey, but as of yet, there are no solid storylines confirmed for this much-anticipated sequel. Even following a more immersive look at the setting of Hellblade 2 through the Xbox Games Showcase, there’s still very little we know about the story and setting.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 gameplay
In this six-minute gameplay trailer shown at The Game Awards 2021, we saw Senua and a group of warriors travel to a cold and wet coastal cave. Scattered with bones and debris, you instantly know that there is something wrong.
Similarly to the first game, your thoughts doubt you, as every action you take is met with quiet whispers of dread and discomfort. But after a short set-up, we can finally see what Senua came here to find and kill; a giant.
The fight ensues with the giant chasing Senua, calling her name, and eating her fellow soldiers. The entire sequence is heart-racing and beautifully scripted. If this is anything to go off of, then, Hellblade 2 looks like it’s going to be a memorable sequel.
In the most recent trailer, we see Senua travel through a dank cave, being ominously guided by a few voices. After pondering her reflection, she’s pulled below the surface which is where the trailer ends. So, similarly to the first trailer, we aren’t shown a huge amount of gameplay or environment to keep up the mystery.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 news
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 finally receives a release window
At long last, Hellblade 2 finally has a release window following an all-new trailer at the Xbox Games Showcase. But, rather than having a concrete release date, we have been given a pretty vague window of 2024.
Senua’s character model is incredibly detailed
Developer Ninja Theory has shared two images showing a close-up of Senua’s character model, and they’re unbelievably detailed. From the snot running out of Senua’s nose to the creases of her lips, Ninja Theory is definitely not messing around when it comes to the little details that make Senua look truly realistic.
The developer cites its development of skin and eye materials using studio references for its ability to make Senua look life-like. It’s certainly got us excited to see more of Hellblade 2, and Senua, in action.
Senua is brought to life in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II thanks to our development of skin and eye materials using studio references. pic.twitter.com/dTX2ETJmAKJanuary 20, 2022
No tricks here
Following the gameplay reveal of Hellblade 2, Ninja Theory Audio Director David García took to Twitter to provide some details about the trailer’s audio. According to García, the gameplay trailer was entirely captured in-engine in real-time and “almost all” of the footage’s 3D sounds use Project Acoustics and spatial audio.
Project Acoustics is Microsoft’s wave acoustics engine for 3D interactive experiences. Essentially, it allows for realistic acoustics to be introduced into 3D environments. Spatial audio, meanwhile, is an immersive sound that comes from (or seems to) all angles.
Some audio notes about our gameplay trailer: https://t.co/eJxBL8F3wU-Almost all 3d sounds use Project acoustics and spatial audio: incredible technologies. -Everything in this demo is in engine, real time, no tricks. This is real. As such not everything is perfect(yet :D)December 12, 2021
Running on Unreal Engine 5
Microsoft has confirmed that Hellblade 2 will use Unreal Engine 5 in an official Xbox Wire post.
According 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 game shown during The Game 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.”
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is set to become one of the best Xbox Series X games once it eventually launches next year, making it an upcoming game worth keeping an eye on. But, if you’re looking for another Xbox-exclusive adventure to sink into, it’s worth looking at the Clockwork Revolution release date too.