HellBlade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Release date: August 8,2017(PS4)/ April 11,2018 (Xbox One)
Genre: Action-Adventure
Number of players: 1
Rating: M 17+
Publisher: Ninja Theory
Developer: Ninja Theory
Director: Tameem Antoriades
Artist: Dan Attwell
As a big fan of Ninja Theory and the software they created from DMC: Devil May Cry, enslaved: Odyssey to the west, and Heavenly sword.Hellblade was a much different take for me and I’m sure I’m not alone on that sentiment, being Nordic mythology, which if I had to be honest I had no clue about. The story reminds me of Dante’s Inferno with one lover going to hell and back for their significant other, the gaming re-version of the story Dante’s Inferno not the Divine Comedy; which is highly different but I would still recommend the read. From the moment I started the game I was drawn in. It’s a beautiful design and grim aura, with the wooden log being rafted down a river (which name is never given, I only assume during the era the river would have a name but I’m just nit-picking). I’m all too familiar with Ninja Theory and how vibrant and beautiful their environments can be but they really went above and beyond with Hellblade. If you are an artist or in school for game development I recommend looking up the environment and character concept art design, it’s very telling by the dark environment design choices and the cultural detail put into the characters clothes and war paint. You can see images of alternate color palettes for Senua’s face paint.
From the moment I pressed the start button, I was in love with the constant background vocals. It showcased excellent research and use of mental illness in video games. Just to get a little personal here, I have cases of chronic depression and what I call a slight case of schizophrenia it’s something I don’t talk about much because it’s become dogma over the past few decades while as of late it’s become a more prominent to speak on these things but enough of that. I was rather excited than upset or flustered, having a character I could connect to on a mental level of course I have characters I love such as Franklin Clinton (GTA V), Clementine (TWD) and Samus Aran (Metroid series). In short, I just understand the head space the character is in. It’s open bias, I do admit but it’s what draws me to her as a character similar to how I fell about Holden from “Catcher in the rye” with his character going through such complex issues dealing in his youth, self and social connections. Hellblade follows the story of senua’s story which follows her travelling into Helheim to battle Helia for her dead lover dillion, by going through a series of trials. Even in some cases had me questioning her sanity, I mean is her illness actually driving her insane along with her past abuse from her guardian ( or parent). The more I played the more the questions grew but nonetheless, by the end of the game I couldn’t help but form the conclusion senua won this battle with her mental illness by finally letting her lover go after defeating Helia.
When playing as senua, players use what is called Focus. This gaming mechanic is used when you encounter the puzzle portion of the game, which always turns into a subtle non-combat undertone never to obvious with it. It’s a neat aspect on the puzzle blend within the game and it really mashes with the games dark and gritty action combat. When uses her focus ability in battle it does take some duration to build up before it can be used, it has struck me a few times to wonder if senua’s use of this Focus is actually a metaphor for ADHD. It’s just a question though.
Senua is a strong campaign game, Ninja Theory keeping it classy with a single mode and that being single mode (If I were to call it a rarity that would be the understand of this generation). It’s fair from a bad thing especially coming from an indie/ AA company. A strong story that balances a give or take all games need, where I won’t call it innovative or industry changing but the combat is pretty simple and straight forward with a repetitive set of combos while the story flourishes. I like to believe the story is a allegory for love between Dillion and Senua with the underling tone of mental illness. I’d dare call it short but explosive, players can finish the game in a day or two depending on your amount of free time you have at hand.
As a fan of Ninja Theory and AA companies in general, I hope they can bring balance back to the force ( along with CD projekt red). Between mobile and AAA companies going for cash grabs, Ninja Theory has shown us that not only is single player gaming not dead and that indie companies can deliver not only equal graphically but great story driven games as well.
*Highly Recommended
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