LTTP: Hellblade 2 (Xbox Series X)

EverydayBeast

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Again, like the first Hellblade it's genuinely a great game, and one I put off playing but finally got to it.

The worlds are very linear, paths, shadows, grey skies, fog, you have these "friends in your head" that are constantly chatting (which can be annoying at times, or comforting) and there's more Norse mythology lore here to explore like the giants (Illtauga, and Sjavarrisi).

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The sea giant.

The power of the consoles really shines here.

The puzzles don't take as long as Hellblade 1.

Hellblade 2 sits at an 81 on metacritic (Hellblade 1 was an 88).

There isn't any collecting or upgrading.

Overall, good game.

What did GAF think of Hellblade 2? Would you play a Hellblade 3?
 
Currently playing HB2 on PS5 Pro (at the sea giant atm) and it's kind of a mixed bag, tbh.

Loved HB1. Easily one of the best games of last-gen, but I have to admit the novelty of the voices and schizofrenia has worn off for the sequel.

As an interactive audio-visual experience, it's an 8.5/10.
It looks good, not as good as I expected (could be that we're mid-gen rn), and most of the time it looks really gamey, but there are moments where it looks photorealistic.

But as for the game and sequel part, it's a 5/10.
I knew it would be linear and basic, so that isn't the problem. It's the fact that they have been trying too hard to exceed the original. Rather unnecessary. Really disliking those underwater orb-puzzles. Should've stuck with tge OCD puzzles.
The story was kinda eh during the first giant but now that she has a 'team', I've grown to like what they did so far.

The worst part though is the combat. Pure trash, nothing else.
The OG combat was amazing imo, but in HB2 it's non-stop frustration. Terrible feel and it's basically like one big QTE-barrage for every fight.
Whoever designed it should be fired.

So yeah, mini-review. I do like it, but I'll give it a 7.5/10 and the only reason it isn't lower is because the atmosphere and animations are outstanding.

* Feels weird seeing "Xbox Studios" plastered across my screen for the first time in my 30+ years of gaming.
 
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If a gamer likes a 5 hour game that is heavy in story, unskippable cut scenes, and limited gameplay.... A lot of sizzle and no steak. They'll like the game.

If someone is looking for an action game with sweet combat and he doesnt really care about the plot or not since he's more focused on gameplay, they'll hate it.

Dont be fooled by the look of the game or any action trailers thinking this its heavy in sword swinging like it's DMC or NG. It's not that kind of game. The first game, I downloaded on GP and deleted it in less than an hour. It was literally about half an hour of cutscenes, walking around looking for red doors and 1 or 2 short fights against barbarian looking guys in rags. Solid graphics, very limited gameplay.
 
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Looks utterly beautiful but is a snooze to play, the gaming equivalent of those bands who can do 10 minute guitar solos - yes it's impressive, doesn't make it fun to listen to. In fact as far as the combat is concerned the graphics and animations work against it, in the first fight I didn't have a clue if I was actually doing damage or how much of it I was actually in control of. Her story felt wrapped up in the first game as well, making a sequel unnecessary. Also, I may have missed it but since everything that happens is in her head, how do others see the giants?
 
If you know what you're getting into and like a very good-looking atmospheric game, it's good. The "no gameplay, lol" folks need to just shove it and avoid games like these. Is it worth $50? Probably not, but it's a nice excursion if you're subbed to Game Pass or get it on sale.
 
Where's the damn blown up MC score

Right here. It was easy to find.
 

Right here. It was easy to find.

No no no NO. EverydayAI needs to blow up the actual page with the score on it and paste it in the OT.
 
No cuts from your weapons, no body damage at all. Really took me out of it. Some simple For Honor style wounds would have been good enough but not even that.
 
12 hour game here, and that is without going for all the collectibles. That is playing at leisure pace.
I wonder how PS5 counts playtime, because in the PS5 menu mine shows 78% completion with 2 hr playtime (though could be close to 3 hr, I suppose).
 
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I wonder how PS5 counts playtime, because in the PS5 menu mine shows 78% completion with 2 hr playtime (though could be close to 3 hr, I suppose).
Good question. Speaking of playtime, they say that Sword of the Sea is 2-3 hours. I asked a friend, and his was 3 hours. I finished mine and my PS app shows 6 hours. I didn't get all the all the secret shells, ride the all the different sea life, get all the gold, didn't return all the water and I just played at a normal pace. I think I died like 5 times (fell off the edge and in the fire). If I go back and try to get all the trophies, it might be another 4 hours I would imagine. 1 trophy involves doing a full second playthrough and getting the credits.

Edit, here are my Hellblade 2 stats.

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