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[Draugoth]

Via Xbox Wire
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We're happy to announce that Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Enhanced will arrive on August 12 as a free update for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Steam. A PlayStation 5 version will be released on the same day – players can purchase the Standard Edition for $49.99, which includes the award-winning Senua's Saga: Hellblade II complete with new features to enhance your gameplay experience. We are also offering a Deluxe Edition at $69.99 which, as well as the base game, includes Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice optimized for PlayStation 5.​

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This edition also includes the Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice Original Soundtrack, so we think it's a great value package for those of you who are new to the franchise on PlayStation. For those of you who already own the PlayStation 4 release of Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, you can upgrade to the PlayStation 5 version for free.

But what does this new version of the game include?​

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Performance Mode​

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is a cinematic experience of immersion where we push real-time visuals to deliver rich, believable environments and characters to sink you deep into Senua's story. Now, with Performance Mode, we're excited to give you the option to experience gameplay at 60 FPS. The result is smoother gameplay, especially noticeable during combat and fast-moving moments of the game. On PC, where you've had more flexibility with performance based on your personal hardware, we're now offering a 'Very High' preset to push that fidelity even further. The team has also been hard at work optimizing the game for Steam Deck, so when this update lands, the game will be Steam Deck Verified for the first time. Wherever you choose to play, we've made sure the experience is optimized for your chosen hardware.​

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The Dark Rot Returns​

The Dark Rot from Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice has returned and offers an additional challenge for Senua on her quest to Iceland in this optional game mode. The Dark Rot will grow each time you fail, and if it reaches Senua's head, her quest is over and all progress will be lost. Do you think you're up to the challenge?​

Enhanced Photo Mode​

We have an incredible community of Virtual Photographers who have captured stunning moments from the world of Senua's Saga: Hellblade II. We're really excited, then, to enhance the toolset within Photo Mode with improvements across a multitude of settings, as well as an all-new 'Motion' tab for custom cinematic video capture. We can't wait to see what you create with these new tools at your disposal.​

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Developer Commentary​

Let us take you behind the scenes of Senua's Saga: Hellblade II with over 4 hours of insightful commentary, exploring the craft and creative decisions that went into making the game. Hear from the ensemble cast, key collaborators in depicting Senua's experience of psychosis, and members of the development team who poured their heart and soul into Senua's story.​

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Whether you're a returning player or brand new to Senua's story, there is plenty to explore when Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Enhanced arrives on digital storefronts and Game Pass August 12. As a special incentive for those on PlayStation, you'll receive the Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Original Soundtrack app if you pre-order, so head over to the PlayStation Store now.​

 

[Traxtech]

Hell yeah, can't wait

 

[The Cockatrice]

Hell nah.

 

[Astray]

Very overpriced for what it is.

It will sell better on PS5 because the audience is predisposed more towards this kind of game, but I don't predict this to be a massive sales success.

 

[Punished Miku]

Enhanced photo mode

RaidenJTr7

 

[Heisenberg007]

Would be a good fit for PS Plus.

 

[Bojanglez]

I'll wait for the PS Plus release

 

[Topher]

60fps. Better late than never

 

[SJRB]

50 bucks?????

How retarded are these people, seriously?

 

[saintjules]

What's more surprising is that we have a pretty much flawless made thread by Draugoth

Edit: found out mods edited OP's post .

 

[Steve Holt]

PS Plus when?

 

[LordCBH]

The result is smoother gameplay,

When did they add gameplay to Hellblade 2?

 

[Draugoth]

What's more surprising is that we have a pretty much flawless made thread by Draugoth

Anyway, I have the PS4 version, so I may restart my playthrough for the Ps5 version. 8/12 is my birthday so it's a fitting gift.

Spoiler: Spoiler

It wasn't me who edited it

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

Should be half that price and the end credits should apologize to you.

 

[analog_future]

It's a really good game if you ignore the warrior trolls.


It's reviewed well by both critics and people who've actually played it (look at Metacritic, OpenCritic, and Steam reviews). And it's the best looking game in existence and will look even better on PS5 Pro.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

What's more surprising is that we have a pretty much flawless made thread by Draugoth

Anyway, I have the PS4 version, so I may restart my playthrough for the Ps5 version. 8/12 is my birthday so it's a fitting gift.

Well, if you check the edit history of his OP, it shows that a mod edited it, so I wouldn't go that far in praising him.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

60fps. Better late than never

It's almost like when you need sales instead of barfing into a subscription, you actually have some incentive for higher quality.

 

[adamsapple]

It's a really good game if you ignore the warrior trolls.


It's reviewed well by both critics and people who've actually played it (look at Metacritic, OpenCritic, and Steam reviews). And it's the best looking game in existence and will look even better on PS5 Pro.

Preach.

 

[LordCBH]

It's a really good game

 

[saintjules]

Well, if you check the edit history of his OP, it shows that a mod edited it, so I wouldn't go that far in praising him.

 

[crackajack]

Would be a good fit for PS Plus.

The first one and Order 1887 are games I don't understand why they have not been thrown into the Plus mix, yet. Full price is hard for what they are but within a sub fee, they could reach a few people. In the case of Hellblade maybe even trigger some sales for the second one.

 

[Three]

They should have had $49.99 for the bundle not the single game. The current price for the game is ridiculous. I doubt they expect many sales like this.

 

[Gonzito]

I'm good thanks

 

[LordCBH]

The first one and Order 1887 are games I don't understand why they have not been thrown into the Plus mix, yet. Full price is hard for what they are but within a sub fee, they could reach a few people. In the case of Hellblade maybe even trigger some sales for the second one.

Wait The Order isn't in plus? That's genuinely shocking. Aren't most PS4 first party releases in it?

 

[Zathalus]

Never understood the hate it got around here. Oh no wait, I do.

I've not played it, as I did not quite enjoy the first one, but critic and Steam reviews are very positive, and more or less similar to the first game. Although that price seems excessive for how long the game apparently is.

 

[Clear]

Way too expensive for what's on offer.

I doubt it'll sell well at all, especially as a gameplay experience its never gotten any sort of buzz. People commented on the presentation only.

 

[Topher]

It's a really good game if you ignore the warrior trolls.


It's reviewed well by both critics and people who've actually played it (look at Metacritic, OpenCritic, and Steam reviews). And it's the best looking game in existence and will look even better on PS5 Pro.

It is an ok game at best, imo. Why is that automatically a "warrior troll" take? Are reviews supposed to change my mind? The graphics are great, but there is more to it than just that.

 

[Punished Miku]

It's almost like when you need sales instead of barfing into a subscription, you actually have some incentive for higher quality.

Alternate theory, maybe it's the recent Unreal 5 optimizations.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

Alternate theory, maybe it's the recent Unreal 5 optimizations.

Does that apply for all the Xbox releases on ps5? It's hardly the first to get 60fps and other improvements.

 

[analog_future]

It is an ok game at best, imo. Why is that automatically a "warrior troll" take? Are reviews supposed to change my mind? The graphics are great, but there is more to it than just that.

The "warrior troll" takes are the "lol no gameplay", "it's not even a game, it's a movie", "it's just a tech demo" people that litter virtually every thread pertaining to this game.

 

[Punished Miku]

Does that apply for all the Xbox releases on ps5? It's hardly the first to get 60fps and other improvements.

A year of extra optimization time when porting always helps. Starfield added a 60 fps mode after several months passed. I'm talking specifically about the Unreal 5 optimization stuff that was just made public a few weeks ago.

Avowed managed to barely get a 60 fps mode ready for launch. I played it at 30 though since it looked substantially sharper.

 

[kaizenkko]

I'll get on a sale.

Oh, is hilarious see this game get a 60fps mode on consoles just now when it comes to PS5. lol

 

[Topher]

The "warrior troll" takes are the "lol no gameplay", "it's not even a game, it's a movie", "it's just a tech demo" people that litter virtually ever thread pertaining to this game.

I'm with you there for the folks who haven't played it. Pet peave of mine is shit takes from folks who never played the games they are dumping on.

 

[Skifi28]

I've always loved developer commentary in games. More devs should add the option, it's so cool to see what was going through their heads when designing an encounter or an area or anything really.

 

[nowhat]

I quite liked the original on PS4. Yes, the combat was very much rudimentary, and some of the "match symbols in the environment" puzzles, while thematically appropriate (psychotic people often see patterns where there are none), were super tedious. Still, it was a refreshing, rather different than usual, experience.

So if I'm reading between the lines, the only way to get the PS5 upgrade is to get the deluxe edition of this? If that is the case, I'll happily wait for a sale.

 

[wafflecioccy]

And it's the best looking game in existence and will look even better on PS5 Pro.

Ehhhh

Idk about best looking game in existence.
I'm playing thru Alan Wake 2 rn and i think AW2 looks better

 

[rkofan87]

still $49.99 wtf lmao pass;

 

[Punished Miku]

I've always loved developer commentary in games. More devs should add the option, it's so cool to see what was going through their heads when designing an encounter or an area or anything really.

I got Braid a 2nd time just for that.

 

[Jaybe]

There's a 5 hour play through on YouTube at 4k 60fps if you want to save your money

 

[wafflecioccy]

There's a 5 hour play through on YouTube at 4k 60fps if you want to save your money

It does have some decent gameplay contrary to what people think.

It's just hidden in the middle of meh walking sections and absolutely awful puzzles

 

[Darsxx82]

That improved photo mode with the option to edit video clips is going to be a new opportunity to remind people of the game's incredible visuals. We will see cuasi new cutscenes made for users

The new performance mode with 60 fps... my enthusiasm will depend on the sacrifices it requires.

The price? I really think it would have been better off with those $50 for HB 2 + HB1 Enhanced. $40 for HB 2.

 

[Ar¢tos]

It does have some decent gameplay contrary to what people think.

It's just hidden in the middle of meh walking sections and absolutely awful puzzles

50$ worth of gameplay?

 

[Giallo Corsa]

Played the 1st on PS4, mid, 6/10 experience.

I'll play this out of pure curiosity when it's either down to 10 Eurodollars or "free" on PS Plus, there's just no way I'd shell 50 for an interactive, 6 hours experience® no matter the dev/publisher or platform.

Same thing for the order 1886, rented it, finished it in 2 sittings, spent (almost) 6 Euros, had my fun - had i spent 60 for it though we would be having a whole different conversation...

 

[digoutyoursoul]

Great to look at, best compliment I can give it really

 

[wafflecioccy]

50$ worth of gameplay?

how much is $50 worth?

A well off person can spend $50 in a day and not even flinch.
$50 may be someone's afternoon snack out.

For some, $50 is what remains after a week of saving up after work expenses.

 

[Ar¢tos]

how much is $50 worth?

A well off person can spend $50 in a day and not even flinch.
$50 may be someone's afternoon snack out.

For some, $50 is what remains after a week of saving up after work expenses.

I paid 40$ for Nightreign and, so far, I have 130h in it. It has been worth every penny.

Will I get the same worth of Hellblade 2 gameplay, or just another trend following emotional walking simulator story with a bit of gameplay in between?

 

[viveks86]

Same thing for the order 1886, rented it, finished it in 2 sittings, spent (almost) 6 Euros, had my fun - had i spent 60 for it though we would be having a whole different conversation...

I spent 60 on the order 1886. The only game I ever played the minute it launched at midnight and finished in one sitting. And I did have a whole different conversation about it

 

[xrnzaaas]

Pay again to get 60fps?

Edit: Oh, okay, at least it's a free update.

 

[Connificent]

 

[wafflecioccy]

I paid 40$ for Nightreign and, so far, I have 130h in it. It has been worth every penny.

Will I get the same worth of Hellblade 2 gameplay, or just another trend following emotional walking simulator story with a bit of gameplay in between?

Comparing money spent to hours of gameplay is a flawed metric. Value isn't purely measured in time—it's about the quality of the experience, how much it engages you, or what it leaves you with afterward. No one asks how many minutes of enjoyment they'll get from a $20 meal or questions the ROI of buying a $50 shirt. We make those decisions based on how something makes us feel, not how long it lasts. Games aren't any different.