Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 Appears To Have Received A Substantial Visual Upgrade, Comparison Inside

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 has received a substantial visual upgrade, and we've put together a comparison that shows the improvements.

[Petebloodyonion]

And still no marketing for this :(

[Barlos]

Why market something that isn't designed to be sold?

This has GP rental written all over it.

[Petebloodyonion]

Why bother showing me X shows streaming on Disney before my YouTube video since it's a rental?
Why bother showing what movies are coming to a theater?
Actually, how come game companies bothered in them past with advertising games since a lot of ppl used to rent them at BlockBuster?

Here is a simple reason: making ppl Interested in this game by making them subscribe to Gamepass, or buying the game on PC/Xbox, or worse giving them a reason to buy an Xbox console.

[Noskypeno]

@Pete, speaking of movies, Microsoft should copy that business model and sell the games at $70 for 3 months and then let it hit Gamepass after those 3 months. It gives them time to let the game receive a big profit, so for that big game you've been waiting years for that you don't want spoiled, I don't mind paying the $70 a couple times a year. And for those small niche games that don't require a big budget and big profits to succeed, well Gamepass is perfect for that to see if you enjoy it.

[Petebloodyonion]

@Noskypeno
I agree, always said that there are no financial gains in putting established games that will sell on names alone (COD, GEARS, HALO, FORZA, etc), the same way Disney won't give you the next Avenger Day 1 on Disney plus +.
MS could release game some smaller games with some AA game day 1 while making money for a couple of month on big titles.

[Tacoboto]

They just posted a 20+ minute video about Psychosis and how the game portrays that through Senua.

Regardless of what Microsoft is doing (retweeting Ninja Theory is about as low effort as it gets, and Dashboard Dynamic Themes should've come months ago), Ninja Theory themselves are at least trying.

It's sad though. That new video was a really good behind-the-scenes too, and it just came at such a bad time.

[Terry_B]

who knows..they might be the next developer that gets shut down..6-12 months after Hellblade 2 is released.

[Charlieboy333]

"a 20+ minute video about Psychosis and how the game portrays that through Senua".....game sounds like a bundle of fun!

[Tankbusta40]

How much marketing do games really need these days? People that play games know when its coming out. I really think the days of the constant tv ad etc are going the way of the Dodo. What scares me more is the lack of "previews" on big video game websites, it only got a few on April 4th and then nothing since.

[RNTody]

Wow Tankbusta40 how out of touch with reality can you be, mate. Do you think companies are insane to spend millions on having giant billboards for big releases and TV adverts and superbowl slots and round the clock PR and interviews? Most of the people who buy games aren't on gaming forums like these knowing the exact release dates!

This isn't being marketed because Microsoft isn't selling the product, it's a Game Pass day one and they don't throw their weight behind games like this.

[Chevalier]

"Here is a simple reason: making ppl Interested in this game by making them subscribe to Gamepass, or buying the game on PC/Xbox, or worse giving them a reason to buy an Xbox console."

No one is buying a Xbox for Hellblade 2. Lol. Advertising will not change that. Just considering after all this time Xbox confirmed numbers they were not good for Hellblade 1

"The last numbers we have for Hellblade 1 is that it had 6.3 million players after four years. That’s players, not sales, and that includes launching on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, Switch and it was also on Xbox Game pass starting in 2018."

https://www.forbes.com/site...

[Killer2020UK]

Wouldn't be surprised if one of the money men at Microsoft have already earmarked this studio for closure regardless of how well Hellblade 2 does. Hence the lack of marketing spend.

[Hugodastrevas]

Wait, this game's actually still being made?

[PrinceOfAnger]

Have you been in a Cave?

[Hugodastrevas]

Clearly, because there's tons of promotion about this game everywhere! /S

[ThinkThink]

Under a rock much? This game has been trailered to death already over the past 5 years.

[Hedstrom]

Ninja Theory is gonna be MS next cut!

[Crows90]

Most likely. Otherwise more people would know about the game....most people don't...it'll drive some in Gamepass but that's probably going to be it.

[ThinkThink]

Most people don't know about the first game either. I don't see this driving new members to gamepass though, it's too niche.

[Terry_B]

yupp..most likely just a matter of time.

more or less every studio that got bought by them was killed later.

[Walalon]

It's sad that Ninja Theory can update graphics, lighting, made a marvelous game but still the sword of Damocles moving up their heads... After Tango Game works every one that works on any studios under the wing of MS are probably having a Plan B looking for another place to go thanks to that stupid idea of even if you create a jewel they can axe you...

[DarXyde]

I mean, we'll have to see.

What I find problematic was Bond really saying that each case for success metrics with different studios is different. However, the studios recently closed seemed surprised when it happened so... Is Microsoft not telling the studios what their expectations are?

It's entirely feasible, but I suspect Starfield didn't really move the needle and Bethesda is safe... But Tango, who made a game that was very well received with a smaller budget gets closed?

We really don't understand what they want. It doesn't help that they shadow dropped HFR with no marketing and I would say outperformed any expectations for it. But somehow, that wasn't enough?

In truth, we don't really know what the criteria for closure is. Specific engagement metrics? Mean play time? Some internally developed index to assess some engagement-to-budget ratio?

We don't know. I think the concern for Ninja Theory is valid, but sink or swim at MGS seems to be a moving target.

[MrBaskerville]

The most concerning thing about Senua is that it's a farily niche title that MS for some reason spent a fortune on. Makes you think about what their expectations are. If they are hoping for God Of War money I would expect another closure.

[Nacho_Z]

The new pics look more orange but that's about it.

[Flewid638]

Free GamePass walking sim.

[glenn1979]

aha just like death stranding

[Skuletor]

It's been over 4 years since that game released. I wonder if Ninja Theory will even be around 4 years from now, maybe not even 4 months, lol.

[Flewid638]

Less game than Death Stranding. Better graphics tho

[Pyrofire95]

Seems tricky to make a game on an engine that's still being made.
Cause U5 seems kinda incomplete at this point tbh, at least with the new features that are actually unique to UE5.
Getting there tho.

[TwoPicklesGood]

Hope it plays as good as it looks. Graphically it looks next gen, freaking gorgeous, but if the gameplay isn't top notch then graphics are moot. High hopes for this one, hopefully it delivers.

[Cockney]

You seem to put a high emphasis on gameplay yet you have high hopes for a game where gameplay seems like a distant afterthought, this game looks to be all about graphics and audio

[Cockney]

Lots of talk about the lack of marketing yet very little talk in terms of lack of gameplay, we've seen nothing that could be considered gameplay so far unless walking very slowly is the main loop.

[anast]

Phil said MS Xbox is a place for small dev teams to safely create. They will be fine.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

/s forget the /s.

[DragoonUS]

The Calm Before the Storm?

[InUrFoxHole]

Best looking game this gen. Hope the gameplay and story are good.

[DefaultComment]

I dont care if its upgraded, I'm not supporting a company that does crap business decisions because...reasons....I'll get when it gets into steam a a 50% discount when available.
Tango Gameworks deseves better and now I fear Ninja Theory might me next of it doesn't sell expectacular.

[Fonsecap]

This game is not my thing but I admit that is visually impressive, however it would make a lot more sense if it launched closer to the Xbox series X release to serve as a game as a tech demo, like Ryse son of Rome was to Xbox one, now it will be another game on gamepass and I think that in terms of sales it won't sell well and that's why ms is not marketing it, to not spend more money on the 100+ million that it was already spent on its development.

[Visual Dragon]

Let me start with the game looks good no doudt. But if you look closely there is a down grade in lighting and ambient lighting as well as a different GI (Global illumination) setting. Just saying so no not an upgrade just clever solution/ optimization.

[Lexreborn2]

I’m planning on buying it, i really hope it supersedes the first. That’s all I really care about

[Agent75]

Any news on a disc release? Most gamers probably don't know the release date, more so with it being digital only. Most Xbox Series X consoles stood gathering dust due to lack of games (mine included), Microsoft needs to get it out there on disc. If this happens, it'll be a £20 game for me. Or cheaper used. It's by no means a launch purchase by a long shot.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Good game but we need a physical release

[xenz]

Looking forward to play this on my PS5.