Senua's Saga: Hellblade II has now launched, bringing with it some of the most stunning visuals you've ever seen in a game.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II arrives August 12th optimized for PlayStation 5, and PS5 Pro Enhanced, with added features, performance mode and immersive haptic feedback for new ways to experience the award-winning and critically acclaimed next chapter of Senua’s story.
We don't have 2020.
Just a few years and discs for consoles are not a thing anymore.
Just like on PC already since 10+ years.
Yeah it's 2025, which is why it's surprising to me that the actual issue still has to be explained considering these kind of discussions have been happening for a good decade at this point.
It's not about the disc. Maybe it is for collectors, but for most people it's about ownership. Discs just happen to be the only way to get offline decentralized DRM management on console. Unless there is a digital alternative that doesn't use expiring licenses that require periodic online connectivity to be refreshed, discs are not going to be obsolete for this specific reason.
PC doesn't have the same problem as it's an open platform with ways around these issues. Ways that don't require a system level jailbreak. There even are stores that sell DRM free digital games like GoG for example. None of that exists on console, because it's a walled garden, hence discs are still a thing.
"...for most people it's about ownership"
Sure it is, as they play on a slim PS5 where the disc drive requires online activation, or a PS5 Pro where the disc drive is a totally separate purchase (and still requires that online check).
@Tacoboto: You do realize that there is a large overlap between the people complaining about the issue you're mentioning and the one I'm talking about?
Of course at some point if there is no other option, most people won't stop gaming and just take what they can get, such as in the case of the optional disc drive for example, but just because people are forced to relunctantly accept a one time online activation of a disc drive, doesn't mean they should accept always online single player games or online DRM when alternatives still exist.
Personally I won't stop gaming either, even if we go all in on online DRM, but my willingness to spend money will severely go do. I will never buy a digital only release for full price or anywhere near full price (unless I can get it DRM free like on GoG for example).
Pretty much the core reason I borrowed doom tda from a mate but have a gears reloaded pre order in.
Ive also skipped a few other games over the last 12 months to like star wars outlaws because again it wasn't on the disc it also turned out horrible so I dodged a bullet there.
I skipped buying any game keycard releases on switch 2 also
Its pretty much exclusively about ownership i dont want to spend a large amount of money on a new game inly to own it for 5 years and a publisher come to take it away.
It'd be like back in the day yamonochi from Nintendo breaking into their customers houses to steal their super mario bros carts after the all stars collection came out.
@Batman
"I will never buy a digital only release for full price"
Yeah, I too remember how no one on here, clutching their disc drives, bought Baldur's Gate 3 on release day. Biggest flop in history. No one also bought Hogwarts Legacy, because that disc is just a paper weight. Didn't break ANY sales records either, nope not at all.
Because gamers on the internet - they stay true to what they preach. It's why Xbox Live Arcade never became a thing back in the Xbox 360 days, because ewww digital games who would even.
@Tacobot
"...as they play on a slim PS5..."
He said "most" and you do know that the best selling SKU is the disc version, right? And the disc drive attachment is selling like hotcakes? This shows that many console gamers still appreciate physical.
Just quit it with the "buh buh buh...pc this, pc that..." if these gamers really want to go pc that much, they would already have! We are talking consoles here and physical has and should always be what sets it apart from pc!
What are you? Some corporate shills who are against gamers having choices?
Tacoboto, one of the dumbest arguments people like yourself are constantly making on the internet is arbitrarily grouping people together and treat them like an individual to call out some supposed hyporcrisy. How do you take a quote from my comment that specifically points to a standard I've set for myself, and then try to counter it by pointing at something that has nothing to do with me at all? I'm responsible for my own actions, not for the actions of others.
Fantastic game! I will play it again when ths launches...I love this franchise and hope we get more of it.
I bet it will make top-selling list on PSN in August...despite all the hate on N4G for this game.
Well considering how poorly it sold on PC and Xbox, you better believe that Microsoft is hoping for a strong debut on PS5 as well.
Does it really matter?
Senua´s fans on Playstation will get the opportunity to play this fantastic game, that´s all that matters.
Given the like/deslike ratio of this video on Youtube, you can really tell how some Playstation gamers opinions on NG4 in contrast with Playstation gamers out there is really night and day.
This game is hated on N4G for some reason. But it´s apparently loved out there.
Ummm, I'm 100% sure they are hoping that it sells well on PS5, I agree withy you.
They can use that $$ to fund a 3rd game in the series!
Everybody wins!!
“This game is hated on N4G for some reason.”
It’s boring and overrated imho. I couldn’t finish it, and I finish like 95% of everything I play (outside of Game Pass).
I fear the tech demo with great visuals might take a PS+ Slot sooner or later.
A damn shame the focus of the devs went so hard for the visuals and storytelling instead of gameplay.
Ninja Theory's Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is the most-nominated game at this year's BAFTA Games Awards, with 11 nominations.
However, the Cambridge-based studio's action-adventure game has missed out on a Best Game nomination; instead the nominees are Black Myth: Wukong, Helldivers 2, Thank Goodness You're Here!, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Astro Bot, and Balatro.
And we would’ve getaway with it if it wasn’t for those pesky kids games.
Congrats to NT on their 11 nominations I wish them good luck 👍👍
Beautiful game, love the series, and the character!
Well crafter and well done.
Good. The game is unique, heartfelt, and beautiful. Yes, the mechanics are rather simplistic. But the teams dedication to storytelling is on full display. It's definitely not for everyone, but it won't disappoint those who appreciate video games that push the boundaries of the medium.
More like pushes the boundary of how short a game can be while still charging fifty quid
Love the game. Beautiful looking, game play was solid and it didn't over stay it's welcome.
Good game with the best graphics and animation I've seen this gen. They need to focus more on the gameplay though if there is HB3.
VGChartz's Lee Mehr: "As game scripts expand in size and the technology to capture performances improves, blockbuster game companies are under tremendous pressure to get the right fit for a leading role. In some cases, said actor essentially becomes the face of that franchise; their mug may be digitally altered or cropped in select ways, but they're – more or less – in the same spot as a film actor at this point. As a result, there's also a keener interest in how those performers sound if they're replacing somebody else.
Perhaps the most glaring example of that was Bloober Team's Silent Hill 2 remake. Alongside a bevy of other gameplay & story alterations, Luke Roberts replacing Guy Cihi's original James Sunderland was a major point of distress for long-time fans before release. Sure, Cihi wasn't a trained actor at the time (and it shows), but he carried a type of unique charm that meshed perfectly with the game's strange world. A similar situation was Troy Baker assuming the mantle of Indiana Jones. How similar could he actually sound to a younger Harrison Ford? Judging by the collective staff & community acclaim, both of them fared quite well, and so too did the others who made up our final five."
The first game lacked depth as well, but the graphics were phenomenal
Going to be real. I’m playing on my PC and every setting is on high at 60fps locked. The game is beautiful, sounds good in headphones (I’m sorry but Returnal still holds the aural crown), and has an impressive photo mode. Can literally hit that at any time. You won’t have full control at certain times, but it’s impressive. After more than an hour I’ve already started to get bored. The fights are brain dead so far and it is a CRAP ton of walking and listening. I’m over the beginning “theme” of you did this to us (people that have played will get this as not to spoil anything). I literally non stop run every chance I get. Obviously isn’t the whole game but gahdamn. Hopefully it picks up soon. Definitely can’t see this being a 10/10 by any stretch of the imagination because the beginning has gotten so boring. Here’s to a better experience tomorrow or Friday when I pick it back up.