In 2017, Ninja Theory released a very unexpected game that makes excellent use of sound and visuals to craft a unique experience for gamers. Titled Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, it follows the story of a girl named Senua who struggles with hallucinations and voices in her head. Though her affliction can occasionally cause trouble in her life, they also help her in strange ways. The game made an impact in the gaming world through its artful depiction of psychosis and its emotional narrative, and though the game is not perfect, it is a title worth experiencing. Ninja Theory has announced that a sequel to the game, titled Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 will be coming soon.
The game will continue the story of Senua, and trailers released demonstrate that it will be a visually impressive title. However, despite the first game releasing on multiple platforms, Hellblade 2 is only being developed for Xbox Series X/S and PC. This leaves Switch and PlayStation players out in the cold. This is arguably a bad decision because Hellblade 2 is a game that deserves to be experienced by everyone.
Why Hellblade 2 Will Not Release on PlayStation
Ninja Theory is a British studio that is perhaps best known for Devil May Cry. With Hellblade, Ninja Theory decided to assign a smaller subdivision of the studio to the game. According to Ninja Theory, Hellblade was crafted as an "independent AAA" game that would have a smaller budget but retain high production value. The game, although eccentric, was a success both commercially and critically.
Thanks to Ninja Theory's good work, the studio was acquired by Microsoft in 2018. Although the acquisition gives Ninja Theory more resources to explore further ideas, there are some downsides for gamers. The biggest one is that Ninja Theory's next game, Senua's Sacrifice: Hellblade 2, will be a console exclusive for Xbox Series X/S. Hence for players on PlayStation who loved Hellblade, they will not get to experience the sequel unless they own or purchase an Xbox or a gaming PC.
Why Should Hellblade 2 Release on PlayStation
Trailers of Hellblade 2 show that the game is pushing the envelope and will be a truly next-generation experience. For that reason, it is understandable that it would not release on the Nintendo Switch. However, the lack of a PlayStation version is disappointing.
PlayStation would be the perfect platform for Hellblade 2. Hellblade is a game that relies heavily on stimulating the senses and displaying alternative ways of exploring the world. Sound is a very important aspect of the game: Senua relies on the voices in her head to help her, and in moments of darkness, sound helps her find her way.
In the sequel, the sound design could be enhanced greatly through the PS5's Tempest 3D Audio, which provides an immersive audio experience. With the PS5's sound technology, players will feel like they are truly inside Senua's head. The senses could also be greatly stimulated through the DualSense's features, including haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Implemented cleverly in Hellblade 2, the DualSense could enhance immersion and help players to empathize with Senua's experiences.
Most importantly, Hellblade is a game that goes beyond providing entertainment and offers an educational experience. It allows players to understand some of the difficulties faced by those with psychosis and mental illness. The story it tells is an important one, and several PlayStation players resonated with the story and Senua's struggle with grief, self-doubt, and feeling broken. To rob a portion of the fanbase of experiencing the sequel would be a shame.
Hellblade 2 highlights an issue with exclusivity in the gaming world. While it may make financial sense to companies, it can be disadvantageous to gamers by preventing them from following franchises to their completion. Although Hellblade 2 will not be released on PlayStation at launch, hopefully it does make its way to PS5 at some point.
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.