One of the funniest space game out there, and mostly accurate compared to the real thing. The tutorial really takes the time to explain everything before you make your firsts steps in the normal game, and it's greatly appreciated because there is A LOT to learn. Keep coming back to it. Love the game. Hard learning curve but really worth it.
With the coming of Hellblade 2 i feel like i could do my part and leave a comment to the first game. Many people already pointed out the repetitive gameplay, which is true, the game fights really are repetitive, you'll see the same movesets again and again, but the feedback is still satisfactory to the end. Levels are also very linear so be prepared for walking simulator in the lands of Viking madness. It's a good thing that the game is short (5-8h depending on your ability to speedrun and your will to get all collectibles), there aren't that many levels, and the amount of bosses is actually enough. Puzzles are uninspired but at least they are not really challenging and you don't have Atreus screaming his lungs every 2 seconds to help you with them. The story is good enough. You're basically one of the voices in Senua's head and since you're "new" you'll have the pleasure to discover many things. I am not a fan of flashbacks explaining the background as the story goes on, but it's good here. What's really the main selling point for Hellblade is the visuals. You could just take screenshots of the game as you progress and it would still make a good wallpaper. The faces have lots of emotions, the setting has insane details and the art direction punches your guts non stop. Each level feels unique, and cinematics should have deserved to be scene in theaters. Make sure to have at least the recommended configuration to play the game at max settings in 1080p, you won't regret it. The soundtrack is very cool, but i won't listen to it when doing parties or work from home. It's very an epic, somewhat depressing and sometimes violent OST, but it's worth listening as an audio experience too. Lots of work and love went into that game for sure. It's an insane audio-visual experience, a good story, but an average game if you put gameplay on top of everything.
That's litterally what it is, an interactive 3D animation movie. You can see it as an oversimplified point & click. Is it a bad thing that the game has barely any gameplay ? No, yes, maybe... It's litterally a point & click with QTE, what do you expect from it ? Elden Ring boss fights ? If you don't like QTE, play something else, simple as that. Or don't just stop at the simple but completely fine gameplay and value the other qualities of the game. Is the story bad ? Maybe the supernatural part went too far, maybe the non-linear narrative haven't pleased people (i recommend you to choose this nonetheless because IMO the narrative has a better pacing that way), maybe some reveals or character development are underwhelming... I appreciated it tho. Even with the confusion of some events or lore bits, there is nothing really out of place or character and it has good vibes. Yes it's David Cage and Quantic Dream writing, don't expect huge twists, "the best story ever" or ground breaking choices. On the technical side, there may be some disparity in the quality of models or textures, but once you remember it's a PS3 game with motion capture, you just accept it and appreciate when the art hits right. Music was nice but won't remember it (Zimmer probably forgot about it too). To finish, I'd join my voice to the one complaining about the controls with mouse and keyboard, tho i didn't have bugs, it just feels really odd. Controller is the way.
