Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2: Release date, gameplay, & everything we know

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 finally comes to Xbox Series X|S and PC in May. Here's everything we know about the long-awaited sequel from Ninja Theory.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2: Release date, gameplay, & everything we know
Sean Carey

Sean Carey

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Xbox fans have a big exclusive to look forward to this year with the hotly anticipated Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga. Developed by Ninja Theory, the sequel to Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice will tell the next chapter of Celtic warrior Senua, who travels to Iceland to take on the Vikings who raided her village.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 was announced way back in 2019, alongside the first reveal of the Xbox Series X. It's been four long years since then, so here is everything we've learned about the sequel.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 release date

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

Thanks to the Xbox Developer Direct, we now have a Hellblade 2 release date! Senua’s Saga Hellblade 2 launches on May 21.

What platforms is Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 coming to?

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 will be available to play on Xbox Series X|S and PC when it launches on May 21. Sadly, Senua's Saga Hellblade 2 will not be coming to Xbox One. However, much like other Xbox exclusives, you will be able to play Hellblade 2 via Xbox Cloud Gaming on an Xbox One with Game Pass Ultimate.

Since Ninja Theory is now owned by Microsoft, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 will not be coming to PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch... at least at launch.

Is Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 coming to Xbox Game Pass?

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

Yes, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 will join Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass and will be playable with Xbox Cloud Gaming on the day of release.

Will there be a physical release of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2?

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

Unfortunately, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is a digital-only game, which means physical copies won’t be available to purchase.

Ninja Theory studio Head Dom Matthews explained on Xbox Wire that with digital-only distribution, the developer could “create a game of the length that fit perfectly with our intended experience but could be sold at a lower price to reflect the shorter length of our story.”

How much will Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 cost?

Hellblade 2 release date

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 will be priced at $49.99 USD. However, you will be able to play the sequel through Xbox Game Pass, so subscribers won't need to buy it (unless you want to own it completely, even after you let your Game Pass subscription finish).

What is the story and setting for Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2?

summer game fest 2023

Ninja Theory has kept details about Hellblade 2's story mostly under wraps, but thanks to the recent Xbox Developer Direct, we now have a few details about the plot to salivate over.

In Hellblade 2, a Celtic warrior who suffers from psychosis called Senua, travels to Iceland to put down the Vikings who raided her village and enslaved her people. According to Ninja Theory, giants have plunged the land into chaos, which has allowed violent Draugurs to sweep through various settlements Senua will discover.

Since the first game, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua has made peace with her past and is no longer fearful of the voices and visions inside of her head. On her quest, Senua will make new enemies and allies and discover that her unique perspective on the world can be an advantage

How long is Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2?

Senua's Saga: Hellblade II combat

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 will be similar in length to the first game, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, so you can probably expect a six-to-eight-hour experience.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 gameplay

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2: Release window, gameplay, & everything we know

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 gameplay looks similar to that of the first game, though Ninja Theory says it has made changes to the combat we experienced with Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. According to VFX director Mark Slater-Tunstill, Hellblade 2 features “all-new combat” that “does feel very different from the first game” and is “very brutal.” Ninja Theory says that with the new combat, it wants you to feel as if you have “just scraped through.”

Aside from the combat, you can also expect “perception puzzles,” which will likely be similar to what we saw in the first Hellblade.

Will Hellblade 2 run at 60fps on Xbox Series X|S?

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2: Release date, gameplay, & everything we know

Unfortunately, Ninja Theory has confirmed that Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 doesn't feature a performance mode and will run at 30fps with a dynamic resolution on Xbox Series X|S. Hellblade 2 VFX director Mark Slater-Tunstill has said the 30fps cap will make the game feel more "cinematic" as a result.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 Xbox achievements

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2: Release window, gameplay, & everything we know

The Senua's Saga: Hellblade II achievements are yet to be revealed. However, as soon as we get a hold of the list, we'll update you.

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 trailers

Developer_Direct 2024 – Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 – Official Trailer
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 – The Senua Trailer
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 – Gameplay reveal
Written by Sean Carey
A big fan of Xbox achievements, Sean has committed to playing as many of the best RPGs, racing games, and first-person shooters on and off Xbox Game Pass as possible. Before joining TrueAchievements, Sean earned a degree in journalism from Solent University.
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