Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice Reviews

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is ranked in the 91st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9 / 10.0
Aug 12, 2017

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice can drive you mad. These voices in your head — you can't stop them, they're everywhere, always talking, always alongside you. Ninja Theory did an astonishing job representing psychosis in a game and bringing sound design to new heights.

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Ofisil
Top Critic
7 / 10
Aug 10, 2017

While in strict gameplay terms this lacks depth, and although it feels as if it tries to bite off more than it can chew on the storytelling side of things, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice turns out to be an epic journey through madness and Norse myth, and one that's worth a play-through or two despite its problems - as long as you aren't here for something more action-packed.

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Aug 10, 2017

I have a great deal of difficulty putting in words just how much I love Hellblade. It's just that powerful.

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Gamers Heroes
Captain Camper
Top Critic
8 / 10
Aug 8, 2017

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice was just a few short steps from a masterpiece. Poorly constructed puzzles and a number of frustratingly pointless illusion mechanics seriously hinder the experience at times, but a disturbingly brilliant narrative and plot make for a truly worthwhile experience. Even now, hours after putting down the pad, the game has invoked a deep discussion between the voices in my own head – and that's no small feat.

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8.5 / 10.0
Aug 7, 2017

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is an unmissable experience with its simple but impressive story and unique storytelling.

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7.5 / 10.0
Apr 15, 2019

Hellblade is just as good on Switch as it was on other platforms, so now’s the perfect time to pick it up if you haven’t already had the chance to experience the journey of Senua’s Sacrifice.

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90 / 100
Apr 12, 2019

Hellblade Senua's Sacrifice is an incredible audiovisual experience, regardless of the platform you are playing it on. While in handheld mode the level of immersion might be somewhat reduced, the audio is where it really counts and that aspect is every bit as good on the Switch as on the more powerful consoles. If you have yet to play this game, listen to the voices in your head and pick this up, you won't be disappointed!

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Shayan Ziaei
Top Critic
80 / 100
Sep 8, 2017

as an distinguished and sumptuous game, HellBlade Senua's Sacrifice reaches it's goal without hesitating. the mixture of norse mythology with senua's unique story and psychological elements, is one you've never seen, like ever.

Review in Persian | Read full review

8 / 10
Apr 20, 2018

In many aspects, Hellblade is a very different video game. Offering an epic atmosphere along with interactive, psychological story-telling, Hellblade takes you on an unprecedented journey, and aims for your feelings in the process.

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9.5 / 10.0
Aug 15, 2017

An achievement in horror storytelling.

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8 / 10.0
Apr 18, 2018

Unique and really powerful experience about mental illness, but combat mechanics and puzzles are its weak spots.

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VGN
Top Critic
8.7 / 10.0
Apr 11, 2018

If you never tried the game before, you should definitely buy the Xbox One version, especially if you own the hi-end Xbox One X model, in order to enjoy the nordic setting created by Ninja Theory in its huge 4K-majesty.

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6 / 10.0
Apr 19, 2018

As the title states, if you’re going to play this game, then it’s best that you play it on a PC. If you have an Xbox One X? Then good for you! You get to have a better experience than most with this title.

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7 / 10.0
Apr 19, 2018

As an interactive story, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is in a class of its own.

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90%
Apr 14, 2018

With it having recently won 5 BAFTAs it’s helping push gaming in a new direction. Gamers around the world want our hobby to become more than just go here and shoot that. In my opinion, Hellblade is something everyone should experience.

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9.5 / 10.0
Aug 22, 2021

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is definitely not just a story about retrieving a dead lover from the underworld, nor is it an epic tale of revenge. Rather, it's about experience, upbringing, and contextualizing psychological difference in the age of the Vikings and Celts. Almost every aspect of the game, be it combat, puzzling, exploration, is deliberate and points to the theme of what people at the time called "the curse". The game very successfully weaves metaphors of grief and loss into the core gameplay mechanics and rich folklore. And is there a happy ending at the end? Will Senua save her beloved Dilion? Well, you'll have to find out for yourself.

Review in Czech | Read full review

XboxEra
Austin "Proven"
8.8 / 10.0
Jan 22, 2024

Hellblade is simply a great experience, and after finishing it for the very first time recently, I am even more excited for Hellblade II. The game is available on Game Pass, so if you haven’t taken the journey to Hellheim yet or want a quick refresher before the sequel releases on May 21st, it’s a game I fully recommend.

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8.5 / 10.0
Jan 10, 2022

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice brings with it an eventful journey, not only marked by Senua's struggle, but by the question and unease it raises for the player regarding psychosis. This constant struggle, both in game and in real life has produced incredible results for Ninja Theory, including special thanks from players with the same condition. A beautiful game, leaving mouths watering for its successor.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Recommended
Jun 23, 2021

Hellblade is a gritty, poignant, atmospheric adventure that tackles head-on what oft-times remains a taboo to discuss: mental health. Does it succeed?

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93 / 100
Aug 11, 2017

Senua's journey from start to finish features dark and terrifying moments peppered with bits of support and reassurance shows how much care and attention Ninja Theory put into developing her story.

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