Hellblade 2's Greatest Strength Will Likely Be the Same as…

Summary

Ninja Theory is planning to make Hellblade 2 even more intense and immersive than its predecessor not only through its combat improvements, but also via a focus on improving the game's audio design.
The use of binaural sound techniques in Hellblade 2 will enhance players' sense of immersion, replicating how people hear sounds in real life and adding depth to the game's world and story.
Hellblade's sound design is considered one of its greatest strengths, and Ninja Theory aims to push the boundaries of immersion through sound design in Hellblade 2, promising a compelling and lifelike experience for players.

An extended look into Sensua's Saga: Hellblade 2 during the Xbox Developer Direct showcase shows that Ninja Theory is planning on making Hellblade 2 even more intense than its predecessor. The Xbox Developer Direct event offered some compelling previews of upcoming games, and Ninja Theory's segment demonstrated that the studio is looking to improve upon what made Hellblade feel alive.

Ninja Theory's showcase was an exciting dive into what fans can expect from the highly anticipated sequel. It's been a long wait for Hellblade 2, but the Xbox Developer Direct event finally revealed the game's release date of May 21, 2024. Although the graphics and combat look beautiful, Hellblade 2's greatest strength will likely be what made the first one so special; incredible audio.

iceland senuas saga hellblade 2 volcano erupting

Hellblade 2's Historical Setting Explained

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 will be set in a location rarely seen in historical games, and will likely hold many surprises in the sequel.

Posts

By J. Scott Thurlow

Hellblade's Approach to Sound Is a Game Changer

It's clear that Ninja Theory is on a mission to give Hellblade 2 an even greater sense of immersion than the first game, and one of the main features that help with this immersion is the beautifully crafted sound design that is experienced throughout the game. In the first game, binaural sound techniques were used to enhance the effect of hearing the Furies talk to Senua, but Hellblade 2 takes this even further.

How Sound Helps Tell Senua's Story

Senua's life with psychosis causes her to hear auditory hallucinations that manifest in the form of voices known as the Furies. Hellblade's representation of mental illness has been praised by many critics and fans, and the game's sound design is one of the most effective ways Ninja Theory showcases Senua's psychosis. One of the greatest achievements Ninja Theory made with the first Hellblade was demonstrating how sound design can be an incredible story telling tool, and the use of more binaural audio in Hellblade 2 aims to really immerse players in Senua's world and story.

Binaural audio is a form of sound recording that gives headphone listeners the feeling of being in a 3D space, replicating how people hear actual sounds in real life. In Hellblade 2, not only is binaural audio being used for the Furies again, but this technique is also applied to the game's music and environmental sounds to create an even more lifelike experience for players. Ninja Theory's focus on improving the sound design in Hellblade 2 is an exciting prospect for those who aim to become as immersed in a game's world as possible.

Sensua's psychosis is partially shown through auditory hallucinations, giving players a unique insight into how she experiences the world around her.

Improving Hellblade's Greatest Strength

There's an argument to be made that Hellblade's sound design is the secret ingredient in what makes the game so spellbinding. Hellblade 2 using Unreal Engine 5 will definitely heighten the game's realism visually, but the sound is what truly ties the game together. Lackluster sound design can be disappointing, but great sound design can greatly enhance a game, which Ninja Theory has proven. Hellblade's focus on audio is the main feature that makes it stand out, and Hellblade 2 looks to be a promising exploration into how far immersion through sound design can be pushed.

The whispering of the Furies can cause a player's hair to stand on end as it brings the horror of Senua's story to life, and getting to hear everything in Hellblade 2 via this binaural technique will connect players to Senua in a completely new way. Senua's unique experience and view of reality make her a compelling protagonist, and being able to experience what she's thinking, hearing, and feeling in a more lifelike manner will add more layers to such a well-crafted character. There are high hopes for Hellblade 2, and Ninja Theory's thoughtful approach to sound is a promising taste of what's to come.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image