Hellblade 2 Review - The Ultimate Cinematic Game

After years of waiting, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is finally here on Xbox, PC and Game Pass! Has Ninja Theory crafted a worth sequel to Hellblade? Did Hellblade 2 live up to my expectations? Find out in my review for Hellblade II
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[@RandalThor19]

What's up everyone! Long time no see! Let me know what you think of Hellblade 2!

[@oladapofamodun7771]

WELCOME BACK BRO!!!!

[@dayonerecoverdub3626]

The game graphics are impressive but the game is not going to move the needle. xbox really needs there must have show piece AAA game on the level of a Sony first party fingers crossed for gears and a gears collection!

[@SKONY74]

Welcome back to the content side 🎉🎉🎉. Now if we could get Dealer to return soon...😢

[@lizardman1303]

Cinematic masterpiece vs a gaming masterpiece.

[@jonezjonez2099]

Rand al Videoedithor is back! Don't you dare to let us waiting this long for another video! 😜

[@chanpagne_supernova]

Hellblade forced rand to make videos again Mission accomplished

[@jeremybrown9611]

😂

[@NostalgiaNet8]

Of course, one of the biggest Xbox shill who oversells their games that actually flop.

[@chanpagne_supernova]

@@NostalgiaNet8 weird man

[@nicholasellis7494]

​@NostalgiaNet8 rhand is one of the most honest reviewer on any platform, go play death transding

[@jonezjonez2099]

Immediate goat status!

[@One21P]

Short video. I clicked on this review expecting to listen to Rand for 3 hours

[@tylorhoskins9732]

I mean the game is short what to u expect

[@summergolden]

Are you serious?

[@plasticlife283]

The game is a walking sim. A lot of the gameplay is the same as the first. That doesn't necessarily mean bad. If you were hoping for something that was completely different then you will probably be disappointed. That being said, the game looks great and the audio and music is awesome. However, it is more of the same from the first. I am still enjoying the game. I agree with Rand overall. His take matches up with how I feel about the game.

[@coreyc830]

The symbols in the puzzles are like that because it's part of psychosis where people say they see symbols and Visions at times or things that aren't there so they couldn't just completely change the puzzles it wouldn't make sense for her psychosis

[@nissahauer4309]

Exactly I don't thick a lot of lay people got that in the first game.

[@Mmachine88]

As a mental health professional, it's disappointing to see so many reviews who gave it middling to bad reviews and naming some aspects being to blame such as the puzzles being a slog and really not understanding mental health. I read a review that said it didn't represent mental health well or something like that... and man they could not be farther away from reality.

[@splinterstreetrat]

@@Mmachine88 yep they literally worked with health professionals and people who suffer with psychosis to get stuff as close as they could.

[@NostalgiaNet8]

Because it's not much of a game, remember important gameplay? ​@@Mmachine88

[@Mmachine88]

@@splinterstreetrat Yup, disappoints me, but glad to see over 30+ and counting critical reviews have rated the game a 90 and above.

[@johnswanson1977]

Guess we like cinematic games now

[@fffx2]

This video is 28% of the games total length.

[@mrglass7133]

Got into the story.... finding it really really. hard to put down.

[@Jones25ful]

It’s a game I’m glad exists on a technical level, even if I had higher expectations of it from a gameplay perspective

[@Truth-op3be]

Hey Rand welcome back finally we miss you ‼️‼️

[@natpagler4263]

Rand is GLAZING this game.

[@bass7100]

The game deserves to be glazed. Seethe Karen.

[@julilla1]

I'm actually glad to hear this. I'm glad they stuck with their DNA for this. I loved the first one, and I was afraid they were going to fundamentally change up the combat and the "vision like" ambience. I'm so glad they didn't. This is Senua's world and changing it would never make sense to her story at all.

[@cyllis]

Welcome back Rand! Great video!!!

[@zemasa]

Great to see a new video from you Rand! Thank you for the review and thoughts on the game.

[@joeynox]

Is this basically 1 long in game cinematic with qte or I reactive parts? Do you think Xbox had them make this a tech demo over gameplay?

[@chinitokuliao1134]

Nope, it's just a story driven game like those ones on the other side of the fence

[@Br0joe96]

Great review Rand! I’m really looking forward to to playing Hellblade 2 myself. Also the part when you said in 2019 when the world was a different place, I felt that 😭

[@antoniobandaro]

Great review Rand, glad to see you back at it again! I loved the first game so I’m really excited to play this now!

[@DownriverJoe]

Hi Rand. All of us are so happy you posted a video! I really value your opinion. Thank you for all you do on KZbin and on the podcast with Jez.

[@Mangaki86]

Rand you were most definitely missed in this space. your perspective is needed. your options are true and genuine we need that sir. Thank you.

[@scottyd5486]

Agreed. We just need Dealer to make a return now!

[@cjad1993]

Wooo! A Rand videi! Glad to see you back

[@09cmine]

Good to see the content coming through again Rand! Keep it coming!

[@mamboontwo]

Great vid Rad. So, what’s your next most anticipated game after hellblade 2?

[@mrfibuli]

Dude where you been.. Doing good i hope.. Gkad to hearvyer dulcit tones again

[@MonsterXero423]

3:47 GOW Ragnarok was a completely different experience wasn't it?😂

[@welshnightmare]

What is this madness. Rand has made a video.

[@mrblts]

The game looks amazing. I love the first one.

[@michaelirish769]

Good to see you back, Rand…Thanks for the review!

[@vullord666]

Microsoft should do an experiment of releasing the first 1 or 2 of Hellblade 2 in theaters with a controller passed around to everyone in attendance (and maybe like a cap of 10 people per viewing). If nothing else, I'd love to rent out a theater and play it privately with those acoustics and IMAX with a couple of friends.

[@dbcooper409]

So far it might be the prettiest game and most intriguing story I've experienced in a game. Kinda liked the combat in the first one better. But I'm only a few hours in

[@user-mi9mw5wm5w]

you're over half way then lol

[@brandonzzz1]

To me the three big part of what hell they need to be great graphics great story and great fighting and that’s that

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

motherflup the Big Three. it’s just Big B(randonzzz1)

[@Lolatyou332]

Yeah I noticed there were a lot of puzzle like aspects in the first game that didn't exist in this game that I really liked in the first one and was super memorable / anxiety driving. Wish they used more of that in this game and made it slightly longer as I felt like the game / story ended a little abruptly and would of liked to see more.

[@barry_the_xalanyn]

I loved the first one even the puzzles and combat weren't bothering me. This is for me.

[@nissahauer4309]

Same! I understand the puzzles. It's part of her disorder

[@1969Makaveli]

Man I loved the first game, for a single player game I played it more than once & enjoyed every minute of it. The story, puzzles & combat is what I liked from the first game. So I`m pretty sure HELLBLADE 2 is going to offer me the same thing.....great story, puzzles & combat.

[@barry_the_xalanyn]

@@1969Makaveli Just finished it, loved it man! ❤️

[@munteryoshi]

Thanks, Rand. I am glad you are back with videos. 👍 Are you also gonna be on camera soon? 😅

[@disgruntledsaintsfan]

I just finished it. I personally loved it. The puzzles were easier than I expected but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the experience

[@shawnhamelwright8908]

Great video! Would love to know if I need to play the first game to understand the second?

[@feeamerie5011]

So far it’s amazing and the lighting is above that matrix demo imo great review Rand I’m off back to carry on after a little System Shock (bad day to come out for that remake!)

[@teedotfoster]

Glad to see you pop up bro

[@inspectorcolt]

The story telling, and atmosphere are of the charts for me. The emotional battle hits home. It's rare to find a game that impacts so emotionally for me.

[@KphexTwin00]

looks good and better than i expected, will definitely be checking it out.

[@suizideking7987]

So excited 😎 Glad you dug it Rand!

[@RedWingCody]

Rand and Matty need to discuss this game together.

[@TheSwishPOP]

He's back finally. let's go,!

[@tableclothcheckered6738]

If I ever wanted to play a 'cinematic' game this is how it should be

[@geoliner]

Welcome back Rand 😊

[@DaBigCheeso]

I put about an hour into HB2 this morning before work, after finishing HB1 yesterday for the first time. So far I'm enjoying it. The combat is a little different, I feel the dodging is taking more getting used to, and I miss that kick but I get it. I don't really think of HB as an "action game" and more of an "experience", which HB2 definitely is an upgrade to thanks to the visuals and audio.

[@merrillmayhemgaming]

5.5-6 hours is what most other reviews are saying. 7-8 hours?? What were you doing??

[@merrillmayhemgaming]

Maybe that includes his second playthrough??

[@IamChucky_]

I had unsubscribed then found this channel again and realized I didn’t miss anything in the last 8 months 🤣

[@Capt_C_Storm]

Rand, thanks for the thorough review. I look forward to trying the game out via Game Pass soon. It seems a little on the short side though but still worth a good look and play. Like you, I understand the reasons behind the puzzles but honestly, I am not a big fan. It was the one thing on the first game I disliked. I plan on playing on PC but Colt also suggested to try it on the Series X as well. What are your thoughts if you have tried both platforms? I just hate 30fps.

[@Robert_Prather]

Great video Rand, and welcome back! Thank you for posting this... I read Gamespot's review... and she gets it totally wrong. Who cares what YOU want... this is the developers vision.. and they knocked it out of the park. I think 8 is fine for a score.. but 6?? lol.. that's ridiculous. This is a stand out game that's an instant classic. It's a little polarizing sure... but stand out either way. This game should be celebrated for the graphics, audio, sound, atmosphere, tension.. all add to the game play. it's awesome! Personally I'm not much for puzzles.. but it is what it is.. THIS is the game Xbox needed.. This is next gen and the best representation of next gen gaming yet to come.

[@younglink7179]

Great video Rand! Keep em coming!

[@futuregenerations2599]

ALSO RANDLE WHICH NOBODY MENTIONED IS THAT NOT 1 PERSON COMPLAINED ABOUT BUGS. ALL THE BUGS IN SPIDERMAN & also 1s found in STARFIELD. AND JOKERS STILL KNIT PICKING. BUT INSOMNIAC SAID WHAT U STATED. THIS SETS THE BAR THAT EVEN THEY WANT TO MODEL THEIR FUTURE GAMES AFTER😉🔥🔥

[@vchair23]

Still no rand on cam, unfortunate. Can't wait to go home and play , on a work trip.

[@acekingsuitedak2777]

Wow a video! I'm going on vacation so when I get back I'll play Hellblade 2 and thousand year door

[@FreeJAC]

Thank you good sir! Well done I can't wait to jump in myself

[@MrParsley2000]

Im 5 hours in and loving it! Im really immersed and emotionally engaged with Senua. The puzzles aren't overly complicated but i think thats a good thing. If the puzzles were too frustratingly difficult it would take me out of the game. It's already purposely slow paced which really enhances the tension and when the action does kick in it's so brutal and stressful I forgot to breathe a few times lol

[@michaelwhite2325]

With ur experience u should make a video for every game u play. Thx 4 the vid rand.

[@raulrambome]

HELLBLADE 2 RULES! 🙅🗿

[@2huer09]

I just finished the game and it definitely is a cinematic masterpiece and i actually enjoyed it much more than the first game! Easily one of the most immersive games ive ever played i mean the music, combat and of course the visuals were just amazing🤤🔥...even with my 2 smallest nitpicks of the game being on the short side and not being full screen it doesnt take away nothing from my unforgettable experience playing this game😍

[@boldbetrayerbatey6428]

Great to see you doing a vid rand. Totally agree with you on this one. Great game with awsome ideas in respect that it depicted mental health issues. Like the first a masterpiece in game play. The voices are your way finder. Story was well told and boy the characters are so cool. Never thought they could do better than they did in the first. Yet here we are.

[@skywalk3x]

Welcome back Rand, I’m glad this game does something new and is worthy to be called "next gen". Xbox needed this and I’ve seen a couple reviews already and it’s been high praise. Congrats @NinjaTheory.

[@hoodrich902]

First review i saw was Matty plays he said the game was boring and the puzzles were just placed to extend the run time. The combat was lacking and he said the game felt old and got leapfrogs by A Plagues Tale. He also said the 1st game was better.

[@chrisgeorge651]

Damn mate been ages seeing your videos 😂 hope you’re well

[@code393]

A video? I thought Rand never made them anymore

[@JstBringIt]

So good to see a non podcast video from you Rand and can’t wait to jump into Hellblade 2!

[@terminatortarnas5804]

I've really enjoyed the short time I've played Hellblade 2, though I was a big fan 9f the 1st game. The 2nd game is absolutely gorgeous, the animations, audio and the combat is pretty good.

[@kukuricapica]

From polarising reviews I went into Hellblade 2 with caution. I guess I am one of those people that enjoyed it very very much 8,5/10. My only issues were not enough fights (love them) and some parts were a little bit dragged out but consistent visuals make you kinda forget that you are playing a game and not an interactive movie

[@hggames2285]

Rand back on the vids yes lad

[@sundanss7959]

Great review.

[@cilletbang007]

Loving the game and the visual sound and mental experience

[@tinyentropy]

Is there any chance that Ninja Theory will update the game with more interesting gameplay?

[@heinzdampf2596]

How do you get that code?

[@MetalGear69]

Be an Xbox youtuber who will never speak ill of Xbox.

[@heinzdampf2596]

@@MetalGear69 you clearly dont Listen to the Show very often. Theres alot of criticism every Show. And second "how do you get that code" (darktone voice) is a joke Based of the last Episode.

[@StevenAvery4Life]

Hellblade 2 is dope, but the game i'm most excited for is Contraband. Avalanche working with Xbox game Studios is going to be awesome. Open World, Co-Op, 3rd Person, Car Combat, Weapons, Traversal gameplay set in the jungle during the 1970s. Been a long time coming for a first party game like that to hit Xbox. I think everyone else will be as excited as i am once they see Contraband.

[@Enigmalake]

What have they done that’s good?

[@zybch]

The controls, especially combat, are just bad. Combat itself is frustrating. But the game itself is amazing. The visuals and audio (esp with headphones) are not what you'd ever though an xbox could pump out right now. Those real time visuals look better than most pre-rendered cutscenes, and with Ninja Theory and The Coalition bot apparently right on top of their game with Unreal 5, the future looks pretty damn good.

[@tji7046]

Name of the song in the background🤔

[@Stampistuta]

Must be special if Rand made a video.

[@MyManJFKTV]

Respect for your opinion, but the combat bein’ the best part of the game? Wow.

[@alt7288]

Great video Rand

[@que-tangclan5856]

Thank you Rand

[@peiopascualhernando2236]

say less chief. this is going to be incredible

[@KingSharkcop]

Rand, we really need more game reviews from you. This was a good review and I thought you had a great approach on analyzing each part of the game. I love catching the Xbox Two and keep up the good work.

[@ProfessorChaos2050]

Glad hellblade 2 is on xbox game pass I play it on my xbox series x I love hellblade feels like a cinematic movie I play with subtitles off.

[@iamfrommars6282]

I have already downloaded the game, I am just waiting for the disk to hit

[@questionmark9713]

I have Game Pass but since I want to support this type of games, I just bought the game too.

[@Shun4lakers]

The combat is your favorite part is 😂. Congrats. The combat.

[@NewsanceInHD]

W video Rand. Cant wait to play this when I get off work!

[@rager1969]

I initially thought I'd play an hour, maybe two because I don't like this kind of game. I played less than that when I got to that first rune/puzzle. I just didn't care enough to figure out the perspective. The game is pretty, but it didn't grab me. I will probably give it another go, especially since you showed how to "solve" that first rune.

[@MasterofLightning]

I hate puzzles in games with a passion. They're so freaking boring. That's why I didn't play the first one.

[@montpbmgaming]

I played all night, and this was the best-looking game EVER, and it's not even close! The game is fun and challenging enough. I love this game and will be buying it.

[@stopstalkingmebruh6021]

So you've played the game but you're yet to be 'buying' the game?... 😂

[@tache2387]

@@stopstalkingmebruh6021 Well, game pass subscribers have the option to buy the game if they want to own it. I didn't buy Halo Infinite, but I was having so much fun with it lately I decided to support the developers with buying the customizations.

[@montpbmgaming]

@@stopstalkingmebruh6021 Big dummy, I'm buying it when I'm done. Smh 🤦🏿 🤡

[@ladyocculus3525]

I still haven't been able to finish the first one. The continuous voices in her head were fairly annoying. I guess it's about being in the right frame of mind which I obviously haven't been. It is a graphic masterpiece though. Thanks for the interview.

[@therambo1483]

Randal thor 19 the Kim Kardasian of youtube

[@juhakauppi5894]

Played 2hrs so far and IT IS a solid and cool game. High quality.

[@chargasm712]

Rand finally get Hellblade 2 🤜🤛

[@GamingForte]

More Please

[@montpbmgaming]

Look, awesome and exciting.

[@SatsuiNaiku]

Senua was a Radiant, what Order would she belong to?

[@hasnopants]

Rand made a video?!

[@MrBeefTot187]

When matty is shitting on this game and you aren’t we are living in a different dimension

[@lordonion3283]

Matty was wanting them to change it up, he wanted this to be a naughty dog game moment for xbox

[@thaneros]

They have two different styles of play. Rand is a cinematic story driven guy while Matty is more of a wrpg guy.

[@Cueil]

​@@lordonion3283naughty dog didn't make a different game. Uncharted 2 was a prettier more polished version of 1

[@sly2076]

Matty just really isn't good at reviews lol most people disagree with him every time, then he walks it back.

[@ObiWanShinobi67]

He's a jrpg dork

[@jonathanvaldez1866]

Does anyone know the video where Rand al Thor 19 is on a rant about the hate Xbox was getting, and then says “like and subscribe if you also agree”. Something like that 💀

[@chasejackson7248]

Also called a walking simulator which Xbox fanboys calls sonys story games, now it's this great game.

[@snakepond2716]

Can’t wait

[@Psychotoxic86]

Cinematic masterpiece!!!

[@overturee1928]

Damage control in full effect. It is really sad 😢