Summary
Released back in 2016,Uncharted 4is over eight years old now, and somehow, it remains the gold standard for cinematic action-adventure video games. While there have been plenty ofgames that eclipseUncharted 4in terms of scale, story, and even gameplay, few have been able to capture the same cinema-worthy visuals and set pieces. That is, untilSenua’s Saga: Hellblade 2.
Released just a week ago,Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2has earned a myriad of praise and criticism since its launch. But while opinions on the long-awaited sequel vary quite wildly from person to person, there’s one element ofHellblade 2that’s received universal acclaim, and that’s the game’s cinematic nature. A key driving force behind the entire 5-6 hour experience,Hellblade 2’s cinematic nature is present throughout all parts of the game, including its combat, which often feels like a natural evolution ofUncharted 4’s boss fights.
Hellblade 2 Takes Uncharted 4’s Cinematic Combat to The Next Level
Uncharted 4 Featured Some Cinematic Boss Fights
WhileUncharted 4featured plenty of gameplay improvementsover its predecessors, probably its most impressive addition, and the game’s lasting legacy, is just how cinematic the entire experience feels. From gorgeous visuals that still hold up incredibly well today, to breathtaking moments of cinematography, to the seamless way action sequences unfold,Uncharted 4is the definition of the word cinematic, and that’s something Naughty Dog was clearly striving for.
Occasionally duringUncharted 4’s main story, players will be thrown into a sort of boss battle against a named foe. At the very start of the game, there’s a prison brawl, halfway through the story there’s a fight withhired mercenary Nadine Ross, and right at the end ofUncharted 4there’s a climactic sword fight with big bad Rafe Adler aboard a burning pirate ship. Though none of these fights are all that mechanically complex, they end up feeling like some of the game’s most cinematic moments thanks to some great performances, character dialogue, and some sudden injections of tension.
Hellblade 2 Raises the Bar for Cinematic Combat
One of thebiggest criticisms of the firstHellbladewas its lackluster and rather repetitive combat. In a rather controversial move,Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2has chosen not to improve upon its predecessor’s combat mechanics, but instead focus on how that combat is implemented. Taking a page out ofUncharted 4’s playbook,Hellblade 2features some of the most cinematic combat sequences in gaming, albeit at the cost of mechanical complexity.
But what elevatesHellblade 2’s cinematic combat encountersaboveUncharted 4’s is the near-seamless transitions that link encounters together. The vast majority of combat encounters inHellblade 2are designed to take the player by surprise, only being triggered when the player hits a specific milestone. These encounters usually begin with an enemy grabbing Senua from behind and pushing her into an arena, smoothly transitioning into combat gameplay.
Upon killing their opponent, players will then witness another cinematic transition. These transitions, and the cinematography used to create them, takeHellblade 2’s cinematic natureto new heights, with enemies entering the fight in a range of naturalistic ways, such as being thrown into the fight by one of Senua’s allies, or dashing in from the shadows to tackle Senua to the ground. Paired with the game’s astounding visuals and some incredibly smooth animations, these transitions go a long way in keepingHellblade 2’s combat exciting.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
WHERE TO PLAY
The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without.A crafted experience of cinematic immersion:Sink deep into Senua’s world and story, with beautifully realized visuals and encapsulating sound.Senua’s unique perspective:Experience the world through Senua’s eyes and ears, as a Celtic warrior who experiences psychosis.A journey into Viking Iceland:An epic journey across 10th century Iceland, recreated from real locations in stunning detail.Every fight tells a story:Brutal and visceral combat as Senua battles for survival.
