Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga is a stunning visual experience. The graphics are absolutely breathtaking, and the artistic direction is incredible. Every environment is so detailed that at times it feels (too much) like a technical demo of Unreal Engine 5.
The characters are superbly written, endearing, and full of duality, making Senua's story even more immersive.

The game is short, but this proves to be a positive aspect. It is dense and intense, maintaining a strong narrative tension without becoming tedious. Every moment is designed to have an impact, making the overall experience very satisfying despite its brevity.

However, Hellblade 2 is not without its flaws. The game sometimes suffers from the "running simulator" syndrome with long, monotonous sequences of movement. Compared to the first episod, there are fewer puzzles and fewer combat sequences, which is disappointing. The combat is also simpler, often limited to a single target at a time, reducing the depth and complexity of the encounters.

The narrator in Hellblade 2 is absolutely incredible. Their performance adds an extra layer of immersion and emotion to the story. However, a downside is that new narrators, unlocked at the end of the game, require replaying the entire adventure to discover their stories. This is SO frustrating for me, I would have preferred more direct access to this additional content. Or even better, more unique stories, even short ones with them.

In the end, Hellblade 2 is an excellent game, but it is less impressive than the first. The original Hellblade was fabulous with its unique theme of psychological quest and its treatment of mental illnesses. While Hellblade 2 is very cool, it doesn't have the same strength and impact as the first game.

Despite its flaws, Hellblade 2: Senua's Saga remains an exceptional visual and narrative experience. The stunning graphics and superbly written characters make it a game worth discovering for fans of the first one and lovers of immersive storytelling.