Games by Ninja Theory
Reviews of Ninja Theory Games
Review Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 (Xbox): An Incredible Spectacle That Lacks An Essential Hook
Diminishing Returns
If we cast our minds all the way back to 2019's The Game Awards, all the way back to that very first reveal for Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, it's a strange thing that, amidst all of the next-gen hype and excitement of that specific time, we still clearly remember considering a sequel to Ninja Theory's 2017 tour-de-force a weird,...
Review Bleeding Edge - Lacking Content, But Packed With Potential
A good idea in Theory
Given that Ninja Theory has established itself as a studio with a pedigree for fantastic single-player games, it’s interesting that its latest title is a strictly online multiplayer affair. With the outstanding Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice still lingering in the minds of many gamers and its sequel on the way, Bleeding Edge...
Review DmC: Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition (Xbox One)
Here’s your chance to atone
Great games don’t always get the appreciation they deserve, and that’s a damn shame. Look at 2013’s Tomb Raider reboot, which was a smash hit with critics and most that played it, yet somehow it didn’t meet sales expectations. It’s a top-notch production all around, with refined gameplay, stunning art design,...
Latest Ninja Theory News
Wednesday18th Dec 2024
News Xbox Apparently Thinks Making Hellblade 2 Exclusive Was 'A Mistake'
Project regret
Xbox's exclusive game strategy has been all over the place this year as the team seemingly keeps chopping and changing its approach to things - and we're now hearing a rumour that Microsoft regrets making one of its 2024 games Xbox console exclusive. That 2024 title is apparently Hellblade 2, which arrived for Xbox Series X|S and PC...
Friday13th Dec 2024
News Xbox's Hellblade 2 Brings Home Multiple Awards At TGA 2024
Including a record-breaker for Senua herself
Overall, it was a fairly quiet The Game Awards for Xbox both in terms of prizes and new announcements, but Ninja Theory's Hellblade 2 did bring home a couple of awards this year - which is really good to see. First off, the game itself won 'Best Audio Design' - beating out Xbox's own Call of Duty: Black...
Wednesday26th Jun 2024
News Hellblade 2 Apparently Failed To Crack Top 100 Game Sales In Europe Last Month
In a "brutal month" for sales
GamesIndustry.biz has just released its European game sales data for the month of May, and it was apparently a very tough month across the board for sales. Older games like EA Sports FC 24 and the ever-present Grand Theft Auto V took the top two spots, while brand-new releases like Xbox's H
Friday31st May 2024
News Hellblade 2's First Xbox Update Now Available, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Like a ninja!
Hellblade 2 hasn't even been out for two weeks yet, but developer Ninja Theory has today delivered a pretty substantial patch for the Xbox Game Pass title. Update 1.0.5.0 is now live for Hellblade 2, fixing a number of bugs and glitches found in the day-one version of the title. The game has performed very well on
Friday24th May 2024
News Xbox Series S Seems To Do A Great Job At Handling Ninja Theory's Hellblade 2
Series S users are in good hands
Much has been made of the Unreal Engine 5 tech powering Ninja Theory's Hellblade 2, but that focus so far has largely been placed on the Xbox Series X and PC versions of the game. However, in a new video from the folks over at Digital Foundry, lower-end devices like the Xbox Series S and Steam Deck have been put...
News Digital Foundry Analyses 'Next-Level Visuals' Found In Hellblade 2 On Xbox
"Hellblade 2 is a defining moment"
Ever since Hellblade 2 was unveiled alongside the Xbox Series X, we've expected the game to be a looker, and that's exactly what Ninja Theory's sequel delivered earlier this week. Of course, that means that the tech aficionados over at Digital Foundry have been keeping a close eye on the game as well - and now the...
News Hellblade 2 Developer Ninja Theory Thanks Fans For 'Incredible Response'
"We've loved hearing your impressions"
It's been another big week in the land of Xbox with UK-based studio Ninja Theory launching Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 on the Series X|S, PC, Cloud, and also Game Pass. It's already one of the highest-rated Xbox games of the year and with this in mind, the team has now issued a brief message on social media,...
Wednesday22nd May 2024
Guide Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2: All Hidden Faces & Yggdrasil Tree Locations
Stuck between a rock and a hard face. Sorry.
There are a total of 17 hidden faces to find in Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, and each one marks the location of a secret Yggdrasil Tree that imparts a little more world-building lore upon our ferocious heroine. Much like the Lorestangir collectibles, these hidden faces aren't particularly difficult to...
News Ninja Theory Explains Why Headphones Are So Important In Hellblade 2
It's the "best way" to experience the sequel
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is now available on Xbox and Game Pass, and while it's already quite different to a lot of other games, the developer Ninja Theory wants players to take the experience to the next level by wearing headphones. When you boot up the game, you'll receive a message recommending you...
Tuesday21st May 2024
Guide Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2: All Lorestangir Locations
Lore of the land
Lorestangir, that's lore stones to you and me, make a welcome return in Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, giving us lots of extra background info on the game's world via stories from the ever-excitable Druth. There are a total of 18 Lorestangir collectibles to find across the six chapters in Hellblade 2, so let's take a look at exactly...
Roundup Here's What The Critics Are Saying About Xbox's Hellblade 2
A lot of varied opinions on this one!
Ninja Theory's Hellblade 2 launch is finally upon us, marking the first major Xbox Game Studios release of 2024. We've already delivered our thoughts on the team's highly-anticipated sequel earlier today, so now it's time to take a look around and see what other folks are saying about the Xbox Game Pass title...
News Ninja Theory's Next Xbox Game Has Already Been Greenlit, It's Claimed
"In addition to Project Mara"
While all the focus for Xbox is currently on the launch of Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, its Cambridge-based developer Ninja Theory has apparently already got its next game confirmed. According to Windows Central's "trusted sources", the studio's "next game" has already been greenlit "in addition" to the previously...
Monday20th May 2024
Pick One Which Is Your Favourite Ninja Theory Game On Xbox?
Prior to Hellblade 2
It's time for another edition of Pick One! With Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 launching on Xbox Series X and S this Tuesday (along with PC), we thought we'd take a look back at the rich history of the company's games on Xbox. We know that Hellblade 2 might overtake the rest for some Xbox fans this week, but in the interest of...
Wednesday15th May 2024
News Xbox Launches Hellblade 2 Merch Line Ahead Of Next Week's Release
Okay, this stuff looks awesome
The Hellblade 2 hype is properly kicking into gear now, with Xbox dropping a new Series X|S dynamic background last week before the team at Ninja Theory showed off the game's incredible photo mode yesterday. Now, we have a fresh merchandise line to browse while we all wait for the big day. Yep, Microsoft has just upd
Tuesday14th May 2024
News Xbox UK Is Hosting Hellblade 2 Play Sessions At The Microsoft Experience Centre
"Experience the first 2 hours of immersive gameplay"
Hellblade 2 officially launches one week today, and Xbox has announced that fans can go down to the Microsoft Experience Centre in London and play two hours of the title in its 'Xbox Gaming Lounge' next week. Unfortunately, there's no early access with these Hellblade 2 'Play Sessions'. Fans can...
Thursday9th May 2024
News Xbox Is Reportedly 'Considering' Hellblade 2 For PlayStation 5
A PS5 port hasn't been announced, yet
In recent months, Microsoft has started to experiment with launching some of its exclusive games on other consoles, with Grounded, Hi-Fi RUSH, Pentiment and Sea Of Thieves all now playable on other platforms. We're yet to really see how Microsoft's experiment will play out in the long run, but it sounds like...
Friday3rd May 2024
News Xbox Exec Hypes Up Hellblade 2 As Team Green Lays Out Launch Plans
"Excited to share more & celebrate this visually stunning masterpiece"
We're about two and a half weeks away from Hellblade 2 releasing on Xbox Game Pass, and it looks like launch plans are kicking into gear over at Microsoft and Ninja Theory. Not only is the developer starting to "share something every day" from now until launch, but Xbox exec...
Friday12th Apr 2024
Talking Point Will Hellblade 2 Be A Genuine Game Of The Year Contender This Year?
The first game missed out in 2017
As we close in on a month-or-so before launch, the Hellblade 2 hype is building. This is Xbox's first big exclusive launch of 2024, and it should hopefully get the ball rolling for a fantastic year in regards to Xbox first-party. As good as the game looks so far — and always has done since it was first unveiled...
Thursday11th Apr 2024
News Xbox's Hellblade 2 Is 'On Another Level' Says Digital Foundry, Despite Series S Concerns
The DF team dives into some preview footage
Early previews are now doing the rounds for Hellblade 2 - and by most accounts this is shaping up to be an impressive Xbox Series X|S title. The team over at Digital Foundry is one of the outlets to have taken a look at the game recently, and they reckon it's "on another level" visually, de
Monday8th Apr 2024
News Xbox Dev Ninja Theory To Host 'A Journey Of The Mind' Live Event For Hellblade 2
Highlighting the game's ties to mental health
Hellblade 2 is out on Xbox next month, and to highlight some of the game's themes and overall ties to mental health, developer Ninja Theory has a special live event planned for tomorrow, April 9th. 'Hellblade: A Journey of the Mind' is a collaboration between the development team and its nearby...
Friday26th Jan 2024
Feature Hellblade 2 Brings True 'Cinematic Immersion' To Xbox This May, And We're Hyped For It
A proper Xbox blockbuster launches in just a few months
This year's Xbox Developer Direct delivered big - with huge deep dives for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Avowed and Ara: History Untold. However, only one of the show's titles feels like it's truly within touching distance, and that's Ninja Theory's Hellbl
Thursday18th Jan 2024
News Hellblade 2 Will Be A Digital-Only, Cheaper Release On Xbox And PC
Ninja Theory confirms its plans
Developer Ninja Theory has finally told us all about its plans for Hellblade 2 - including that much-welcome release date of May 21st. In the wake of today's Xbox Developer Direct showing, the team has also confirmed that the game will cost just $50 on Xbox Series X|S and PC - launchi
News Hellblade 2 Is Officially Coming To Xbox Series X|S In May 2024
After almost five years of waiting, we have a date!
After being revealed almost five years ago alongside the Xbox Series X, Ninja Theory's Hellblade 2 is almost ready to go. Today's Xbox Developer Direct has delivered the game's official release date - Hellblade 2 comes to Xbox Game Pass on May 21st, 2024
Wednesday17th Jan 2024
Report Hellblade 2 Release Date Set For This May On Xbox Series X|S
We should know for sure at Developer Direct
There's a lot going on in the world of Xbox as we head towards this week's Developer Direct, and a new report has just outed one of the featured game's release dates. Yep, outlet exputer is claiming that Ninja Theory's Hellblade 2 will launch on May 21st, 2024. Until tomorr
Friday8th Dec 2023
News Hellblade 2 New Gameplay Trailer Confirms 2024 Release Window
Coming to Xbox Game Pass day one
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 has made yet another The Game Awards appearance today, and this year's trailer confirms a 2024 release window! We don't have anything more specific than that we're afraid, but Xbox is bringing Hellblade 2 to Game Pass in 2024. The new trailer, which we've i
Wednesday29th Nov 2023
News Xbox Opens In-Person 'Audio-Visual Experience' Featuring Hellblade 2
Get immersed into Senua's twisted world
Xbox has announced some pretty cool in-person events happening in the UK and Germany right now - and they both feature an "Immersive Audio-Visual Experience" based on some of the team's biggest games. Hosted at the Charing Cross Road Outernet Store in London and The Lighthouse of Digital Art in Berlin, Xbox...
Saturday21st Oct 2023
Video Senua's Insane 'Level Of Realism' Detailed In New Hellblade II Dev Diary
Launching on Xbox in 2024
If you weren't already excited for Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, Ninja Theory has now released a new development diary showcasing the insane "level of realism" and attention to detail that's going into this second entry. This video focuses on how the team has gone about crafting the protagonist Senua in the next game, with a...
Tuesday27th Jun 2023
News Microsoft Acquired Hellblade Creator Ninja Theory For Just $117 Million
Chump change
Some more information that was never meant to be made public has been revealed in the Microsoft v FTC court battle. In the same email and documents revealing Xbox had a huge list of companies it was considering acquiring, page 10 reveals Ninja Theory was purchased for the sum of $117 million USD. Again, what's interesting about this...
Wednesday14th Jun 2023
News Hellblade 2 Dev Diary Goes Behind The Scenes On Xbox Games Showcase Trailer
Ninja Theory is going all out for the sequel
Following the game's recent appearance at the Xbox Games Showcase, developer Ninja Theory has dropped one of its slickly-produced Hellblade 2 dev diaries - giving us a closer look at the work going into the title behind the scenes. There's some serious motion capture going into making lead character...
Tuesday9th May 2023
Rumour Microsoft Exec Hints At Hellblade 2 Appearance During Xbox Games Showcase 2023
Update: Greenberg suggests it wasn't a hint!
Update: Xbox's Aaron Greenberg has cooled this rumour, mentioning how he was just highlighting some fan art. "It’s just fan art, nothing to do with any specific game." Nevertheless, we're still hoping to see Hellblade 2 make a big appearance at this year's showcase! Original story: As we near
Friday3rd Mar 2023
Rumour Fable Reboot Is 'Miles Away' While Xbox Focuses On Hellblade 2 And Avowed
What will Team Xbox show off this summer?
In a recent episode of VGC's new podcast, journalist Andy Robinson spoke about Xbox's upcoming games lineup, with the hosts speculating on what may appear at the Xbox summer showcase in 2023. While the outlet hasn't heard anything specific about what's planned for the conference itself, Robinson
Thursday2nd Mar 2023
News Hellblade 2 Coverage Returns As Ninja Theory Drops New Dev Diary
Take a trip to Iceland
Xbox studio Ninja Theory is back to show off more of the development process behind its impressive-looking Hellblade sequel - Senua's Saga: Hellblade II. To be clear upfront; there's no new gameplay in here, but there is plenty of info to dig into about the team's upcoming 10th century Icelandic adventure. Speaking of Iceland...
Wednesday28th Dec 2022
News Xbox Studio Ninja Theory Hints At More Hellblade 2 Info 'In The New Year'
Senua's Saga continues
While we were a little disappointed in Ninja Theory's no-show at The Game Awards 2022, it seems we won't have to wait long to hear more about the team's upcoming projects - a slate that of course includes Hellblade 2. In a short and sweet Christmas message, the team has revealed that it will be bringing back more "dev diaries"...
Friday12th Aug 2022
News Xbox Execs Praise Discussion Around Gaming & Mental Health
Wholesome content
Xbox's Aaron Greenberg and Sarah Bond have both praised a new article from Fortune Magazine; one that discusses the potential mental health benefits of gaming. FM's feature discusses the rise in gaming time due to the pandemic, and how it's "reshaping our understanding" of the medium's effect on mental health. Both the article's...
Friday5th Aug 2022
News Xbox's Hellblade 2 Is Busy Figuring Out Where Bird Poo Should Land
No, really.
You'd think that Hellblade 2's launch is one of the closest amongst the upcoming Xbox slate, right? We've seen multiple extended demos of Ninja Theory's sequel in action, with last year's TGA showing looking mighty impressive. In reality, the team still appears to be very busy, figuring out a really important feature. Bird poo! That's...
Friday27th May 2022
News Hellblade 2's Giant Was Mo-Capped Despite Its Enormous Size
A mortal man
Back at The Game Awards in 2021, developer Ninja Theory took us on a bit of a Hellblade 2 adventure. We were treated to a lengthy showcase of Senua's upcoming saga, and most of you probably noticed she was fighting against the odds, aka, against a humongous giant. Well, the team has given us a glimpse at how this giant character was...
Wednesday23rd Feb 2022
News Xbox's Aaron Greenberg Amazed That Recent Hellblade 2 Trailer Was Real Gameplay
"I'm moving Senua myself"
It seems we weren't the only ones amazed by Hellblade 2's latest gameplay trailer! Xbox exec Aaron Greenberg recently spoke with Xbox fans at an event in South America, where he touched on a recent Hellblade 2 trailer. In short, Greenberg was that impressed he thought it was a cutscene. When he brought that up to developer...
Tuesday8th Feb 2022
News Hellblade Will 'Look Like An Indie Game' Next To Hellblade 2, Says Studio Co-Founder
AAAmbitions
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is one of our most anticipated first party titles, and it has been since Microsoft acquired Ninja Theory. Hype levels were only raised when we saw it in action at The Game Awards last year, and it seems like the team is going all in on AAA, even if it sounds like a dig at indies. In a new interview with
Saturday29th Jan 2022
News Stunning Hellblade 2 Concept Art Shows Moody Shoreline Settlement
We can't wait for this one
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 looks like it's coming on nicely indeed. Late last year, we were treated to some fresh gameplay footage from The Game Awards, and developer Ninja Theory continues to show glimpses of its upcoming sequel. A week ago, a ridiculously detailed Senua model was showcased, sweaty skin pores and all...
Friday21st Jan 2022
News Hellblade 2 Developer Shows Off Incredibly Detailed Character Model
Senua's skin
Senua's Saga: Hellblade II is being meticulously worked on over at Ninja Theory. And when we say meticulous, we mean it. The developer has showcased its latest main character model on Twitter, and the detail is off the charts. Ninja Theory is using new techniques for its character modelling with Hellblade II, and you can tell. The team...
Wednesday17th Nov 2021
News Ninja Theory Updates Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice With Accessibility Improvements
Update today
Back in August, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice got a surprise upgrade for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S - adding "enriched visuals, DirectX Raytracing, resolution mode" and more. Now, in another update, developer Ninja Theory has announced it's made some accessibility improvements on Xbox Series X|S and PC to allow more players to...
Wednesday13th Oct 2021
News It's Sounding More And More Likely Hellblade 2 Will Be At The Game Awards
Two months to go
There have been some rumblings Hellblade 2 could be appearing at The Game Awards, with rumours surfacing over recent weeks. It's been a bit up in the air, but a new report seems pretty confident we'll be seeing it again at the end of the year. Amongst the details in the recent Avowed report over at
Friday1st Oct 2021
Rumour Hellblade 2 Is 'Planned' To Be Shown At The Game Awards 2021
Broadcasting from the Microsoft Theatre this December
With E3 and Gamescom out of the way, what's next? Why, The Game Awards, of course! The show has been confirmed to be airing on December 9 and will be taking place as an in-person event at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles. Expectations for the show are high after recent years, and it seems...
Tuesday10th Aug 2021
Hands On Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice - A Subtle Bump In Visuals On Xbox Series X
Still a visual stunner
After the news of Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice receiving an Xbox Series X and Series S upgrade yesterday, we just had to dive in. Admittedly, none of us have actually finished the game here at Pure Xbox - a travesty, we know - so this next-gen upgrade is the perfect chance for us to finally embark on that quest. The upgrade...
News 6.3 Million People Have Now Played Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Great news for Ninja Theory
Yesterday, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice got a surprise upgrade for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S - adding "enriched visuals, DirectX Raytracing, resolution mode" and more. As part of this, developer Ninja Theory has had a chat with Xbox Wire about the new update. One of the highlights was the reveal of a certain...
Thursday17th Jun 2021
Video Ninja Theory Shares A Development Update For Hellblade 2
Take a peek behind the curtain
Ninja Theory has given us a few more crumbs of news for Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. While it still sounds as though the game may be a (long) while off, it's one of the more substantial updates we've had in a while. Chief creative ninja at Ninja Theory, Tameem Antoniades, opens the video explaining how development is...
Wednesday16th Jun 2021
News Ninja Theory Plans To Share An Update On Hellblade 2 Tomorrow
Don't expect gameplay though
Xbox plans to host an Xbox Games Showcase: Extended event tomorrow at 10AM PT / 1PM ET / 6PM BST / 7PM CEST, which will dive deeper into many of the games previously shown via developer interviews. Ninja Theory will be appearing and has now confirmed it will be providing a behind the scenes update for Hellblade 2. Aside...
Wednesday26th May 2021
News Ninja Theory Teases Us With A Look At Hellblade 2's Ultra Realistic Clouds
"Bit cloudy isn't it?"
We're getting desperate for a proper peek at Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 gameplay in the near future (hopefully at E3!), but in the meantime, Ninja Theory has shared a look at how clouds work from a visual standpoint in the game. Taking to Twitter, the studio explained that it's using flow maps to "make clouds form and dissolve...
Tuesday19th Jan 2021
News Xbox Studio Ninja Theory Has 14 Open Positions It Needs To Fill
Join the team
Ninja Theory, one of Xbox's many first-party game studios, is currently recruiting new talent for its upcoming games. There are currently a total of 14 open positions up on its website - with jobs available for artists, animators, melee combat designers, level designers, mechanical and technical designers and more. Some of its...
Saturday2nd May 2020
Reminder You Can Now Play As A "Trash-Talking Crab-Walking" Dolphin In Bleeding Edge
Celebrating the one month mark
Since it's the weekend, now is a great time to try out the new update for Ninja Theory's team-based fighter, Bleeding Edge. It adds Mekko, the "trash-talking crab-walking" dolphin piloting a mech suit. As noted within the official patch notes, the character was originally postponed so the team could fix and improve the...