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 Senua look as authentic as possible, and if that hasn't come across in the trailers so far, then it certainly will after watching this new video.
The above clip also goes into a bit more detail about how Ninja Theory crafted that Xbox Games Showcase trailer - sometimes we underestimate how much work goes into bringing these Showcase trailers to life!
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While Hellblade 2 has looked quite far along in development even since its superb The Game Awards 2021 showing, it's not coming out this year, sadly. Ninja Theory has penned this one in for 2024 on Xbox Game Pass, and they're definitely putting in the work to make it happen.
Excited to go hands on with Hellblade 2? Let us know what you thought of its 2023 showing!
Comments 22
It was very disappointing to get an even less revealing showing for this game at the showcase than we got a couple of years ago at the game awards. Hoping it will turn out great but it's slightly concerning they still don't want to show any proper gameplay.
This is the kind of stuff I love seeing after the game launched and I played it. Right now, we need to see it in action. Last years demo was good, but we need to see more. We need to see at least some traversal and casual combat.
@Spaceman-Spiff 100%. I was joking yesterday that this was a movie. But really I was just having a dig at the fact they seem to have forgotten to show us this is a GAME. I still have high hopes but it's hard to get excited after so many appearances where they steadfastly refuse to show proper gameplay. What's up? It's weird.
poeple that critisizing Xbox for not showing much about Fable and hellblade 2, this is a simple marketing technique, they have a main game releasing soon and they want it to outshine everything in the show and be the focus of the show, and thats starfield!!
If they show hellblade 2 gameplay im sure everyone will be in shock and talk about it and starfield will have to share attention with hellblade 2 that is coming 2024, thats stupid if Xbox do that.
i Believe that Xbox finally started to understand the Art of marketing in Video game industry and their shows in 2023 was so great (devolopers direct and this) so be patient this is not the time for fable and hellblade 2 to take the spot light
In regards to gameplay, it does seem a bit odd were not seeing combat, but I really think the game isn't based on that! People need to stop comparing this to God of War, it's nothing like that!?
There's no comparison, Hellblade I think is more about the story and emotion etc, Combat has been looked at and revamped apparently, but I don't think it's the core of the game it seems for now, I could be wrong!
It was a cool video but it also feels like a kickstarter campaign that may never go to beta. Like, a trick.
@Suda52 yeah it's definitely a thing I've seen on Twitter and EG, I think some people think this game is gonna be Combat all the way, clearly isn't from what I can see!
@Ep_13 read my comment if you qant an explanation (a logical one from someone who works in marketing and sales) they would be stupid to show more of hellblade 2 now
@TakeItEasy Fair enough, agree in part, but yeah, not sure that works buddy, but it's a cool take.
I'm glad Phil has held some games back though, as clearly some gems kept in the locker, also some games just weren't ready he said in an interview afterwards. I'd recommend the giant bomb interview. He says he doesn't just go hey teams give me a vertical slice, that's not how it works, the devs when ready if they are ready show stuff etc.
I agree with @TakeItEasy on that, @Ep_13
Hellblade 2 is a 2024 game. Hence it will be shown again on the next not-E3 showcase or maybe in The Game Awards later this year, if it's an early 2024 title (which I don't think it is.)
If Microsoft had shown Hellblade 2 (or Fable) gameplay now, then what would it have left for the next showcase where those games are supposed to be the spotlights? They will go in-depth with Hellblade 2 once it is next in line to be the Xbox's flagship release.
@Magabro I agree in part remember Fable isn't ready, but I think Hell Blade probably is, just a snippet of combat please.
They have plenty lined up I'm sure, Xbox is even more exciting than ever it seems
@Ep_13 I surely would have loved to see some combat. Yet another trailer showing Senua in a cave hearing voices in her head was a little boring, in my opinion. But I do understand why Microsoft wouldn't show any combat yet. I would have loved to see a different landscape, though.
@Magabro I think you mean scene, as isn't most of it shot in the beautiful Iceland etc?
It could just mean a separate showcase for Hellblade when it gets closer to release. Microsoft was hinting that for every major release that a showcase would be done….
@Utena-mobile i won't compare hellblade 1 with 2, hellblade 2 was a high end AA surprisingly made by 20 person, now the team have 160 employees!!! Its crazy how muxh xbox made them grow and gived them the latest in technology so i m very sure we will have a game that will make a fingerprint in gaming
@Ep_13 good to see you here mate. I used to lurk on Eurogamer a lot. Amount of abuse you received there for being uber excited for all things Xbox was very grating to see. I think folks here are bit more welcoming.
@PlayAnywhere tell me about it, if I say woo Game Pass, woo Phil is doing a good job. I was actively hounded daily, I left the site for nearly a year. Currently one of them has got me banned for a month. Just give up! I love EG, but some of the people are horrendous on there. You say one thing or a simple opinion about 5 regulars jump on you. It's way more toxic over there currently.
@PlayAnywhere I don't recall your username, forgive me?
Really nice of you to say dude, means a lot, as I was worried most people were just out to get me, even some of the regulars started to take the piss and analyse my every move, was so weird.
@Ep_13 I deleted my account from eurogamer 2/3 years ago. There wasn't a room for balanced discussion there I felt. I commented my preference for xbox/gamepass this gen and fully expect to buy PS5 when slim comes out, and I triggered few regulars. How I was killing gaming by supporting subscription/rental service etc etc. Gave up commenting after that.
@PlayAnywhere Crikey, yeah, that is harsh.
I appreciate Sony and their craftmanship of the big hitters, I just never really entered their eco system, as I don't find the value that great, plus just think Xbox is better at the online gaming I prefer that's all.
Sad to hear you had trouble to, I might leave EG soon too, real shame as some of the people there are lovely.
I had a look back today, and one dude was positive about Xbox and about 3 others called him out, just ridiculous. I swear a bunch of them run the site at times. I have a nice contact at EG who helped me many times, just bizarre. Admins seem off too at times. I will be back there in July to see what is happening.
@Ep_13 Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier my friend. I wish I had your level of energy to engage. Echo chambers like PX or PushSquare are hardly going to move the debate forward.
I'm sympathetic to business side of things as well for these sister sites. Certain narrative will always get more engagement because userbase is lopsided. Some vocal minorities and tribal behaviour is bit frustrating to see, but don't let that deter you. More enthusiasm and positivity is absolutely needed in gaming community.
@PlayAnywhere I just love Xbox and it's my main hobby for now, along with Football, watching it and geeky things. Xbox has done so much good for gaming in my personal view. Love the online aspect etc.
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