{"id":21577,"date":"2024-04-02T20:50:57","date_gmt":"2024-04-03T00:50:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/?p=21577"},"modified":"2024-04-02T20:51:05","modified_gmt":"2024-04-03T00:51:05","slug":"hellblade-is-a-moving-story-and-a-top-10-contender-thank-you-senua","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/hellblade-is-a-moving-story-and-a-top-10-contender-thank-you-senua\/","title":{"rendered":"Hellblade is a moving story, and a top-10 contender (thank you Senua)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding=”||0px|||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

A few months into the onset of the Great Pandemic, I began diving back into gaming. (There’s a longer story here about a free PS4<\/a>, but again that’s a longer story – the short version is by May of 2020 I booted up said PS4 and began exploring gaming again – once it became clear the Pandemic wasn’t going to be a short affair.)<\/p>\n

Fast-forward a few more years and I decided PC gaming was the way of the future, mostly because old games port<\/em>, and cloud-saving PS4 (or 5) data is a nightmare. (Speaking from experience.)<\/p>\n

I now have over 200 games in my Steam account. Yes, I’m well aware that’s not a lot compared to some folk out there<\/a> with 2 or 3 thousand<\/em>, but honestly it’ll take me years to get through 200 so what’s the point?<\/p>\n

So a couple weeks ago I needed to decompress. I needed to spend some time thinking about other things<\/em>, and perused the catalog, and installed a few good-looking options. I like to press play without reading any reviews or doing much beyond previewing the product on the Steam store. I don’t recall what lead me to install Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice<\/a> other than ‘that looks interesting.’ The 3rd-person perspecctive looked good, and that was about all I remember.<\/p>\n

As soon as I pressed ‘play’ I was immediately gobsmacked:<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”alignnone” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ width=”99%” max_width=”99%” make_equal=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hellblade-senua-54.png” title_text=”hellblade senua 54″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” force_fullwidth=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

And actually before this moment there’s the opening credits, which really set the tone and for which I was completely unprepared for – I mean the first credit given is for the Mental Health Advisor of the game. Not the Lead Designer, not the Principal Programmer. Mental Health Advisor<\/em>. I had no idea what I was in for.<\/p>\n

I began walking through the woods. I use an Xbox Series X|S controller on Windows 11, so I’m using left and right thumbsticks to look around when I realize, “Wait, there’s no HUD?” In fact there’s no … anything. No stat bar. No stamina measure. No nothing. I mean that’s all there is: nothing. I’m confused – and slightly scared, because there are ambient sounds and voices and there’s nothing on the screen for me to reference. I just am, and it just is.<\/p>\n

I start pressing other buttons to see what else is available. In fact you start with everything you’ll need, and that’s one thing: a sword. There’s no tutorial. You walk, or jog. And you have two attacks (fast, and heavy), one parry, and one dodge. That’s it. Oh and “focus,” which is just zooming in on the perspective.<\/p>\n

In an era of “Okay kids let’s teach you how to game this game” it was jaunting to not have that, and is immediately recognized as a strength of the game design.<\/p>\n

Oh and it’s gorgeous:<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

\"hellblade <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"hellblade <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"hellblade <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"hellblade <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"hellblade <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

Eventually you start encountering some markers with runes on them. You “focus,” and a narrator voice interprets the story of the runes for you. Thus the story unfolds. I won’t spoil anything here, but it is based on the Picts<\/a>, and also Germanic\/Danish\/Norse mythology like F\ufffdfnir<\/a> and Valravn<\/a>. These were largely tales\/peoples I knew nothing or much about, and so in between gaming sessions I spent time reading Wikipedia articles or watching YouTube videos to unpack the names and stories of the cultures or characters the game was referencing.<\/p>\n

And all the while I’m hearing voices in my head…in the game. I’m wearing headphones, so sometimes the voices are really, really close to overwhelming you – to the point where a few times I had to pause and break to refocus my real-world perspective. This game has layers<\/em>, I thought.<\/p>\n

Layers of light and sound. And sometimes of the same thing:<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”alignnone” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”98%” max_width=”98%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hellblade-senua-54-7.png” title_text=”hellblade senua 54 7″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hellblade-senua-54-8.png” title_text=”hellblade senua 54 8″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

Oh this game is good.<\/p>\n

And yes, there are…action moments. Fight scenes. It’s still just a game. But there’s no point discussing that here, other than to say:<\/p>\n

Be good, and don’t die.<\/p>\n

And yet, it’s way more intense than that. Like sweaty palms intense. Like my bpm goes from 60 to 120 intense. Like afterwords I need to break and catch my breath intense. Like after a fight scene I put the controller down and shout out, “WHaT THe FRaCK WaS THaT?!!?” intense.<\/p>\n

Oh this game is gooooood<\/em>! It’s a real art<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Senua is the main character. Her name alone has meaning, in the sense that it is an in\/correct spelling of Senuna<\/a>. And through a moment which has lead us to observe Senua at this time and location, she draws you in. But it’s not forced. She just is and you just are – her. And again there’s no HUD, no tutorial. Just…experience. (And yes, voices.)<\/p>\n

The rune markers compound a story on top of the one in the frame of your monitor – a story based on other stories and yet a story entirely of its own creation. It is original, and educational – and those fight scenes, sheesh…<\/p>\n

You keep going – you must keep going. Then, near the end, the look & feel is both familiar and different – Senua’s story is nearly over:<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

\"\"<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

This game went so many places in such a short amount of time (approximately 8-10 hours of playtime). There aren’t a ton of fight scenes and yet when they are they are intense, requiring a focus and concentration that angers you when your timing is off and also makes you want to fist-pump when you get it right. (But you can’t fist-pump, because you need to keep fighting!) The ‘Northmen’ mythos was fantastic and really well done – it’s obvious real research<\/em> went into this game design and story. Afterwards there’s a featurette you can watch (you can watch it before playing but it does contain spoilers – nothing revealed below) and it’s obvious that the game studio Ninja Theory are unlike most other game studios out there:<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ module_class=”alignnone”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”98%” max_width=”98%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2495630600672252335.jpg” title_text=”2495630600672252335″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2495630600672188363.jpg” title_text=”2495630600672188363″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

I mean it’s just a video game but wow what a welcome experience. And yet: not one for everyone. The game is overwhelming in some ways and to some people it will be completely unbearable. Which is kind of the point – or a<\/em> point. Which is what is your breaking point? As in what was Senua’s breaking point? Or was she always like this? Are you always like that<\/em>? What is “crazy” and who decides what crazy is or how do we ever really know what crazy people perceive versus our own reality – which one is true<\/em>?<\/p>\n

A solid competitor for my Top 10 of all time. No I don’t have a Top 10 list, but I know this one is up there – it’s that good.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n

<\/div><\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21585,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[1430,1431,1429],"series":[],"class_list":["post-21577","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-geekathon","tag-hellblade","tag-senua","tag-video-game"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/hellblade-senua-54-5.png?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6OfVu-5C1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21577","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21577"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21577\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21620,"href":"https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21577\/revisions\/21620"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21585"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21577"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21577"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21577"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nicknormal.com\/normalblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=21577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}