Hellblade : Senua's Sacrifice

It's been a while since I played this (I played it shortly after I promised to write about it the first time), but it's a testament to the quality of the game that I'm attempting to talk about it after all this time. I usually avoid writing about games that I played a long while ago (that's why you don't see titles like The Wolf Among Us, Among the Sleep, San Andreas (the game, obviously) on this blog). 

So, Hellblade. First off, it's gorgeous. I had a hard time believing it was an indie game (it's self-described as an "independent AAA game"). I loved every component of the game - be it slashing down enemies or aligning runes. And the performances - both voice and motion capture. Just amazing.

                                                

I won't discuss the plot - it's much more fun when you go in knowing very little besides the fact that it's an acclaimed game. Oh, just know that there's a warning that if you die a number of times in-game, you will have to start over again (permanent death). I can't confirm that, but I have read players' posts on forums saying that it could be a bluff. I didn't have the nerve to try and verify that, since I was already a few hours in.

It's still under debate whether the developers nailed the representation of psychosis. It certainly affected the way I looked at it. If actual psychosis is remotely close to the representation in the game - the constant whispers, the haunting, doubting Darkness - message received. It's really affecting and moving. 

So, if you haven't, I highly recommend playing Senua's Sacrifice. Even if you're not into action games, the strong acting performance will surely draw you in.  

UPDATE : The permadeath is indeed a bluff.