Gab Hernandez 
Ninja Theory has released a preview build of the Xbox-exclusive Hellblade 2 to the press and there’s been generally strong praise for everything from its framerate to its graphics to its utilization of Unreal Engine 5.
With Xbox exclusives facing an uncertain future, fans scrutinize titles like Hellblade 2 more closely than usual. Initially announced at The Game Awards 2019, the game has had quite a lengthy marketing cycle. Trailers have come out every once in a while since then, but the actual launch is coming soon.
By all accounts, Hellblade 2 is Team Ninja’s most ambitious project in terms of both scope and budget. With its release date fast approaching, Ninja Theory has started sharing more details about the cinematic action-adventure game.
Hellblade 2 performance, framerate details revealed
Hellblade 2 will run on Xbox Series X/S with 30fps and dynamic resolution while PC players can adjust the framerate to their liking.
VFX director Mark Slater-Tunstill told GamePro that the cap at 30fps was intentional, as it fits with the cinematic pace. However, PC players still have the option to boost the frame rate if they so choose.
Hellblade 2 runs on the current AAA standard Unreal Engine 5. The game has garnered praise for feeling like a title that effectively uses the engine to deliver a next-gen experience. It boasts a seamless blend of Celtic fantasy and visceral reality, giving the game a unique look and feel.
Hellblade 2 will be bigger, potentially better than the original
Senua’s journey in Hellblade 2 follows an actual path in the real world and uses techniques like satellite imaging and original nature photography to replicate a real, but ancient version of Iceland. Every relevant item in the game also has a 1:1 counterpart in the real world, created by Ninja Theory’s art department.
The game’s animation has also been honed further with Ninja Theory’s animator skipping traditional animation in favor of detailed motion capture for the game’s combat. Reports from those who went hands-on have discussed how it has an incredibly realistic look and feel despite the fantastical nature of the game. Hellblade 2 will launch on Windows PC and Xbox Series X/S on May 21, 2024.
