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Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 has half the number of chapters compared to its predecessor, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice. However, this shouldn't be a cause for disappointment. The chapters in the sequel are significantly longer, ensuring that the overall playtime remains comparable to the first game. In addition to the extended chapter length, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 introduces modern gameplay mechanics and showcases improved graphics, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
Remaining true to its original playstyle, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 maintains its narrative-driven focus and offers an interactive movie gameplay style. To this end, every chapter in the game stands out from the other in certain unique aspects, making some chapters more enjoyable than others. This article ranks and summarizes all six chapters in the game.
6. Chapter 6: Borgarvirki
The final chapter in any game, especially a story-driven one like Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, should deliver a satisfying conclusion. Unfortunately, players find the finale of this game lacking. Notably, it doesn't feel conclusive but a setup for the series' third installment.
The finale opens with Senua going to Borgarvirki, Thorgestr's hometown, and the game's last setting. You encounter a few environmental puzzles along the way, including a dead end, split road, and tiny spaces. You also encounter guards and fight a few battles before reaching Godi, the final boss. The first battle in the finale feels mundane, but the others are intense.
Unfortunately, the fight with Godi isn't as intense as expected. The boss's attacks are tricky, but you can avoid most of them by dodging them. Moreover, every attack leaves the boss open, giving you plenty of opportunities to take him down.
5. Chapter 2: Freyslaug
The second chapter is where things start to slow down, and Freyslaug is a typical follow-up to the first chapter. It involves a lot of walking around as you follow a defeated slaver to the location of other captive enslaved people and find six collectibles. However, it is not all mundane, involving a few puzzles and exciting battles.
You must find various symbols and solve several puzzles to get through obstacles you come across. The puzzles are creative and mainly involve arranging objects to align with symbols.
Additionally, you encounter a few crystallized enemies along the way, setting the stage for fun fights. They are formidable and have intimidating abilities like spitting fire. One of the enemies is particularly challenging as you cannot block his attacks. The enemies come one after another, each bearing unique weapons. Interestingly, the second chapter also features your first ritual sequence after beating your enemies.
4. Chapter 3: Rauðhólar
The third chapter comprises two distinct parts. The first part focuses on enhancing the story, featuring many cutscenes and interactions with NPCs. The cutscenes advance the story, giving you more context to help you make sense of Senua's past and what's to come. Additionally, the conversations with Thorgestr and Fargrimr also help answer crucial questions about things such as the Hiddenfolk. Interestingly, interactions with the NPCs also include optional discussions, which help with character development.
The second chapter mainly focuses on solving puzzles from the Hiddenfolk. There are three puzzles, and all involve arranging stones on an altar. However, each puzzle is unique and challenging, adding fun to this story-driven chapter. Besides puzzle-solving and story enhancement, the third chapter also features a few battles to spice things up. You encounter five enemies, including four regular swordsmen and one heavy-set enemy.
3. Chapter 5: Bárðarvik
Chapter Five starts slowly but then picks up momentum with creative puzzles and action-packed battles. The first parts mostly feature Senua continuing on her mission to free the enslaved people while simultaneously looking for hidden collectibles. Notably, Chapter Six doesn't feature any hidden collectibles; hence, this is your last opportunity to find some.
The stage is set for an epic battle! As you face off against these diverse foes, each wielding unique skills and weapons, staying on your toes and adapting your strategy accordingly is crucial. Swordsmen may require swift dodges and precise counters, while torchbearers could force you to navigate fiery obstacles. And those axe-wielders? They might test your blocking and parrying abilities to the limit. How do you plan to tackle this onslaught? It is worth noting that the torchbearers set themselves on fire when you get too close, requiring a creative approach and fight strategy. Notably, this chapter also features one of the most exciting giant encounters.
The puzzles in this chapter are creative, requiring you to find symbols to solve them. Interestingly, the puzzles in this chapter are similar to the ones in Chapter One; hence, solving them shouldn't be a problem.
2. Chapter 4: Huldufólk
Chapter Four is the longest in Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. Fortunately, it is also one of the most eventful chapters in the game. A spooky cave sets the stage, featuring hidden collectibles, unique puzzles, and dangerous creatures lurking.
Interestingly, the puzzles in this chapter are unique and quite different from the other chapters. The idea is to alter spaces highlighted by a blue mist or rainbow colours. Fortunately, the puzzles are more fun than challenging. Notably, this chapter also fills gaps in the story with informative cutscenes.
The enemies in this cave are also different types of creatures, making the fights unique. They don't have weapons but can deliver powerful, fast-paced blows that disorient you. They can also throw dirt at you as a distraction. Interestingly, you lose your sword at some point and must rely solely on your torch to survive, leaving you vulnerable. The trick is to dodge the creatures' strikes and mash attack when a creature grabs you.
1. Chapter 1: Reykjanestá
Like most games, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 kicks things off on a high note with an explosive first chapter. It is primarily linear: a recap of the previous game and a tutorial of the current one. Notably, you bond with Senua as you see her predicament as an enslaved person and her hearty struggle to free herself.
Interestingly, the fight with Thorgestr is one of the best boss fights in the game, outshining even the final chapter's boss fight. Everything in this chapter flows smoothly, including the entertaining soundtrack.
