Summary
Back when it was first unveiled in May 2020, Unreal Engine 5 astounded audiences with its array of truly next-generation technologies. From its Nanite feature that allows photographic material to be imported almost one-for-one into a video game, to its Lumen global lighting system that naturally reacts to changes in the scenery,Unreal Engine 5looked like another major leap forward for the video game industry. And with the release ofSenua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, it feels like that leap forward has finally happened.
It’s been five years sinceSenua’s Saga: Hellblade 2was first announced, and now it’s finally in the hands of fans everywhere.Hellblade 2’s initial reception has proven to be a tad divisive, but if there’s one thing that everyone can agree on, it’s that the game looks phenomenal, setting a new bar for Unreal Engine 5 moving forward.
Hellblade 2 Sets a New Gold Standard for Unreal Engine 5
Unreal Engine 5 Needed a New Flagship Game
While Unreal Engine 5 technically launched in April 2022, one or two games using the new engine were released beforehand to demo its impressive new tech. One of the most well-known tech demos wasThe Matrix Awakens, released in December 2021. While this demo showcased a ton of Unreal Engine 5’s capabilities, it was far from a full game, and fans would have to wait a little while longer before they received one of those.
2023 was the first year Unreal Engine 5 games started to hit the market, with thehorror gameLayers of Fearbeing one of the earliest examples.Remnant 2,Immortals of Aveum,Lords of the Fallen, andRoboCop: Rogue Citywere all good showcases of what Unreal Engine 5 could do, but it still felt like the engine wasn’t being used to its full potential. This year has brought with it games likeTekken 8andNightingale, and while they’ve both been technically impressive titles, they still haven’t felt like the flagship game that Unreal Engine 5 has been looking for.
Hellblade 2 Is a Graphical Powerhouse
ButSenua’s Saga: Hellblade 2is finally that game. Put simply,Hellblade 2looks absolutely fantastic, and feels like the first proper time all of Unreal Engine 5’s advanced features have been used to great effect. Practically every screenshot ofHellblade 2is wallpaper material, with the game’s stunning vistas capturing the dark yet hopeful tone ofHellbladeperfectly thanks to some first-class environmental design andUnreal Engine 5’s Lumen lightingtech. This excellent lighting system is used to great effect throughoutHellblade 2, with the game’s torch and fire visuals being some of the most realistic ever seen in a video game.
Hellblade 2also sets a new standard for facial capture in video games, and it’s clear thatUnreal Engine 5’s Nanite technologyhas been used. Every minor movement in Senua’s face, from an eyebrow twitch to the slight curl of a lip has been captured and presented on screen for players to view at all times. WhileHellblade 2might have its fair share of shortcomings, it’s a graphical powerhouse, and one that’s bound to be used as a new benchmark for Unreal Engine 5.
Unreal Engine 5 Is Just Getting Started
ButHellblade 2might not remain a benchmark for long. There’s already a longlist of Unreal Engine 5 gamescurrently in development, and some of those projects are set to release fairly soon.Black Myth: Wukongis a game that many have had their eye on for a while, particularly because of its use of Unreal Engine 5’s graphical features. Though it isn’t set to release until 2025,Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydrais another game that’s putting its Unreal Engine-powered graphics front and center of its marketing. But until then,Hellblade 2remains one of the most impressive Unreal Engine 5 games available.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2
WHERE TO PLAY
The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without.A crafted experience of cinematic immersion:Sink deep into Senua’s world and story, with beautifully realized visuals and encapsulating sound.Senua’s unique perspective:Experience the world through Senua’s eyes and ears, as a Celtic warrior who experiences psychosis.A journey into Viking Iceland:An epic journey across 10th century Iceland, recreated from real locations in stunning detail.Every fight tells a story:Brutal and visceral combat as Senua battles for survival.
