Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

Play it on: Xbox Series X/S, Windows (Steam Deck YMMV)
Current goal: Finish the game with “The Others” narration, then start it again with Druth’s narration
Buy it from: Amazon | Best Buy | GameStop

Senua’s Saga is easily one of—if not my absolute—favorite games of this year. As I said in my review, it’s dark, lush, thought-provoking, and deeply cathartic to play. It’s a mere eight hours long, with just 11 achievements (that I’m one shy of), and yet I keep playing it, yearning to learn as much as I can about this game.

Read More: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II: The Kotaku Review

It’s not something I play for a challenge (though I’d argue the combat can be quite fun). At least not in the conventional sense of what we think of as a video game. It’s a game that focuses on a woman who has lived through trauma, and continues to push through unstoppable odds, including frequent torment from her own internal dialogues, the domineering mental presence of her abusive father, and the challenge of resisting the impulse to respond to tragedy with aggression and violence. That’s all packaged in a beautiful visual presentation, with poetic dialog and wonderful voice performances.

Read More: Hellblade II Tips For Mastering The Game’s Visceral Combat

So no, I don’t care that the combat and puzzles are “simple” or that there’s a lot of walking and talking. This is a game that invites me to understand the challenges of my own heart and emotions, and begs me to think about how I move through this world with the time I have left. — Claire Jackson

And that wraps our picks for the weekend. We wish you all a happy 48-hours of responsibility-free gaming!