Soon after Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 launched, developer Ninja Theory confirmed that a new installment in the advanced action series was already being developed. Now, two years on, it appears this upcoming sequel is set to alter a significant aspect of the franchise, with both positive and negative implications, according to a recent report.
This revelation is part of a significant restructuring at Ninja Theory, initially disclosed on the podcast, co-hosted by Windows Central’s Jez Corden and YouTube personality Rand Al Thor 19. Corden stated that the studio’s horror title, Project Mara, unveiled in early 2020, has been temporarily shelved to allow the team to concentrate on Hellblade 3. He clarified that Project Mara “is not a game currently being worked on,” and was merely a conceptual idea at that point.
With the entire team now dedicated to the Hellblade sequel, Corden indicated that the game is anticipated “to offer more interactivity than Hellblade 1 and 2.”
“I am unsure of the precise form Hellblade 3 will take, or even if it will be titled Hellblade 3,” he commented. “However, it appears it will be set within the Hellblade universe, and there’s an indication they aim to make it more of ‘a game,’ thereby expanding its general appeal.”
The suspension of Project Mara’s production is not particularly astonishing, given that Ninja Theory is a subsidiary of Microsoft. Xbox Game Studios is actively transforming into an almost exclusively multiplatform publisher. It has conducted layoffs , , and cancelled in favor of more secure ventures like and . Concurrently, it has been porting previous Xbox exclusives, , to rival platforms. For an inherently experimental studio such as Ninja Theory, the opportunities to develop unproven intellectual properties were limited under this evolving corporate strategy.
Consequently, developing the next Hellblade as a more conventional game appears to be a straightforward method to ensure its commercial viability. While Hellblade 2 was technically impressive, the primary critique leveled against it by most reviewers (myself included) concerned its limited interactivity. Its puzzles were basic. Its combat, though visually striking and cinematic, lacked depth. Furthermore, its campaign duration was unexpectedly brief, even for a story-driven title. It might be worth exploring as a curiosity on Game Pass or at a significant discount. However, it will probably leave players seeking a more substantial, traditional gaming experience quite unsatisfied.
Nevertheless, I find myself more disheartened by the reported shift in the series’ direction. It’s evident that where Hellblade 2 fell short in gameplay depth, the development team compensated by investing heavily in production value. Nearly every moment of Hellblade 2 appears and feels painstakingly crafted. And despite the final product resembling an interactive movie more than any of the studio’s prior creations, it offered a unique experience. I personally appreciate its high-production, artistically daring approach to gaming, even if the resulting title doesn’t appeal to a broad audience.
My keen interest anticipated Ninja Theory persisting with Hellblade 2’s polarizing approach, refining its weaker aspects and amplifying its strengths. Although a seven-year development period for a mediocre sequel might not have been viable, Hellblade 2 embodies the kind of unconventional, experimental projects I had hoped Microsoft would financially support to advance gaming technology (a commitment they appear to show for its ).
I will not dismiss a Hellblade sequel that offers enhanced combat and a longer journey for its main protagonist, Senua. Ninja Theory has previously shown its capability in making games with performance capture. Yet, I grieve that Ninja Theory will not be Xbox’s auteur studio, free to develop unique projects driven by artistic vision and pushing the boundaries of gaming. It’s a pity we won’t see them creating unusual horror games that utilize their breakthroughs in motion capture technology alongside more conventional titles like Hellblade.
As a devoted admirer of the studio’s creations, I anticipate Ninja Theory’s future offerings. However, my excitement is considerably less than it was right after completing their previous game.