Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice’s release in 2017 was warmly received in large part due to the deeper themes behind the visually impressive gameplay. That positive reception, as well as Microsoft’sacquisition of Ninja Theoryin 2018, has driven expectations forSenua’s Saga: Hellblade 2much higher than for its predecessor. For the time being, Ninja Theory has kept back from revealing too much for the game, but today it let slip a piece of concept art if only to help maintainHellblade 2’s anticipation.
The piece of concept art is described as an image ofSenua’s Saga: Hellblade 2’s “shore settlement” and was created by Ninja Theory artist Marco Teixeira. It depicts Senua standing on a dark, humongous object staring out upon a shoreline village. There’s fire, though it’s unclear if the village is burning, and what appears to be a river of lava leading into the village. Over the shoreline, birds are circling. Waves crash against boulders along the coastline. It’s a very dark and seemingly hopeless piece of art.
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While there’s no additional context provided by Ninja Theory for the image, it’s possibly related to the officialSenua’s Saga: Hellblade 2trailer debuted duringThe Game Awards 2021. During that trailer, Senua’s village hunts a giant they find in a cave along the shoreline. The giant retaliates and a fight ensues as Senua retreats and the giant follows, devouring villagers and shouting Senua’s name.
It’s unclear if the concept art shared today is meant to represent the conclusion of that trailer from The Game Awards 2021 or not, but the two are clearly related. The shoreline location of both the trailer and the piece of art ties them together. It’s possible that the concept are is supposed to showSenua’s village, the home of all those shown in the trailer. Perhaps there’s more to it than meets the eye, though.
Both thetrailer forHellblade 2and the new piece of concept art hint at conflict for Senua. Obviously, she’s trying to kill the giant in the trailer, but in the concept art she’s also shown with spear and knife in hand. Perhaps she’s trying to protect the village, or perhaps she’s leaving it.
WhatNinja Theoryhas shown ofHellblade 2so far is certainly nothing more than a glimpse of what the studio has put together for the game. With no current release window announced, that leaves a lot of time left for Ninja Theory to share more. As the concept art implies, little more than the shoreline has likely been shared of the world that is to be found inHellblade 2.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2is currently in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
