The game looks very drab and dull.

[Shapely Twig]

I wanted to buy this when it first came released but after watching some gameplay videos, it just looked too drab for the price.

Even now that it is super discounted, I have a hard time wanting to buy.

Does the gameplay feel much better in person? Is that why it's regarded so well?

As far as Ninja Theory games, I've only played Heavenly Sword, which was nice. This just looks average though, at least from the videos.

[HarryBuddhaPalm]

Originally posted by Djinghis:

1: Firstly, you are voicing your opinion about how crap this game looks in the Hellblade forums, have you no life?
2: You are incorrect in saying "console standard" these days as consoles are almost on par with PC graphics.
3: There is very little to no fog in actual fact.
4: The DOF is minimal and only used sometimes in cut away scenes.
5: The FOV is standard.
6: "But being a "performance capture" 3rd person game is a do not buy for me." implies that you will never buy the game anyway. hense troll.

You're an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.

[Djinghis]

Well said "They just strut. Wtf."

Your description was more than anyone here deserved, and you've made clear that this game is neither "drab" or "dull"

[Shapely Twig]

Originally posted by They Just Strut. Wtf.:

Originally posted by Nehaektas:

I've played this game only a few minutes, and I can already say it is a masterpiece regarding storytelling in video games. It uses most of the potential of state of the art technology. Of course you have to be looking for this kind of experience to value its merit.

If one is looking for the standard third person action game, well maybe the standard is oneself, not this game.

Agreed, although I'm not sure I'm qualified to judge anything as being a masterpiece -- I just know what I like to play.

For those questioning whether the game is good or not, here's my two cents, for whatever that's worth... Before the game's title screen, a warning is displayed that you don't see very often in games. It says that aspects of the game attempt ot mimic symptoms of psychosis. It states that the creators consulted with mental-health professionals in order to make it as realistic as they could, and that people who actually suffer from psychosis may want to avoid playing.

The simulated psychosis is accomplished with things like constant voices (akin to our inner dialogue), coming from all different directions, questioning your every move (headphones recommended for this reason). Visual distortions and hallucinations accompany the audio trip. All the while, you're taken through a very trying journey, brimming with despair.

There's a fighting aspect, wherein you're armed with a sword. Boss fights are harder and offer different challenges. There are a handful of combos and different moves, depending on how you execute the attack, as well as a specialty mechanic that lets you slow time for a brief period. The fights are interspersed with and cap off puzzles, where your only special ability is "focus" to look closer and drown out the surrounding noise. The puzzles offer different challenges and require different approaches depending on where you are---one trial in Helheim requires you to traverse through darkness and quietly avoid danger, while another requires you to navigate illusions to open up seemingly blocked paths.

The game is part walking-sim, traversing a dark and forboding world inspried by Norse mythology, with both a constant attack on the senses via the simulated psychosis, and modest exploration encouraged to activate story-telling runes; it's part puzzle, navigating darkness or fire or illusions, aligning objects from certain perspectives to unlock doors, all while trying to tell if the 'voices in your head' are trying to help you, trying to undermind you, or just along for the ride; and part action, where you fight progressively tougher enemies using a smooth and pretty well-polished combat mechanic, chaining moves together, evading attack, and trying to catch the enemy by surprise.

If you're looking for a game that's all action, look elsewhere. The game's not about fighting, it's about taking you on a journy.

And lastly, just a sidenote, there are no control-prompts to tell you when to jump down or when to dodge or when to block. With that in mind, the controls are pretty simple, so you can easily familiarize yourself with them via the menu before you really get into it. There's apparently a permadeath mechanic -- early on it'll basically say, "each time you fail, the dark rot spreads. If it reaches Senua's head, the game is over, and progress is lost" -- but so far it hasn't really been a threat for my game, and I'm a pretty average player skill-wise (I've failed a couple times but the dark rot still has a ways to go).

Nice Summary. I can't help but think that this game is what the Eternal Darkness devs wanted it to be if not so limited by tech. I guess the drab environments are just one aspect of the game.

[EnclaveEyebot]

Drab? This game has some of the best visuals I've seen recently, especially above 120hz, the motion capture and textures really pop. Buy it and refund if you really don't like it? The first hour or so will pretty much encapsulate what the rest of the game offers.

[Djinghis]

Originally posted by EnclaveEyebot:

Drab? This game has some of the best visuals I've seen recently, especially above 120hz, the motion capture and textures really pop. Buy it and refund if you really don't like it? The first hour or so will pretty much encapsulate what the rest of the game offers.

That's why I say he's trolling. He's compared it to nothing and the visuals are the best in any video game Ive seen. I think dota2 is what you're looking for OP

[Kaunik]

OP, you can try the first few minutes of the game first through somewhat unlawful means and if you enjoy it, you can buy it on Steam.

But personally I think this game is phenomenal.

[invision2212]

Originally posted by Djinghis:

2: You are incorrect in saying "console standard" these days as consoles are almost on par with PC graphics.

a 7890 or whatever ps4 uses is a stripped down version of the radeon 7970 from over 6 years ago, a weak 8 core cpu, and slow ram.

any modern gaming pc will flatten the ps4 in raw power

[MistressRaina]

The game itself is amazing, and the concept is wonderful. On that note, this game has the most unresponsive combat system I've ever used, and though the fights are not very often, and it is more of a puzzle type game, the combat totally ruins the evening of playing for me. Doesn't matter how quickly you press buttons to evade, block, or attack, it will do it in its own time, and usually after your opponent has hit you a few times, causing you to fall and almost die, unless they're close enough for a final hit. While I am in love with the game itself, I don't know if I have the patience to try and finish it.

[PsychedelicSaber]

Originally posted by MistressRaina:

Doesn't matter how quickly you press buttons to evade, block, or attack, it will do it in its own time, and usually after your opponent has hit you a few times, causing you to fall and almost die

Yep, I do feel the stagger takes some time to recover and often times when I try to dodge mid swing, she didn't dodge and the enemy would hit her.

Depending on how you see it, in gameplay perspective it's a bit of a drag but I do enjoy it nonetheless. In story perspective, it works well since those combats are 'obstacles' she has to endure. Same goes for the puzzles, they are repetitive and it can get boring pretty fast to some. But again it's the game trying to mimic the experience people with mental illness had like seeing repetitive patterns and numbers. I do think the game looks 'drab' and it probably supposed to be that way, I thought it was very atmospheric and fits the overall theme. Unless you're talking about how it looks uninteresting or unengaging to you...well to each their own.

I'm still recovering from the emotional exhaustion from finishing this game...I feel even more depressed than I already am, however it was truly an eye opening, heart shattering experience.

[Marengo]

Its a game that's not for everybody. It depicts mental illness which is fascinating but not a winning virtue in itself - you will either be interested in that quirky aspect or not and I won't even discuss whether it is a realistic depiction or not as people with a better insight about it that me have full blown arguments over it.

The graphics and sound are just fine, pretty much in line with what you would expect from a game these days.

Its just a narrative game and you will either get into the story or not, the map and the story run on rails and there is no scope for deviation or exploration. For my part, I was frustrated as the storytelling was totally and regularly derailed by the set-piece fight sequences which I personally couldn't do and didn't have the time, patience or inclination to master. I admit that this is my shortcoming though and I suspect many other people who play that sort of thing all the time will find them to be easy.

The cultural and historical aspects of it are narrow and cliched - there has obviously been some research made but the outcome is the reduction of the Gaels and Vikings to a cross between Victorian misinterpretation and Netflix style cosplay parody - it would be insulting in a way if one was touchy about such things. There is better research and opinion available on these subjects but it feels like the developers have just googled it or got a Northern Irish chap to read out WIkipedia entries.

Its worth a look, but for each of its selling points, puzzle, fighting, history/culture and even story telling there are better ways to spend your time and better games available.

As to the mental health and psychosis aspect - For me it is an embellishment that covers up the fact that the game is only just adequate. Its a well presented novelty to be sure but not a reason in itself to invest in the game unless you have a serious interest in looking into such matters.

[Bakinda]

If you are playing the game strictly for gameplay mechanics, go play fortnite. This game isnt for you.

This game is for people who want an experience. No different than people who like deep/dark and meaningful movies compared to people who like the generic action flick.

[Secanho]

Originally posted by Bakinda:

If you are playing the game strictly for gameplay mechanics, go play fortnite. This game isnt for you.

This game is for people who want an experience. No different than people who like deep/dark and meaningful movies compared to people who like the generic action flick.

Or want "Anabelle" instead of "Hereditary".
Pew pew pew gamers are sad.