While at first believed to be a PS4 exclusive, Ninja Theory’s Hellblade has been announced for a PC release as well.
In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Creative Chief and Ninja Theory co-founder Tameem Antoniades acknowledged that PC offered a greater level of freedom:
“We’re looking at everything we do on this project and figuring out better ways of doing things compared to how the traditional AAA console model works. And consoles are following suit with PC, but I think they’re years behind what things like Steam are doing. If we want to do an open beta right now, it’s a little bit trickier to do that than on PC.
Playtesting is a huge thing for us. Usability testing, getting people hands-on to try things out, get feedback, then roll that back in and improve the game… it’s always been essential for us to do that. Not every publisher has let us, because of the secrecy that goes into consoles and publisher-based businesses. As an independent we have the freedom to do that.”
The studio is seeking to make the game sustainable on PC by possibly including 4K resolution and mod support.
What is Hellblade?
Ninja Theory, the same developer responsible for Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, Heavenly Sword, and DmC: Devil May Cry prides itself on uniting combat, character stories, and a unique artistic vision and plans to bring all three elements to Hellblade.
Hellblade will feature a female protagonist, Senua, who Tameem has describes as a character of “intense realism, beauty, anger, and history.”
Hellblade will feature a female protagonist, Senua, who Tameem has describes as a character of “intense realism, beauty, anger, and history.”
While in-depth details about the game are scarce, the development diaries reveal that the game takes place in Helheim, the underworld of Norse mythology, and is inspired by Celtic and Norse history and traditions.
In-game combat is focused around a “hardcore battle system, one that is entirely skill-based” in which controls are intended to be fast and simple yet maintain “endless nuance” in the way you play the game.
Although Hellblade is still in development, it is already shaping up to be a unique game worth watching.
