History VideoGame / HellbladeSenuasSacrifice

* DarkFantasy: ''VideoGame/HellbladeSenuasSacrifice'' is an interesting case, often [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane blurring the line]] between DarkFantasy and PsychologicalHorror. Based upon [[Myth/CelticMythology Celtic]] and Myth/NorseMythology, the titular [[TheOphelia Senua]] journeys into the the depths of Helheim to bargain for her dead lover's life back. In the argument for Maybe Magic, TheCorruption is a very real presence in the story, having plenty of nightmarish takes on existent (and [[SadlyMythtaken non-existent]]) Norse gods and demons, and featuring a descent into the darkness while on TheQuest to save her loved one. In the argument of Maybe Mundane, however, it's basically confirmed that Senua is a schizophrenic who was deeply traumatized by a Viking raid on her home settlement, killing her lover and most of her family, so it's ambiguous [[YourMindMakesItReal how much of it is in her head or not]].

* AerithAndBob: Actual Celtic names (Findan, Drúth) and plausible corruptions of Celtic names like Dillion (derived from Dyllanw) and Senua (an erroneous spelling of Senuna) exist in the same society as the fictional "Galena" and the aggressively fictional ''Zynbel'', which contains letters and sounds found in no Celtic language.

* ForcedPerspective: The rune puzzles work this way. From the correct angle, some background objects align so to form certain runes, which you have to focus on to open the door. The Valravn puzzles are similar, but instead of background objects, there are shining fragments hanging in the air, and you have to find the right perspective for them to form Valravn's sigil.

* CentralTheme: [[spoiler: Overcoming grief]], though it doesn't become apparent until near the end. While the game leaves it somewhat ambiguous as to how much of it is real and how much is in Senua's head, it is strongly implied that much of what she hallucinates are manifestations of [[spoiler:her grief and trauma after being abused by her father, shamed by her tribe because of her illness, and witnessing the deaths of Dillion and her mother--the only two people who ever showed her love and affection]]. Her repressed memories of [[spoiler:her mother's death and quest to revive Dillion]] are rooted in her inability to cope with trauma; the enemies she fights and the nightmarish sequences she encounters are metaphorical representations of her denial. By the end of the game, [[spoiler:she finally gives up fighting ([[GameplayAndStoryIntegration literally and metaphorically]]) and lets go of Dillion's skull; accepting that she will never get him back. Only by coming to terms with her grief and accepting her condition is she able to confront her inner demons and move on]]. As the saying goes: "the greatest battles are fought in the mind."

A sequel, ''VideoGame/SenuasSagaHellbladeII'' was [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvKQ7eTGXns announced]] during the VGA Awards on December 12, 2019. A [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoQwnKgWYBw gameplay demo]] was released a year later, with a later [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVue2UHNAkE game overview]], released for Xbox Developer Direct 2024, setting the game's release for May 21, 2024 for Platform/XboxSeriesXandS and PC.

It was released on August 8, 2017 for the UsefulNotes/{{Playstation 4}} and PC. An UsefulNotes/XboxOne release was later set for April 11, 2018, and a UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch released on April 11, 2019. As well, a virtual reality edition was released on July 31st, available on Steam and compatible with virtually any PC-based VR headset.

Initially digital-only, a physical copy of the [=PS4=] and Xbox One versions was released on December 4, 2018. An UsefulNotes/XboxSeriesXAndS version was released on August 9, 2021, a free upgrade to those who already purchased the Xbox One version.

A sequel, ''VideoGame/SenuasSagaHellbladeII'' was announced during the VGA Awards on December 12, 2019, for the Xbox Series X. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvKQ7eTGXns Watch it here]]. A gameplay demo was released a year later and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoQwnKgWYBw can be viewed here]].

A sequel, ''Senua's Saga: Hellblade II'' was announced during the VGA Awards on December 12, 2019, for the Xbox Series X. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvKQ7eTGXns Watch it here]]. A gameplay demo was released a year later and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoQwnKgWYBw can be viewed here]].

* OhCrapFakeout: Subverted [[spoiler: Suring the finale Senua claims to give up on restoring Dillian, before breaking into laughter and saying "Is ''that'' what you want me to say?". However, as it slowly becomes clear that she actually can't bring him back, she goes into a very real mental breakdown.]]

** One of the "trials" (which is revealed to be a {{Flashback}}) shows Dillion talking to her during one of her episodes. She imagines she's in a dark house with monsters chasing her. In reality, she's lying in bed while he's talking to her. He states that she's "gone" during this time, but then she states that he "brought her back". It's very likely that the majority of the game is a mixture of {{Flashback}} and ImagineSpot (with psychotic episodes taking the place of imagination).

A sequel, ''Senua's Saga: Hellblade II'' was announced during the VGA Awards on December 12, 2019, for the Xbox Series X. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvKQ7eTGXns Watch it here]].