Entering 2024 on the heels of a remarkable year for video game releases, the current year seemed destined to fall short. However, titles like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Tekken 8, and Helldivers 2 have pleasantly surprised gamers, setting a strong tone for the months ahead. Amidst this excitement, the highly anticipated Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is just a few weeks away, scheduled for release on May 21, 2024.
Continuing the journey into Norse and Celtic mythology, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 promises another intense experience as players once again delve into Senua's psyche. While developer Ninja Theory has been transparent about the game's vision, recent revelations have sparked concern among fans, potentially mirroring the situation faced by Dragon's Dogma 2.
The Debatable Aspects of Hellblade 2 and Dragon's Dogma 2
Unpacking the FPS Debate in Dragon's Dogma 2
Prior to its launch, rumors circulated that Dragon's Dogma 2 would be capped at 30 frames per second on consoles, triggering a wave of discontent among fans. While some hoped this was untrue, others criticized Capcom for restricting a full-priced AAA title to 30 FPS.
In a subsequent interview with Game Informer, director Hideaki Itsuno clarified that Dragon's Dogma 2 aimed for an uncapped framerate on all platforms, although console performance targeted around or above 30 FPS. This revelation sparked varying interpretations, with some anticipating unstable console performance while others hoped for better framerates than initially rumored.
Following its release, Dragon's Dogma 2 generally performs well across platforms, albeit with framerate drops in densely populated areas. While not as severe as feared, the pre-release controversy accentuated these minor performance issues.
Parallels with Hellblade 2's Situation
Recently, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 faced a similar outcry after Ninja Theory confirmed the game's 30 FPS lock on Xbox Series X and S. This decision immediately divided fans, reigniting debates reminiscent of the Dragon's Dogma 2 controversy.
Ninja Theory's environmental art director, Dan Attwell, and VFX director, Mark Slater-Tunstill, defended the choice, asserting that the locked framerate and cinematic aspect ratio were deliberate design elements to enhance the game's visual experience. However, the uncapped framerate in the PC version introduces a contradictory element, clouding the intent behind the game's artistic direction.