Feb 20, 2025
HELLBLADE: SENUA'S SACRIFICE (2017) dev. Ninja Theory
HELLBLADE: SENUA'S SACRIFICE (2017) dev. Ninja Theory
My fictional crushes but it gets a little odd the longer you look at it
For me, the best gameplay and narrative tool is when devs literally lie to your face and make you nervous. Here are some examples (spoilers, of course):
Amnesia: The Dark Descent: Never look at monsters! Otherwise, they'll notice you and attack. (Actually, they didn't implement this mechanic and just wanted to make you even more afraid (although technically, your sanity drops when you look at them, which makes you fall, making it easier for monsters to catch you.))
Pathologic: Never use shmowder on characters! You'll kill the plague in their bodies, but you'll also kill their organs, and even if they survive, they'll dream of the peace of death after such pain. (In reality, nothing will happen to them, everything is fine, and yes, you could have saved them, If you had used shmowder, now live with the guilt)
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice: my favorite example, though I don't know if the sequel has something similar. The game's main gimmick is that if you die too many times, the curse-infection on Senua's hand will reach her head and kill her (all saves are deleted, and you have to start the game again). But no, there's no such mechanic; the devs just want you to worry about Senua even more (which isn't necessary; she's already a character you just want to hug and protect from all the nightmares that come her way)
"This is the price she pays for seeing things differently. Because once you gaze into the relentless darkness, all that lurks within it can see you too."
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
HELLBLADE: SENUA'S SACRIFICE (∞)
just.. dropping this here, it ain't mine
Artist: Joao Bragato
If I had a nickel for every indie video game set in the past about a young woman with psychosis from a Arctic civilization who goes on a harrowing journey of self-discovery while contending with her religious beliefs
I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.
Love Xbox's strategy of buying promising studios, having them make maybe one game for them, and then unceremoniously shutting them down a couple years later. This is a wonderful thing and so good. Thank you xbox 👏👏👏