Hellblade: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, the highly anticipated sequel to Ninja Theory’s critically acclaimed Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, has seemingly underperformed commercially despite positive reviews. While official sales figures remain undisclosed, available data suggests a disappointing outcome, potentially attributed to the game’s Xbox exclusivity. Industry insider Jez Corden claims Xbox now recognizes this exclusivity as a strategic misstep, tweeting, “I heard they consider Hellblade exclusivity a mistake.”
This statement arises amidst discussions regarding Xbox Game Studios’ seemingly inconsistent approach to platform exclusivity. While titles like The Outer Worlds 2 and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny embrace multi-platform releases, others like South of Midnight (Compulsion Games) and Avowed (Obsidian Entertainment) remain exclusive to Xbox consoles. This raises questions about Microsoft’s long-term strategy for its gaming portfolio.
hellblade-2-photo-mode.jpgHellblade 2 showcases impressive technical capabilities on Xbox Series X|S.
2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for Xbox. While previous comments from Phil Spencer about Xbox potentially “exiting the gaming market” by 2029 sparked concern, the company remains committed to its gaming division. Xbox is heavily invested in the continued growth of Game Pass, with both blockbuster titles like Avowed and Indiana Jones and technically ambitious projects like Hellblade 2 playing key roles in this strategy. This suggests Ninja Theory is unlikely to face significant repercussions for the game’s lower-than-expected sales.
Reinforcing this notion, Corden previously reported that Microsoft greenlit Ninja Theory’s next project in May 2024. This unannounced game, distinct from the previously revealed Project Mara, is reportedly in early development. While details remain scarce, Corden’s track record lends credibility to these claims. This news offers reassurance to fans of both Hellblade and Ninja Theory.
Xbox has consistently showcased Hellblade 2 throughout its development, positioning it as a flagship title demonstrating the platform’s technical prowess and creative potential. However, Ninja Theory’s portfolio extends beyond the Hellblade franchise, encompassing titles like Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, DmC: Devil May Cry, and Heavenly Sword. While these games achieved varying degrees of commercial and critical success, they contributed significantly to the hack-and-slash genre. Preserving the studio remains crucial for the gaming industry, especially given the numerous studio closures witnessed in recent years.
