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Ninja Theory’s Hellblade is delving deep into mental illness

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Hellblade is delving into mental health

Independent games development sometimes gives big names the freedom to do something they possibly could never achieve with a publisher. Ninja Theory is a big hitter in the AAA scene, but their upcoming, independent former PS4 exclusive is giving them breathing room. While Hellblade certainly looks to be a trademark title from the studio, it’s going to tackle some rather sensitive topics.

You play as Senua – a Celtic warrior who has been mentally traumatised by a horrific viking expedition. Hellblade picks up shortly after, with the almost real manifestation of hell that Senua has to survive coming from the one place she doesn’t have grips over – her mind. Ninja Theory not only wants to tell a compelling story, but also allow Hellblade to actually help those trying to cope with mental illnesses of their own.

They understand the topic is still rather taboo, but made it clear that it’s being approached with the utmost importance and sensitivity. They’ve been working with a professor of neuroscience for reference, as well as collecting stories from people who have had experience with mental health difficulties. All of this care has also sourced the support of the Wellcome Trust – a charity dedicated to the greater public understanding of health and science.

It’s a topic that seems to be wrapped in some trademark hack and slash gameplay – even if this won’t be on the levels of DmC and the like. There’s brief glimpses of gameplay in the game’s E3 trailer, but I do hope there’s more to see at the show next week. Mental health isn’t a topic that’s been properly explored in gaming, but I have to admit that Ninja Theory seem to be onto something special here.

Although, the execution is going to have to be something truly remarkable. Regardless, I’m excited to see where this leads. Hellblade is coming to PS4 and PC.

Last Updated: June 11, 2015

28 Comments

  1. I didn’t give a damn this game before, but colour me intrigued now.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      June 11, 2015 at 09:44

      Indeed!

      Reply

      • Blood Emperor Trevor

        June 11, 2015 at 09:45

        Helps that it’s coming to PC too 😀

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          June 11, 2015 at 09:47

          And XBOX One. Hurhurhur I can haz streaming win10 dx12 clouds

          Reply

          • Pieter Kruger

            June 11, 2015 at 10:01

            You are correct(for once)!!????. MS has basically removed the words “console exclusive” from the Sony vocabulary! Bwhahahahaha! ????

          • Hammersteyn

            June 11, 2015 at 10:08

            Except for the games that doesn’t come to PC, Like Infamous, Killzone, Bloodbourne(which you said was coming to PC), God of War, Rachet and Clank, Resogun, Uncharted, TLOU etc. Plus if you own a PC why the hell would you play on console???

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            June 11, 2015 at 10:19

            Because streaming from the PC to the Xbox gives you something to do with it? 😉

          • Pieter Kruger

            June 11, 2015 at 10:21

            Because streaming from the PS4 to the Vita gives you something to do with it? 😉

          • Hammersteyn

            June 11, 2015 at 10:35

            lol

          • Pieter Kruger

            June 11, 2015 at 10:19

            Those games are all exclusives, not console exclusives (yeah I know the lingo stinks but you have the ponies to thank for that too because they phrased it remember?). I have a PC, grew up on PC gaming but prefer console, easy as that!

  2. Hammersteyn

    June 11, 2015 at 09:43

    O_o what is this? I want to know more!

    Reply

    • Ir0nseraph

      June 11, 2015 at 09:48

      I can understand your interest in hellblade, you actually think you might just understand the minds of some of those crazy’s you date 😛

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        June 11, 2015 at 09:49

        It’s like they put my ex in a game

        Reply

        • Ir0nseraph

          June 11, 2015 at 09:50

          XD

          Reply

        • Blood Emperor Trevor

          June 11, 2015 at 09:50

          You also dated Diablo?

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            June 11, 2015 at 09:51

            More like Diablos mum

  3. Admiral Chief's Adventure

    June 11, 2015 at 09:47

    Interesting combat angle, close, to the side

    Reply

  4. Loftus

    June 11, 2015 at 09:49

    My body is ready! My mind is re…damn it mind come back here. o well , yeah i am excited for this.

    Reply

  5. Spathi

    June 11, 2015 at 09:52

    Wow…

    Reply

  6. oVg

    June 11, 2015 at 09:57

    lol I came across 2 Pulp Fiction references in the Withcer last night.

    Bring out the Gimp…

    Zeds dead…

    LOVING THE GAME. To think it only cost them $32 million to make and $35 million on marketing. They made over $200 million in profit in 2 weeks. KUDOS to the gamers for knowing their shit.

    http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2015/06/10/the-witcher-3-is-the-standard-to-which-new-aaa-releases-should-be-held/

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief's Adventure

      June 11, 2015 at 10:03

      +1

      Reply

      • Sageville

        June 11, 2015 at 10:24

        “$32 million to make” – Wow, this is impressive remembering $50 million spent of GOW ascension, which is probably a 10th of the size.

        Reply

  7. Nikola

    June 11, 2015 at 13:19

    Sure “Gameplay” trailer….

    Reply

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