Summary
From accessibility options to story progression, boxes need convincing ticking to gain traction with gamers, and satisfying an audience only gets tougher as a franchise becomes mainstream. For instance,God of War Ragnarokseemed to be heading down the road of ending Kratos' long-running saga, potentially flipping the series' chapter to theadventures of AtreusafterGod of War 2018hinted at the Ghost of Sparta’s demise. However, the iconic hero surprisingly lived throughRagnarok’s events in what some would call an anticlimax. Similarly,Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrificeset the stage for Senua’s death, and although pulling the trigger to kill off the face of a franchise is never easy,Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2should take the leap of faith.
All good things must eventually come to an end, and picking the right moment to cut a popular storyline short is one of the most difficult decisions any franchise has to face. There’s the age-old argument in media of a year early versus a year late, and examples of TV series likePrison Breakhave led many to prefer the former. In the case ofGod of War Ragnarok, Santa Monica seemed geared up to give Kratos a befitting send-off with a grand losing battle against fate. Instead, the developer opted for a philosophical ending, and the pivot to preserve his character for another potential appearance in the series madeRagnaroklose some of its shine for some fans. AsHellblade 2prepares to tackle Iceland, Senua should embrace her somber role to give the saga a meaningful ending.
Hellblade 2 Needs to Tow a Different Line from God of War Ragnarok
God of War Ragnarokboasted several superlatives, packed with an intense storyline of the ruthless-turned-wizened Kratos, earning it worldwide fame and a host of wins at the Game Awards back in 2022. However, as with all games, there were areas where fans wanted more plot-shattering action, and Kratos' survival was a point of contention among players.
God of War Ragnarok’s Plot Pivot Hurt Its Story
The main reason for this sentiment wasKratos' flashback conversations with Faye, Atreus' mother, which were centered around death. Santa Monica chose the safer option of maintaining Kratos' persona, avoiding the narrative complex of killing the God of War at the risk of reducing the impact of Faye’s dialogues in the grand scheme of things.
While the reasoning behind Kratos' survival is understandable, killing off main characters at the right time can yield far more benefits for a franchise than keeping them around for sentimentality. A look atGame of Thrones' treatment of Ned and Robb Stark and the subsequent swelling of the fan base provides a formula forHellblade 2to apply.Senua’s Sacrificewas predicated on thePermadeathand the spread of the dark rot up Senua’s arm, culminating in the corruption reaching her head by the final battle with Hela, and the ending is akin toGod of War Ragnarok’s plot pivot.
Hellblade 2 Needs to Bite the Bullet With Senua
Senua’s death is almost taken as a given inSenua’s Sacrificedue to her fear of her psychosis, and after the initial depiction of her succumbing to Hela’s ruthless onslaught in the endgame, many expected the heroine’s story to end tragically. However, Ninja Theory put a spin on her tale, showing Senua letting go of her grief for Dillion and overcoming her mental struggles. There’s a parallel to be drawn between Senua’s redemption and Kratos' character evolution inRagnarok, but withHellblade 2on the horizon, the developer should bite the bullet and give Senua a reunion with her lover.
Despite her healing ending inSenua’s Sacrifice, Senua’s psychosis will still play an instrumental role inHellblade 2’s story. Although Ninja Theory has admirably handled mental health problems through her struggles, the heroine needs an ending that encapsulates her tale. Kratos living on inRagnarokmay have left a hole inGod of War’s plot, andHellblade 2should go the opposite direction with Senua.
