Summary
- According to Xbox insider Jez Corden, Microsoft considers Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga exclusivity a “mistake”.
- Despite the first game being a timed PS4 exclusive, the sequel only launched on Xbox and PC.
- Reports surfaced earlier this year that Microsoft was considering a PS5 port, but there’s been no word as of yet.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice originally launched as a timed PS4 exclusive, arriving on Xbox a year later. But bizzarely, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 didn’t launch on PlayStation day one, and there’s been no official word on whether it’ll ever come to the platform.
That’s because Xbox acquired developer Ninja Theory in 2018, folding Hellblade into its exclusives catalogue. However, this appears to have backfired, as insider Jez Corden claims he “heard [Microsoft] consider Hellblade exclusivity a mistake” (as reported by Push Square).
It’s a throwaway tweet, so take it with a grain of salt. But it’s worth noting that The Verge reported in May — prior to it even releasing — that Microsoft was considering a PS5 port amidst worries over its performance.
Hellblade 2 ultimately didn’t sell well, likely due to a mix of exclusivity and launching day one on Game Pass. But even on the subscription service, it only ranked 12th, putting it behind Fallout 76 (as reported by IGN). Sales-wise, it ranked 37th in its release month, making it the 21st most-played game on Xbox Series consoles.
Xbox’s Exclusive Strategy Is Clearly Changing
Last month, Xbox head Phil Spencer said that there are no “red lines” around exclusives anymore. Anything could launch on PS5 going forward. We’re already seeing this with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle which will launch on Sony’s platform next year.
It was also revealed during The Game Awards that The Outer Worlds 2, from developer Obsidian Entertainment, will also be launching on PS5 next year. It truly looks like, as Corden said, the age of Xbox exclusives is coming to a close.
Following her trials and tribulations in her debut game, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 sees the titular protagonist again have to battle the darkness in order to liberate others from a tyrannical regime.