It is often a minor controversy whenever a new AAA game comes out and is capped at 30 frames per second. However, visual effects director Mark Slater-Tunstill says there is a good reason that Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 is locked at 30 FPS on Xbox Series X/S.
Hellblade 2 has great graphics, low frame rate
German publication GamePro recently described Hellblade 2 with the phrase, “Current-gen graphics and last-gen frame rate.” While PC users can increase the frame rate if they want, it’s locked at 30 FPS on Xbox Series X/S. However, as Slater-Tunstill explained, the lower frame rate helps the game look “more cinematic.”
Most films, TV, and online videos broadcast at 24 frames per second, so the idea that a 30 FPS game will look more like a movie makes some sense. In its preview of Hellblade 2, GamePro also said the slow, weighty combat felt fine at the lower frame rate. They praised the game’s high-fidelity graphics and moody atmosphere. Hopefully, fans will feel the same.
Hellblade 2 begins shortly after its predecessor, with Senua having made peace with her lover Dillion’s death. While the voices in her head aren’t any less chatty, she’s a bit more optimistic than in the original game. However, the game’s horror atmosphere hasn’t gone anywhere. Senua’s psychosis remains an essential part of that, making players question reality as they explore early medieval Iceland.
Ninja Theory’s Senua’s Saga: Hellbalde 2 launches for PC and Xbox Series X/S on May 21st.
