Hellblade 2 gives players a glimpse into living with mental illness. Key points:
- The game “Hellblade 2” lets players experience voices and visions like someone with psychosis
- The main character, Senua is played by Melina Juergens, who had her own experiences with psychosis
- Juergens says portraying Senua felt therapeutic, and she hopes the game reduces the stigma around mental illness
Do you ever wonder what it’s like to hear voices that aren’t there? The new video game “Hellblade 2” gives players a glimpse into that experience. Want to learn more?
The Actress Who Became Senua
Melina Juergens is the actress who plays the starring role of Senua in “Hellblade 2.” In her early 20s, Juergens went through a period of psychosis herself. She explained, “I was hearing whispers, and I could see dead people…it was a time of pure terror.”
Because of her own mental health experiences, Juergens felt deeply connected to the character of Senua right away. “I knew the character so well; I knew what she was going through. I could relate to her so much,” she said.
To capture Senua’s reality on screen, the game developers at Ninja Theory worked to recreate the experience of psychosis for players. While playing, you’ll hear voices around you, almost like a real person speaking. Visions and beliefs that don’t align with reality are woven into the gameplay.
Bringing Senua’s Story to Life
For “Hellblade 2,” the developers wanted to push for even more realism in portraying Senua’s journey. They hired a costume designer to create handmade outfits meticulously using authentic historical techniques.
Juergens described the strange experience of first seeing herself in Senua’s full costume: “It was almost hard to tell if it was me or the in-game version of Senua.”
Filming for the new game also involved bigger sets, more actors, and new challenges for Juergens. “The challenge was to still engage with the voices while at the same time engaging with other characters,” she explained.
Starting Important Conversations
The first “Hellblade” game made a major impact in raising awareness around mental health conditions like psychosis. The developers hope the new game will continue that impact.
“We managed to get rid of the stigma around mental health and spark conversations about it,” said Juergens. I’m just hoping for the same kind of reactionโthat people feel seen and heard.”
Ninja Theory studio head Dominic Matthews agreed, saying, “I think there’s a responsibility in the games industry to [use games] as a vehicle for telling stories and changing perceptions.”
Do you think playing a game that simulates the experience of psychosis could help increase understanding and compassion? The “Hellblade 2” developers hope their work can make a difference.
The screenshot is taken from – polygon.com
