Xbox revives a beloved title to challenge God of War.

In a surprising reveal during the Xbox Games Showcase, Ninja Theory unveiled the next installment in the Hellblade series, simply titled Senua, set to launch next year on both Xbox and PlayStation consoles.

While Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 leaned heavily into cinematic storytelling, sometimes at the expense of gameplay, the new Senua reveal trailer showcases a shift towards a more action-oriented experience. Players can expect a blend of stealth and combat with a variety of weapons, all while maintaining impressive cinematography and visuals. This could position the Hellblade franchise as a strong contender in the action-adventure genre.

Following the reveal, Ninja Theory’s Dom Matthews elaborated on the game, describing Senua as “an out-and-out action-adventure” that offers players greater agency and enhanced gameplay. He acknowledged the feedback regarding the previous game’s lack of meaningful gameplay and emphasized their commitment to addressing this in the upcoming title while preserving the polished presentation fans appreciated.

Although the game remains linear, it promises a more expansive world for players to explore, featuring additional traversal mechanics reminiscent of Uncharted, along with a broader array of weapons and focus abilities for Senua in combat.

Matthews also explained the decision to drop the “Hellblade 3” title, stating it reflects the fresh and distinct gameplay experience this new entry offers. He noted that while the first two games had a specific intention, this installment aims to build upon that foundation by incorporating elements expected from a premium action-adventure game.

Unlike Gears of War: E-Day, which will be an Xbox console exclusive, Senua will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2027. As with all first-party Xbox titles, it will be included in the Game Pass Ultimate catalog from day one.