Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice Not Getting a PS5 Upgrade
An FAQ post reveals that Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice will receive a PC update; however, a PlayStation 5 version is not in the works. This news comes amid Ninja Theory's release of a Hellblade optimization patch for Xbox Series X|S. The update for the Microsoft console let loose DirectX Raytracing, enhanced visuals, Chapter Select options, improved textures, and other performance-based bells and whistles.
On the Xbox Series X, for instance, the Performance Mode can reach up to 1080p at 120fps. The update's Resolution Mode, on the other hand, targets "dynamic up to 4K" at 60 frames per second. Meanwhile, the Enriched gameplay option prioritizes ray tracing by hitting dynamic up to 4K at 30fps, according to a chart on the game's official webpage. These changes should further enhance the already visually impressive experience. Now fans on other platforms are wondering if their preferred version will similarly receive a boost.
In an FAQ post on Hellblade's website, developer Ninja Theory notes the studio behind the title's Switch port, QLOC, helped develop the recently released Xbox Series X|S upgrade. The boost to the experience will eventually migrate to PC and "is currently in development." However, the FAQ post goes on to reveal that "there are no plans to bring this update to any other platform at this time." PlayStation 5 players, then, shouldn't hold out hope for an optimized version of Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice.
Some may find this confusing for at least a couple of reasons. Notably, Hellblade originally came to PlayStation 4 and PC first in August 2017, then made its way to Xbox platforms the following Spring. Microsoft's ownership of developer Ninja Theory could explain the decision, but both DOOM Eternal and The Elder Scrolls Online - IPs now owned by Microsoft - recently received free PS5 upgrades.
It's possible that something else could be holding back a PS5 update, perhaps even on the hardware side of things. As many may recall, the PS5 version of Sniper: Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 was the only iteration that developer CI Games delayed in the lead up to its June release. (The sequel will hit Sony's new console on August 24.) And stability and performance issues meant Biomutant could only run at 1080p on the PS5 at launch. Could similar hiccups lead to Hellblade's lack of native PlayStation 5 support? As of writing, that much remains a mystery.
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is available to play on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.
Source: Hellblade