
Xbox exclusive with best graphics ever is getting enhanced on PS5 Pro
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 is the latest first party Xbox game to come to the PS5 and this time a special effort is being made with its already excellent graphics.
The annoucement of previously exclusive Xbox games coming to PlayStation 5 is becoming increasingly commonplace but so far none of them have been anything more than straightforward ports, with no enhancements or additions beyond DualSense support.
A PlayStation 5 version of Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 was rumoured earlier in the year (along with an already confirmed version of Gears Of War) but according to Microsoft it will be optimised for both the standard PlayStation 5 and the more powerful PS5 Pro.
They're currently being vague as to what difference this will make but it will coincide with a free update for Xbox Series X/S and PC that will add new features to all versions of the game.
As we explored in our original review, Hellblade 2 isn't a very good video game, but it does have perhaps the best graphics ever seen in a console title, at least in terms of photorealism.
Things can always be improved though, especially with the benefit of hindsight, and the PS5 Pro is the most powerful console ever made, even if its abilities haven't really been stretched so far.
Unfortunately, the annoucement of Hellblade 2 for PlayStation 5 is vague across the board, with the release date confirmed only as sometime this summer.
That means It will likely appear as part of the Xbox summer showcase, on June 8, although that's not entirely guaranteed as Microsoft continues to be very reticent about talking about multiformat releases in public.
Not only that but the pretence of supporting the Switch 2 has so far added up to nothing at all and Hellblade 2 is also not coming to Nintendo's new console, although in this case it is unlikely the Switch 2 could handle the game and have it look anywhere near as good as the Xbox version. More Trending
That said, the original Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice was released on both PlayStation 4 and Switch, before Microsoft bought developer Ninja Theory in 2018.
As the developers point out on their website, the studio got its first big break working on PlayStation 3 exclusive Heavenly Sword, back in 2007.
There had been some concern that Hellblade 2 had performed poorly on Xbox and PC, in terms of sales and Game Pass usage, and that it might put Ninja Theory at risk of being shut down.
But not only are they working on a horror project codenamed Project: Mara, they're also helping out with Microsoft's attempts to use generative AI in video games.
Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter.
To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.
For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.
MORE: Cyberpunk 2077 sequel will feature at least two cities says franchise creator
MORE: Fortnite mobile still not available in UK despite return to US App Store
MORE: Next gen Xbox could remove backwards compatibility and add PS5 games says report
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


North Wales Live
15 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Review: Meet the game controller with a focus on floral patterns and funky lights
We live in a world where tech doesn't just have to be brilliant, it also needs to look good. Game controllers are just one of the things that need to look good as well as do the job for the gamer. GameSir is a specialist in controllers for PC, Android, Xbox and Switch devices and has released a wide array of products in this marketplace. Its latest is the T7 Pro Floral Wired Controller for the Xbox which has a very obvious standout pattern that makes it really eye-catching. I'll be honest on two fronts, flowery games controllers and a wired device would not normally be my go-to choice, but there is a lot to like here. Let's look at the visuals first, the design is funky and coats the front with a subtle light blue, turquoise design that actually really does look very smart. The semi-transparent casing of the controller looks superb with the RGB lighting included providing a stunning effect. In short, it looks absolutely brilliant, it's a crafted piece of kit that is designed to impress. GameSir know what it is doing with these controllers too and this is packed with the best tech you need for a solid gaming experience. With Hall Effect Trigger systems giving the smoothest of experiences, gameplay is highly responsive and rewarding. Vibration comes from rumble motors in the grips and triggers. The Nexus app is the place to go for customising buttons and changing the responsiveness. It adds to the mix and gives control for gamers to enjoy the controller to suit their needs. As I say, I'm not a fan of wired controllers, mainly because I'm used to wireless devices these days, but after a while I didn't mind. It's a really good responsive experience. I like the GameSir range and have had a good experience with its controllers, and the fact that this also looks so sharp is a bonus. What users say Jennifer Young: "The GameSir T7 Pro Floral takes the original and adds 2 back buttons and some 2-step trigger stops, and on the whole, it does feel a lot better quality build than the T7. The Floral design gave me the impression it would be a little flimsier, but it's a sturdy piece of kit." Scott Webster: "The most obvious update here is aesthetic: a floral-patterned matte shell paired with a semi-transparent finish and dynamic RGB lighting. It's the kind of controller that looks just as at home in a curated setup as it does in the heat of battle. But underneath that glow is a full-featured wired controller built for responsive, accurate play." Alternatives


Wales Online
15 hours ago
- Wales Online
Review: Meet the game controller with a focus on floral patterns and funky lights
Review: Meet the game controller with a focus on floral patterns and funky lights GameSir have released perhaps their boldest creationr to date - the T7 Pro Floral Wired Controller T7 Pro Floral Wired Controller We live in a world where tech doesn't just have to be brilliant, it also needs to look good. Game controllers are just one of the things that need to look good as well as do the job for the gamer. GameSir is a specialist in controllers for PC, Android, Xbox and Switch devices and has released a wide array of products in this marketplace. Its latest is the T7 Pro Floral Wired Controller for the Xbox which has a very obvious standout pattern that makes it really eye-catching. I'll be honest on two fronts, flowery games controllers and a wired device would not normally be my go-to choice, but there is a lot to like here. Let's look at the visuals first, the design is funky and coats the front with a subtle light blue, turquoise design that actually really does look very smart. The semi-transparent casing of the controller looks superb with the RGB lighting included providing a stunning effect. In short, it looks absolutely brilliant, it's a crafted piece of kit that is designed to impress. GameSir know what it is doing with these controllers too and this is packed with the best tech you need for a solid gaming experience. With Hall Effect Trigger systems giving the smoothest of experiences, gameplay is highly responsive and rewarding. Vibration comes from rumble motors in the grips and triggers. The Nexus app is the place to go for customising buttons and changing the responsiveness. It adds to the mix and gives control for gamers to enjoy the controller to suit their needs. As I say, I'm not a fan of wired controllers, mainly because I'm used to wireless devices these days, but after a while I didn't mind. It's a really good responsive experience. I like the GameSir range and have had a good experience with its controllers, and the fact that this also looks so sharp is a bonus. The GameSir T7 Pro Floral Wired Controller for Xbox is available for £49.99 via the GameSir website. What users say Jennifer Young: "The GameSir T7 Pro Floral takes the original and adds 2 back buttons and some 2-step trigger stops, and on the whole, it does feel a lot better quality build than the T7. The Floral design gave me the impression it would be a little flimsier, but it's a sturdy piece of kit." Scott Webster: "The most obvious update here is aesthetic: a floral-patterned matte shell paired with a semi-transparent finish and dynamic RGB lighting. It's the kind of controller that looks just as at home in a curated setup as it does in the heat of battle. But underneath that glow is a full-featured wired controller built for responsive, accurate play." Alternatives Article continues below Razer Wolverine V2 Power A Wired controller


Metro
16 hours ago
- Metro
I bought GTA 5 for the third time and it's still one of the best games ever
A reader reveals how the wait for GTA 6 led him to buy GTA 5 for the PS5, as he insists the 12-year-old game is still the best entry in the series so far. I love Grand Theft Auto. I'm in my fifties now and I don't often play video games anymore. If I have any spare time, I prefer to watch decent films or well scripted television series, like Succession. Video games require effort and physical interaction and I'm not really up for that after a week at work. Up until this year, due to my overall gaming lapse, I'd resisted upgrading to the current generation of consoles, but I've now purchased a PlayStation 5 for one reason alone. I have to play Grand Theft Auto 6. It's like an overpowering urge akin to when you're ravenous and you see a big tasty-looking cake. You want that cake. There's no debate in your head. That cake must find its way into your mouth. That's how I feel about Grand Theft Auto 6. When the new Grand Theft Auto game was delayed until next year I was utterly heartbroken, especially since I bought a new console for the sole purpose of playing it. The current instalment in the franchise, Grand Theft Auto 5, is relatively cheap at the moment (about 15 quid) and the old/current game began to look quite appealing to me as a stopgap until I could play the new game, but I held back from buying GTA 5 because I already own two copies on other formats. How could I possibly justify buying and playing Grand Theft Auto 5 again? Years ago, I bought and played GTA 5 extensively on the PlayStation 3. I purchased the game a second time on the Xbox One. In that enhanced version of the game there were notable improvements. Mainly, I'm thinking about first person view being an option in every vehicle. Grand Theft Auto 5 on PlayStation 5 seemed so unnecessary to me. Apparently the PlayStation 5 version wasn't much of an improvement, and wouldn't it be better and more adventurous to branch out and play something else? But then, as I've mentioned above, GTA 6 got delayed and I needed to satisfy my hunger for the franchise, and so I found myself buying the same game a third time. After this purchase I rather regretted surrendering to my urges, that is until I installed Grand Theft Auto 5 and actually started playing it. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. From my hands-on experience of the PlayStation 5 version, I have to say that Grand Theft Auto 5 is still a right laugh and in many respects I think it might be the best entry in the series. The missions in 5 are a major improvement on the previous games, in that they're fun and often spectacular. All too often in the other games, some of the missions regressed into becoming a major chore. That remote control helicopter mission in the multi-story carpark in Vice City sticks in my head as a serious blight in an otherwise enjoyable experience. Grand Theft Auto 5 is far more accommodating. If you keep failing the game offers you a chance to skip a mission, which is probably sacrilege to hardcore gamers but I think a bit of all-abilities inclusion is an excellent idea. I'm still barely into my latest playthrough and already rescuing Michael's son from his hijacked boat was/is so cool. You're chasing down a stolen yacht that's being towed in a trailer. Franklin jumps onto the yacht while it's in motion and you have to then catch him and Michael's dangling son. Brilliant stuff. I can't immediately remember missions with that kind of scope in the earlier games. I also love the random incidents that occur throughout the map while you play. After you've darted over to intervene in a theft, in true Grand Theft Auto style you can either give the money back to its rightful owner or keep it for yourself. The Strangers and Freaks side missions are a great addition too. Grand Theft Auto 5 offers a multitude of tempting distractions, other than simply running amok until the police take you down, which although fun can become a rather aimless and morally troubling activity. On this latest playthrough of GTA 5 I've only noticed a couple of downsides. I've been forced to remember how much I hated Franklin's mate Lamar. Just a horrible, moaning character with dialogue that's littered with offensive expletives. I punched Lamar and ran him over and that provided marginal relief but, yes, I still hate him. And the character models in general look a bit crusty and old, which is perfectly understandable given the age of the game itself. And if I'm honest the only improvement in the PlayStation 5 version is that the game loads slightly faster and maybe the environments look marginally better… so was it worth buying the game yet again? More Trending I have to say yes. Playing Grand Theft Auto 5 is still a joy and I'd recommend readers giving the game another go given its cheap price. In my opinion, no other game offers such a multifaceted and amusingly detailed experience. Listening to Cara Delevingne on Non-Stop-Pop FM. Stealing a flashy sports car and then gunning it for miles across the brilliantly realised map. Grand Theft Auto 5 really is the gift that keeps on giving, that is until Grand Theft Auto 6 finally comes out. By reader Michael Veal (@msv858) The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@ or use our Submit Stuff page and you won't need to send an email. MORE: We have to accept the Nintendo Switch 2 is not for hardcore gamers - Reader's Feature MORE: The 90s and 2000s were the best time for video game creativity – Reader's Feature MORE: I'm going to say it: Mario Kart World is not as good as it should be – Reader's Feature