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BeardyJim (611 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice in Video Games

Nov 2, 2021 (Updated Nov 2, 2021)  
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
2017 | Action/Adventure
Looks amazing (4 more)
Compelling story
Original death mechanic
Gives a psychological insight into how you played the game at the end
Loading screens completely hidden by cutscenes
The death mechanic is brutal (0 more)
A stunning insight into your own psyche
One of my favourite games of recent years, Senua's Sacrifice is a thought provoking insight into your own psyche, while at the same time being a beautiful story about love, death and loss.

The game looks amazing, and there aren't any loading screens, as they're cleverly hidden by cutscenes.

The game has an interesting death mechanic, whereby if Senua dies, an infection gets worse in her arm, spreading all over her body. If you die so often that the infection takes over, your save game is deleted. Harsh, right?

Despite this, the gameplay is beautifully done, and the story really gets your attention throughout.

If you haven't picked this up yet, I urge you to do so, before the sequel comes out.
  
The Sacrifice Box
The Sacrifice Box
Martin Stewart | 2018 | Children, Mystery, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
When a bunch of kids, September “Sep” Hope, Arkle, Mack, Lamb and Hadley discover an ancient stone box, they decide to each sacrifice something important to them to cement their friendship. As they do this they make a pact: never return to the box at night; they’ll never visit it alone; and they’ll never take back their offerings. Break any of these rules and who knows what could happen…

A few years later in 1982, they are thrown together again as things started to go awry and it’s clear someone has opened the box, because terrible things start happening. They try to rectify what they’ve done but nothing, it seems, will work, and like Pandora’s box – once it’s opened all the horror they can think of are released into their lives. And the box wants revenge.

From the very first scenes I was totally hooked. Why were these kids sacrificing objects they loved for this box? What will happen if they disobey the rules? Because you just know someone is going to, right? I was surprised this creepy horror was aimed at young adults, as there are some great, yet gross and even some pretty cruel stories within this book! It’s not for the fainthearted ya readers. That’s for sure.

An entertaining trip back in time, reminiscent of those old 80s films revolving around a bunch of kids having to deal with much more than they bargained for, with dire consequences to contend with if they don’t make a stand. Yes, it does sound rather like Stand by Me, with supernatural elements and for good reason too. I enjoyed it a lot and thought it had a very English, village feel to it. I don’t know whether that was just me, or not, but its the impression I got as I read this.

Overall The Sacrifice Box had a crazy, pacy edge to it, alongside some heartfelt moments with characters which ended up feeling like my friends. An engaging coming of age book about friendship, love and hidden terrifying truths just waiting to resurface.
  
Hostiles (2017)
Hostiles (2017)
2017 | Western
Bring westerns back!
I love Christian Bale and I love westerns, so it is no surprise I found this an immensely entertaining film.

It is hard to believe humanity even survived the relentless, bleak, hostile and morose period in American history when native Americans were hunted down, slaughtered and removed from their land. They became equally brutal in retaliation and defending their property.


When Bale (Capt. Joseph J. Blocker) is ordered to transport a dying Indian Chief and former adversary and his family back to Montana based on his dying wish, Bale reluctantly agrees.


Their journey would be marked with heartache, sacrifice and brutality. Bale and his men come under attack and have to band together to survive.


I have seen few westerns which showcase the brutality of the Old West better than this film. Your heart goes out to the men and women left to survive with very little left in their lives to look forward to. Somehow, they manage to carry on and should be inspiring to the rest of us to do the same.