Hellblade 2, the highly anticipated game from Ninja Theory, has been confirmed to run at 30fps on Xbox consoles with a dynamic resolution. The game has been built exclusively for Xbox and PC using Unreal Engine 5, showcasing the power of the engine. However, the decision to lock the game at 30fps on console may disappoint some players who were hoping for a smoother experience.
According to German outlet GamePro, the game’s VFX director explained that the decision to lock the game at 30fps was made to offer a “cinematic” experience. The writer of the article noted that due to the slow and weighty gameplay, the lower frame rate wasn’t an issue. However, this follows Bethesda’s Starfield, which was also locked to 30fps on console.
It’s unclear if the need to release the game on the lower-powered Xbox Series S is a factor behind this decision. However, Polygon has described Hellblade 2 as a “tech showcase” due to its use of UE5 and completely motion-capped animation for both performances and combat. The team visited Iceland to map authentic landscapes, built props and costumes to be scanned for hyper-realistic textures, and even used machine learning to create more realistic character animations.
In further news, Polygon noted the absence of Ninja Theory founder and Hellblade writer-director Tameem Antoniades from the studio. An Xbox spokesperson has since confirmed that he is no longer working at the developer, with no further reason given. Antoniades was involved in Hellblade 2 during the early stages of development, but it’s now being led by three creative leads: environment art director Dan Attwell, visual effects director Mark Slater-Tunstill, and audio director David Garcia.
Despite the controversy surrounding the game’s frame rate, fans are still excited for the release of Hellblade 2. The game arrives on 21st May as a digital-only release across Xbox Series X/S and PC, and will be available on Game Pass on day one. With its stunning visuals and innovative use of technology, Hellblade 2 is sure to be a gaming experience unlike any other.
