Hellblade II is a masterpiece of technical storytelling, but let’s be clear: it is not a 'game' in the traditional, fun-filled sense. It’s an endurance test. It’s a beautiful, harrowing, and deeply empathetic look at psychosis that will leave you thinking for days, but it’s also full of decapitations and psychological torture.

If you’re an adult looking for a narrative experience that pushes the boundaries of what consoles can do, it’s a must-play. If you’re a parent wondering if your middle-schooler can handle it because they like 'God of War,' the answer is probably no. This is much more intimate, much more disturbing, and has zero interest in being 'fun' for the kids.