Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice Next-Gen Upgrade Skipping PS5

One of the best games I ever played. Socks that the sequel won't be in ps5.

I feel like... Ok. Never intended to get back to this title anyway)

Disappointing but expected

I purchased this game on Steam at release purely to support the independent developer.
Now I don't play on PC anymore and Ninja Theory is no longer independent.
Moving on.

To be fair, Ninja Theory are a significantly smaller studio than ones under Zenimax, with a sequel also in active development. I’m sure it could have been outsourced but Ninja Theory themselves have a lot on their plate.

Played it, didn't care for it, won't go back. Not unexpected that they would focus on their console and their long in development sequel.

@AdamNovice But Sony only made an exclusive with them (Sony got the IP and all the technology developed for the game, this is not something very supportive if you ask me) and Hellblade that was timed exclusive, the first game of Ninja Theory was on Xbox (original) exclusive.

@nessisonett The update was made by a team called QLOC, who did the Nintendo Switch port.

I bought it some time ago on sale, started it, gave up and deleted it... I realise there are meaningful themes here, but as a game it seemed so clunky.

@LiamCroft Makes sense. Seems unlikely that Ninja Theory themselves had any say in this then.

Got the platinum on PS4. Shame I'll probably never play the upcoming sequel but at the end of the day XBox needs those exclusives.

@The_New_Butler doom eternal. And thanks for the policing of the comments section, PushSquare. Love you too.

So no Next Gen upgrade on Switch either? /s

I think that Psychonauts 2 is also not getting a native PS5 version so that's two MS games that aren't being upgraded. Shame but I can understand why they would want the Xbox version to look / play better.

Played, platinumed. Felt the game was wayyy overated and never planned on going back to it anyway, so no biggie.

My biggest regret was that Ninja Theory were never able to get that sequel to the sublime Enslaved Journey to the West off the ground. I adored that game. Maybe under Microsoft, it will finally happen.

@Rob_230 You're a man of taste Rob, I'd love an Enslaved sequel.

@Rob_230 Enslaved was so good. The ending was very eye opening. I love how the built in the anxiety and paranoia into the atmosphere in Hell Blade. I got to get farther though.

Not surprised, but oh well.

Never cared for this game or this studio so no skin off my back

I wonder how much of an upgrade the Series S version will get, its on Game Pass so i shell find out soon.

Gorgeous, unique game anyway and worth a look if you haven't yet played it.

If Insomniac comes out with a Sunset Overdrive Remaster, should I expect to play it on my Xbox then?

I only got through a portion of the game originally so I'll have to try and give it a crack now with its enhancements.

It is what it is, but they are now a Microsoft owned studio and can do what they want with it. Personally I don't think we're seeing anything we wouldn't be seeing with Sony.

Sony can't be bothered to updated their own games (horizon ZD) for PS5 and you guys want Microsoft to do it. I really enjoyed Senua, nice effort from Ninja Theory. To bad they got bought by Microsoft. I hope all the best for this studio under the Microsoft mantle.

I think it's quite petty to skip providing upgrades on already released games. I fully understand new games from the studio skipping PlayStation but this just leaves a sour taste to PS owners. It's not like this game is a selling point for MS anyway, the sequel is.

If MS was smart, they would have given the upgrade to PS5 owners and used it to lure them for the sequel.

Oh no! The ***** overrated hack&slasher? The one that made all that fuss using mental health buzzwords to cover for the fact that it was a glorified vertical slice? That the one?
Yeah, MS can keep that one all to themselves.

EDIT: All these articles are so very click-baity. Of course the MIicrosoft-owned studio won't release an upgrade on another platform that isn't theirs. It's like the people that acted all surprised when Bethesda confirmed that Starfield was going to be an xbox exclusive. Well, ***** duh, Sherlock! (rant over)

@SilkySmile89 just thinking the same thing about HZD. If Forbidden West is officially delayed, then I hope we do get the upgrade for HZD this fall. It’s a little absurd we haven’t yet.

I love story based games but this one had absolutely nothing for me. It felt childish in adult clothes. Deleted it after an hour or so

Not that I personally care about this but Phil Spencer is such a hypocrite.

Sony: Gets one exclusive character in Avengers.
Phil: Exclusives are anti-consumer.

Sony: Doesn't play along with cross-play.
Phil: when we all play, we all win.

Hellblade Senua's Sacrifice: gets a next gen update.
Phil: no, no, they can't have that.

Old game. Fine for the Xbox fans, Ps owners have a lot to do with new games so we can skip this one.

@GADG3Tx87 this is called marketing and strategy.
Good on the outside but not trustworthy on the inside.

massively overrated game incredibly tedious. Despite me having an xbox and gamepass i dont think i can face playing the sequel

@render If I'm not mistaken the same happened with Minecraft Dungeons.

Ninja Theory is one of my favorite studios since the PS3 generation with Heavenly Sword. In my opinion they always got sold short of what they actually accomplished throughout the years so I was both happy that Microsoft saw how talented the team is while at the same time a little sad that they won't be on my preferred console anymore.

That said I definitely will have a Series X by the time Hellblade 2 comes out as I absolutely loved the original back on PS4.

Gotta love the comments in these types of articles that go "oh yeah well said game sucks anyway lolooll" 😑

As for Hellblade it isn't surprising that it isn't getting an update so it will be just like Horizon ZD. I just wish we got a Heavenly Sword remake, sequel, remaster...anything.

I remember this game being advertised as one of PS4's best (timed) exclusive back in 2017 alongside Nier Automata and Nioh. A shame and ironic that it's not going to get an upgrade for PS5 due to MS now owning the studio behind it.

@The_New_Butler so why would anyone expect the reverse? Or better yet get mad ? Makes no sense.

The visuals are cool, some sections more than others, but it's the audio where this title really shines so while I'm not dismissing the value of the improvements made, I think it's still definitely worth a playthrough without them.

@Juanalf a return to Heavenly Sword would make my year. Even if it was only on Xbox.

Well if the xbrick fails we have the PC community to make up the slack…?

And this is why I hate coming to this site sometimes with all the fanboy comments. Great game. Awesome to see the upgrade and don’t kid yourself, Sony would do the same.

A good time to be a owner of both consoles. And glad both consoles are doing great things.

@GADG3Tx87
You forgot when Microsoft was very anti-cross play. (Its the reason that FFXIV was indefinitely postponed on the Xbox platform)

Not surprised. Pathetic Micro$oft.

Have been waiting a long time for a decent price on this. Now I wouldn’t even play it for free. Don’t want to play a second rate version of any console game, whether that be a game Sony censor or one MS leave behind. I guess MS lose my money then.

@johncalmc have on PC for free and never played it.

@awp69
Right on the money. It's laughable that so many people here now claim Hellblade is a poor game. It is one of the best and most immersive games I've ever played. Beautiful in terms of graphics and story. However, I won't be replaying it just to witness the most overrated gimmick in gaming history that is raytracing.

I have no problem if it's already 60 fps

@render To be fair Psychonauts 2 isn't getting a native patch on Xbox Series X |S either.

If I remember Correctly, Ninja Theory were so strapped for Cash, the majority of the Studio were helping others on their games to enable a small team to make Hellblade on the side. I think about 20 of the over 100 staff team worked on Hellblade because the others were doing contract work to pay for Hellblades development.

The reason it released 'first' on PS4 and PC was because PS4 had a larger install base and they couldn't afford to port and develop an Xbox version at that time. They couldn't even afford to distribute it physically either...

Its crazy that people are reacting this way. The game was released and supported on PS4 and still works on PS5 via BC. You even have PS4 Pro support.

Its not surprising that MS are NOT paying Ninja Theory to release a PS5 version of their IP (especially not FREE) and makes sense NT are releasing a Series S/X version now they are, and have been under MS since 2018 - 2yrs before the PS5 launched. MS said they would honour all existing contracts and keep supporting all games on PS. Hellblade never had a contract to release on PS5 so MS don't have to release a PS5 update and its not as if Hellblade II is coming to PS5 either...

Doom Eternal is a different thing - its still current and could of being working on an upgrade before they joined Xbox. They were still releasing DLC for it...

Sony paid for 'next-gen' exclusivity on Injustice (released on XB360, PS3 & PS4 but not on XB1). Just because the PS5 can play games via BC, it also doesn't mean MS will release their IP's on PS5, even if those games were released on PS4.

@Rob_230 I absolutely loved Enslaved! I'm going have to go back and play it again now.

I loved this game and it would be pretty cool to see it in 4K at 120fps.

won't bother buying it then 😂 this is just a d*ck move

I enjoyed the game for what it was..didnt read too much into the whole mental illness thing..the sound was amazing especially using headphones..too many childish comments on here from the usual suspects as per usual..

@Lightning_FF13
That's true and thanks for a reasonable reply. Diversity in games is one of the things that make it worthwhile 👍

These comment sections are always a laugh riot.

Sadly I should cut down on my sodium intake, but it’s so hard with all this salt.

@thedevilsjester
Oh no, I do remember that, I was just pointing out the hypocrisy. I mean I don't approve when either do these things but it's funny how Phil complains when Xbox gets left out and makes smear campaigns yet he's no better.

I am aware and remember all throughout the X360 gen that Xbox refused crossplay and complain now when the boot is on the other foot.

And industry professionals like to point fingers at Sony as the bad guy these days while conveniently forgetting that Xbox have done the same things multiple times.

After all, they were the advocate of timed exclusives in the X360 days and make a big deal out of Sony having exclusive rights to Spider-Man in avengers.

The fans are no better.

SONY: Gets Returnal as an exclusive.
Xbox fans: Boooo Sony are EVIL!

Xbox: Buys an entire third party publisher and takes their entire IP's away from an entire platform.
Xbox fans:....This is fine....

How do I feel? [Removed - unconstructive] - I must avoid crossing this thin line with my comments.

It’s a shame really, it’s a lovely looking game, it would have been nice to see it looking its best on PS5.

To be expected. Bit unfair but, having experienced it in VR, I wouldn't go back. Got PS5 and Series X..... wouldn't play it on either now. Really is that good in VR ... the "head" voices sound so convincing on PC with a Quest 2 headset, they flow back and forth from left ear to right, you'd swear someone was right next to you. It's really disconcerting . Also you can play it with a "Moss" diarama perspective or scale it up so your standing behind a life size Senua in VR. Really is killer.

A shame there won't be a PS5 version, doesn't prevent me from enjoying the PS4 version do.

Was a pretty good game at the time but never went back to it after beating it.

It's disrespectful though that Sonys PS5 is ignored as the game is out on those systems so the fair thing would be to upgrade the PS4 version too for the PS5. PS4 owners supported the studio by buying the game when it released.

@Floki Psychonauts 2 will have native Series X|S version.

I have the native X|S version pre-installed.

When you look at the File Info for the game in the menus, it targets Gen9 rather than being Gen9_Aware. Hence, it’s native to Series X|S.

The reason the game was delayed until August was to focus on optimizing for the Series consoles.

There's quite a bit of hypocrisy here aside from "MS bought dev and now we don't get their games" complaints.

Sony doesn't release a PS5 update to their game: "They shouldn't be releasing such things. It's nice if they do but not necessary. You bought a PS4 game, you can still play your PS4 game even on your PS5, gamers are so entitled!"

Sony releases a PS5 update and sells it to us or worse, bundles it in a barely worthwhile director's cut/bundle at full price: "Just because other companies are so rich and can give things away doesn't mean Sony should. They put work into it and it costs money. We bought a PS4 game, we still have a PS4 game, we're not owed a PS5 version of the game just because some companies give it out. Gamers are so whiny and entitled!"

Microsoft doesn't make a PS5 update to their PS4 game: "Come on Microsoft, how can you abandon your PS base that supported your game!?! We're owed the update! Evil Microsoft screwing the Sony fans that supported these devs games again!!!"

@Rob_230 I was hoping for a Heavenly Sword sequel i think Nariko is way cooler then Kratos. 😢

I got the Platinum Trophy for this but haven't played it on Xbox yet.

To be expected really.
This is now an Xbox 1st party studio. The game is old and was never promised a next gen upgrade.

If Insomniac released Sunset Overdrive remaster on PS5, do you think they'd do an enhanced Series X version? Of course not.
So we shouldn't expect the same here.

They have just updated the Xbox version. The PS5 would need a whole new version. Would they have to pay any money to put out another version? As well as the cost to "develop" the new version. Maybe the PlayStation sales figures on a 4 year old game just aren't worth it and on the Xbox it helps promote the sequel.
I have already played it. Wouldn't play it again no matter how pretty it looks and wouldn't rush to play the sequel.

@GamingFan4Lyf Interesting. I couldn't find any information anywhere on it being a native Xbox Series X|S game or not.

I figured it was just another case of Xbox BC being superior, so they was able to bring improvements without creating a native port unlike PS5 requires native ports.

I can understand that they skip it but please Phil stop saying its wrong to keep things exclusive of to exclude platforms. Its always wrong if it doesnt work in his favor thats what om getting out of this.

D*** move, Microsoft. D*** move.

@thedevilsjester Finally Someone That Actually Remembers This Most People Blame Sony For That.

@AdamNovice What's the problem with that? I mean,, they achieved the point they intended to prove and then moved on. Big whoop! Wanna fight about it? 🤣

Family Guy references aside, I really don't think that them allowing themselves to be acquired by Microsoft and subsequently not wanting to bring this next/current gen update to PS5 undermines their intention that you mentioned. But hey, what do you, me or anybody else really know? After all, opinions are like bumhioes, insofar that we all have them and the all smell of crap! 😘

.....don't look at me, I'm just here for the comments

@yellowdog05 played zero dawn untill half and then I managed to buy a PS5. Played days gone ghost of Tsushima and God of war @ 60fps ... Can't go back to 30fps, just waiting for a patch. Common Guerilla !!

@Areus
Short memories or willful ignorance.

Microsoft payed their bills. Has to be at least something good for, that they bought a bunch of Indie developers and a few bigger developers. 👍🏼

@truerbluer Good point. I got the game and loved it not going to lie but am I desperate to buy a series x over this one game sequel hell no. LoL.

@uptownsoul 6.3 million Players that means bought on PS4, PC, Xbox and Nintendo Switch + played through Game Pass

@thedevilsjester Both.

I absolutely adore this game, played it on PS4 base and it blew me away. I can’t say I blame MS for not updating it for Sony. The game is amazing with or without the upgrade, I own a SX and PS5, I’d still likely play it again on PS5 to close out the trophies.

People saying Sony would have done the same... You do know that Sony released a native Xbox Series version of MLB the Show 21 alongside a last gen Xbox One version right? They could have just left it with the Xbox One version to fulfil the MLB agreement.

Microsoft chose to intentionally withhold a PS5 upgrade for this game and doesn't even bother providing a PS5 native release of Psychonauts 2, despite the game being announced well before the MS purchase, they're only allowing the bare minimum (crippled) PS4 release as part of the agreement.

@Floki I could have sworn I read that it was but maybe it was just that it was going to run better with backwards compatibility on Xbox.

One of my absolute favorite games of the last few years. The sequel is one of the only reasons I'll be picking up an Xbox Series X

One of the worst games I played last gen, so no loss.

@render I couldn't find anything online about it being a native title, only that it just performed better.

GamingFan4Lyf actually advised that on the Xbox Series consoles that it in fact shows as a native title, and not just an enchanced BC version.

So yeah, PS5 owners (myself included) is getting the short end of the stick with being limited to PS4 Pro version of the game.

Probably won't be picking up the game at ALL on any platform now.

Never got around to playing this and now never will. Good luck for peeps on Xbox playing it with that gimp Xbox controller.

Like others have said, it's disappointing, but not even the least bit surprising. They are owned by Microsoft now, and just like the new gen version of Psychonauts 2, this "native" version won't be on PS5 either. Anybody refusing to play it because of this is just keeping themselves from playing a really good game.

I loved the game and am really looking forward to the sequel, but I only would have considered playing over again if this also came out on the PS5. It has nothing to do with the game obviously, but there's a lot of other games to play. I already have most of the achievements from the game, so I would have done a second playthrough to get the trophies on PlayStation as well.

@truerbluer Remember, it was not Sony's choice, the contract was only renewed on the condition that the game become cross-platform and that MLB was the publisher on third-party platforms.

The publisher chooses on which platforms to launch the game, remember that Sony did not even know that the game would go on Game Pass, they had no choice whether the game would be an Next-Gen exclusive for PS5 or not, MLB choice.

@render Not with Ray tracing
, it is a XS version, but they don't need to port the entire game again the Xbox development kit is unified across all the ecosystem. (XOne, X Series, PC)

Shame really, regarding the mental issues handled in this game I think it would be a great signal to push the update out on both platforms.

Great game I really enjoyed playing it. I feel this is a reality check, it belongs to Microsoft now! Microsoft bought Ninja Theory to give people another reason to buy a Xbox. Not to release Microsoft games on it's only real competitors console. Especially one that has been dominating Microsoft for years.

The game has been put years now, not many playstation players are still playing this or will be buying this anymore, so this really isn't a big deal

It’s alright when Xbox does it, but it’s anti-consumer for Sony to do so.

Honest man Uncle Phil at his best.

@MaikonCSGarcia I know Sony was forced by MLB to go cross-platform, my point is Sony went the extra mile to develop 2 new native Xbox versions; one current gen for Series X|S and one last gen for Xbox One when they could have just left it with the Xbox One version. Compare that with Microsoft who won't even offer PS5 upgrades to an OLD PS4 game and gives the bare minimum PS4 port to fulfil the cross-platform Psychonauts 2 agreement.

I think it's fine if they don't. Micro did pay money so what can anyone do?
Still need to play it but it's low on my list.

@GADG3Tx87
“ SONY: Gets Returnal as an exclusive.
Xbox fans: Boooo Sony are EVIL!”

Things that never happened for $1000, Alex.

I’m not a huge fan of this game, but this comment section is pretty sad.

Bought this earlier in the year on PS4. REALLY need to get to it sometime.

IMHO, great story, nice graphic style.
Diabolical combat and controls.

I played it through on easy to enjoy the story as I did find it quite engaging, but the bad combat really almost put me off.
I did try to play it after God of War so maybe that's why it wouldn't click.
Hope series X fans who haven't played it enjoy the update, I expect they'll probably jump back to FIFA, Fortnite and NBA pretty quickly though.

@Hypnotoad107
For real. Sadly fanatics will always be fanatics. I consider myself primarily a Playstation fan but some folks, regardless of platform of choice, just let their fandom go way too far.

@BAMozzy l liked your logics, a sensible comment

Not surprising. Phil gained all that good will by saying games are for everyone while at the same time doing what Sony would do. Why aren't other gaming outlets talking about the hypocrisy?

@truerbluer they can't do it, Xbox One is a platform and Xbox Series is other platform, that is the publisher choice, MLB decides if the game is a available on Series consoles, not Sony, remember it was also supposed to release on PC, they just let it to 2022 so they would not delay the game for PS/Xbox.

@Futureshark Don't pretend u don't know that the casual, Fifa/Cod/Fortnite loving players r on PS4/5, Sony did a great job becoming the marketing leader and that means they got most of the casuals, most 360 players went to PS4, and probably gonna stick to PS5 (Xbox can compete, but they will not be leaders)

I could get a ***** less have played it on pc but will never go back to it ! ps5 - pc only way to go for me !

@Floki @MaikonCSGarcia Yeah, with the way the Xbox development kits work now, it's all kind of one in the same only with different settings for each console.

"Native" to Series X|S is less defined over a "native" PS5 version. But it is not just the X1/X1X game running on Series X|S - it will take advantage of the Series hardware architecture better than standard BC.

Digital Foundry will probably be all over it to know what this will mean for Series owners when the game releases.

The amount of salt over this is genuinely staggering. I never knew that so many 14 year old console warriors posted here.

Developers who do stuff like this are either horribly understaffed, lazy, or ignorant. They're just asking for Less sales than they could possibly have

I played it twice just to platinum it (because I skipped a rune). Very enjoyable experience, the one that resonated with some experiences from my life. Wouldn't play it again though; the game isn't really designed to be replayable.

I'm going to wait for the sequel, and if it won't be a timed exclusive (which I think is a possibility once Microsoft start searching for the ways to recoup money they were giving away previous years to get Gamepass off the ground) then maybe I will pay $15 for one month just to play it. Depends on how good it will be, of course.

Honestly...this generation of games feels so very much weird...it was not so log ago, when it was pretty much a guarantee a console game would run at its optimised best possible settings when popped in a console. Tweaking and tampering with settings used to be the fetish of PC gamers I don't want to make compromises between framerate/raytracing or resolution on a 600EUR console.

@GADG3Tx87 Yup. really comparable not having a character in game at all (Spider-Man) and not having next-gen update but still be able to play the game just fine.

Why in their right mind would Microsoft pay their own money to develop a next-gen port on competing platform and release it for free when even Sony can't develop a free next-gen version on their own platform with Ghost of Tsushima?

@Godot25
It's totally comparable at a base level. Both games have something that the other doesn't. Both games are available on both platforms. Both companies have a stake in the content in question.

Sony own certain rights to Spider-Man in media production which was purchased in 2000. A character which is being held back and Xbox fans claim, "it breaks the game" even though the base games was finished long before this content, which still isn't available yet.

Microsoft bought a third party publisher in which the game in question has been updated with next generation features held back from the other platform. And apparently that's ok.

Isn't the hypocrisy that annoys me. You say in regards to Hellblade "they can still play the game just fine" Xbox players can still play avengers just fine. The Spider-Man content isn't even in the game yet.

And before you start going into the symantics and repeat the words of people who do not know the situation to the Spider-Man character. Yes, Sony does own the media creation rights. The deal was made 20 years ago in which they retain that and Marvel retain the comic and marketing rights.

This is why Sony threatened Marvel they would remove Spider-Man from their movies two years ago during their disagreements.

@GADG3Tx87 Jesus. just stop spreading that *****. Spider-Man in Avengers is not exclusive, because Sony owns right to movie franchise or something else. And it is not exclusive, because Sony have rights to develop Spider-Man games.

Spiderman in Avengers is exclusive because Sony went to CD and Square Enix and paid for exclusivity. Meaning they subtract players from experiencing new playable character on PC and Xbox through money. Without Sony's involvement Spiderman would be developed on all platforms.

That's difference. Microsoft provided benefits for their customers by adding something. Sony provided benefits for their customers by subtracting something from other platforms that they would otherwise got.

"Microsoft bought a third party publisher in which the game in question has been updated with next generation features held back from the other platform." - nope, nothing was held from other platforms because next-gen port was not developed for PS5. It is not like Ninja Theory made PS5 port and Microsoft swooped in and cancelled it. Which is main difference between Spiderman in Avengers case and Hellblade.

And you can't even argue that "if Microsoft was not owning NT, PS5 players would have next-gen port." Because if it wasn't for Microsoft's money there would not be next-gen port at all.

Also, Sony requiring completely new SKU for PS5 version of the game while Microsoft having Smart Delivery on same SKU also didn't help Sony.

So, no. As much as you want to tell yourself it is not same situation. Because you can still play Hellblade content complete on your platform. Meanwhile PC/Xbox players can't play Avengers content complete even if the wanted to.

@Godot25
How can thise platforms not play avengers complete when the character isn't even in the game yet? What so the game was released unfinished is that what you're saying? It's literally additional content. Which Microsoft did that same thing for years on the X360.

And yes, Sony do own the media rights to Spider-Man. The full information is on wiki in regards to the character. If they didn't have that then they wouldn't be able to threaten Marvel and Disney with the character being removed from the media they create.
It's well know that the character rights are split between Sony, Disney and Marvel in different scenarios.

So many people are uneducated on this fact because they just repeat what other people say without looking into the facts.

It's the same situation how ever you want to slice it. Two pieces of content not available in each others game that changes almost nothing to each. Yet one is ok and the other isn't.

@Blacksmith1985 yeah,, already played it, no new content..... NEXTTTTT!

@tofuman86 most if not ALL games are made using high end dev kits tweeked for CPUs then ported to consoles. This is what happened to CYBERPUNK 2077, and it's last gen failure at launch..They developed the games with CPUs, they might as well showoff computer owners their skills, so maxed out CPU owners can drool and continue to say "PC MASTER RACE!".

don't get me wrong, if its your choice to have a PC cool, but for me not going to pay 2500 US dollars so I can play my video games, and then keep upgrading the graphics card, buying thermal paste and fans over the course of the PC's life.. it will eventually DIE one day or not able to handle the new stuff coming out.. Its a loop that I don't want to be a part of... no thank you...

@GADG3Tx87 Look. I won't even bother anymore. You have your view, i have mine and it is clear, that this conversation is going nowhere. So, for last time.
You are moving goalposts by going into 360 era while every ***** timed exclusivity deal in that era was...timed. Meanwhile Spider-Man in Marvel's Avengers is permanent. So, Sony took ***** X360 practice and made it even *****. Don't know if this is something you should brag about.

And again. If it was not for Sony's money, players on every platform would have Spider-man's character. Not that it matters, because game is ***** regardless of platform.

If it was not for Microsoft's money no platform would have Hellblade next-gen port

And regarding Sony's exclusivity of Spider-Man character in games. I hope this would be enough.
https://screenrant.com/spider-man-playstation-exclusive-rights-marvel-sony-insomniac/

@Rural-Bandit not too many gamers can buy a PS5 and a SERIES X concurrently, my guy, be blessed that you can do that, some people cannot and they have to stay on one side or pick a poison.. Supporting all consoles, in the real world, just may not be possible...

@Godot25
You just proved my point. The article states Sony own the movie character rights, movies are media and if they didn't they couldn't use it as a threat. Hence they have a stake in the character. 🤦‍♂️

You say that Sony's money prevents the character being in the games. Without Microsoft's money Hellblade would still be available to all.
It's the same difference to a certain degree. Each paid somewhere to have a stake in the content.

As I said. Money prevented something on both. No difference at a base level.
And by the way, where did I brag? Either way both have done the same thing somewhere either now or in the past and when Microsoft does it that's ok while with Sony it isn't. Typical.

I'm done wasting my time on you.

@GADG3Tx87
Eh. Nope. I proved, that there is no barrier that would prevented Spider-Man to be on other platforms (there is no deal that specify that SpiderMan can't be on Xbox/PC because Sony owns rights to movie franchise). Only Sony's money to Square and Crystal.

"Without Microsoft's money Hellblade would still be available to all." Hellblade is still available to all with all content. Or it is not?

And I won't even bother to try to explain to you difference between content and technical features. Because you clearly don't know it.

@truerbluer When MS bought both Double Fine and Ninja Theory - both back in 2018 BEFORE a PS5/Series consoles had even been announced, Hellblade and Psychonauts 2 were both ONLY confirmed for that generation. Just like Sony buying 'next gen' exclusivity for Injustice (at the start of last gen - a game that also released on PS3 and XB360 and can be played on XB1 via BC, but never got an XB1 version).

More than 3yrs after MS announced the acquisition of BOTH these Studio's, less than 1yr after the release of the Series/PS5 consoles, you expect MS to release their games on PS5 when they only agreed to honour existing contracts and support 'existing' games for FREE when Sony themselves are charging you £10 on their own games for a PS5 upgrade???

This game was licenced for PS4 only, Psychonauts 2 only had an agreement to release on PS4 too.

@Godot25

They're both restricting something. Digital content is still content. You can call it a "feature" but one having something another doesn't makes it incomplete.
If people complain over a character and others complain about performance upgrades makes it incomplete. Yet the hypocrisy is it's ok for one and not the other.
You're seriously clutching at straws when it comes down to the same basic thing.
BOTH HAVE SOMETHING THE OTHER DOES NOT as I keep saying. At a base level it's the same thing.

But I know from your other comments that you clearly have a bias to Microsoft so you'll do anything to defend them tooth and nail
While if you check mine I've criticized Sony and praised Microsoft for several things.

And don't try to assume to insult my intelligence. I happen to have a CCNE and MCSE degree from Microsoft and Cisco so I'm no idiot when it comes to technology.

Can't believe how much controversy there is about this. Ninja Theory are literally a MS dev now. Sigh.

@Ristar24
Wasn't overly impressed myself. Disappointing because one of my favorite PS3 games was Heavenly Sword. Never got a sequel to that but was hoping Hellbade might bring some of that gameplay. What we got felt uninspired at least in terms of combat mechanics.

@Dreman99 they don't want sales, they want marketing and brand association. Hellblade is a game associated with Playstation thanks to timed exclusivity, making a Next-Gen version exclusive for Xbox makes Microsoft console the preferred platform.

I've never played it and probably never will. I have games i haven't even started to play before this game reaches the top of the list of things to play. I'll worry about this in 2028

In fairness, Xbox (and PC) use different architecture to the PlayStation, meaning that it is not a simple case of developing an update that fits both consoles. To also develop an upgrade for the PlayStation, in addition to the one developed for the Xbox, would (ultimately) cost Microsoft money, money they could only earn back by charging for the upgrade. Were they to then charge for this upgrade on the PlayStation there would be uproar, particularly as the upgrade would be seen as free on the Xbox. Of course it isn't actually free, as it is paid for by the GamesPass subscribers, but it would be viewed as such, particularly so by those that take every opportunity to knock Microsoft, whether justified or not.

So, seen from a solely business point of view, can anyone truly expect a company to make something that costs them money and time to create, and then offer it for free, and not just free, but free to a competitor?

Had Ninja Theory been acquired by Sony, would people honestly expect them to have developed the upgrade for Xbox too, and had they done so, offer it for free? These companies are in it to make money. It's not personal, it's just business...

@Rural-Bandit I completely agree.

@Gamer83 I loved Heavenly Sword. Such a shame it never made a bigger impact to earn a sequel.

Tried to play this awhile back after all the hype but its not my type of game so no loss over here lol

@AgentGuapo that's because Bethesda promised to support the games and even Phil Spencer said they will still honor legacy support for Bethesda games already out.

Neither Microsoft nor Ninja Theory made such promises, nor are they obligated to. NT already put out the critically successful version on the PlayStationconsole they originally released on. PS5 is a different console. Same thing with Double Fine, they never intended to make a PS5 version of Psychonauts 2, nor XSXS version before Xbox acquired them, but Xbox acquired them, paid off the game's investors and publishing firm, boosted the studio's budget and pretty much guaranteed everyone isgetting the game the devs intended.Playstation didn't fund one nor did they negotiate with Xbox to have one made so how or why should they when they wouldn't even have PS5 dev kits 🤷🏿‍♂️

On the flip side, Insomniac, formerly independence, is now owned by PlayStation. If they released a Sunset Overdrive port for PS4 and PS5, you think they're obligated to also release a Xbox Series X|S port when they never had plans for one and Xbox isn't providing any resources, such as dev kits or money? Insomniac did at least originally intend to release on Playstation 4

Think twice before buying Deathloop and Ghostwire.

@MakersMark my point was to say that there are way too many fancy tech features for the devs to be implemented these days...yet the console HW is obviously not capable to handle all of them at once. Im not a PC gamer (have modest gaming laptop and 9 consoles). What I would like to see is a game optimized for console use at day 1. I don't care what HW is used for development. From the end-user point of view that should really be not relevant. With PS5 and XBOX X being priced like they are, we should be provided with games that do not need settings fiddling and/or performance compromises. Was really hoping next-gen would be about enjoying of all those fancy tech perks on a 4k TV without any cuts or compromises.

I bet all the people who are complaining about this update and the sequel not coming the PlayStation are the same fanboys who use PS exclusives as some kind of ludicrous "proof" that PS is better than Xbox, you can't complain if you are happy with PS exclusives that MS is doing the same.

@Fiendish-Beaver I've read several reports from developers that upgrading a game to series X/S can be just a few hours work but on the PS5 that game has to be almost completely rewritten, a much bigger job.

@claytortot213 What hypocrisy? Microsoft bought the developer, since the game is now officially an Xbox Games Studios IP, then they can do what they want with it. It also makes sense for them to only release the upgrade on their platform, it's not like the game no longer exists on Playstation, it just plays better on their platform.

It's not like they threw millions of dollars at a 3rd party dev like Square Enix to make FFVIIR and FFXVI exclusive to their platform. Or paid to get an additional character for a multiplatform game like Spiderman in Avengers

I don't think anyone could have expected differently.

This game.... I so wanted to like it for so many reasons, but ultimately the combat puzzle thing just didn't sit together as well as it can. I like the combo in tomb raider games for instance, but it felt really disparate here.

Its a shame for any fans of the title though, as the update seems pretty sweet from what I've seen.