How to Find Symbols for Rune Gates in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 has been a highly anticipated game for this year, and now we’re finally able to hop in and experience it. It has a lot of similar puzzles to the previous game, including these rune symbol gates to unlock. Here’s how they work and what they mean for Senua.

How to Open Rune Gates in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Occasionally, in different areas, Senua finds herself trapped by a dark gate with glowing red runes on it. Breaking or using a regular key cannot open these gates. Instead, it’s a mental gate. To unlock them, you’ll need to find a rune that matches the gate by aligning some floating pieces.

From the gate, enter Focus mode to see other runes around you. You can enter Focus mode by holding RT/R2 on controllers or holding E on a keyboard. As long as you hold the button, you’ll be able to see things that weren’t previously there.

There will be a bunch of small floating runes around you. My first thought was that I had to find a small rune that would match, but all the small runes are exactly the same. You want to be looking for larger red pieces that you can piece together by moving your camera at the right angle.

The best way to find and align the pieces is to step back as far away from the gate as possible and explore the area. This way, you can see everything in front of you and get a better lay of the land. Usually, the pieces are elevated slightly in the air, so move your camera so you can see them. Then, adjust your position and the camera with the outline so the pieces move together and form the symbol on the gate. Stay in this position until the rune on the gate turns white, indicating that it is unlocked and you can continue through it.

Why Does Senua See Symbolic Ruin Gates?

The concept of these ruin gates is fascinating in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2. Yes, they appear real and a physical barrier for us in-game, but are they actually there? We know that Senua, even since the first game, struggles with psychosis. This causes her to see and hear things that aren’t always real. She’s constantly searching for truth and sometimes looking for meaning and connections to things that aren’t truly factual.

If we’re looking at the lore behind these gates, the most practical answer is, no — they aren’t real. They are conjurations that Senua sees, almost like a mental barrier. She must force herself to break out of it by focusing her mind and piecing together these imaginary pieces. They are more a symbol of Senua’s crumbling mental state and, basically, her struggle to keep it intact. It’s her own personal test to push through the terror and pain to make it through the next “gate” and continue down the path before her.

Want to read more tips and theories like this? Check out GameSkinny’s Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 guides hub!