Let's just start by saying I have a friend who suffered from "voices". They would repeat things in his mind that he had no control over. My friend takes some pills and he doesn't hear the voices anymore (took some time to get rid of them, like at least 3 months).

If I was to buy him Hellblade Senua's Sacrifice, would he not even go through playing it because of the mean voices recorded for this game? It's possible that you're thinking.. "Hey. That friend of his would like the protagonist because he went through the same things as her". But, the truth is.. his mental health is more important than how much he likes a videogame character.

So: I ask you all, should I or shouldn't I buy him this game? Or would the voices in the game cause the other voices to come back and be mean to him? I'll be honest with you: his voices weren't as severe as Senua's.

Just saw it's discounted. OMG what a lousy sale.

I think, you should ask psychotherapist who treats your friend, not random people on the game forum.

The sale might not be on when he goes next to his doctor. He was very curious about the game so that's why I'm asking here for little advice or something.

Someone's on other forum had topic equally unrelated and mods lock it up. Maybe they should do the same here.

I was redirected to General Discussion when I clicked on the link to Hellblade forums. So, I was like.. "Why not post here?". Sorry if this is the wrong place.

Is your friend interested in the game specifically because it depicts mental health issues? Is he aware of those?

In the end this is a health question and you need someone who is qualified to answer. It's impossible for us to guess how he'd react. I know I don't really enjoy seeing illnesses I (or anyone close to me) have suffered, but for others it might be a way to deal with it, accept it or normalize it. Only a professional that has treated him would be able to tell.

Unfortunately, there is no general answer to that. You have to trust your instinct as it relies very much on your friend's personality. How does he act when you talk about his condition? Is he confident and at ease or does it seem to you that he tries to avoid the subject?

But even if you find out that he would be generally interested, you still don't know if the game fulfills expectations as the game's treatment of the subject might not resonate with your friend as it all is highly subjective. See for example From my point of view as someone not affected by schizophrenia, but sufferning from depressive symptoms: I like watching movies which touch the subject. I really liked the movies Annihilation and 2018's Starfish for example. But that's just my subjective point of view, your friend might see things in a completely different light...

I remember lot of people with mental issues stating, how glad they are, for the game to exist.
I think, the devs even put some of these people's comments in their trailer video...

Edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjczzQ3I_cY

A quick search finds a few threads elsewhere, I'm sure there are plenty of others.

For example, a Reddit AMA, another Reddit thread and a short one on Steam. That lengthy Polygon article that was already linked to by moehlsch also pops up at the top of searches though.

Would he know what he would be getting into? Like others say, you/he should consult a medical professional on the subject.
The game *could* possibly cause a relapse for him, since it could hit very "close to home", but that is only a layman's opinion. The voices get pretty intense.

Since you say that your friend's health is more important, I'd hold back and spent time consulting with people whether it would be healthy for your friend (as well as ask him, since this might not be the best thing to surprise him with).

Regarding sales, there will always be another, so don't feel pressured to get it now, if you can't determine how it could affect him.

This is a case, where health/well-being triumphs being spoiled on the game, so I would have him watch the beginning part of a no commentary let's play.
Alternately, I don't know if there is a short video showing the game "at its worst", but if there is, he might be able to handle a short burst of it to determine whether he would feel ok playing the whole thing.

But is the shrink familiar with the game at all?

We need more gaming shrinks! Shrinks who actively play games.

Not a good idea in my opinion. But Psychologist/Psychiatrist would be better suited person for the answer you seek.