One Year Later, Blasphemous 2 is More Than the Sum of Its Parts

by

One Year Later, Blasphemous 2 is More Than the Sum of Its Parts

Key Takeaways

  • Blasphemous 2 offers a seamless continuation of the original’s Metroidvania action with its own rich lore and world-building in Cvstodia.
  • Players must strategically choose from three unique weapons, shaping gameplay and exploration in the sequel’s challenging world.
  • With possible DLC on the horizon, Blasphemous 2 promises continued excitement for the franchise.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that Blasphemous 2 has quickly become one of my favorite Metroidvania titles. The game’s dark-fantasy art direction and pixel art style are nothing short of breathtaking, immersing players in a grim, dreadful world that’s both horrifying and fascinating.

There’s plenty to admire in The Game Kitchen and Team17’s game Blasphemous, and given the lengthy development process for video games these days, it’s nothing short of astonishing that a sequel was released four years later. Blasphemous and its sequel, Blasphemous 2, stand out particularly due to their pixel art style and dark fantasy aesthetic, which immerse players in terrifying landscapes steeped in horror-tinged Catholicism. Consistent with any good follow-up, Blasphemous 2 serves as a fitting continuation of the IP and builds upon what the Metroidvania action-platformer does exceptionally well.

Fundamentally, the way characters engage with Cvstodia and its dismal, fearful denizens, including formidable foes that test a player’s proficiency in wielding new weapons and skills acquired during their journey, remains similar to the original. Blasphemous 2 preserves rosary beads and devotions while incorporating key figures from altarpieces and appreciated quality-of-life enhancements. However, it’s hard to overlook that the sequel’s standout aspect after a year since its release is its trio of distinctive weapons: The Veredicto, Sarmiento, and Centella, as well as Ruego Al Alba, significantly expanding players’ arsenal options compared to the initial game.

Blasphemous 2’s Three Weapons Represent Everything Great About the Metroidvania Soulslike Platformer

Without a doubt, a key aspect that stands out about Blasphemous 2 a year after its release is the revolutionary way it handles weapons. In contrast to the original Blasphemous, where the Penitent One was limited to wielding the iconic Mea Culpa sword and supported by additional prayers, players in Blasphemous 2 now have access to three distinct weapon categories. Each of these weapons plays a crucial role in combat, movement, and exploration, reinforcing the core gameplay elements of Blasphemous.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I find the design choice for this side-scroller game intriguing yet challenging. The limitation of only being able to start with one weapon from the get-go is reminiscent of classic RPGs where character choices significantly impact the gameplay and progression.

In Blasphemous 2, the level design subverts traditional Metroidvania standards in a genuine manner, ensuring that exploration remains intuitive while subtly delineating accessible and inaccessible areas. This is achieved by consistently presenting obstacles along the way, which serve as indicators for progression. Consequently, decisions that might seem insignificant in other games are pivotal for advancing in Blasphemous 2, and they also guide players towards developing their playstyle as they combat enemies.

As a gamer, I’ve found the heavy, crunchy Veredicto censer to be an exceptional starter weapon, thanks to its impressive stopping power. However, if you’re more into agile, swift playstyles, you might prefer Sarmiento or Centella, both sporting quick, dagger-like blades for those who like to dance around the battlefield.

In Blasphemous 2, one aspect that sets it apart is the fact that the weapon chosen by players becomes their primary tool for battling early-game bosses, with no option to switch weapons. However, late-game bosses can be defeated using various strategies based on the preferred weapon at that point in time. Additionally, players will gain other combat and movement abilities that aren’t tied to a specific weapon, such as Passage of Ash’s double jump or Mercy of the Wind’s air dash – two essential traversal upgrades that were missing in the original Blasphemous. However, the weapon-related abilities in Blasphemous 2 are more distinctive and integrate Metroidvania exploration into the first decision players encounter in the sequel.

You might initially perceive Blasphemous 2 as a game that falls into distinct categories such as Metroidvania, Soulslike, and platformer. However, when you experience it in action, these subgenre influences are seamlessly blended and reinforced by an emphasis on player choice. This choice allows for the creation of three adaptable weapons that players can customize according to their playstyle later on.

Blasphemous 2 Has More in Store This Fall

As a gamer, I’ve been hooked on the thrilling journey of Blasphemous since it launched, and with whispers of potential DLC for Blasphemous 2 this fall, it feels like our adventure isn’t fully complete yet. The exact nature of these teasers is still a mystery, but if it does indeed mean more story-driven content, I can only imagine what twists and turns await us. Knowing that new content for Blasphemous 2 is being developed, barely a year after its first anniversary, fills me with excitement!

Additionally, wouldn’t it be exciting to speculate about potential additions in the DLC for Blasphemous 2, such as new weapons or enhanced experiences for Veredicto, Sarmiento, Centella, and Ruego Al Alba? This could involve creating additional challenging platforming sequences using familiar mechanics. If the DLC is integrated into the main game like the original Blasphemous, it remains uncertain when it will be available or if players might need to acquire all three weapons before making any significant progress within the game.

In essence, the current version of Blasphemous 2 could undergo significant changes by its second birthday, but at this point, it’s undeniably a noteworthy sequel for fans of Metroidvania platformers and dark-fantasy Soulslikes. It shares some similarities with the original game, which can be seen as either an advantage or a drawback. Some may still prefer the original Blasphemous, but the progress it’s making is intriguing and solidifies the Blasphemous series as one to watch for future updates.

Read More

2024-08-24 13:03