Blasphemous 2 Review

Thick atmosphere, crisp combat, haunting score and grotesque enemies. Everything that made Blasphemous a cult hit remains, along with some very smart new additions and refinements.

Unfortunately, a lot of the issues from the first still remain that hold Blasphemous 2 back from being a leap forward, instead of just the evolution of the series that it is, but as the saying goes “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it".

Three times the fun

On the surface, you can see that the visuals have been overhauled. It retains the 16 bit style but now they feel much later in the generation. They are sharper and give the world more depth and personality, but the big change is the new weapon system that allows you to carry three different weapons. This solves one of the major issues from the first as using the same weapon, retracing your steps and fighting the same enemies grew a little repetitive by the end.

Even with plenty returning foes from the first game, this big change to the Blasphemous formula adds variety and freedom to how you approach combat. However, the true genius of the new three weapon system is how it plays such an integral part in the traversal and puzzle solving. Figuring out what tool is needed for what job and switching between them on the fly leads to some diabolical platform sections.

The story does feel a little over complicated at times to follow every aspect of the lore but the core is easy enough to follow and the game does a good job of giving you what you need to know and where you need to be heading at most times. This doesn’t eliminate the back tracking, but it does eliminate the aimlessness of your journey, as you always have a vague direction you should be heading.

If exploring every nook and crevice is your preferred option, then as with most Metroidvanias, with new skills and abilities, there is always plenty to explore, even if you had already traversed that area before. There are loads of secrets to be found by exploring that will reward you with currency, upgrade points and items you likely won’t know what to do with right away.

Sins of the Father

The gripes are minor but the top 5 would be the frustrating stun lock that remained, which can constantly kick you when you are down and this is one of the worst parts of the game. The other four gripes are nitpicking in comparison. The reused enemies with plenty of returning ones from the first game, minimal execution animations was a shame because the emphasize the horror of the world, the time between major upgrades that can feel a little long, and the limited ability to parry most bosses.

The economy in the world feels a little off or it could’ve been that the shops felt underwhelming as most vendors selection of goods never seemed overly appealing. Most of the items that were discovered in the world were better than what could be purchased. By the end of the game, my wallet was dragging me down as I had over 125K in my pocket.

Best Metroidvania of 2023

If you loved Blasphemous, then you will adore the sequel. If you have never played the original, Blasphemous 2 is an easier recommendation than the first, despite a few issues that still linger. The changes and refinements, mainly the three weapon system, go a long way in keeping the game feeling fresh in both the combat and the exploration, which are core pillars of a good Metroidvania. Add this to the already solid foundation from the first, and Blasphemous 2 is a must play for any fan of the genre and might end up being the best metroidvania of 2023.

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