Blasphemous 2 Review – A Better Sequel In Every Way

Blasphemous 2 has been a long-awaited sequel to an already fantastic Metroidvania title with some of the best boss fights and creative art design.

The sequel not only improves upon the shortcomings of its predecessor, but it also provides a much more polished experience with newer weapons and a fresh take on platforming, which you’ll learn more about in my review of Blasphemous 2.

Story And Setting

As vague as the story of the first game was, Blasphemous 2 follows the plot of its prequel and can be considered a direct sequel to the story. The lore is still learned through the various conversations with the NPCs of the world, and that, too, can be missed if you mess up some questlines. If you’re looking to study the plot in depth, then you’ll have to give some attention to the many item descriptions as well.

The plot follows the journey of the Penitent One, who is destined to defeat God at the end of his journey.

If I were to explain the basics of the story in simple terms, then it involves playing as a chosen one, also known as the Penitent One, who is destined to defeat God at the end of his journey. But believe me, it gets much more complicated than that. To beat the god known as The Miracle, you’ll have to battle unbelievable horrors and make your way through tough but creative platforming sections.

Combat and gameplay have always been the main highlight of Blasphemous, and the same can be said for the sequel. However, the gameplay has not only been polished to perfection and the addition of new weapons gives rise to a much more entertaining combat experience. The story is not the element that will make you fall in love with this game.

Gameplay

If you loved the gameplay of the previous game, then get ready to get blown away by how polished it has become in Blasphemous 2. Not only does your character feel more fluid to control, but some new weapons and abilities add more variety to combat as well as platforming. Death animations filled with gore are still present, and there are new additions in that category too.

With the Metroidvania-styled world design with interconnected areas, shortcuts, and platforming, this game has some of the best levels I’ve ever seen. However, the backtracking can sometimes feel a bit tedious, and it is something that the developers have not improved upon from the first game. 

Aside from that, it’s always fun to obtain a new ability that allows me to access areas that I previously couldn’t. And since exploration is key here, and the game rewards you for it. You can end up finding shortcuts or just more healing charges, but there’s always some reward. There is always something that you’ll get for exploring every nook and cranny. 

Different levels will put you against tough enemies, difficult platforming sections, and a main boss waiting for you at the end of the level. Thankfully, with the addition of three weapons instead of one in the previous game, combat feels more diverse, and the developers have taken advantage of this addition to introduce creatively designed levels.

Not only does your character feel more fluid to control, but there are new weapons and abilities that add more variety to combat as well as platforming.

The three weapons include a huge flail that deals devastating damage to enemies. It can additionally be used to ring large bells for platforming. Next, you have the combination of a rapier and a dagger that are really fast but deal less damage than the flail. These blades not only have an advantage in close-range combat but they can also be used to dash through the various mirrors during platforming sections.

Lastly, there is a curved sword option in the game as well, which is basically the middle ground between the flail and the rapier/dagger combo. It has good speed and damage but doesn’t excel in any category, which makes it a more balanced weapon for starting your new journey. It also allows you to dash downwards to break barriers in your path.

Once you obtain all three weapons, you’ll quickly realize how Blasphemous 2 wants you to use everyone to its fullest potential. Certain enemies are easier to beat with a certain weapon, whereas some platforming sections require you to use the specific abilities of all three weapons in a go.

Prayers make a return as well which are essentially magical abilities that consume the mana bar and can be the deciding factor towards your victory in certain situations. Everything from your weapons to magic abilities and health bars can be upgraded throughout your journey.

Exploration is fun in this game, but there is a small flaw that persists throughout the game, and it is the enemy variety. It is not that great, and you’ll find yourself facing the same enemies over and over again. It’s not a big issue since the difficulty continues to increase, and the enemies also get stronger.

Exploration is fun in this game, but there is a small flaw that persists throughout the game, and it is the enemy variety.

However, the game shines in its boss fights, where zero compromises are made. Each main boss has an artistic yet disturbing design paired with an amazing move that will test your skills, and the incredible music during these fights is just the cherry on top. 

Visuals And Performance

This game’s artistic and pixelated art style has been perfectly utilized to present a very unique and dark setting. Each and every area feels so much more distinct than the one before it, and the game conveys a lot through its ambiance alone. 

This game’s artistic and pixelated art style has been perfectly utilized to present a very unique and dark setting.

Performance-wise, this game is definitely not going to give you any trouble and will run on even low-end hardware. You might run into some minor bugs, but aside from that, the game will run smoothly without any dips in performance.

Verdict

Blasphemous 2 offers a unique Metroidvania experience in its own creatively designed and depressing world. It manages to overcome almost all of the flaws of its predecessor, and there are only minor nitpicks that plague this game. Fans of the previous title should play the sequel, as it is an upgrade in every way possible.

Existing fans of the genre and even newer players will enjoy their time with the smooth gameplay, well-done-level design, and amazing boss fights presented here.

This has been my Blasphemous 2 Review. While you’re here, consider checking out some of our other articles. 

• Baldur’s Gate 3 Review
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Review
• Satisfactory Review
• Viewfinder Review
• Pikmin 4 Review
• Remnant 2 Review