In the continuation of the Blasphemous saga with Blasphemous 2, the narrative seamlessly picks up immediately after the conclusion of The Wounds of Eventide, the first game’s final DLC installment. The haunting presence of The Miracle has once again descended upon the land of Cvstodia, and The Penitent One awakens from his eternal slumber to embark on another blood-soaked journey. This time, he sets his sights on confronting three grotesque guardians, and this is just the beginning of his harrowing odyssey. The visual and atmospheric continuity with its predecessor is striking, as The Game Kitchen wisely retains the same distinctive artistic style that made the original game stand out. Blasphemous 2 continues to captivate players with its intricate animations, guiding every step, slide, and slash of The Penitent One as he navigates the twisted religious iconography and nightmarish enemy designs that haunt every corner of Cvstodia.
While the aesthetics remain consistent with its predecessor, Blasphemous 2 introduces significant enhancements to its core combat and platforming mechanics. The Penitent One’s trusty single sword, the Mea Culpa, has been replaced with three distinct and upgradable weapons. This grants players greater flexibility in dispatching their foes. Upon resurrection at the start of the game, players have the choice of which weapon to wield. The Veridicto, a massive flaming incense burner, boasts the highest damage output but sacrifices speed, making it a formidable but slow option—our initial weapon of choice. Sarmiento & Centella, a pair of swift rapier-style swords adorned with metal thorns, excel in agility but have a lower damage output. Lastly, Ruego Al Alba sits as the middle-ground choice, offering versatility with various upgrades.
Each weapon boasts an extensive skill tree, unlocking new combat maneuvers through Markers of Martyrdom collected during battles. Regardless of the starting weapon, players will eventually acquire all three, expanding their arsenal of techniques. This system offers a deeper and more rewarding combat experience compared to the first game’s single sword. Although the fond memories of the fully upgraded Mea Culpa still linger. This expanded arsenal also enhances the platforming aspects of the game, delivering a more refined experience compared to The Penitent One’s previous adventure. As the game progresses, the challenge naturally escalates, with the world darkening and unveiling new, daunting obstacles. However, most players should have developed sufficient proficiency in the game’s brutal yet highly gratifying combat system by the time these challenges arise. While Blasphemous 2 offers a satisfying level of difficulty, it avoids imposing insurmountable barriers or abrupt spikes in challenge early on.
Another noteworthy addition to gameplay comes in the form of new magical abilities, referred to as Prayers. These abilities are categorized into Quick Verses, accessible with a single button press, and Chants, which are charged area-of-effect attacks requiring a button hold and press. The game features a diverse array of these abilities, including electric bolts, mystical axes, spinning discs, and more. Players can acquire and utilize these throughout the campaign. Additionally, Rosary Beads allow players to apply buffs as they progress and can be unlocked to provide more slots. The Altarpiece of Favours allows players to enhance their abilities further by placing wooden statues into eight slots, granting various buffs such as improved block timings, increased damage when low on health, and health recovery following successful execution moves.
In terms of performance, Blasphemous 2 delivers a visually and aurally captivating experience in both docked and handheld modes. It maintains excellent performance throughout the majority of the game. Some minor slowdown was observed in a late-game section, even after a pre-release patch. But this issue did not significantly detract from the overall experience. A slight camera glitch was also noticed at the top of one of the game’s zones. Despite these minor issues, Blasphemous 2 stands as another remarkable achievement for The Game Kitchen. It emerges as a stellar sequel, one that compels players to revisit its predecessor for a full series playthrough. It also ignites hopes for more installments in this captivating franchise. The potential for an exceptional trilogy is certainly within reach!
Overall, Blasphemous 2 remains faithful to the dark and macabre aesthetic of its predecessor. All these while enhancing core combat mechanics and refining platforming elements. The Game Kitchen could have opted for more of the same, and it would have been well-received. However, they have gone above and beyond. Offering deeper and more satisfying combat, an array of upgradable weapons, and seamlessly integrated environmental puzzles. The return of The Penitent One to Cvstodia is an exhilarating and compelling adventure that leaves a lasting impact.
