Blasphemous 2

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,442 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
Blasphemous 2 Game Cover
Blasphemous II is a fantastic game that meets expectations as a fan of the first game and leaves the player satisfied and engaged throughout.
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In "Blasphemous 2," players once again assume the role of The Penitent One, who is resurrected in a strange new world and must navigate through hordes of grotesque enemies and massive bosses. This sequel continues the story from the Wounds of Eventide DLC of the original game, with The Penitent One seeking to uncover the secrets of this new land. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes a digital artbook, original soundtrack, and access to the full game.

  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,442 reviews
gameplay213 positive mentions
grinding55 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning pixel art and a beautifully crafted world that enhances the overall atmosphere.
  • Combat is refined with the introduction of three distinct weapons, allowing for varied playstyles and strategies.
  • The exploration is rewarding, with numerous secrets and collectibles that encourage thorough investigation of the game world.
  • The story feels less engaging and coherent compared to the first game, with some players finding it confusing.
  • There are several bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including issues with audio and animations.
  • The difficulty spikes, particularly with certain bosses, can feel frustrating and unbalanced, detracting from the overall experience.
  • gameplay623 mentions

    The gameplay in *Blasphemous 2* has received widespread praise for its significant improvements over the first game, featuring smoother mechanics, a more fluid combat system, and the introduction of three distinct weapons that enhance both combat and exploration. Players appreciate the variety of new mechanics, including traversal options and customization through weapon upgrades, which contribute to a more engaging experience. However, some critiques highlight a perceived decrease in difficulty and the loss of the original's unique atmosphere, suggesting that while the gameplay is polished and enjoyable, it may lack the same depth and challenge that defined its predecessor.

    • “The gameplay is smooth, with a sense of progression that keeps you glued to the screen, and an even more inspired artistic style, with backtracking handled perfectly.”
    • “The introduction of new weapon mechanics adds a refreshing layer of versatility to the gameplay, allowing players to experiment with different combat styles and strategies.”
    • “Blasphemous 2 expands on its predecessor, offering new weapons with unique movesets and gameplay loops, new movement options, and many more ways to build the Penitent One.”
    • “It's really sad that on the way to better graphics (which wasn't necessary) and gameplay (which is subjective in many ways) the game lost its soul.”
    • “The bosses lack a bit of flair in both their gameplay and design, and they are easily forgettable.”
    • “The gameplay feels clunky, and the only thing they improved was the animation.”
  • story616 mentions

    The story of *Blasphemous 2* has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while it is more coherent and easier to follow than its predecessor, it lacks the depth and intrigue that made the first game compelling. Critics highlight a shift towards a more linear narrative and less cryptic storytelling, which some feel diminishes the sense of mystery and exploration. Overall, while the game offers a visually stunning world and engaging gameplay, its narrative is often seen as less impactful and memorable compared to the original.

    • “The world is vast and beautiful, the combat refined, and the story unravels with greater depth.”
    • “The art is beautiful, the music is breathtaking, the boss fights are engaging, the story is captivating.”
    • “The story is a bit less vague than the first, and while it's a change I feel is a tad heavy-handed, it does wonders for establishing the aftermath of the first game, the interlude, and the current story at hand.”
    • “The story is still vague gibberish.”
    • “It's a shame too because I was heavily invested in the story, but it's clear to see the developers stopped caring about the plot.”
    • “The story is even better than the first one.”
  • music529 mentions

    The music in "Blasphemous 2," composed by Carlos Viola, has received widespread acclaim for its haunting and atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the game's dark themes and immersive experience. However, many players have reported frustrating audio glitches, such as music cutting out during gameplay or boss fights, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. Despite these issues, the soundtrack is often described as a standout feature, with some tracks being memorable and evocative, though opinions vary on whether it surpasses the original game's score.

    • “The soundtrack is fantastic—it gives me goosebumps more often than before.”
    • “One thing that definitely deserves a special mention is the incredible soundtrack—many of the tracks have made their way into my playlist.”
    • “The soundtrack of Blasphemous 2 remains haunting and atmospheric, perfectly complementing the game’s dark themes.”
    • “The music cuts out sometimes which is unfortunate but can be fixed by restarting the game.”
    • “Music doesn't play during some boss fights until you fully shut down and reload the game.”
    • “Half the areas in the game have broken music and the tracks will either stop playing after a room or two, suddenly start playing when I'm halfway through a zone, or just never play at all.”
  • graphics412 mentions

    The graphics of "Blasphemous 2" have received widespread praise for their stunning pixel art and detailed environments, which enhance the game's dark, gothic atmosphere. However, the transition from the original's pixel art cutscenes to a more anime-inspired style has been met with mixed reactions, with some players feeling it clashes with the overall aesthetic. Overall, while the visuals are considered a significant improvement, the inconsistency in art styles has left some fans longing for the original's gritty charm.

    • “Blasphemous 2 pushes its pixel art to new heights, delivering stunning visuals that are both grotesque and beautiful.”
    • “The art style is jaw-dropping, the attention to detail with its beautiful and grotesque art style and the amazing soundtrack really make it a fantastic experience.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely breathtaking, with reimagined characters, detailed environments, and an art direction that beautifully pays homage to Andalusian culture.”
    • “It's really sad that on the way to better graphics (which wasn't necessary) and gameplay (which is subjective in many ways) the game lost its soul.”
    • “The cutscene art style has changed quite a bit and become more 'anime', which is kind of jarring compared to the otherwise pixelated style.”
    • “The art direction has taken a major shift, which has caused the game to lose much of the aesthetic charm of the original.”
  • atmosphere176 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Blasphemous 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its beautiful visuals, haunting soundtrack, and intricate world design that enhance the game's unique ambiance. However, several reviewers feel that it lacks the oppressive and dark atmosphere of the first game, describing it as less immersive and more generic in comparison. While some appreciate the improvements in gameplay and aesthetics, others lament the dilution of the original's distinctive atmosphere and thematic depth.

    • “The level of detail in the environments, character designs, and animations is exceptional, with each area exuding a unique atmosphere.”
    • “The soundtrack of Blasphemous 2 remains haunting and atmospheric, perfectly complementing the game’s dark themes.”
    • “Blasphemous 2 excels in building a story, atmosphere, and looks good when playing.”
    • “The atmosphere feels especially generic and bland when compared to the desolate and plague-ridden environment of the first game.”
    • “The dreadful atmosphere of the prequel isn't here in this game (excluding the crimson rains level).”
    • “It's lost the charm, the style, the atmosphere, and most importantly; the difficulty.”
  • grinding62 mentions

    Overall, players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game. While some appreciate the streamlined process and reduced need for excessive grinding compared to the first installment, others find certain elements, such as boss battles and collectible requirements, to be tedious and frustrating. The balance between exploration and grinding is generally seen as improved, but some players still encounter artificial difficulty spikes and repetitive tasks that detract from the overall experience.

    • “And the best of all is it is not tedious like part 1.”
    • “Secondly, the world design and the Metroidvania elements were great. The backtracking was fast, and all in all, the movement around the map wasn't tedious as many games make it, and the world was immersive and fun to explore.”
    • “I agree with the other commenters that there's a difficulty spike near the end that makes completion of the game incredibly tedious and unnecessarily frustrating.”
    • “The biggest obstacle to 100 percenting the game is not finding cherubs, altarpieces, or prayers, but grinding marks of martyrdom to max out all the weapons.”
    • “The game is a series of boring, easy bosses separated by sadistic and tedious platforming and combat sections.”
  • stability50 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting various glitches, including animation freezes, audio issues, and inconsistent gameplay mechanics. While some users noted that the game runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck and found the overall experience enjoyable, the prevalence of bugs detracted from the overall polish and gameplay experience, leading to mixed feelings about its stability. Many hope for future updates to address these issues.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “For a day one purchase, it was pretty bug-free as well.”
    • “It runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “Teleporting is super glitchy, frequently locking the screen and forcing a quick restart. There are more glitches than in the first game, and sometimes you can die when ledge-grabbing into a slide wall.”
    • “And finally, the cherry on top was the amount of glitches that I came across in just 4 hours of gameplay, from the names of the zones never appearing on screen, to Radames deciding to stop moving while changing into phase 2, the ridiculous amount of FPS drops, and many more.”
    • “Blasphemous in its launch state is quite buggy, too buggy to advance in gameplay.”
  • replayability28 mentions

    Overall, "Blasphemous 2" offers significant replayability through its multiple weapon choices and build possibilities, although the absence of a New Game Plus mode is noted as a drawback. Players appreciate the varied combat mechanics and the potential for different play styles, but some feel that the game could benefit from additional content, such as DLCs, to enhance replay value further. While many find it enjoyable enough to replay, the ability to achieve most accomplishments in a single run may limit the incentive for multiple playthroughs.

    • “For me, Blasphemous 2 offers more replayability than its predecessor, with multiple weapons to use, but it doesn't have NG+ yet.”
    • “The new choose your starting weapon means your journey will differ depending on your weapon, which adds replayability.”
    • “Not only does Blasphemous 2 better fit the Metroidvania genre than the original, but it also has quite a major twist on the formula which adds a lot of replayability and combat implications.”
    • “I hope they will release DLCs which will add more content and replayability.”
    • “You can get 99% of all the achievements in a single run, so there isn't really a use for a new run.”
    • “The prequel is cheaper, has more content, is more replayable, and there are multiple other metroidvania games on Steam that far surpass Blasphemous 2, especially at its current price tag of $40.”
  • character development20 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the exceptional art direction and unique character designs that enhance the atmosphere and lore. However, some players feel that the character development is lacking compared to the first installment, citing less inspired boss designs and forgettable NPCs. Overall, while the visuals and aesthetics are impressive, the depth of character development does not consistently meet expectations.

    • “The level of detail in the environments, character designs, and animations is exceptional, with each area exuding a unique atmosphere.”
    • “Character design and animations are also excellent, each NPC is distinct and unique, which characterizes them very well and makes them memorable, which helps significantly when all of their names seem to be a paragraph long.”
    • “In typical Blasphemous fashion, the game never fails to deliver an amazing story with great character design, writing, and narrative.”
    • “Character designs are worse, gameplay is worse, especially the bosses were really disappointing.”
    • “Bosses were far less inspired, and overall character development was lacking.”
    • “Some of the NPC character designs were neat, but overall also forgettable and uninteresting.”
  • humor17 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding the bosses and certain enemy designs amusing, while others note a decline in the brutality and creativity of execution moves compared to its predecessor. The game features a variety of funny elements, such as quirky character designs and absurd situations, but some players feel that the humor can be overshadowed by the game's difficulty and repetitive nature. Overall, while there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, the humor may not resonate with everyone, especially in the context of challenging gameplay.

    • “I thought it was funny they did a post-credit scene too, considering most gamers probably don't stick around for the full credits, haha.”
    • “I found that after beating a lot of bosses/areas, I wasn't even happy; I was just relieved that it was over. With the final boss, I honestly just sat there laughing at how ridiculous it was.”
    • “The protagonist still has the funny helmet.”
  • emotional17 mentions

    Players express a mix of emotional engagement and frustration with the game's narrative and mechanics. While some moments, like the poignant interactions and music, evoke strong feelings and nostalgia, others, such as the death guilt system and inconsistent difficulty spikes, detract from the overall emotional experience. Overall, the sequel is seen as a less impactful emotional journey compared to the original, despite improvements in gameplay.

    • “Look guys, now the Penitent One fights other Penitent Ones so he can go to heaven. Isn't it so heartwarming and gives you closure?”
    • “When you hear it... when you hear those very lightweight tunes of music touching your inner self, you know that you are playing Blasphemous.”
    • “And I have to say I got a little emotional when I approached the dog and it faded away... 🥹”
  • optimization16 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback. While some players report excellent performance, particularly on platforms like the Steam Deck, others experience significant issues such as stuttering, freezing, and sound bugs, especially during intense combat sequences. The combat system has been noted as smoother and more versatile, but the optimization inconsistencies detract from the overall experience for some users.

    • “The game is more or less the same as the previous Blasphemous but with several changes and optimizations that I will speak of now.”
    • “Performance was consistent throughout the entire game.”
    • “The combat feels smoother, much more optimized and versatile than before (you now have three weapons to choose from, with each weapon having its own skill tree to upgrade) and the Penitent One has more tricks up his repertoire to defend himself and deal damage.”
    • “Most of the bosses I played I loathed; I skipped most bosses with a one-hit kill cheat as I just could not be bothered to deal with the constant stuttering and freezing when your weapon, like the censer, hits a target multiple times and your animations slow down while the boss just goes like Sonic.”
    • “Also, the constant literal freezing glitch that happens when you turn on the fire of the censer has gotten me hit numerous times. I know the devs are working on the censer fire issue, but the slowdowns and stuttering also happen when doing the rapier flurry attack or the combo from the blood blade because there are too many sprites moving all at once, and it messes up my rhythm and flow.”
    • “Constant overblown hitstop on attacks is messing up your timing and making the game feel like it's stuttering.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is viewed as a double-edged sword; while the intertwined story adds depth and immersion, some players perceive the overall scope as a potential cash grab, leading to mixed feelings about its value.

    • “But the scope gives the impression of a bit of a cash grab — it's not impressive.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

85% average critic score

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Play time

20hMedian play time
17hAverage play time
11-24hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs

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