Blasphemous 2 review: Metroidvania masterclass polished to Penitent perfection

As Blasphemous 2 begins its ominous opening, it's clear that this is a title that has learned from the lessons of its predecessor, returning with its bloodied brutality buffed and its Penitent One polished.

During my time with Blasphemous 2, I was expecting something relatively short and simple. Instead, I was met with a complex selection of playstyles, a beautiful selection of sights and sounds, and an intricate map that even the most reputable Metroidvanias would envy.

Following a journey filled with imposing bosses and an elusive story that lets the gorgeous visuals do the talking, Blasphemous 2 is a game that had me exploring every nook and cranny to completely appreciate the level of detail that has sprung from its humble beginnings.

 Visual viscera

In Blasphemous 2, you're once again taking up the mantle of The Penitent One as he embarks on a journey through twisted cathedrals and eerie tunnel systems to determine the secrets and horrors of The Miracle. While it may not seem like a far cry from the original, along with its overall environmental storytelling, it all at once feels more coherent.

As you begin to unravel the mysteries of the world, elements gradually click into place that feel like a satisfying reward for your perseverance. While it maintains the cryptic narrative that comes with the territory of a great many Soulslikes, every character and environment you come across feels cohesive and well thought out.

Blasphemous was always a beautiful game, with exquisite sprite work that not only conveyed the desolation of the world you find yourself in but also evoked classic GBA-era Metroidvanias. Blasphemous 2 continues in this visceral vein, but with even more polish. The pixel has been cleaned up and seems even more detailed than before, the backdrops help create a sense of grandiosity in its scale, and the sparingly used cutscenes look better than ever.

While graphics certainly aren’t everything, it absolutely helps when you’re frequently backtracking to revisit areas of the map to continue plundering them for rosary beads, prayers or unlock new abilities.

Backtracking can sometimes feel like a chore, but it is done seamlessly in Blasphemous 2, with every new ability unlocked giving access to a fresh portion of an area you have already visited for a natural sense of progression - and since when is it boring returning to castles strewn with webs or eerie thorn-riddled forests?

• Looking to dive into the land of Baldur's Gate? Check out our review-in-progress of Baldur's Gate 3 for our thoughts

All the beauty and the bloodshed

In many FromSoftware titles, often in realms filled to bursting with gigantic beasts and eldritch horrors, it's the smaller human-sized enemies that become the most fearsome foes - and the same can be said for Blasphemous 2.

Along with the traditional fare of large enemies and bosses, it seems to place a bigger focus on these more intimate fights, and clashes with a boss the same size as you can vary from a brutal battle to a frenzied dual that requires all your pixelated prowess.

But despite its high skill ceiling, Blasphemous 2 never feels unfair. With every defeat, I was determined to pick myself up and continue to fight until my foe was ready to submit. This is also because the variety of bosses is second to none, with each boss having its own unique style that you will be required to learn if you’re going to defeat them.

• Played the first episode of The Expanse and want to know if you should keep playing? Here's our review of The Expanse's Episode 2

Flails, and swords, and daggers, oh my!

Rather than having a single weapon, your arsenal in Blasphemous 2 compromises three very unique weapons: a long-range hefty flail, a pair of swift dual-blades, and a bloody dagger that fits somewhere in between.

While you choose one at the start, the rest can be found as you explore, becoming integral for your overall navigation and combat itself. What's more, the weapon you choose at the start can also dictate the order and path you choose to follow initially - presenting some interesting replay value if you'd like to choose another.

For example, the flail will allow you to ring bells that open certain doors and reveal platforms, whereas the dagger lets you plunge through specific barriers to create new paths.

Being able to select a weapon and tweak your builds accordingly to an assortment of playstyles was certainly not what I was expecting from Blasphemous 2, but I was so glad it was there. It let me get to know how each weapon works and adapt to a style that suited me, while also giving me the opportunity to be adventurous and try new approaches to devastate enemies.

For my own playthrough, I started with Veredicto, the flail-like strength weapon - and was amazed at the paths it could take depending on how you upgraded it. As I continued to play, collecting the remaining weapons, I also found that my style had changed from a brute who could smash foes easily, to someone who was executing parries and ripostes that required precise timing, making each fight feel like a danse macabre - with blood-drenched results.

• Our review of Atlas Fallen breaks down why we think it's a 4/5

The Verdict

Blasphemous 2 is not only an assured sequel, but a game that feels like the masterclass of a genre. By blending Soulslike elements with Metroidvania, there is an ever-present challenge that, while punishing and requiring a great deal of persistence to master, seldom feels unfair or unrewarding.

Bosses, while challenging, feel like you're learning a delicate dance that you will gradually memorise with every encounter. And on the occasion you should beat them on the first attempt, this feels like an almighty triumph and culmination of your hard work.

Through all the beauty and bloodshed, Blasphemous 2 is a game that demonstrates why the pixel style endures and should be recognised as one of the best-looking games of the year. As you find yourself entrenched in its eerie environs, you will undoubtedly find it hard to put down.

5/5

Reviewed on Nintendo Switch. Code provided by the publisher.