A 2D game with corridors, shortcuts and hidden areas. Multiple ways to reach the same crucial area or the boss at the end of the level. And while we’re at it: places you have to sneak into. Monsters that would resemble those of Castlevania like friendly characters, each showing a tortured, painful, very inspired aspect. The sequel to Blasphemous once again meets all the criteria of a very good Metroidvania Not content with moving from left to right, these 2D scrolling games invite you to constantly explore, even if that means biting your fingers by encountering a sneaky enemy.
The imagery of Catholicism
There’s not much to be learned from the scenario other than an excuse for an adventure. Almost too bombastic in its introduction compared to its actual influence on the game, the latter is more akin to one of the first Castlevanias; There is a villain, in this case the Miracle, a kind of apocalyptic incarnation, and you, who must try to prevent it. This is enough to start the bucks of an atmosphere, very special and already clearly visible in the first game.
She plays up images of Catholicism with its groaning penitents, its dark-hooded abbots and its roués ready to use their instrument of torture against you. The Spanish voices welcoming you to the gamea rarity in the video game world, also convey a feeling of inquisition that fully underlines the dark ambient magic.
Bile must be made
The fights are tense and difficult in this game where you choose a weapon at the start of the game, longer and slower or short and easy to handle to suffer. The others will be accessible later, with corresponding gameplay variations. Your character can glide, which allows him to avoid certain enemies and their attacks go behind their backs.
But many monsters have a much greater range than yours. Suffice it to say Save points where you can also restore health and refill your flasks of regenerative bile is acquired through a hard struggle.
Retro Elden Ring tunes
History, for its part, is surrounded by spiritualism and abstruse ideologies. You will come across a number of non-playable characters who are not enemies but poor people that have something to say to you, all kinds of explanations that you don’t have the codes for.
But this impression of Walk the stylized Stations of the Cross in a church at your tourist destination, a Stations of the Cross that may be yours due to the level of difficulty taken from the title, then gives the game a false touch of retro Elden Ring. Like From Software’s game, Blasphemous 2 has some pretty great scenery, even if you see through the pixel art mill.
Flawless processing
Blasphemous 2 also leaves you grumbling over the death of your character, the mysterious Penitent, but thanks to the impeccable handling, a great quality of the title, you’ll want to come back to it again and again. The sequel to Blasphemous follows pilgrim paths rather than innovation, and there are credible contenders like Heidelberg 1693, which competes in the same category. But his recipe is perfectly implemented.
WE LOVE :
A radical visual atmosphere in his imagery
A remarkable soundtrack, especially in relation to the Spanish language versions
Flawless handling, an essential prerequisite for it to work
WE LIKE LESS:
Apart from the aesthetics, there are few innovations compared to the first part
A bestiary of unusual quality and originality
Peaks of difficulty that deserve confession
THE RESULT: 16/20
A Team 17 game, on Playstation 5, XBox series, Switch and PC, around €30. 16 years and older.