Blasphemous

Blasphemous is a visually stunning and atmospheric metroidvania that combines brutal difficulty with a deeply immersive world inspired by Spanish Catholic imagery. Players frequently praise its gorgeous pixel art, haunting soundtrack, and intricate boss designs, which create a compelling and dark narrative experience. The combat is satisfying for many, with responsive controls and a rewarding parry system, though some find it clunky or inconsistent. Exploration is richly layered with secrets, collectibles, and multiple endings, encouraging multiple playthroughs and new game plus modes.

However, the game is also noted for its punishing difficulty, with instant death traps, frustrating platforming, and occasional unfair enemy mechanics that can lead to player frustration. The story and lore are cryptic and require attention to item descriptions and NPC dialogue, which can be confusing. Additionally, some players report bugs, control issues, and a lack of difficulty settings. Despite these flaws, Blasphemous remains a beloved title for fans of challenging, atmospheric games and metroidvania enthusiasts.

Highlights

Players overwhelmingly praise Blasphemous for its gorgeous pixel art and unique art direction, which vividly brings the dark, religious-themed world to life. The haunting and atmospheric soundtrack enhances immersion, with boss fight music being a particular standout. The challenging but rewarding combat system, especially the parry mechanics, is frequently highlighted, alongside well-designed and memorable boss encounters. The game's lore and narrative, though cryptic, are appreciated for their depth and emotional impact. The metroidvania exploration is engaging, with a well-connected map and satisfying progression mechanics.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the game's punishing difficulty and frustrating platforming, including instant death spikes and bottomless pits that can feel unfair. Some players find the controls and movement clunky or inconsistent, particularly ledge grabbing and jumping mechanics. The lack of difficulty settings limits accessibility for less experienced players. The storytelling style is opaque and overly cryptic, making it hard to follow without external resources. Additionally, the game suffers from bugs and technical issues, especially on certain platforms like Steam Deck. Some find the optional content and quest requirements to be vague and unforgiving, which can detract from the overall experience.