Blasphemous II
84
★ /10
Nintendo Switch, 
PC, 
PS4, 
PS5, 
Xbox One, 
Xbox Series X/S
Where to buy
Blasphemous 2 is a 2023 Metroidvania developed by The Game Kitchen and published by Team17, released August 24, 2023 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch, with last-gen ports following. It holds Metacritic scores in the low-to-mid 80s — above the original‘s aggregate — and continues the story directly from the first game’s Wounds of Eventide true ending: the Miracle returns, a new miracle child is foretold, and the Penitent One rises from his resting place into a new land.
Its reception carries a productive split, visible in the exact “what’s the consensus?” threads that rank for it: as a Metroidvania, near-unanimously better — as a Blasphemous, argued over ever since.
Technical Specifications
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | The Game Kitchen |
| Publisher | Team17 |
| Release | August 24, 2023 (PC, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch); PS4/Xbox One later |
| Metacritic | Low-to-mid 80s (by platform) |
| Paid DLC | Mea Culpa (October 31, 2024) |
| Genre | Metroidvania, Soulslike, action-platformer |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Three Weapons, Real Metroidvania Bones
The structural leap: the Penitent One now chooses among three weapons — the censer-flail Veredicto, the rapier-and-lightning pair Sarmiento & Centella, and the blade Ruego Al Alba — each doubling as an exploration tool that rings bells, conducts current, or unlocks mirrors, with the other two acquired in play. Double jumps, air dashes, and ability-gated backtracking make this the genuine Metroidvania the first game only leaned toward, and reviewers consistently credited tighter platforming, better-telegraphed bosses, and fewer cheap deaths as the sequel’s craft dividend.
The Congregation Divides
The counter-case, argued sincerely across the fanbase: in gaining fluidity, the sequel shed some of the original’s oppressive, processional dread — brighter palettes, busier enemy counts, more conventional structure — and a minority holds the first game’s atmosphere as the series’ irreplaceable core. The 2024 Mea Culpa paid DLC sharpened the split further: critics received its two new areas and returning iconic sword warmly, while user reception ran mixed, with complaints of platforming-heavy design and a redundant-feeling weapon. Both camps agree on the destination — a third game is the series’ openly hoped-for endgame.
Where to Play It Today
Blasphemous 2 is on Steam, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox with regular deep discounts and the Mea Culpa DLC sold separately. Play the original first — including its free Wounds of Eventide ending, which this game’s opening assumes you’ve witnessed.
