We’re starting to see an upswing in Souls-like experiences of different types, including 2D and 3D. For that matter, we’re also seeing a bunch of new Metroidvania-style experiences to enthrall players and really draw them in. But wouldn’t it be great to have more games that covered both of these bases effectively.

That’s where Team 17’s Blasphemous II comes in. The follow-up to the surprise 2019 hit definitely doesn’t hold back, making key improvements where necessary while keeping its epic storyline and incredible battles intact. There are times that it doesn’t quite hit every note – particularly towards the end – but the adventure as a whole is really something, especially if you’re up for a challenge.

If you were frustrated by the first game, you’d probably be best off skipping this one. However, if you enjoyed the morsel that the first Blasphemous provided, then you’ll want to dig in to this delectable delight.

Time To Be Penitent Again

You’re once again portraying the Penitent One, a speechless warrior that’s been called upon to investigate a new danger within the world. To go deeper into the plot would enter spoiler territory, so we’ll save you that burden. Instead, we’ll just say that you have a hell of a lot of fights ahead of you, and you’ll need every bit of your combat and platforming skills if you want to survive.

What we really enjoy about Blasphemous II is just how much the gameplay has improved. Platforming definitely feels much better here, and the removal of the whole insta-death thing does make situations slightly less frustrating. And the combat is outstanding, moving much faster and allowing you to switch between different weapons with ease, resulting in stylish yet skillful battles.

We also like how the weapons can help tie in to different paths of the game. Again, spoilers that we’re avoiding, but don’t be afraid to experiment and see what opens up for you. It really adds to the overall replayability, and we’re practically stunned with the end result.

You can also add buffs to your character to increase damage and mobility; and can also collect Marks of Martyrdoms to unlock new spells and elements to help in your techniques. Overall, this really opens up the range of your Penitent character, and makes the game that much more improved over the first venture.

It’s a challenge, still, and we wouldn’t expect anything less. But fans of the first will definitely love the improvements made here. Just…wow.

Back In The Game Kitchen For a Stunning Presentation

That’s right, the development team is called The Game Kitchen, and we love what they’ve cooked with Blasphemous II’s improved presentation.

First off, the graphics come off as a little bit smoother here. Granted, the world still looks like a hellish landscape, and some of these monsters you face are just plain uggggggly. Regardless, it makes notable improvements over the original, with better backgrounds, solid pixelated animations, gruesome blood effects and some wicked cutscenes. It’s one of the most cinematic Metroidvania examples we’ve seen yet, no matter what platform you’re playing on.

Backing this up is some amazing music, wonderfully composed and really drawing you into this dark, foreboding world. Not to mention the sound effects, ranging from low-range growls to awesome weapon effects, no matter which one you end up using. The voice acting is top-notch as well, and really lends to the characters that are included here.

Again, it does get a little tiresome towards the end, but the journey itself more than makes up for the destination. That’s still a win in the game’s favor.

This Cursed Journey Is Worth It

As a reminder, Blasphemous II is a tough cookie, just like the first. So don’t expect a cakewalk here, but rather something that truly tests your Souls-like nerves. If you’re down with that, however, you’ll love what this sequel has to offer.

The presentation is rock solid; the gameplay has been beautifully improved; and there’s a lot to do, with various ways to open up how your character can cut enemies down to size. And it’s just mesmerizing to see where the story goes, even if things get a bit weird at the end.

Ah, well, you’ll still love Blasphemous II. It’s a hell of a time.

GAMERHUB RATING: 4 1/2 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS