Blasphemous 2 to Ooze Macabre Beauty on August 24th

A Sequel to a Stunning Release is Almost Here!

One of the most artistically brilliant games of recent memory, Blasphemous developed by The Game Kitchen and published by Team17, is getting a sequel at the end of August. While we’ve known about the sequel for a while now, it still feels incredible to know that we will soon be able to revisit the bleak world as the ever-suffering Penitent One.

Know that much of the game’s imagery is steeped in heavy themes and depictions of extreme violence and self-harm. Reader discretion is advised.

Blasphemous 2 is launching digitally on August 24th on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Digital pre-orders are now available with most platforms offering slight savings for pre-ordering; a sale is also active for the original game on most platforms. As a follow-up to one of our favorite examples of the –fairly saturated– Metroidvania genre, Blasphemous 2 looks like an exciting sequel worth considering.

Even better, a physical edition is slated soon after the digital release. A standard physical edition will hit store shelves on September 15th with the Switch version of the release costing just a touch more. PlayStation and Xbox copies will retail for $34.99 while the Switch physical release is priced at $39.99 USD. Several retailers such as Target and Best Buy are now taking pre-orders.

For anyone who has played Blasphemous and wondering how the game’s story could possibly continue, the sequel calls The Penitent One to action once more to stop a prophecy that will see the birth of a new Child of the Miracle. The Miracle is a fascinating story anchor that created a wealth of cosmic horror and divine mystery, establishing a fantastically brutal world to explore and creating a throughline visually through the game’s architecture and twisted denizens. Even today, one look at the art direction of Blasphemous, and by extension its sequel, immediately sets it apart from other contemporary releases.

According to recent press releases, players can look forward to three unique weapons to master while carving a path through a non-linear world. Those weapons include a hefty hammer with a flaming censer for a head, twin slender swords, and a wicked-looking one-handed razor called the Praying Blade. The iconic Mea Culpa blade served its duty in the first punishment but I do hope we get to see it as an unlockable. With new combo paths and more brutality, the combat is expanding to be more engaging with the ability to tailor one’s playstyle more than before. Of course, facing off against new hauntingly beautiful monstrosities is one of the biggest appeals of jumping into Blasphemous 2, and everything we’ve seen so far points to a whole slew of new nightmarish beasts to carve.

In case it wasn’t obvious by the tone of this article, I highly recommend Blasphemous. It is one of the most memorable Metroidvania games I have ever played and I still find myself thinking about its unique world and looking up lore essays online three years later. The only reason I wouldn’t recommend this game is if one is easily made squeamish by gore and body horror – there is a staggering amount of violence in the first game and I imagine the sequel will push things further based on what I’ve seen. The artistic quality of the game though overcomes the macabre elements in a way that I rarely see in games.

Glowing recommendation firmly established, there is a ton to do in the first Blasphemous as the game was updated consistently with new free content and patches to make for a truly complete experience. After a full playthrough of the core game (there are multiple endings to discover!) one can play through New Game Plus, take on challenge rooms alongside Miriam of the Bloodstained franchise, muscle through a boss rush mode, and explore a special hidden 8-bit area. Additionally, there’s a new quest to be found in the Wounds of Eventide expansion. On top of all of that, the game features rendering filters to play around with and a full Spanish dub (Blasphemous 2 features an optional Spanish dub at launch) that really draws one in. Truthfully, Blasphemous is an unforgettable challenge that anyone with a passing interest in the subject matter or this style of game owes themselves to at least try.

Learn more about Blasphemous 2 on the official website. Screenshots were used courtesy of official press materials. The game will launch on August 24th on Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and GOG.