With the excitement building around the release of Blasphemous 2, a common question is being asked: Should you play Blasphemous before playing Blasphemous 2? Let’s break this down to help you make a decision.
Can I play Blasphemous 2 Without Playing Blasphemous 2?
The answer, honestly, depends on how much you love a dark world with a profound lore surrounding it. Blasphemous is confusing to most of us who have played it, albeit diving into the lore is extremely interesting; it may be a bit too much for the average gamer. The easy answer is no; you do not need to play the original Blasphemous before Blasphemous 2, as the story is confusing to understand while trying to beat the game’s difficulty. But from a lore perspective, where they take the Spanish religious theme is rather intriguing.
Narrative Continuation from Blasphemous DLC
Blasphemous 2’s story picks up directly from the “Wounds of Eventide” DLC of the first game. This DLC added a canonical ending to Blasphemous, hinting that the narrative threads of the original weave into the sequel. Thus, if you’re someone who likes to catch every bit of the story and its subtle references, starting with the original might be a good idea.
The Penitent One Returns
The protagonist of the story, the Penitent One, returns in the sequel. However, this only means something to those who know the lore. To the average gamer, he is merely the protagonist who will die a lot on their journey to beat the game. It’s nice to know that it’s the same character from the first game and that his struggles are not over, but that’s all you really need to know about Blasphemous 2.
Game Mechanics
Having a grasp on the core gameplay mechanics from Blasphemous can set you up for a smoother experience in its sequel. It being a sequel, things won’t have changed dramatically but instead, be built upon to make excellent mechanics something truly inspiring. Having played the first game, your muscle memory and thoughts will remember how to play, giving you an advantage. But Blasphemous 2 will undoubtedly follow in the footsteps and help new players ease into the game, with a boss fight three minutes into the game.
Lore Depth
One of the standout features of Blasphemous is its intricate lore, drawing inspiration from Spanish folklore and religious themes. The depth of this world-building is something that players have lauded, and diving into the first game offers a deep dive into this rich tapestry. When you know the lore, the sequel continues that journey, and every reference or callback becomes a delightful nod to an already familiar world.
However, if you’ve only played the original Blasphemous and not any of the DLC, you’ll be in the dark about the true ending, just as much as those who haven’t played Blasphemous. Honestly, as I’ve said before, the story/lore is terrific, but it’s vast, and you’ll only want to know more if you go looking for it. Understanding the story is purely optional if you enjoy the mechanics of the game; you do not need to follow the lore of Blasphemous to enjoy it. You can instead revel in the overall design of the dark would.
While it’s entirely possible to play and enjoy Blasphemous 2 without prior experience of the first game, starting with the original can provide a deeper, more connected experience, but it’s not necessary. It does not matter if you play Blasphemous or not before you start the sequel. What you should know is that I have high hopes for the sequel to bring something special to the table, and from the reviews in the wild, they agree.
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