Blasphemous 2 could be seen as yet another Soulslike game on an already congested pile, but fans of the original game know well what they are excited for. In the same way that Hollow Knight and Hollow Knight: Silksong have shattered the mold of fans’ expectations, Blasphemous is on the same plane of existence with its own Metroidvania and Soulslike inheritances. However, while Blasphemous does have a cult following who is highly anticipating its sequel, Blasphemous 2 will need to be fairly impressive in order to get its name out there in the same way as Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Indeed, while both Metroidvania Soulslike games are similar on paper, Hollow Knight arguably edges it out due to how drastically unique its art style and setting are. Hollow Knight’s play on bugs and all things subterranean is more distinguishable than even Blasphemous’ macabre and religious fantasy, and in that regard, Blasphemous is more comparable to FromSoftware’s work. This has been a boon for Blasphemous since, but Blasphemous 2 may need to feel akin to a 2D, side-scrolling Elden Ring if it wants to compete in such a niche market.
Blasphemous 2 Has to Earn Its Place Among Soulslike Competitors
If it isn’t unfortunate enough that Blasphemous 2 will be competing against Hollow Knight: Silksong, there is another Soulslike coming out around the same time that it is scheduled to. Nintendo’s Indie World Showcase revealed Blasphemous 2 with a tonal trailer that promises a ton of lore and ambiance, revealing that it plans to release sometime late this summer.
Since Lies of P is still tentatively slated for August, both games could be pitted against one another. Even so, Blasphemous 2 needs to demonstrate that it is more than deserving of players’ attention in the midst of many Metroidvania and Soulslike games coming out.
It can almost be guaranteed that the popularity of these subgenres may ensure that more will be released in the near future, even those with action-adventure elements like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. If spiritual successors and clones continue releasing, it only means that FromSoftware’s inspirations have become more successful and popular.
It would then seem like Elden Ring has become the pinnacle of Soulslike game design due to how much of an impression its open-world approach has made, but Blasphemous 2 is seemingly confined to its sprawling labyrinth of rigid corners as a 2D side-scroller. Still, Blasphemous 2 could continue to represent Elden Ring’s environmental storytelling through convoluted tricklings of lore shared by sparse NPCs, let alone interactions with the world itself.
Blasphemous 2 already suggests that combat will be more interesting than it was, with players having access to many more weapon categories in the absence of the Penitent One’s Mea Culpa sword in Blasphemous. FromSoftware is known for its incredible build diversity, with Elden Ring’s being particularly rewarding throughout the Lands Between.
Therefore, Blasphemous 2 having a brand-new catalog of weapons could inch it further into Elden Ring’s shadow. Blasphemous 2 already has the same religion-based dark fantasy that Elden Ring largely revolves around, and its Catholicism is one of its most intriguing draws in terms of narrative.
Not much can be definitively stated about the narrative in Blasphemous 2 yet, but if its bosses and environments tell a story similar to Elden Ring’s it could propel it much further still. Hollow Knight: Silksong’s official delay means that Blasphemous fans could get more time with Blasphemous 2 in the meantime, and that could make all the difference while The Game Kitchen and Team17’s action-platformer is one of the lesser-known Metroidvania Soulslikes coming out this year.
Blasphemous 2 is scheduled to release in the late summer of 2023 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
