What a strange game. To really simplify, it's more Blasphemous. Same decent Metroidvania style thing, same pretty art, same pretentious theme and story. So why did I find it a little lesser than the last one?
This game I feel like addressed my biggest concern with the last game in that all the new traversal stuff you get is inherent to your skills and abilities gained as you go. Hell they even do a neat thing where you choose between three different weapons and which you pick determines what paths you can take initially as each one interacts with the environment in new ways. I feel like that genuinely a clever way to do things.
So why is it falling flat for me? I think maybe it's just not enough is new maybe? Sure the technical stuff is there and the nonsense story is probably different but I dunno maybe it's just more too quickly? Didn't get a chance to miss it? It's still a fun thing to go through, I mean I did plat this one as well. Enemies being recycled through the game with different colors was kinda lame too especially when I popped the trophy for "kill one of every enemy" before I even really started the second to last area. Weak.
So maybe that's it. Sucks. It still ultimately feels good to play though. The art is all impeccable again and the bosses all have fun designs. Bosses too are all a joy to fight against and figure out. I definitely spent a lot of tries on the same one a few different times.
All the collectible stuff was mostly neat and felt worth doing. There's all sorts of items you get as you explore and do quests that add to your character. Prayers that act like your magic abilities, altar pieces that are figures you carry on your back that grand buffs and can get bonuses depending on how they're organized (another inspired idea!), skill points to level your weapons and hell there's even things you have to find to unlock further tiers IN a weapon's skill tree. It's all a wonderful exercise in rewarding exploration and it in itself made for a fun experience.
So yeah it's more Blasphemous. That's fine. It's not breaking new ground or anything but it's still fun and people that are REALLY into what it does are probably stoked. It's like a new iPhone in that way. Kinda know what to expect with a few neat features but still is what it is. Recommended to fans of the series and metroidvania players who take what they can get.
This game I feel like addressed my biggest concern with the last game in that all the new traversal stuff you get is inherent to your skills and abilities gained as you go. Hell they even do a neat thing where you choose between three different weapons and which you pick determines what paths you can take initially as each one interacts with the environment in new ways. I feel like that genuinely a clever way to do things.
So why is it falling flat for me? I think maybe it's just not enough is new maybe? Sure the technical stuff is there and the nonsense story is probably different but I dunno maybe it's just more too quickly? Didn't get a chance to miss it? It's still a fun thing to go through, I mean I did plat this one as well. Enemies being recycled through the game with different colors was kinda lame too especially when I popped the trophy for "kill one of every enemy" before I even really started the second to last area. Weak.
So maybe that's it. Sucks. It still ultimately feels good to play though. The art is all impeccable again and the bosses all have fun designs. Bosses too are all a joy to fight against and figure out. I definitely spent a lot of tries on the same one a few different times.
All the collectible stuff was mostly neat and felt worth doing. There's all sorts of items you get as you explore and do quests that add to your character. Prayers that act like your magic abilities, altar pieces that are figures you carry on your back that grand buffs and can get bonuses depending on how they're organized (another inspired idea!), skill points to level your weapons and hell there's even things you have to find to unlock further tiers IN a weapon's skill tree. It's all a wonderful exercise in rewarding exploration and it in itself made for a fun experience.
So yeah it's more Blasphemous. That's fine. It's not breaking new ground or anything but it's still fun and people that are REALLY into what it does are probably stoked. It's like a new iPhone in that way. Kinda know what to expect with a few neat features but still is what it is. Recommended to fans of the series and metroidvania players who take what they can get.