Blasphemous: A Thrilling Dark Retro Adventure

All screenshots by author.

Blasphemous is a game that takes players on an epic journey through a dark, twisted world filled with religious symbolism, intense boss battles, and challenging platforming elements. The game is developed by The Game Kitchen and published by Team17 Digital Ltd. Blasphemous is available on Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.

Please turn it on, you know you like it.

CRT Filters for an Old-School Retro Feel

One of the standout features of Blasphemous is its CRT filters that give players the option to play the game with a classic retro feel. This feature adds an extra layer of nostalgia to Blasphemous’s already hauntingly beautiful world. The CRT filters create a grainy, flickering effect that will take players back to the days of playing classic video games on CRT televisions. This feature is visually appealing and adds to the game’s overall atmosphere.

Hand-Drawn Backdrops and Amazing Voice Acting

Blasphemous boasts stunning hand-drawn backdrops that are incredibly detailed and beautifully crafted. The world of Blasphemous is full of intricate landscapes, sprawling cities, and otherworldly realms that players will explore as they progress through the game. The stunning graphics complement the fantastic voice acting that feels genuine and chilling. The voice acting is so well done that it truly adds to the game’s overall atmosphere, making the world of Blasphemous all the more immersive.

Concept of Guilt

The concept of guilt is a central theme in Blasphemous. The main character is a penitent who purges the world of its sins. The player is forced to confront their guilt as they progress through the game, making choices that ultimately determine their fate. The game’s use of guilt is a unique aspect that adds to the overall experience and makes Blasphemous even more thought-provoking. It’s not only a concept but a mechanic. When the Penitent One dies, he must recover the guilt from the place of the death.

I simp for this woman.

Viridiana and Boss Battles

Viridiana is a powerful ally who comes to the main character’s aid in the game’s boss battles. She is a critical character in Blasphemous, and her appearance adds depth to the game’s story. The boss battles in Blasphemous are intense and challenging, requiring players to employ their platforming skills and combat abilities to defeat their opponents. The boss battles are a game highlight and excite an already thrilling adventure.

Viridiana has one of the most hauntingly beautiful voices (and names) I’ve ever heard in a video game. Please take a listen to her here on one of my Twitch clips and see the end of my first boss fight in this second clip, where I am rewarded with one of the most satisfying XBOX Achievements I’ve ever had, with the help of Viridiana of course.

Strong Spanish Catholic Vibes

Blasphemous has strong Spanish Catholic vibes that are evident throughout the game. The world of Blasphemous is steeped in religious symbolism and imagery, with characters, creatures, and landscapes inspired by Spanish Catholicism. The game’s religious imagery is striking and thought-provoking, adding an extra layer of depth to the game’s story.

The Lore is Beautiful

Even items having lore behind them are Blasphemous. Look at this simple one-paragraph story behind a Dove’s Skull. It leaves chills down my spine.

In case you can’t read the text in the image, it reads:

Dove Skull — That morning, when the bonfires were lit, and the convicts were raising their ghastly pleas to the indifferent inquisitors, a white dove came down from heaven and perched on the shoulder of a prisoner, where it stayed until it burned with him.

The Music is Amazing

The musical composers behind the game are Roque Baños and David García Díaz. Roque Baños is a Spanish composer well-known for his film, television, and video game work. He has won several awards for his work, including a Goya Award for Best Original Soundtrack for the movie “The Machinist.”

David García Díaz is a Spanish composer who has worked in film, television, and video games. He has collaborated with Roque Baños on several projects, including Blasphemous.

The music in Blasphemous is a mixture of classical and orchestral music with Spanish and Latin American elements. The music creates an atmospheric, haunting soundscape reflecting the game’s dark and gothic themes. The music is intense and dramatic, with sweeping strings and powerful percussion, helping set the tone for the player’s journey through Cvstodia.

Overall, the music in Blasphemous is a vital component of the game’s atmosphere and is an essential part of the player’s experience. The composers have done a great job creating a unique and immersive soundtrack that complements the game’s visuals and gameplay.

Elevators that make no sense take you from place to place, and along with portals, fast travel is made accessible around discovered areas. Rerunning areas becomes like muscle memory after a while. You get better and better.

Final Thoughts

I’m not one who particularly enjoys platformer games, but Blasphemous pierced through the veil of indifference and landed in my Hall of Games I Will Never Forget. It’s like being haunted by a beautiful ghost.

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