Info about Blasphemous:

Official game description:
BLASPHEMOUS 2 - OUT NOW
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Digital Deluxe Edition
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Receive the base game, original soundtrack, artbook, digital comic and 'Alloy of Sin' alternative skin!
About the Game
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A foul curse has fallen upon the land of Cvstodia and all its inhabitants - it is simply known as The Miracle.
Play as The Penitent One - a sole survivor of the massacre of the ‘Silent Sorrow’. Trapped in an endless cycle of death and rebirth, it’s down to you to free the world from this terrible fate and reach the origin of your anguish.
Explore this nightmarish world of twisted religion and discover its many secrets hidden deep inside. Use devastating combos and brutal executions to smite the hordes of grotesque monsters and titanic bosses, all ready to rip you limb from limb. Locate and equip relics, rosary beads and prayers that call on the powers of the heavens to aid you in your quest to break your eternal damnation.
**Explore a Non-Linear World:** Overcome fearsome enemies and deadly traps as you venture through a variety of different landscapes, and search for redemption in the dark gothic world of Cvstodia.
**Brutal Combat:** Release the power of Mea Culpa, a sword born from guilt itself, to slaughter your foes. Acquire devastating new combos and special moves as you purge all in your path.
**Executions:** Unleash your wrath and relish in the gory dismemberment of your adversaries - all in beautifully rendered, pixel-perfect execution animations.
**Customise Your Build:** Discover and equip Relics, Rosary Beads, Prayers and Sword Hearts to give you the new abilities and stat boosts you need to survive. Experiment with different combinations to suit your playstyle.
**Intense Boss Battles:** Hordes of gigantic, twisted creatures stand between you and your goal. Learn how they move, survive their devastating attacks and emerge victorious.
**Unlock the Mysteries of Cvstodia:** The world is full of tormented souls. Some offer you aid, some may ask for something in return. Uncover the stories and fates of these tortured characters to gain rewards and a deeper understanding of the dark world you inhabit.

Release date: Sep 10, 2019

Categories: Metroidvania, Soulslike Combat, Precision Platformer, Boss Fights, Exploration, Non-linear Progression, Character Customization, Dark Fantasy

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 20; verdict: Mixed; summary: The reviews present a mixed perspective on the game's DLC. While some users appreciate the additional content and value provided by the DLC, others criticize its high pricing and poor implementation. The DLC is seen as expensive, with some users noting that it is priced similarly to the base game. Additionally, there are complaints about the quality of the DLC, with users feeling that it highlights flaws in the game rather than enhancing the experience.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: Needs Significant Improvements; summary: The game suffers from several significant issues related to its design and user experience. The most prominent complaints involve the game's complex and often unclear mechanics, which require players to frequently consult external guides or wikis. The map and navigation system are also criticized for being poorly designed and difficult to use. Additionally, item descriptions are often cryptic, making it hard for players to understand their purpose without external help. Game progression is another major pain point, with many users feeling stuck or unable to proceed without looking up guides. Lastly, the game's hidden content, while adding depth, often leads to frustration as players miss out on important items, quests, and endings without external guidance.
- Proton/Linux: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game has notable issues with Proton builds on Steam Deck, including game freezes and save file deletions when switching Proton versions. Save game synchronization between SteamOS and Windows is problematic, often requiring manual intervention. Despite these issues, the game generally works on Linux with minor graphical stuttering reported.
- Steam Deck: score 70; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals several significant issues impacting the overall experience of playing the game on the Steam Deck. The most prominent problems include control issues, save file synchronization problems, stability and performance issues, visual and text clarity, and poor controller support. These issues collectively contribute to a frustrating and less enjoyable gaming experience, requiring users to engage in additional troubleshooting and workarounds.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: The game generally performs well across most hardware cohorts, with positive experiences reported even on lower-end systems. However, some users report issues such as screen tearing and crashes, particularly on systems with less VRAM and RAM.
  - Sample size: 194 (1% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM / <16GB RAM (positive, 95 reports): The game runs well even on older and lower-end systems, though some users report screen tearing and crashes.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (mixed, 19 reports): Performance is generally positive, but some users experience lag and other issues.
  - Caveats: 194 of 12960 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $2.00 - $3.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence indicates that the community generally finds the game worth purchasing, especially when it is discounted. Many reviews mention that the game is a good deal at lower prices, typically around $2 to $3. Some reviews suggest that the game is worth it even at full price, but the majority highlight its value during sales. The sentiment is that the game provides good value for money, particularly when bought at a discounted price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 26.0h
  - Story completion: 10.0h
  - Session length: 1.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides direct and indirect mentions of playtime. The first quote mentions spending an hour on a specific part of the game, indicating session length. The second quote mentions a 26-hour save, suggesting a significant investment of time to reach a certain point in the game. The third quote mentions spending ten minutes on a specific task, which, while shorter, still contributes to the overall playtime. The fourth quote suggests that the player spent a considerable amount of time exploring and upgrading before completing the game, implying a substantial total playtime. These quotes collectively support the extracted playtime metrics.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game has a steep learning curve and initial friction due to clunky mechanics and unclear progression, but it becomes more enjoyable as players overcome these hurdles and explore the map.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Exploration and discovery of the map's secrets and challenges
  - Time to anchor: 2h 0m
  - Friction: Steep learning curve; Clunky mechanics; Potential bugs; Unclear progression; Slow and clumsy player character; Insta-kill spikes
  - Unlock drivers: Overcoming initial hurdles; Exploration; Discovery of secrets and challenges
  - Conditions: Patience; Persistence; Willingness to explore; Adaptation to game mechanics
- Player Archetypes:
  - Combat Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Mastery of combat mechanics and enjoying challenging gameplay.
    - Playstyle: Focused on combat, enjoys learning and overcoming challenging fights.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: hardcore gamer; souls-like fan
    - Reference games: Dark Souls; Hollow Knight
  - Art and Lore Connoisseur (buy)
    - Motivation: Appreciation of art, lore, and atmospheric elements.
    - Playstyle: Explorative, enjoys uncovering secrets and immersing in the game's atmosphere.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: art lover; lore enthusiast
    - Reference games: Bloodstained; Castlevania
  - Completionist (sale)
    - Motivation: Achieving 100% completion and unlocking all content.
    - Playstyle: Thorough and methodical, enjoys exploring every aspect of the game.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: completionist; achievement hunter
    - Reference games: Hollow Knight; Dark Souls
  - Casual Explorer (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoying the game's atmosphere and story without excessive difficulty.
    - Playstyle: Casual, prefers a balanced experience with manageable challenges.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: casual gamer; newcomer
    - Reference games: Dark Souls; Hollow Knight


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Outstanding atmosphere and visuals (weight 0.36): The game's atmosphere is praised for being immersive, unique, and engaging. Players highlight the detailed and visually stunning environments that contribute to the overall ambiance and aesthetic appeal.
- Engaging and addictive gameplay (weight 0.31): The gameplay is frequently described as engaging, addictive, and fun. Players appreciate the combat system, finding it solid, fair, and rewarding. The high replay value and entertaining gameplay mechanics contribute to the overall positive experience.
- Interesting and well-designed bosses (weight 0.22): Bosses are highlighted for their interesting and unique designs, as well as their balanced and challenging gameplay. Players find the boss fights enjoyable and skill-based.
- Unique and inspiring narrative (weight 0.21): The game's narrative is described as unique, inspiring, and intriguing. Players appreciate the rich and detailed story, as well as the multiple endings that add replay value.
- Immersive and memorable soundtrack (weight 0.16): The soundtrack is described as outstanding, epic, and memorable. It complements the game's atmosphere and visuals, contributing to an immersive experience.
- Challenging and rewarding combat (weight 0.15): The combat mechanics are described as challenging, rewarding, and engaging. Players appreciate the risk-reward mechanics and the satisfying combat system.
- Rich lore and cultural themes (weight 0.15): The lore is praised for being fascinating, engaging, and well-worked. Players appreciate the rich cultural and religious symbolism that adds depth to the game's narrative.
- Unique blend of genres (weight 0.1): The game is praised for its unique blend of Metroidvania and Dark Souls elements. Players appreciate the innovative combination of genres, making it a standout experience.

Common complaints:
- Platforming issues (weight 0.2): Platforming in the game is often criticized for being inconsistent, imprecise, and frustrating. Players report that platforming sections can feel clumsy and poorly executed, leading to a less enjoyable experience.
- Combat is repetitive (weight 0.17): The combat system is frequently described as boring and repetitive. Players suggest that combat could be more dynamic and varied to enhance enjoyment.
- Clunky controls (weight 0.17): Controls are often described as clunky, slow, and unresponsive. This can make the game feel less fluid and more difficult to play, particularly in combat and platforming sections.
- Story is hard to follow (weight 0.17): The game's story is frequently cited as difficult to understand, often requiring external resources or reading item descriptions to follow along. This complexity can make the narrative feel obscure and confusing to many players.
- Frustrating gameplay mechanics (weight 0.16): Players often find the gameplay mechanics frustrating, particularly due to high difficulty and tedious sections. This frustration is compounded by mechanics that feel purposely challenging and not always enjoyable.
- Tedious backtracking (weight 0.09): The game involves a significant amount of backtracking, which players find tedious and frustrating. This can make the gameplay feel repetitive and less enjoyable.
- Instant death traps (weight 0.08): The game features instant death pits and spikes that players find frustrating. These mechanics can lead to what players consider 'cheap' deaths, adding to the overall difficulty and frustration.
- Weak boss design (weight 0.06): Boss fights are criticized for being weak and not enjoyable. Players feel that the boss design is a weak point in the game, lacking in challenge and excitement.
- Slow animations (weight 0.05): Animations, particularly those related to combat and healing, are often criticized for being slow and overly long. This can make the gameplay feel sluggish and less responsive.

Gameplay feedback:
- Metroidvania and Souls-like blend (weight 0.28): The game combines Metroidvania elements with Souls-like combat and exploration, creating a unique mix of nonlinear exploration and challenging gameplay.
- Exploration and hidden secrets (weight 0.2): Exploration is a key aspect of the game, with hidden areas, secrets, and valuable items to discover, encouraging players to navigate a labyrinthine world.
- Precise and demanding combat (weight 0.2): Combat in the game is precise and demanding, requiring precise timing, strategy, and technical play with mechanics like parrying and dodging.
- Challenging boss fights (weight 0.16): The game features a variety of challenging and memorable boss fights that require learning attack patterns and specific strategies to overcome.
- Challenging platforming sections (weight 0.11): Platforming in the game is challenging but fair, with precise mechanics and sections that test the player's skills.
- Fluid and rich gameplay (weight 0.07): The gameplay is fluid and rich, with various mechanics that contribute to a nonlinear and engaging experience.
- Multiple endings (weight 0.06): The game offers multiple endings based on player choices, adding replayability and depth to the story.
- Engaging lore and story (weight 0.06): The game features a dark and engaging story with complex lore and worldbuilding that draws players in.
- Nonlinear progression system (weight 0.05): The game has a nonlinear progression system, with ability-gated progression and a variety of paths to explore.

Performance notes:
- Frequent glitches and bugs (weight 0.09): Players reported encountering various glitches and bugs throughout the game, including character getting stuck in structures and multiple bugs within a short playtime.
- Positive performance aspects (weight 0.05): Some players praised the game's performance, including 60 FPS support on most platforms, good optimization, and fair battery consumption.
- Steam Deck performance (weight 0.05): Mixed reviews on Steam Deck performance, with some players reporting seamless experiences while others noted janky controls and performance issues.
- Hardware compatibility (weight 0.04): There were mentions of hardware compatibility issues and the game's ability to run on lower-end PCs.
- Inconsistent platforming mechanics (weight 0.04): Players noted inconsistent platforming mechanics, including random loss of forward momentum during jumps and getting stuck on ladders.
- Cloud synchronization errors (weight 0.02): Some players reported issues with cloud synchronization, leading to potential data loss or inconsistencies.
- Unpolished gameplay elements (weight 0.02): Some players felt that the gameplay elements were unpolished, contributing to a less enjoyable experience.

Recommendations:
- Challenging gameplay (weight 0.14): The game is recommended for players who enjoy very challenging and complex games, offering a rewarding experience for those who seek difficulty.
- Metroidvania and Souls-like fans (weight 0.13): The game is highly recommended for fans of Metroidvania and Souls-like genres, offering a blend of challenging gameplay and exploration.
- Unique and immersive artistic experience (weight 0.11): The game is praised for its unique and immersive artistic style, appealing to those who appreciate high-concept art and beautiful pixel-art.
- Highly recommended despite challenges (weight 0.09): The game is highly recommended for its engaging gameplay, rich content, and compelling story, despite some difficulties.
- Recommended during discounts (weight 0.06): The game is recommended for purchase during discount periods, making it a more accessible option for budget-conscious players.
- Use guides for better experience (weight 0.05): Players recommend using guides to improve the experience and avoid getting lost, especially after the first playthrough.
- Worth playing and buying the sequel (weight 0.05): Players express interest in playing the sequel, indicating that the game is worth experiencing and purchasing its follow-up.
- Immersive adventures and atmosphere (weight 0.03): The game is recommended for those who enjoy immersive adventures and the unique setting and atmosphere it provides.
- Recommended for challenge seekers (weight 0.02): The game is recommended for those who enjoy challenging gameplay and seeking difficult experiences.
- Recommended for story interest (weight 0.02): The game is recommended for those interested in the story, offering a rich narrative experience.
- Worth a try for platformer fans (weight 0.02): The game is worth a try for platformer fans, offering a unique and challenging experience within the genre.
- Recommended for casual players with tips (weight 0.02): The game is recommended for casual players, with tips provided to help them enjoy the experience.
- Not recommended for combat-focused players (weight 0.02): The game is not recommended if you prioritize combat enjoyment, as it may not meet the expectations of combat-focused players.
- Hard to recommend due to lack of explanations (weight 0.02): The game is hard to recommend due to a lack of explanations, which may hinder the overall experience for some players.
- Recommended for those who dislike tedious Souls-like games (weight 0.02): The game is recommended for those who dislike tedious Souls-like games, offering a different and more enjoyable experience.

Other player notes:
- Donate early to the church (weight 0.02): New players are advised to donate 20,000 units of in-game currency to the church as soon as possible to unlock certain benefits or progress faster.
- Hidden skin unlock method (weight 0.02): There is a hidden method to unlock skins in the game, which players have discovered and shared.
- Completionist journey reflections (weight 0.02): Players share their experiences and reflections on attempting to complete all aspects of the game, highlighting their personal journeys.
- Request for likes (weight 0.02): Some reviews mention requesting likes to purchase a specific avatar, indicating a community-driven aspect or a desire for certain in-game items.
- Religious themes in the game (weight 0.02): Some reviews include personal reflections on the religious themes present in the game, indicating that these themes have a significant impact on the player experience.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.3): Players are frustrated primarily due to the game's high difficulty, which is exacerbated by punishing mechanics such as instant death pits and backtracking. Issues with controls, hitboxes, and platforming mechanics also contribute significantly to this frustration, making the game feel unfair or poorly designed in certain sections.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.11): Players enjoy the game's overall experience, particularly highlighting the addictive gameplay, beautiful art style, and engaging combat mechanics. The game's atmosphere, lore, and soundtrack are also frequently praised, contributing to a positive and immersive experience.
- Admiration (weight 0.08): Players admire the game's unique art direction, music, and detailed pixel art style. The game's challenging and atmospheric qualities, along with its rich lore and character designs, are also highly appreciated.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.08): Players feel satisfied with the game's balanced gameplay, rewarding exploration, and the sense of accomplishment from overcoming difficult sections and bosses. The game's unique and immersive experience, along with its engaging story and unique art style, also contribute to this satisfaction.
- Excitement (weight 0.07): Players are excited about the game's unique style and cultural inspiration, as well as its engaging and challenging gameplay. The game's visual and conceptual design, along with its memorable bosses and satisfying progression, also contribute to this excitement.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): Players express disappointment with the game's slow combat, predictable boss patterns, and lack of meaningful progression. Issues with hitboxes, enemy design, and the need to replay the game for the true ending also contribute to this disappointment.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the game's aesthetics, storyline, and soundtrack, as well as its rich lore and detailed pixel art. The game's unique atmosphere and cultural references are also highly valued.
- Joy (weight 0.04): Players experience joy from the game's art, soundtrack, and atmosphere, as well as its engaging gameplay and lore. The sense of accomplishment and the game's unique characters and worldview also contribute to this joy.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Players are enthusiastic about the game's unique atmosphere, challenging gameplay, and artistic and auditory aspects. The overall experience of the game and its positive aspects are also frequently highlighted.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players express love for the game's dark story, unusual graphic design, and overall atmosphere. The game's details and the experience of playing as a religious fanatic in a dark, twisted, and brutal world are also highly appreciated.
- Fascination (weight 0.02): Players are fascinated by the game's aesthetics, character designs, and detailed pixel art. The game's unique and disturbing atmosphere, along with its rich lore and religious themes, also contribute to this fascination.
- Frustrated (weight 0.02): Players feel frustrated due to the game's difficult gameplay and unclear mechanics, which lead to frequent deaths and a sense of unfairness.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players express anger due to poor game design choices, frustrating platforming sections, and issues with controls. The game's difficulty and design flaws contribute to this anger.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Players feel nostalgic as the game reminds them of old Nokia games and childhood memories. The religious themes and gameplay mechanics also evoke a sense of nostalgia.
- Awe (weight 0.01): Players are in awe of the game's art and narrative style, as well as its story and character development. The game's artistic and musical elements are deeply moving and contribute to this sense of awe.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Players are excited about the game's unique art style, challenging gameplay, and engaging story. The positive reviews and enthusiastic language also contribute to this excitement.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Players admire the game's art direction, atmosphere, and excellent graphics. The game's unique and singular aspects, along with its excellent story, are also highly appreciated.}