Blasphemous Android Review (Android/Mobile)

Rating: 8.4
Author: Jim Smale

by Jim Smale · December 18, 2024

Blasphemous Android Review, Blasphemous is a ruthless ARPG platform game set in a dark and nightmarish world where metroidvania-style gameplay meets hack’n’slash action. The world of Cvstodia is plagued by a foul and fearsome curse known as ‘The Miracle’. Terrifying monsters and unforgiving bosses have taken up residence and Cvstodia’s only hope for salvation rests in the hands of ‘The Penitent One’, the sole survivor of ‘The Silent Sorrow’ massacre.

Blasphemous Android Review Pros:

Beautiful dark gothic pixel art graphics.
0.97 GB download size.
Own in-game achievements with the option to turn on and off pop-up notifications.
3 save slots.
Bluetooth Controller support.
Metroidvania gameplay.
How to play pop-ups as you play.
Full touchscreen support and you can edit the buttons and stick placement.
It uses Dark Souls-type mechanics like dropping items when you die.
Altar checkpoints are also places where you can equip new items.
Dark twisted atmosphere.
Hack and slash combat and it’s very much a case of learning patterns.
Some of the best animations I have ever seen in a game.
Clever traversal tricks like sticking your sword in the wall, jumping then stab jump then stab.
The map fills in as you play.
The game world they have created is dripping in Gothic architecture porn, It is disgustingly beautiful.
Disturbing/creepy elements.
Vibrant locations.
Fully voiced characters.
In-game cutscenes and character interactions.
A lot of lore and story to uncover, with every item having a page of lore.
Big boss encounters.
Interactions can be skipped and fast-forwarded along with cutscenes getting skipped.
Did a good job of recognizing my DS4 controller and using the right button prompts.
Some of the best character designs and animations I have seen.
Meet memorable characters.
It is definitely one of those games that sticks with you long after you have played it.
Despite the talk of darkness and blood, the game is not overly gory and bloody which I like.
2D game world with animated backdrops.
The controls are easy to pick up and learn.
Each weapon has its own unique fighting style.
Many secrets and shortcuts to find and unlock.
It is a fantastic game to have in the go.
The touchscreen controls are once learned really well placed and responsive.
Shrines save progress and you respawn there, they also refill flasks and respawn all enemies.
It is possible to farm enemies and level up.
Earn souls basically from enemies and cash them in to upgrade your character across the skill trees for new abilities and buffs.
Such a fun game to play.
Excellent level design with a lot of verticality to them.
Different weather types and times of day.
Runs at a steady frame rate even when the screen gets really busy.
I love the story and how dark and twisted it can be but I also appreciate the lighter moments.

Blasphemous Android Review Cons:

Difficult as is the genre.
No Google Play achievements.
The Google Play system loads when you boot the game but it doesn’t have any integration with it.
I could swear there is a slight delay in the sound effects and I noticed it more in boss fights.
There are no controller settings outside of vibration on and off so no remapping or Invert axis etc.
Pages of text to read to get the most out of the lore.
So much to take in with many layers to a character creation like beads, abilities, special abilities, items, etc.
Can feel lost at times with not-great breadcrumb trails.
A lot of backtracking.
It has one cool gimmick and then feels like a game you have already experienced.

Blasphemous:

Official website.

Developer: The Game Kitchen

Publisher: Team17

Store Links –

Android

8/10

Graphics - 8/10
8/10

Sound - 8/10
8/10

Accessibility - 8/10
9/10

Length - 9/10
9/10

Fun Factor - 9/10

8.4/10

Summary

Blasphemous is a visually stunning game with dark gothic pixel art graphics that create a twisted and atmospheric world. The game is relatively lightweight with a 0.97GB download size and offers in-game achievements with customizable pop-up notifications. Players can enjoy the convenience of three save slots and Bluetooth controller support, enhancing the Metroidvania gameplay experience. The game provides helpful “how to play” pop-ups and full touchscreen support, allowing players to edit button and stick placement for a personalized experience.

The gameplay incorporates Dark Souls-type mechanics, such as dropping items upon death and using altar checkpoints to equip new items. The dark and twisted atmosphere is complemented by hack-and-slash combat that requires players to learn enemy patterns. The game features some of the best animations seen in a game, with clever traversal tricks like sticking your sword in the wall to jump and stab. The map fills in as you play, revealing a game world rich in gothic architecture and disturbing, creepy elements.

Blasphemous boasts vibrant locations, fully voiced characters and in-game cutscenes that enhance character interactions. The game is rich in lore and story, with every item having a page of lore to uncover. Players will encounter big boss battles and can skip or fast-forward interactions and cutscenes. The game recognizes DS4 controllers and uses the correct button prompts, adding to the immersive experience. The character designs and animations are some of the best, and players will meet memorable characters that make the game stick with them long after playing.

Despite its dark and twisted themes, the game is not overly gory, which is a plus for some players. The 2D game world features animated backdrops, and the controls are easy to pick up and learn. Each weapon has a unique fighting style, and there are many secrets and shortcuts to discover. The game is fantastic for on-the-go play, with responsive touchscreen controls that are well-placed once learned. Shrines save progress, refill flasks, and respawn enemies, allowing players to farm enemies and level up. Players earn souls from enemies and can upgrade their character across skill trees for new abilities and buffs.

The game offers excellent level design with a lot of verticality, different weather types, and times of day. It runs at a steady frame rate even during busy screen moments. The story is dark and twisted but also has lighter moments, making it engaging. The game is challenging, as expected from the genre, but it lacks Google Play achievements and integration. There is a slight delay in sound effects, especially noticeable in boss fights, and no controller settings outside of vibration on and off. Players will need to read pages of text to fully appreciate the lore, and the game has many layers to character creation, including beads, abilities, and items.

Overall, Blasphemous is a fun and engaging game with beautiful graphics, a rich story, and challenging gameplay. While it has some drawbacks, such as the lack of Google Play achievements and slight sound delays, the game’s strengths far outweigh these issues. It is a game that will stick with players long after they have finished playing, offering a unique and memorable experience.