Blasphemous is definitely something that will appeal to not a lot of people, and that's ok. I personally love the game, but I can see why some people might not.
First of all, I want to talk about the art style. My god, it is probably one of the best ways that the game makes you feel bleak and hopeless. It is genuinely perfect for this game. And this is not to say that the whole game looks the same. The diversity between zones and their color pallets is immaculate, yet it still can carry this same feeling within all of them. Which is helped by the ambience and the songs of the game. These environmental factors within the game just blend in so smoothly to the point that I genuinely don't think there is a much better representation of suffering portrayed in a humane way through just the environment of any other game. Yes, Scorn also has these factors of suffering portrayed through it's environment for example, but it feels more alien while Blasphemous has this more grounded feeling to it.
Another thing I just adore is the simplicity of the games mechanics. I am aware that not being able to swing while walking is kinda aggravating, which is one of my few criticism of the mechanics, but the rest of the mechanics just feel so nice and smooth. Except one thing, parkour segments. This games parkour segments are brought straight from the core of suffering, I hate the parkour arenas with my life. This game is clearly not geared towards those parkour segments, it just feels stuffed in to an experience that's nice and slim yet still feels very fulfilling.
The enemy designs are also so immaculate, I just cannot compliment the art direction of this game more. And the bosses are actually pretty fun. I think they have this level of attack speed that you can comprehend what they are gonna do, it's just the question of how is your positioning within the arena. And it's plenty effective, you genuinely feel like you are dancing within these fights. Except... the last boss fight (not the true ending one).
Now we are getting into the more negative sides, and the reason I am so confused on if I should recommend this game or not. First of all, the final boss is just a really anticlimactic boss, that also has a flying sword. You have to hit the sword enough times and the bosses face opens up for you to strike. The thing is, the sword either flies out of the screen (extreme ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥), or the ice platform rng god will strike you down with the worst luck ever (even more extreme ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥). The boss isn't even hard btw, it's just annoying to deal with.
Another thing that'll blow most players off is the unexplainably hard ways to obtain necessary progression items. The vine extender, the artifact that makes you walk normally in water, the artifact that makes you immune to falling to your death. All 3 of these are only obtainable through a specific path, or you reading and putting together story in your head. And I don't blame anyone who reads how to find these items, cause it's genuinely not that easy for someone to think of wearing all 3 of the toe artifacts in front of a shrine to find an artifact.
Now, can you beat the game without these? Yeah, but these things have upgrades locked behind them. But general exploration is also a bit of a headache as well. The devs clearly want you to go a specific path, yet they won't tell you or guide you through that path, and the opening act of blasphemous is big as hell. And it is so non-linear. God bless anyone who didn't know that ice mountain is a mid game section. But, sometimes even the level design just ♥♥♥♥♥ you over even if you know where you are going. Case in point, the pirate ship area. I hate that place. The serpent boss took me less time than reaching him in the first place. Those stupid ass ladies with their "♥♥♥♥ you" orbs, and that stupid anchor throwing piece of ♥♥♥♥ just keep ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ you over. Plus, some of the lightning cycling through the area just moves too fast. Now, is this all a skill issue? Maybe, but I don't care.
Now, dear reader, what's the verdict? I think this game is a game that should be played with caution. If you are into Hollow Knight, and think this will be about the same, then I recommend you don't go in with that idea. It is a brutal game, and you most likely won't get the story the first playthrough (I didn't at least). But all in all, I can see why it might not be liked, or why you might love it.
