Should I Play Blasphemous 1 Before 2?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You want the full narrative and emotional payoff. Blasphemous 2 continues the story of the Penitent One after the events and multiple endings of Blasphemous. Returning characters, locations, enemy factions, and religious iconography reference the first game repeatedly, so playing it first makes the sequel’s lore easier to follow and more meaningful.
• Good fit: You want to learn the series’ gameplay language before the sequel. The first game teaches the parry timing, Fervor resource system, Prie Dieu checkpoints, Relic abilities, and backtracking-heavy exploration that carry into Blasphemous 2. Building that muscle memory can make the second game feel less overwhelming, especially if you are newer to tough 2D action-platformers.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: You are easily frustrated by punishing, precise platforming and combat. Blasphemous is widely regarded as the harder and more unforgiving of the two games, with heavy knockback, limited early fast travel, and some pixel-perfect platforming sequences. If that kind of friction would make you quit the series entirely, it may be better to start with the more polished sequel or skip the series.
• Warning sign: You have limited time or budget and care most about modern gameplay. Blasphemous 2 offers smoother controls, clearer map routing, more generous fast travel, and improved quality-of-life features. If you only plan to play one game, the sequel is the more accessible standalone experience, and a story recap can fill most lore gaps.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Stronger story continuity and payoff: Playing Blasphemous first lets you experience the sequel’s plot as a continuation rather than a fresh start. You will recognize returning characters, understand the religious hierarchy of Cvstodia, and appreciate callbacks that would otherwise be lost.
• Better mechanical preparation: The first game trains you to manage stamina, parry enemy attacks, explore nonlinear maps, and hunt for upgrades. Those habits transfer directly into Blasphemous 2 and can make its early hours feel less daunting.

Cons

• Higher barrier to entry: Blasphemous can feel slower and more punishing than its sequel. Some players find the platforming finicky, the save-point spacing stingy, and the overall difficulty curve steeper, which can lead to burnout before reaching the second game.
• Significant time investment: A first playthrough of Blasphemous, plus the Wounds of Eventide expansion content tied to the true ending, can take roughly fifteen to twenty-five hours or more. If your goal is simply to see what Blasphemous 2 is like, that upfront commitment may not feel worthwhile.

Decision Checklist

• Do I care about the story and world-building enough to play a full game for context, or am I mainly interested in gameplay?
• Do I generally enjoy difficult metroidvanias and souls-likes, or do I prefer smoother, more forgiving action games?
• Am I willing to tolerate older quality-of-life design, or would I rather start with the sequel’s modern conveniences?

Alternatives to Consider

If you are unsure about committing to the first game, consider watching a reputable story recap or lore summary before starting Blasphemous 2. The sequel provides enough tutorials and exposition to stand on its own. Another option is to play both games but in a flexible order: start with Blasphemous 2 if it appeals more, then return to the original later as a prequel-style experience. You can also skip the first game entirely if you only want a polished modern metroidvania and do not mind missing some narrative callbacks.

Final Recommendation

If you have the time, enjoy challenging exploration-heavy games, and want the richest possible story experience, play Blasphemous before Blasphemous 2. It deepens the sequel’s world and prepares you mechanically. If you are short on time, sensitive to dated difficulty, or simply more curious about the newer game, start with Blasphemous 2 and use a recap for context. Because this is a leisure and purchasing decision rather than a medical, legal, or financial matter, no professional consultation is needed; simply weigh your budget, available time, and tolerance for old-school metroidvania friction.