From start to finish this game had me gripped. While the story and gameplay is on point it's not completely flawless. There are a couple of rare moments where game design gets you killed because your character doesn't seem to be able to 'superman' in zero gravity. For the most part this is no problem, it's just one specific deadly puzzle that it becomes frustratingly apparent. Fortunately once you're past this you'll not have to deal with it again as the game doesn't tend to repeat puzzles. There's clear influences from Dead Space in the level design, especially in the last level. There are very few enemies and they require stealth but most of the time you're on your own trying to find a way through the moon base. The lack of people is a little odd when you start on Earth but it's fine when you get in space as it adds to the feeling of isolation. Other than that there's pretty much no replay value beyond picking up achievements.
Blasphemous takes the best elements from both Hollow Knight and Dead Cells and makes the perfect hybrid that surpasses them both. So, if you liked those games, but want something that's more mauture and ramps up the challenge a bit more, you'll love this. The parry is such a satisfying mechanic, you rely on it much more than in Dead Cells, where I felt it was under-utilised. This game requires more patience than both Dead Cells and Hollow Knight. It's very much like Megaman or Dark Souls where a lack of patience will get you killed. So when you see people moan about it being 'difficult' or 'cheap' bear in mind they probably tried to spam attack their way to victory and that just gets you dead. There are even puzzles that require some thought to solve and find secrets that are hidden throught the world. I've beaten every aspect of the game and I still want to play through it again just because it feels so good to play.
It may be my ever expanding library of games that I'll never finish that makes me enjoy a game that I can complete in one sitting. So I don't consider the length of the game as a negative. Especially when every chapter offers something unique in terms of gameplay and has mechanics that constantly change up throughout. I just couldn't put it down until I'd finished it. The puzzles, while they aren't overly taxing, are enough to get the old grey cells jogging. The game is so well designed from begining to end it felt like a good movie that you wish wouldn't end. It's a quick injection of fun that doesn't overstay it's welcome. The only negative, if you consider it one, is that it has you hooked and left wanting for more.
