An excellent, unique game that really brings back how the Internet used to function. It takes that nostalgia and uses it effectively (It really made me miss the Internet when it relied more on personal pages and forums, not social media and apps). At the same time, it distributes a postmodern dread of new technology and in a way preaches about the dire consequences it can have for everyone. The plot isn't too original, but it's the unique game design where HO really shines.

The only thing is that the web pages are very flashy and colorful, and it can be an eye-strain for a longer period of time. I recommend not playing more than an hour or two at a time to get full enjoyment out of the game.

"Summa Blasphemia" or "Catholic Guilt: The Game".

Whatever issues this game has (for instance occasional buggy movement, uneven difficulty scaling) pale when you complete the game, or at least endings A and B.

The character and environment design is impressive (perhaps even impeccable), taking inspiration from Catholic/Gothic imagery. This imagery, however, is dialed up to horrific levels, letting you take in some scary bosses and environments that at best, make you feel unsettled, and at worst, give you nightmares. Indeed, Catholicism and other Christian-adjacent similar religions are terrible and violent when you delve into them. In the end, they offer no comfort, no penance, and barrage you with horrible imaginations of hell and suffering that can only be atoned for in cruel and hopeless ways. That is the essence of Blasphemous, and that alone makes it worth playing.

It is an uneasy feeling, as the dread is mixed with an appreciation for the clever and unique design that the game offers. More often than not, it is very good at distracting you from e.g. a boss fight.

As a metroidvania, Blasphemous provides decent challenges; the level design is interesting but not too complicated, and character movement as well as fighting mechanics are engaging and fun, especially later on when you can make builds that buff you up in different ways. The only thing that surprised me was that the game wasn't that hard; after approaching a boss or an area a couple of times, I usually did not have an issue, and if I did, it was very clear that I was missing something and had to come back later.

I can see myself coming back to this game and getting the DLC ending. It is worth it.