Blasphemous Could Use Its Own ‘Elden Ring Nightreign’

Summary

Blasphemous blends the core principles of Metroidvania design with Soulslike mechanics and striking pixel art.
Elden Ring Nightreign’s co-op roguelike setup could inspire a similar framework in Blasphemous.
Blasphemous has a solid existing base to incorporate a roguelike experience like Nightreign’s, potentially expanding on bosses and playstyle options.

2019’s Blasphemous and its numbered sequel (released in 2023) are some of the most striking 2D indie Metroidvanias of the last couple of years. Developer The Game Kitchen pulled from the genre’s core principles and games of the past and fused them with recognizable Soulslike sensibilities and memorable visual aesthetics. Both Blasphemous games feel refined and fresh, and the franchise has established itself as one that’s delivered two topnotch entries with potentially more to come.

Recently, FromSoftware itself released its latest project, Elden Ring Nightreign. Though it has a single-player element, Elden Ring Nightreign is built mainly for three-player co-op around a roguelike version of the base title. Players are sent to slay a slew of new, old, and reimagined bosses within its apocalyptic dark fantasy world. And Blasphemous also contains many components in place for it to create a similar framework and equally engaging loop.

A Blasphemous 3 Would Be Ready for a FromSoftware Soulslike Boss Feature

Blasphemous 2 opened a door to additional weapon playstyles and a third installment could take that further with a FromSoftware boss staple.

Blasphemous is Begging for an ‘Elden Ring Nightreign’ of its Own

Blasphemous Already Shares Much of its DNA With Elden Ring and FromSoftware

From the moment Blasphemous begins, any fans familiar with FromSoftware titles will likely be able to point out numerous similarities. The protagonist, the Penitent One, awakens atop a pile of gruesome corpses in a ruined Gothic cathedral. He then steps out into the distorted light of a devastated world in pursuit of a strange god-like entity, the Miracle, witnessing the bizarre and unusually cruel “blessings” it has bestowed upon the various characters and citizens of Cvstodia.

On the quest to confront the Miracle, players must navigate the Penitent One through Blasphemous‘ gorgeously grotesque fantasy worlds. Both entries feature incredibly detailed retro pixel art depicting warped visions of Spanish Inquisition-era history and iconography. Like Elden Ring, it’s a somber take on once-beautiful lands previously ruled over by enigmatic and deadly figures, some of which have begun to stir again.

Blasphemous‘ gameplay also demands the Soulslike staples of measured precision and learning the patterns of enemy attacks, all while working toward unlocking and upgrading equipment and abilities to push further through unforgiving levels. The equivalent of flasks and bonfires are also present. Last, but certainly not least, Blasphemous contains imposing and disturbing bosses, each often having a dark and tragic lore attached to them.

How Blasphemous Could Channel Elden Ring Nightreign for an Adjacent Experience

Over the course of two games, Blasphemous has given fans some of the most stylish and unique art design in its carefully crafted regions and the figures who wait to be vanquished or redeemed at the end of them. A Blasphemous roguelike could make excellent use of its atmospheric and well-designed levels through remixed and randomly assembled versions for each run.

As mentioned, Blasphemous‘ boss design is noteworthy, and many can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some of FromSofts’ offerings regarding spectacle and challenge rolled into one intense encounter. Runs might then be capped off with a selection of fights, possibly adding more unnerving ones or giving previous ones a few new tricks to keep players on their toes.

This would also provide a perfect chance for the studio to experiment further with Blasphemous 2‘s weapon system. It could even serve as a test run of sorts for expanding these mechanics in a potential third entry. Narratively, the setup could be explained through something akin to Elden Ring Nightreign‘s story of an alternate universe or dream-like version of events within the greater world.

The series received the substantial Wounds of Eventide and Mea Culpa DLCs. The Game Kitchen could thus release a roguelike project in the same way, or even more ambitiously, as its own standalone like Nightreign. Either way, there are already so many elements in place that would fit Nightreign‘s design well in Blasphemous that it would be exceptional to see the idea realized.