Uncovering the Bittersweet Tenderess in Blasphemous 2's Faithful Canine

Highlights

Blasphemous 2 features hidden secrets and questlines that can be difficult to understand due to archaic language and a fantastical world.

In Soulslike games, NPCs can be deceiving, yet there are those that bring humor and charm, such as the adorable dog featured in Blasphemous.

Within Blasphemous 2, this dog serves as a somewhat nostalgic Easter egg, presenting itself unexpectedly and vanishing swiftly, creating a ghostly homage to its presence in the previous installment.

Blasphemous 2 and its predecessor are filled with secrets and intricate storytelling within their obscure environments. The questlines in these 2D Metroidvania Soulslike games can be challenging to decipher due to the use of archaic language and the fantastical nature of Cvstodia's world. Players can only gain a basic understanding of the game through simple interactions with non-playable characters (NPCs), let alone relying on explanations from the community online. However, some NPCs may actually be simpler than they initially appear in traditional Soulslike games.

FromSoftware has taught players to be skeptical of NPCs, as they may deceive or trap them. Bloodborne, in particular, played with this idea by allowing players to choose the fate of discovered NPCs. Despite this, FromSoftware games also feature NPCs who exist solely to provide humor or add charm to the player's intense adventure. This is the role of the adorable dog in Blasphemous, although its role in the sequel becomes much more devastating.

Blasphemous 2 Has a Bittersweet Easter Egg for Fans of the Original

The "Puppers of Albero" was a rare sight in the game Blasphemous, but players could interact with it to give it pets. This interaction gained Blasphemous recognition among games featured on the popular 'Can You Pet the Dog?' account. Dedicated players conducted research to uncover any potential value the dog might have, such as whether interacting with it would contribute to a quest or other activity. It was discovered that affectionate pets from the dog could actually restore the health of the Penitent One, although the presence of a Prie Dieu nearby in Albero made this ability less significant. Nonetheless, fans of the game appreciated having an adorable dog around during their visits to the church.

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The terrifying and grueling lands traversed by Blasphemous' Penitent One offer little respite, making it a precious moment when players return to their hub and are greeted by an old friend who is always overjoyed to see them. Interestingly, the NPC dog was affectionately named Nemo, after one of the developers' beloved pets that had passed away, lending it a deeper emotional connection beyond what the game explicitly reveals. With the arrival of Blasphemous 2, which is riddled with secrets and mysteries, it wouldn't be surprising if few fans discovered that the same dog makes a brief reappearance.

The dog can be spotted at the game's starting point, precisely where players first spawn, mirroring its presence in the original game. However, just like before, it remains an exceedingly rare sighting, vanishing almost instantaneously. Additionally, Blasphemous 2 is set a thousand years after its predecessor, adding a layer of intrigue to the dog's reappearance, suggesting it may be an Easter egg - a ghostly remnant of the charming dog returning to say hello once more. While it's regrettable that players cannot interact with the dog again, this heartfelt reference serves as a delightful homage that many fans may never have the fortune of encountering in Blasphemous 2.

Blasphemous 2 is out now for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.