Why Blasphemous 2 Chose the Wrong Time for Its Release

Blasphemous 2 has not received much attention since its reveal, indicating that The Game Kitchen's dark fantasy Metroidvania has a lower level of discoverability and fame. While the game is known among Metroidvania and Soulslike fans, it is competing in an oversaturated market due to the popularity of these genres. The game's release date may have been its last opportunity to distinguish itself from the crowd and gain momentum. With Hollow Knight: Silksong still not released, Blasphemous 2 could have been a perfect alternative for fans. However, its official release date coincides with the launch of FromSoftware's Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, which is disappointing and ironic for Blasphemous 2 fans.

Blasphemous 2 is Going Head-to-Head with Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon

Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon offers a unique gameplay experience that differs from FromSoftware's popular Soulslike genre, providing fans with a refreshing change. While Blasphemous 2 may not be in direct competition with Armored Core 6, it may struggle to gain attention due to FromSoftware's highly anticipated upcoming release.

Despite this, many fans are eager to try out Armored Core 6 and witness what FromSoftware has created. As the developers who pioneered the Soulslike formula, FromSoftware has established a reputation for delivering exceptional gaming experiences, and this goodwill is likely to carry over into future releases.

The launch window for The Game Kitchen is now daunting, as it is up against tough competition from FromSoftware. While Blasphemous 2 has the potential to be an exceptional sequel that surpasses its predecessor, Armored Core 6 could generate the same level of excitement as Elden Ring, making it challenging for Blasphemous to stand out on its own. The end of 2023 is packed with highly anticipated game releases, and it may be challenging for fans to navigate through them all. For instance, Lords of the Fallen could be overshadowed by Alan Wake 2, which in turn could be eclipsed by Marvel's Spider-Man 2.

If Blasphemous 2 fails to meet the standards set by Elden Ring or other 2D Metroidvania games, it runs the risk of being overshadowed by the release of Starfield in the early fall. This would be unfortunate, as the sequel shows a lot of promise. However, even if it does not receive immediate attention, its strong fanbase may still support it and recognize it as a great Metroidvania game. Despite a busy release schedule at the end of August and throughout the fall, fans will have plenty of options to choose from and can still enjoy Blasphemous 2 before or after other games.

Blasphemous 2 launches on August 24, 2023, for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.