Should I play?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You enjoy deep, lore‑heavy stories and want to understand the symbols, characters, and world‑building that carry over into the sequel.
• Good fit: You have limited experience with challenging 2D Metroidvania titles and would benefit from learning the combat rhythms and platforming mechanics in a slightly less demanding environment.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: Your gaming schedule is tight and you prefer to experience the most up‑to‑date content without revisiting earlier chapters.
• Warning sign: You find the first game’s aesthetic or difficulty unappealing and anticipate the same experience in the sequel, which could reduce enjoyment.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Story continuity – playing the first game clarifies references, character motivations, and world events that the sequel builds upon.
• Skill development – mastering the combat and platforming systems in the original makes the sequel’s heightened challenge feel more rewarding.

Cons

• Time investment – the first title can take 15–30 hours, extending the overall commitment before you even reach the sequel.
• Potential redundancy – many mechanics are reused, so replaying them may feel repetitive if you’re eager for new content.

Decision Checklist

• Do I want a richer narrative context for the sequel’s plot twists?
• Can I allocate extra hours now to avoid possible confusion later?
• Am I comfortable with the first game’s difficulty level, or would it cause frustration?

Alternatives to Consider

If you’re unsure, you could start with Blasphemous 2 and pause to read a concise plot summary of the first game online. Another option is to watch a full walkthrough or story recap video, which provides most of the narrative background without the time commitment of a full playthrough.

Final Recommendation

For players who value story depth and want a smoother learning curve, playing Blasphemous 1 first is advisable. If you’re short on time, already confident with Metroidvania mechanics, or simply prefer to jump straight to new content, it’s reasonable to begin with the sequel and supplement the missing lore via summaries. As always, weigh your personal schedule and gaming preferences before deciding.