Blasphemous

Controls:

1. D-Pad: Move your character.
2. Left Analog Stick: Move your character.
3. Right Analog Stick: Move the camera.
4. Touch Pad: Open the map.
5. Options Button: Open your inventory.
6. Triangle Button: Interact with objects and NPCs (non-player characters).
7. Square Button: Perform a standard attack.
8. Circle Button: Perform a ranged attack or hold to use a Blood Penitence (a special ability).
9. X Button: Interact with objects and NPCs.
10. L1 Button: Use a Biliary Flask (a healing item).
11. R1 Button: Perform a parry to deflect enemy attacks.
12. L2 Trigger: Use a Prayer (a magical ability).
13. R2 Trigger: Perform a dash maneuver to evade attacks or cross gaps.

The Basics:

This section covers fundamental gameplay mechanics necessary for survival in Cvstodia. Understanding these basics will help you navigate the environment, engage in combat, and utilize your abilities.

Hey there! Blasphemous can be a bit tough to get into, but don't worry, I'll walk you through the core stuff you need to know to survive the Cvstodia. Let's break down the basics so you can get a handle on things.

First up, you'll encounter these golden altars called Prie Dieu. Think of them as your checkpoints and safe havens. When you pray at one, it'll fully restore your health, refill any empty Biliary Flasks you've used, and most importantly, save your progress. Just a heads-up, though: using a Prie Dieu will cause all the enemies you've already defeated to respawn. It's also the only place where you can swap out your Mea Culpa Hearts, which are pretty important for customizing your build.

Now, let's talk about what happens when things go wrong. If you die, you'll respawn at the last Prie Dieu you visited, and you'll leave behind a Guilt Fragment where you fell. While you have these fragments lying around, your Fervor bar (that's your special move meter) will be shorter, it'll fill up slower, and you won't earn as many Tears of Atonement. To get back to normal, you need to return to the Guilt Fragment and interact with it. Be careful, because if you die multiple times without collecting your fragments, you can end up with several of them scattered across the map, which really messes with your stats. If you're really struggling or just want to clear them all at once, you can visit a Confessor Statue and pay a small fee to have all your Guilt Fragments removed.

Speaking of Tears of Atonement, these are your main currency in Blasphemous. You'll earn them by defeating enemies and completing sidequests. You'll need these Tears to buy new abilities from Mea Culpa Shrines and to pick up useful items from Candelaria Shops. So, keep an eye out for opportunities to earn them!

Finally, let's touch on Equipment. You'll be managing three main types: Rosary Beads, Relics, and Mea Culpa Hearts. Rosary Beads are great for tweaking your overall stats, while Relics usually grant passive abilities that help you navigate the world or provide other environmental benefits. Mea Culpa Hearts, which you can only equip at Prie Dieus, offer significant stat boosts but often come with a trade-off or drawback, so choose wisely! You can equip a total of 8 Rosary Beads (though you can increase this by finding Knots of Rosary Rope), 3 Relics, and just 1 Mea Culpa Heart at a time. Mix and match these to create a build that suits your playstyle!

Fervor is the blue bar beneath your health. Attacking enemies fills it, and using Prayers consumes it. You can hold Circle to use Blood Penitence, depleting health for Fervor.

Execute a sliding dodge by pressing R2. This is useful for evading attacks, passing through enemies, and accessing small areas.

Press R1 to parry weak attacks and deflect heavy blows. Timing counters can lead to a Retribution: press Square as your counterattack connects to deal extra damage and potentially stun enemies. A successful Retribution is indicated by a lightning strike.

Brotherhood of the Silent Sorrow

As you gain control, navigate the area by jumping and clinging to ledges. Duck and press X to pass through the floor, then slide with R2 to the next room. You'll find a Prie Dieu to save your progress, restock healing Biliary Flasks, and change equipment. Resting at a Prie Dieu respawns enemies.

Warden of the Silent Sorrow

This early boss fight serves as a tutorial. The Warden has two main attacks: Scepter Smash (a ground slam with a shockwave) and Jump (a high leap that can cause damage if landed on).

Use basic attacks (Square) and evasive slides (R2). The Warden follows a pattern of jumping then using Scepter Smash. Run or slide behind the boss when he is midair, follow up with attacks, then back up and jump to avoid the shockwave. You can heal with L1 if needed.

After defeating the Warden, continue onward. The upcoming door requires the Key to the Chamber of the Eldest Brother, which you won't have yet. Instead, jump and slash a switch to open the exit gate.

Revisiting

After purchasing the Key to the Chamber of the Eldest Brother in Mercy Dreams, return to the locked door to find the Blood Perpetuated in Sand Relic.

Entering from Mountains of the Endless Dusk allows access to lower areas with a Chapel of Travel, Mea Culpa Shrine, Confessor Statue, and a Jailed Ghost for upgrades. You'll also find a room with obstacles for Redento's quest and a shortcut connecting the region's halves.

The Holy Line

You'll meet Deogracias, who offers lore. After this meeting, you receive [THORN]. Save at the Prie Dieu and proceed.

Enemies like Enraged Pilgrims are easily defeated with a few sword slashes. The Wheelbroken enemy has a slam attack that can be parried (R1).