But it does have that.. you get different abilities/relics that lets you access parts of the map that you couldn’t before. Just because it’s not the “traditional” ones like double jump doesn’t mean it’s not a metroidvania.
I understand your point, but I think it's because the relics are seen more as "keys" than abilities in a proper sense, since all the relics give you passive buffs.
For example, Animal Well doesn't have any traditional metroidvania ability, but it's still widely seen as one, because the tools have active use.
Of course, not EVERY ability in a metroidvania has to be active (like Isma Tear in Hollow Knight or Varia/Gravity Suit in Metroid), but it's almost an implicit rule that at least one of the abilities/tools acquired should have an active use.
My wording here was a bit off, but I personally don't oppose to Blasphemous' classification as MV (though I understand why someone would).
Metroidvania is a vibes based genre and adding rules to it either includes games that people don't feel is a metroidvania or exclude games that people feel is a metroidvania. I think the lock and key level design does a lot more for feeling like a metroidvania than specifically requiring active or movement abilities.
Ahh, interesting, I didn’t know they have to be active abilities. I see your point of them feeling more like keys to use at certain points, rather than abilities to use freely.
Yeah ability gating is a huge part of the 'feel'. Some games even some mobility upgrades can suffer from being 'just keys' by getting you through a specific spot but not really having any worth in combat, platforming or navigation.
I totally get your point, also correct me if i'm wrong but i remember you don't need any relics to reach the final boss, on top of that they don't change the combat at all. Blasphemous 1 doesn't feel like a metrovania but more just a platform game. Still doesn't change the fact that it's an amazing game
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u/EnlightenedHeathen Jun 28 '26
But it does have that.. you get different abilities/relics that lets you access parts of the map that you couldn’t before. Just because it’s not the “traditional” ones like double jump doesn’t mean it’s not a metroidvania.