How to Start True Torment Blasphemous 2: A Guide to Overcoming Penance
Understanding The Depths of True Torment Mode
Blasphemous continues to reign as a punishing yet rewarding metroidvania experience, and Blasphemous 2 takes that to a whole new level. For those who have conquered the main game and yearn for a greater challenge, True Torment mode awaits. But stepping into this difficulty tier without proper preparation is a recipe for relentless death and frustration. This guide provides a comprehensive roadmap on how to successfully start your journey into True Torment Blasphemous 2, focusing on understanding the game’s unique penances and establishing effective early-game strategies. While the path is fraught with peril, the satisfaction of overcoming True Torment is an unparalleled achievement. Get ready to bleed… a lot. The question isn’t if you’ll suffer, but how you’ll suffer. But the rewards are worth it, aren’t they?
True Torment mode is, essentially, New Game Plus cranked up to eleven. It’s not just a simple difficulty increase; it introduces a system of “Penances” that drastically alter the gameplay experience. These Penances are self-imposed burdens that add layers of complexity and difficulty to an already challenging game. Think of them as game-altering modifiers that force you to adapt your playstyle.
So, why would anyone willingly choose to subject themselves to True Torment? The answer lies in the thrill of the challenge. It’s a proving ground for seasoned Blasphemous players, a test of skill, patience, and understanding of the game’s mechanics. It’s for those who have mastered the art of dodging, parrying, and exploiting enemy weaknesses. It’s for those who relish the feeling of triumph after overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Some believe certain cosmetic items or other unlocks are tied to completing True Torment runs, further incentivizing the dedicated playerbase. Whether those rumors are true or not, only the truly tormented know for sure.
The differences between the standard game and True Torment extend beyond simple stat adjustments. Enemies hit harder, yes, but their aggression and attack patterns may also change, becoming less predictable and more relentless. Resource scarcity becomes a major factor. Healing flasks are even more precious than ever, and Tears of Atonement, the game’s currency, will feel like they evaporate in your hands as the cost of upgrades increases. Furthermore, a critical element is stripped away: the map. Navigation becomes reliant on memory and careful observation, adding another layer of difficulty to exploration.
The Weight of Choice: Choosing Your Penance
The most crucial decision you’ll make at the start of True Torment is selecting your Penance. These are the curses you inflict upon yourself, each with its own unique set of challenges. There are three to choose from, and each one significantly impacts how you approach the game.
Let’s break down each option:
The Penance of Unwavering Faith
This Penance drastically limits your ability to heal. Think of it as playing with a severely restricted health pool and greatly reduced healing. This is often considered the most difficult of the three because it demands near-perfect execution in combat.
The Penance of the Immaculate Seed
This Penance completely overhauls how your healing flasks work. Instead of providing direct healing, flasks now instead need to be charged up over time with fervor by using ranged attacks and spells. This penalizes melee focused builds, or players who are not comfortable with using prayers often.
The Penance of the Guilt-Laden
This Penance directly punishes death. Upon death, you will have increased fervor cost, increased healing flask consumption, and decreased physical damage until you retrieve your guilt fragment. This penance may be easier for newer players if they can avoid dying frequently.
Diving Deeper into Each Penance:
The Price of Unwavering Faith
With this Penance, your healing is severely restricted. You can only fully heal at specific shrines. This means every hit you take is a significant setback. This Penance is extremely difficult, but it might be manageable for players who have already mastered the game’s combat mechanics and are confident in their ability to dodge and parry attacks flawlessly. A single mistake can be deadly, making it a high-risk, high-reward option. This is a run for masochists, make no mistake.
The Burden of the Immaculate Seed
This Penance changes your healing flasks, which will now need to be charged. Charging can be done with fervor usage, which limits how often you can use melee. Consider the difficulty this creates when fighting an enemy that you would normally rush down in melee combat.
The Scars of the Guilt-Laden
Under this Penance, death has serious consequences. Your fervor costs increase, healing flask usage gets worse, and your damage output goes down. This can stack and make your character exponentially weaker with death.
Which Penance is Best for Your First True Torment Run?
Honestly, “best” is subjective and depends on your playstyle. However, many experienced players suggest that the Penance of the Guilt-Laden is the most manageable for a first-time True Torment playthrough, assuming the player does not die frequently. The rationale is that while the penalties for death are harsh, they are avoidable with careful play. The other Penances, by contrast, impose permanent restrictions that are more difficult to overcome. The other two penances are more punishing in nature, and might not be the most enjoyable experience for a first run.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find the Penance that best suits your strengths and weaknesses. Regardless of your choice, prepare for a challenging and rewarding experience.
Early Game Survival: Essential Tips
The early game in True Torment is a brutal test of your skills and resourcefulness. You’ll need to be more careful, deliberate, and strategic than ever before.
Conserve Every Drop: Resource Management
Tears of Atonement are going to be even more scarce in True Torment, so you will need to save them for what you really need. Likewise, healing items are extremely rare. Make sure to choose your path wisely and don’t pick fights you don’t need to.
Master the Art of Defense: Combat Strategies
Dodge and parry. It’s not optional anymore. These are the cornerstones of survival in True Torment. Learn enemy attack patterns intimately and practice your timing. A well-timed parry can turn the tide of battle, and a perfectly executed dodge can save you from certain death. Choose your battles wisely, and don’t be afraid to run away from a fight that is too difficult or risky.
Strategic Selection: Weapon and Build Choices
A strong early-game weapon is your best friend. The recommended weapon is often dependent on your Penance choice, but a balanced option with good damage and range is generally a safe bet. Experiment with different prayers and rosary beads to find a combination that suits your playstyle.
Chart Your Course: Exploration
Knowing where to go and what to find is crucial in the early game. Prioritize locations that offer valuable upgrades, such as increased health, fervor, or healing flask capacity. Research the map beforehand (if possible) to identify these key locations and plan your route accordingly.
Cultivating the Right Approach
True Torment isn’t just about mechanical skill; it’s also about mindset. You need to be prepared for a challenging and often frustrating experience.
Accept the Inevitable: Embrace the Challenge
Death is a part of Blasphemous 2, and it’s especially prevalent in True Torment. Don’t get discouraged by dying. Instead, learn from your mistakes and use each death as an opportunity to improve.
Analyze Your Failures: Learn from Your Mistakes
Why did you die? Was it a mistimed dodge, a greedy attack, or a lack of awareness? Analyze your deaths and identify the areas where you need to improve. Recording your gameplay can be a valuable tool for identifying patterns and spotting mistakes you might have missed in the heat of the moment.
Seek Wisdom: Consider External Resources
Don’t be afraid to seek help from online communities, forums, and guides. There are many experienced Blasphemous players who are willing to share their knowledge and advice.
Remember the Absence: The Lack of Map
In True Torment, you will not have a map. This means you need to learn where to go from memory alone. Write down notes, take screenshots, and memorize areas if you want to succeed.
Conquering Early Foes (Example)
The lack of a map, combined with harsh healing limitations, can make even early enemies feel near impossible. Let’s look at how to fight one of the first bosses:
Deciphering the Warden of the Silent Sorrow
The Warden is a powerful early game enemy that requires knowledge of his moves to beat, especially in True Torment. Here’s what you need to know.
Attacks and Patterns
Horizontal Slash: A standard attack that can be parried.
Leaping Attack: The Warden leaps into the air and crashes down, dealing heavy damage. Dodge backwards to avoid this.
Lightning Strikes: He will raise his weapon and call down lightning. These have an AOE radius and need to be dodged.
Strategies
Parrying is your friend! The horizontal slash is an easy parry and offers an opportunity for counterattack.
Patience is key. Don’t get greedy with your attacks. Wait for openings and punish the Warden’s mistakes.
Conclusion
True Torment in Blasphemous 2 is a grueling test of skill, patience, and determination. It’s not for the faint of heart, but for those who are willing to embrace the challenge, it offers a uniquely rewarding experience. By understanding the intricacies of the Penances, mastering the essential early-game strategies, and cultivating the right mindset, you can overcome the odds and emerge victorious. Remember to experiment with different builds, learn from your mistakes, and never give up. The path to True Torment completion is paved with blood and tears, but the glory of achieving it is well worth the suffering. Now go forth, Penitent One, and face the True Torment!
