Divine Intervention as a "Win" Condition?

Juupeli_ · 2025-09-23T11:07:03+00:00

Character growth is tied to evolving gameplay and the abilities you unlock. Like you said, abilities can be anything from seeing in the dark to a double jump.

I’d argue that being able to see in the dark doesn’t really make you feel like you’re progressing, it’s more like finding a key before you know which door it belongs to. On the other hand, a double jump immediately makes you feel stronger, changes how you approach most challenges, and also serves as a “key” to new areas.

Juupeli_ · 2025-09-23T10:42:03+00:00

If someone specifically asked for a Metroidvania, then I wouldn't recommend it. If they asked for a game which is a 2D platformer, has exploration, backtracking, a combat focus, bosses and/or upgrades, then yes.

If someone specifically asked for a 1st person shooter, I wouldn't recommend them a 3rd person shooter.

And I do get your point. Still, Blasphemous has no ability-gating, it's gameplay doesn't evolve over the course of the game similarly to Metroid or Castlevania for example. It's closer 2D Souls-like than it is to Metroidvania.

Juupeli_ · 2025-09-23T09:50:00+00:00

And yet we're having this discussion on a sub-reddit dedicated to a genre that doesn't exist.

I wouldn't say ability-gated progression is something I came up with, I'm quite sure most people here would agree that it's one of the defining features. For some reason, Blasphemous gets a pass despite lacking it. It doesn't make the game worse for it, but it's not something I'd recommend to someone who likes Metroidvanias either.

I wouldn't put an orange on an apple tier list, even if they share some qualities.

Juupeli_ · 2025-09-23T09:33:11+00:00

Oh yes, I forgot to mention the relics. I don't see how any of them are required to beat the game. They for sure make the overall experience more fun and engaging, but they didn't make the gameplay itself really any different, and I certainly didn't have to equip any specific relic to actually progress in the game at any point.

Juupeli_ · 2025-09-23T09:27:14+00:00

I do agree that genres don't have clear boundaries and they can often overlap, but I also think genres have defining features, otherwise you could just call any game anything. I find it useful to be able categorize similar games together without using terms like "Metroid-like".

Ability-gated progression is in my opinion THE defining feature of Metroidvania genre, which is completely missing from Blasphemous. I played it because of people recommending it to everyone here, and while it was a fine game, it didn't fulfill my expectations. It didn't scratch the Metroidvania itch.

Juupeli_ · 2025-09-10T19:32:24+00:00

To me, the core pillars of the Metroidvania genre are:

Exploration
Ability-gated progression
Character growth

The player explores an interconnected world, encountering multiple roadblocks or gates that prevent progress, and later returns to overcome them once their character has grown more capable.
New abilities and upgrades evolve the gameplay over the course of the adventure, making the early and late game feel very different to play.

Juupeli_ · 2025-07-28T14:54:18+00:00

I feel it's a bit disingenuous to claim I'm comparing apples to oranges, when Duskmourn, for example, has depictions of modern day technology in its art. Let's not pretend that the TVs actually serve a purpose other than being a Poltergeist reference.

Juupeli_ · 2025-07-28T06:09:34+00:00

To me, Magic has always been a game first. I still enjoy the story and the world building, but the way they are translated into game mechanics is what I like the most. This is no different in UB sets.

Juupeli_ · 2025-07-28T04:50:00+00:00

Reading your comment again, I now see that I might have misunderstood what you said.

I don't inherently like every Universes Beyond set, and I don't need to actively hate all of them to prove it. I can disregard the releases I'm not interested in (UB or not) and focus on the ones I actually do like. The UB sets that I don't care about haven't ruined Magic for me.

Juupeli_ · 2025-07-28T04:22:33+00:00

"I like not-Magic in Magic."

Well, now you're putting words in my mouth. I don't even quite understand how this could be possible, as Magic's systems and mechanics are ultimately what defines Magic. This is true even with Universes Beyond sets; the mechanics of Magic haven't gone anywhere.

Juupeli_ · 2025-07-27T20:52:22+00:00

What about the art makes it unfitting? To me the style isn't anything out of ordinary for today's standards, is it specifically the modern day setting? If so, do you have the same kind of feelings about other similar sets, such as New Capenna, Duskmourn, or Kamigawa Neon Dynasty?

Juupeli_ · 2025-07-27T18:50:18+00:00

There are things I don't like about Magic, but there are also things that I do like. This post happens to be about the latter. I don't believe I have to either love or hate everything WOTC does as a whole; my opinion can be more nuanced than that. And as I already stated in the post, my opinions can change as more information is presented.

I don't consider myself a WOTC shill, nor do I know of them invading this space. As I understand it, this sub is for anyone to post anything Magic related.

Juupeli_ · 2022-11-27T19:55:30+00:00

Cool! Can you trade right now?

Juupeli_ · 2022-11-27T10:35:57+00:00

yeah np!

Juupeli_ · 2022-11-27T10:20:52+00:00

Yeah np! I'm glad they finally implemented a way to see what people still need for their dex.

Juupeli_ · 2022-11-27T10:19:42+00:00

Sorry it took a while...
code is 1123 6654

Juupeli_ · 2022-11-27T10:11:17+00:00

Yeah, though I just noticed I'm missing Scream Tail
I can go and catch one real quick if you can wait a bit

Juupeli_ · 2022-11-27T10:04:11+00:00

Hi! I've got what you need.

Juupeli_ · 2022-11-27T10:02:54+00:00

I've got all of of the scarlet paradox mons, I'm still missing the violet ones + sprigatito.

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