The Penitent One's helmet is largely inspired by the Capirote, a ceremonial hat used by some religious groups in Spain during certain rituals and celebrations. The Capirote is also the hat used by The Ku Klux Klan, and is thus often associated with hatred and prejudice.
One of the collectibles 'Sternum of Vitas, the Performer' is a reference to real-life actor, writer and producer Vitas Varnas with the item's description explicitly mentioning his full name.
The Penitent One's sword is named Mea Culpa, which is a real phrase which in Latin means "Through My Fault", and is often used as when one has done something wrong that, symbolizing The Penitent One's pain and struggle for redemption.
The game received a free DLC update called The Stir of Dawn on August 4th 2020, which added new bosses, a new and harder game-mode, as well as new items and abilities.
Blasphemous is a dark fantasy action-platformer video game developed by The Game Kitchen and published by Team17. It was released in 2019. The game is heavily inspired by Spanish culture, particularly the region of Andalusia, and incorporates elements of religious iconography and Catholicism in its art style and storytelling. The narrative revolves around "The Penitent One," a silent protagonist on a quest to end a curse called "The Miracle" that afflicts the land of Cvstodia. The gameplay combines precise combat, exploration, and platforming with challenging boss battles. The game's visuals are notable for their detailed pixel art and grotesque, gothic aesthetics. Blasphemous has been praised for its atmospheric world, music, and deep lore, appealing to fans of Metroidvania and Soulslike genres.