Blasphemous's latest expansion and update includes more areas, bosses and a New Game Plus Mode, giving me yet another reason to play this fantastic metroidvania.

It's been more than a year since Blasphemous 2 came out, and I nearly destroyed my controller after a particularly tough mini-boss battle. I'm not saying it's a negative thing. With the announcement of the new expansion and update it appears that I will have to revisit this rage-inducing game.

The Mea Culpa add-on includes two new areas, bosses, quests, an alternate ending for the Penitent One and an apparent familiar weapon and ability. It also features prayers, rosary bead, achievements and nine OST songs by Carlos Viola. The announcement stated that Mea Culpa was a premium Blasphemous 2 expansion. The story of the expansion revolves around Mea Culpa - the lost sword used by The Penitent One from the first game.

A free update (True Torment), which will be released alongside Mea Culpa and introduce a new game plus mode, as well as "an extension of existing zones (around 40%) and new zone connection, as well as new abilities, enemies, new prayer, Quality of Life features and accessibility features, as much more". The Game Kitchen developers are keeping the details of New Game Plus secret. Once your penance has been completed, you will be able upgrade the game and access the new mode.

Although we may have had to wait a long time to get this expansion, it looks like it will add a good chunk to the base. The post states that players can either spend 6-8 hours to see the entire new Mea Culpa tale or speed through it in 2-3 hours. The True Torment content is scattered throughout the base game. How quickly you find it all depends on your abilities as Penitent One! It's impossible to get through the new content in just 2-3 hours. Even 6-8 would be a stretch, but I will not give up no matter how many controllers are thrown out the window.

You can extend your Blasphemous 2 experience by completing a New Game Plus run to get all the updates. This isn't required to enjoy the game, however: "You don't need to start a brand new game to experience Mea Culpa or the New Game Plus Mode." Players can choose to start a New Game Plus or a new run and experience the new additions along with The Penitent's journey. "The choice is yours."

Blasphemous' Mea Culpa update will be available on October 31 along with the free True Torment. The first will cost $11.99/PS11.99/EUR11.99 with a 20% discount for the first two weeks.