After I featured it as my #1 game of 2014, you probably expected this. If you like action games and have a Wii U, you’re doing yourself a disservice by not looking into Bayonetta 2.
If you like action games and don’t have a Wii U, you might want to change that, especially with how great the Wii U’s lineup is looking.
But anyway, back to Bayonetta 2. I was already satisfied with my purchase, since I fell in love with the amazing original game, but I was a little nervous about starting Bayonetta 2 despite its great reviews. After all, sequels don’t always improve things. Sometimes they’re disastrous.
Other times, sequels are great, and I’m happy to say Bayonetta 2 is one of them.
If you have concerns about the game’s content, I direct you to my discussion of such controversial issues when I reviewed the first Bayonetta. In general, I’d say everything is less problematic in Bayonetta 2, although it is still far from a children’s game.
Now, onto the gameplay.
While awesome, a few things stand out as flaws in the original Bayonetta. For example, the QTE sequences that would lead to an instant game over if you missed them. No one likes those! (If you like instant-death quick-time events, I apologize… As someone who likes backtracking, turn-based combat, fixed save points, and other unpopular features, I know how you feel.) Bayonetta 2 cut those entirely.
Then there’s Bayonetta’s harsh ranking system. You know why you got Stone awards on almost every level your first time through? It wasn’t just because the game was challenging, but because the game did its best to trap you in lose-lose situations. Die? Penalty. Use an item to keep from dying? Penalty. Bayonetta 2 no longer punishes you for using items. Instead, getting through a chapter without using items awards you bonus halos.
Hidden verses and Muspelheim portals (the sequel’s version of Alfheim portals) are also easier to find, in part because the Muspelheim verse numbers for each chapter are right in your journal. The time span in which you can trigger Witch Time feels slightly longer, and Umbran Climax adds a great new mechanic for when Torture Attacks are unavailable or just not preferred.
Overall, the game is easier. I only died once or twice, in contrast to the million times I died in the original. Now, if that disappoints you, keep in mind that I played both Bayonetta and Bayonetta 2 on the normal difficulty level. Bayonetta 2 has a harder difficulty option available from the start, and people have compared it to the original’s normal difficulty. And it still presents a nice challenge–my willingness to use items was one of the greatest factors in my fewer deaths.
The game features a variety of new enemies–including demonic enemies for the first time, which mixes things up nicely.
You see, in this game, Bayonetta isn’t just fighting angels. The forces of Inferno have also become her enemies, and she shows them no mercy on her quest to save her friend’s soul.
As you might expect, this personal quest eventually evolves into something larger, and the story is awesome.
Really! I know I’m in the minority when it comes to the first game’s story, since I found it intriguing while many people recommend ignoring it. Bayonetta 2’s story, however, is slightly more straightforward and very interesting–and the true beauty lies in how it works together with its predecessor.
That’s one of the mean reasons I recommend playing Bayonetta first. The sequel’s story will hit you so much harder, and change your perception of the original.
I only have two criticisms with Bayonetta 2’s story: first, I’d been looking forward to seeing how it would deal with the Umbra witches’ predicament of being doomed to Inferno because of their pacts with demons, but it didn’t get into those issues as much as I’d hoped. Second, new supporting character Loki was annoying…
But when those are my only disappointments, I can’t really complain.
Everything here is good. If you liked the original’s humor, it has a sense of humor. If you liked its story, this one makes the story even better. If you liked the combat, it’s here in all its glory, and if you liked its challenge, you’ve got multiple difficulty levels. Collectibles, costumes, transformations and powers, even a new multiplayer mode–it’s all here.
Also, Santa Rodin
The only things missing are Angel Attack and the sense that the game wants to pummel you into oblivion, but if you really want those things, the original game is included. So go now and buy Bayonetta 2, then join me in hoping for a Bayonetta 3! If you have any questions about this game, feel free to ask in the comments below, and I’ll help you as much as I can.
When Bayonetta first came out in 2010 for the PS3 and Xbox 360, I knew nothing about it. I got it confused with other action games released around the same time. I vaguely assumed it involved bayonets. When Bayonetta 2 was announced for the Wii U, I finally got a better idea of what it was.
Pictured: Not a bayonet
I went back and forth I on whether or not I wanted to get Bayonetta 2–it looked interesting and the inclusion of the first game made it even better, but a witch killing angels is a little… ehhh….
Long story short, I learned about Operation Platinum, saw all the excellent Bayonetta 2 reviews, tried the demo, pre-ordered the game, and started the original Bayonetta on Halloween.
Not only did I lose my misgivings about it, but I enjoyed it much more than I expected. I expected it to be entertaining and maybe a bit challenging. I didn’t expect to find myself devoting hours to challenges I wasn’t ready for, getting caught up in the admittedly-convoluted story, and having a fantastic time even when I died on a regular basis and got Stone awards for every chapter.
You will die a lot in Bayonetta. You will see a lot of Stone awards during your first playthrough.
I figured I was just awful until I saw other people talking about all their Stone rankings. Turns out it’s normal!
Bayonetta is a game that will challenge you, but not in a bad way. And once you start to get used to dodging and performing combos, you’ll feel powerful enough to take on anything! (And then Grace & Glory will appear to ruin your day.) Before I get into particulars, though, let’s discuss some of the reasons other than difficulty why you might be uncertain about this game.
Common Reasons Why You Might Avoid Bayonetta
As far as I can tell, there are three main things outside of “I don’t like this genre” or “I tried it and it wasn’t fun” (standard reasons not to play any game, really) that might deter otherwise-interested players from this gem.
1. Bayonetta and Religion
Let’s just dive right into this hornets’ nest, because this was the issue that made me cringe the most when I started. When you play Bayonetta, you’ll spend a lot of time shooting angels. (As well as shoving them in iron maidens, guillotining them, and otherwise bringing them to gruesome ends.) You’ll even summon demons from Hell to kill some.
Well, at least it has the right number of eyes per head…
But Bayonetta is not anti-Christian or anti-any-other-religions. Instead, Bayonetta draws on Abrahamic imagery, names, and ideas the way other games pull stuff out of other mythologies. Yes, imagery. Some people will tell you Bayonetta’s angels aren’t Christian because they don’t look like angels. This is false. These guys may remind you more of Eldritch Abominations, but the enemy designers for Bayonetta did their research. And you know what? This makes them really cool. It doesn’t make them the same angels, and this game does not take place within the framework of a real-world religion.
Don’t believe me? Okay, let me ask you a few questions.
Are some of your angels created through ritualistic suicide?
Does the light have its own equivalent to witches, with their own special powers?
Did Lumen Sages and Umbran Witches once work together to keep the balance between light and darkness and oversee the passage of time?
Do angels have a callous disregard for human life?
Spoiler
Is your God asleep, waiting for someone to awaken her?
No? Okay, glad we settled that.
Bayonetta has its own unique lore, and it actually devotes a fair amount of effort to building it up and explaining its universe. Though its angels are theoretically “good,” judge them by their actions and then decide. The further you progress in the game, the clearer it becomes a good-versus-evil struggle, rather than the “we must find our own paths!” plot other stories with deity antagonists tend to prefer. Bayonetta is no saint, but she’s a good deal better than the beings she fights.
She’s also in a curious predicament which adds even more depth to the world and lore. Umbran Witches have all these powers because they work with demons. When they die, demons will drag them to Hell. Bayonetta needs to kill angels for her demons to take to Hell, in order to satisfy them so they don’t take her instead. This is very similar to the bind Gerald Tarrant of the Coldfire Trilogy is in, as he must commit atrocities in order to remain alive–if he stopped, he would die and go to Hell for his sins. I can’t wait to finish the Coldfire Trilogy to see if he ever finds a way out, and I can’t wait to see if Bayonetta 2 explores this issue further.
I’m getting off topic. Main point: Bayonetta isn’t evil.
Back to religion, Bayonetta does take place on Earth instead of a fantasy world, and there are a couple lines that suggest Christianity exists, so we’ve got two possibilities:
It’s a myth. Our religions exist in Bayonetta’s universe, but Yahweh, Jesus, etc. do not.
Bayonetta’s universe is a crazy mash-up of religions and mythologies, like the Mortal Coils series, which includes the gods and goddesses on one side and the demons of Hell (with Lucifer as a notable character) on the other.
I’m sure we could spend a lot of time analyzing this, but we’re not here for that. I haven’t even played Bayonetta 2 yet. The point is, don’t be afraid to play Bayonetta because of its religious content.
Onward!
2. Bayonetta and Sex
Gotta touch on this one, since it’s another thing that might make people avoid the game. Don’t let this aspect scare you off, either! If you ask me, it’s been seriously exaggerated…
Yes, since Bayonetta’s hair is the catalyst she uses to summon demons and perform powerful attacks, as well as her clothing (don’t think about it too hard), she’ll lose her clothes during battles. During combos, you’ll be most concerned about your combos. During climaxes, she’s technically naked, but her hair spirals up around her and covers the important parts.
And really, she’s using her hair, which is also her clothes, to summon a demon. That’s too insane to be offensive!
Maybe you disagree, and if you do, I have an easy solution for you. Buy Bayonetta 2 for the Wii U and play the included version of Bayonetta. Why? Because you can put her in a Nintendo-themed costume. They may be scanty by Nintendo standards, but they’re actual clothes, so they don’t disappear.
Innuendo is the main thing you’ll have to deal with, and even that can be ignored if you just want to focus on the wild story and crazy gameplay.
One last piece of advice: if the sexual content is a concern for you, don’t use Torture Attacks on the Joy angels.
Wear a costume and avoid that one specific Torture Attack, and you’ll be fine.
3. …Torture Attacks?
Yep, this is the last thing I can see being an issue for some people. I mentioned them a couple of times already, but you have powerful attacks you can use when your magic meter is full, which use traditional torture instruments (and a chainsaw). More softhearted players might cringe at that–and as someone who won’t kill sleeping Grunts in Halo, I’m right there with you.
But the game’s style really pulls through for it here. First, the game is hard. When you’re fighting for your life against a monstrosity doing its best to drag you to the game over screen, it won’t feel as bad to smash off a chunk of its health. You aren’t a bully, you’re surviving.
Second, like everything in Bayonetta, Torture Attacks are ridiculously over the top. Violent, yes, but this is no Amnesia.
Those are the main three concerns I could think of, but if you’ve got more, feel free to ask in the comments and I’ll answer to the best of my ability.
Back to the review!
I really enjoyed this game. I’m not even good at games with combos (I’m a button masher in fighting games), but I got the hang of the combat quickly enough to not feel frustrated. First, you have enough attacks and combos that a little button mashing here or there isn’t a problem, and second, Bayonetta has the best loading screens ever.
What kind of game makes you praise the loading screen?
Most loading screens let you practice your combos, with a list on the side of the screen so you can see what you’re doing and pick new attacks to try. You can even enter practice mode from there if you want more time, although I found that these little snippets of practice were just perfect.
Combat was challenging, but rewarding. You can evade attacks, and if you evade at the last moment before it hits, you activate Witch Time, which puts the enemies into slow motion. Successfully entering Witch Time is a great feeling… the only downside is that now I want to dodge like that in every game I play!
And few things compare to the satisfaction of beating an Alfheim Challenge. (Speaking of which, the number of Norse names contribute to my mythology-mash-up theory.) You know what one of those few things is? Getting better at combat, earning enough halos to buy special accessories, and returning to those earlier chapters to blast through it with ease.
Collectors will enjoy smashing up the environment to find halos (the game’s currency, which you can use to buy stuff from Rodin, a pretty cool guy even if he is a fan of Resident Evil 4), not to mention hunting down the actual collectibles: lore, hidden treasures, and Umbran Crows. There’s even a small crafting system, although using items lowers your chapter score–but not as badly as dying does, so concoct some green lollipops and go!
When you aren’t breaking everything around you, look around. Bayonetta is a beautiful game. I mentioned earlier that the religious imagery creates cool enemy designs, but everything is breathtaking in Bayonetta. There were several moments where I just stopped to consider how nice everything looked.
A lot of people criticize the game’s story, but I even liked that. With an interesting cast, more depth to Bayonetta herself than I expected, and enough mysteries to keep me wondering what was really going on, the story handles itself well. It’s rather mind-bending at the end, but so is one of my favorite series.
I loved every second of Bayonetta. I finished it over a week ago, though I’m still going through to find Umbran Crows and Alfheim Challenges I missed. I’m already satisfied with my purchase, and since most people say the sequel is even better, I can’t wait!
If you’ve already played this excellent game, share your thoughts with me in the comments! And if you haven’t…
Happy Halloween, everyone! Not only is today Halloween and the culmination of this year’s Celebrating All Things Spooky, it also marks the end of my Pokemon giveaway and the last day before NaNoWriMo!
So fellow video game fans, what are you going to play today in honor of Halloween? Here’s my list…
Yep, at long last, I’ve finally started the original Fatal Frame. You know I love my survival horror games, and so far, Fatal Frame is no exception. I also love ghost stories, so it’s a perfect match, especially with all of the ghost stuff I’ve been talking about lately for my class.
I started Fatal Frame in honor of the Halloween season. What better time to try out a new survival horror game, right? And while we play, we can hope for localization news about Fatal Frame V…
I know what you’re thinking. Have I gone crazy or something? Batman: Arkham City is fun, but it’s no horror game. Heck, Scarecrow isn’t even in it!
Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting you play Arkham City for the scares, although it does have some dark moments. Rather, if you’re like me and just played Arkham City within the last year, you haven’t gone to see Calendar Man on each of his special days yet!
Well, today’s one of them. I’m off to see what gruesome story Calendar Man has to tell me in honor of Halloween, and then I’ll be marking my calendar for the next holiday on his list (Thanksgiving?) so I can visit him then.
…I don’t actually mark my calendar. My memory is good enough to keep track of one day a month I have to fire up Arkham City.
Maybe this one’s a stretch. Bayonetta isn’t a horror game, and it doesn’t really have scary themes, either. But think of it this way–after candy, ghosts, and jack-o-lanterns, what do people associate with Halloween? Witches! And what is Bayonetta? A witch!
Besides that, Bayonetta and Bayonetta 2 just came out together for the Wii U, and they’ve been receiving stellar reviews. I couldn’t stand seeing all those 9/10, 10/10 reviews for a game sitting in my backlog (also known as the place video games go to die) anymore, and I started it up this morning!
So far, it’s a lot of fun. I’m a little uncomfortable with all the religious elements, and fighting angels and whatnot, but I’m willing to stick it out for the fun gameplay and give its crazy lore a chance. It’s not like it takes itself too seriously… and I can’t make a solid argument that it’s anti-Christian when it starts out talking about Umbran Witches and Lumen Sages and kinds of other fictional things.
Yes, again! I can’t praise Alien: Isolation enough, and not only because it’s terrifying. This is the kind of survival horror game we don’t see enough of these days. Even though my progress through it has been almost painfully slow, I’ve loved every minute of it so far.
Its structure, mechanics, atmosphere, and scares work masterfully, and I just wish I had more time to sit down and play it. Today looks like the perfect day to celebrate horror by scaring myself some more.
After I featured it as my #1 game of 2014, you probably expected this. If you like action games and have a Wii U, you’re doing yourself a disservice by not looking into Bayonetta 2.
The game features a variety of new enemies–including demonic enemies for the first time, which mixes things up nicely.
