Bayonetta 2

Bayonetta 2 is a 2014 action-adventure game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Nintendo. It is the sequel to the 2009 game Bayonetta, and was directed by Yusuke Hashimoto and produced by Atsushi Inaba, Akiko Kuroda, and Hitoshi Yamagami, under supervision by series creator Hideki Kamiya. The titular character, Bayonetta, sports a new costume and hairstyle and the game features a new two-player mode. The game is the second Bayonetta product to receive Japanese voiceovers, using the same cast that voiced the Bayonetta: Bloody Fate anime film by Gonzo. A Nintendo Switch version was released in February 2018. A sequel, Bayonetta 3, was released on October 28, 2022.

Most of Bayonetta 2 takes place on the fictional sacred mountain of Fimbulventr and the nearby town of Noatun, both located in the Middle East. The main character Bayonetta (Hellena Taylor / Atsuko Tanaka) travels to the mountain to find the Gates of Hell to save her friend Jeanne (Grey DeLisle-Griffin / Mie Sonozaki). A few months after the first Bayonetta, Bayonetta is shopping on Christmas Eve with Enzo when angels suddenly attack New York City. Teaming up with fellow witch and friend Jeanne, she is on the verge of winning until a demon summoning goes wrong. Jeanne saves Bayonetta from the familiar’s attack, but the attack causes Inferno to claim her soul. Bayonetta destroys the demon and resolves to save Jeanne.

At the same time, a masked Lumen Sage is brought to the present by a mysterious figure, known as the Prophet, who promises him the chance for revenge. Upon a tip from her informant Luka, Bayonetta heads to the mountain of Fimbulventr, in the city of Noatun, which houses an entrance to Inferno. In Noatun, she meets a boy called Loki, who is trying to reach Fimbulventr for reasons he cannot remember. The two strike a deal to travel together as Loki claims his powers will be needed in order to reach Inferno. On the way, they learn about some of Loki’s lost memories, but are constantly attacked by angels and demons. Loki is hunted by the Lumen Sage and the Prophet, who knows Loki.

There, they encounter Luka, Bayonetta’s acquaintance and news journalist. Luka explains to them the Legend of Aesir: Aesir was once the ruler of the Chaos realm, and has created the Left Eye of Darkness and Right Eye of Light (also known as Eyes of the World) to humanity to grant humankinds free will. Both eyes were entrusted for ownership and safekeeping by both the Lumen Sage and Umbra Witch clan. Due to the death of the allegedly last Lumen Sage, Father Balder by Bayonetta and Jeanne, the Right Eye of Lightness had disappeared, which prompted Luka to investigate the consequences to the planet, and if it is connected to the natural disasters that has been occurring.

The Prophet shows Bayonetta a vision that implies the Witch Hunts 500 years ago were not caused by Balder. Bayonetta 2 carries on the action-style gameplay of its predecessor, in which players control the eponymous Bayonetta as she fights against various angelic and demonic forces using combinations of melee attacks and gunplay. Dodging enemy attacks at the last second activates ‘Witch Time’, slowing down enemies around Bayonetta and allowing players to easily retaliate and solve certain environmental puzzles.

Players are also able to use special moves called Torture Attacks, trapping opponents in infernal devices for extra points. Weapon customization from the first game also returns, allowing players to equip combinations of new weapons on both Bayonetta’s hands and feet. A large array of weapons can be equipped, including the character’s signature guns, a bow, swords and other forms of projectile weapons. Players earn grades during combat, with the highest ‘Pure Platinum’ grade achieved by performing high numbers of combos, in the fastest time possible, without being damaged. 

As with the previous game, Bayonetta can use Torture Attacks on her enemies, conjured torture devices that finish off single enemies in gruesome ways and grant a bonus to the player. Bayonetta 2 adds a new gameplay element called Umbran Climax which can be activated when the player has a full magic gauge. Similar to the state of boss fights in the first game, this technique strengthens Bayonetta’s attacks and combos with extra Wicked Weaves and Infernal Demon summons for a short period of time. This increases their overall range and damage and replenishes Bayonetta’s health when in use.