QTEs will sometimes trigger the next part of the battle or signal the time to put the fight to bed, but they don't feel intrusive. There's never a static background to be found, as there will always be heavy winds, tornadoes, or even other fights unfolding while Bayonetta does battle. These battles are often majestic, unfolding in theatrical fashion. Many bosses tower over Bayonetta and can fill up the entire screen, putting her into a 3D flight scenario that takes advantage of the right control stick for changing direction. Even low-level minions are designed with amazing detail and artistic care, such as certain Paradiso enemies that are designed with the features of brave angels and gallant centaurs rolled into one that are topped off with sculpted faces carved into their stomachs. Beautifully-designed creatures are themed after heaven and hell, with enemy design going beyond standard demons. Celestial Creationsīayonetta 2's setting allows for some of the most imaginative foes I've encountered in an action game.īayonetta 2's setting allows for some of the most imaginative foes I've encountered in an action game. In other words, it's the kind of challenge that's become expected of Platinum. Higher difficulties will require pretty much everything you learned, given that enemies can get more relentless, hit harder, and offer less of a window for counters. That's not to say any of it is easy, of course. Combat feels genuinely rewarding and it feels like it pays to get better. Likewise, dishing out enough damage can either trigger the special 'Umbran Climax' for maximum hair-based damage or QTE prompts for over-the-top finishers that dispatch foes in gruesome ways. Successful counters can automatically trigger the Witch Time mechanic, in which a "bullet time" effect is momentarily triggered to help start up new combos. The fun comes in learning to master these combos in conjunction with Bayonetta's counters. For example, there's a rising kick that can be parlayed with a ground pound that fires the guns at Bayonetta's feet or there's a breakdace move that sees Bayonetta firing guns in all directions. There are dozens of combos to master, each of which can help either pound enemies to paste or help out with crowd control functions. It's not always intuitive, but touch combat is a nice option that proves to be fun to use at times, whether it's completing combos or triggering some of the quick-time events that pop up during combat. Not only has Platinum capably mapped out 3D beat-em-up-style, Devil May Cry-like combat to all of the Wii U's buttons, but it has even offered touch controls for anyone that prefers using the Wii U GamePad. Rather, the enemies are kept to certain areas, allowing players to explore levels at their own pace.Ĭombat is where Bayonetta 2 shines the most. Battles in Bayonetta 2 come quickly and they come often, though Platinum is kind enough to avoid throwing enemies out there in overwhelming numbers. The focus, beyond the obvious sexualization of the main character, is its emphasis on pure action that unfolds at a practically-breakneck pace. Bayonetta has a quip for just about everything, which gradually loses its charm over time.įortunately, the focus of Bayonetta 2 isn't so much the story. All of the characters give off a bit of a "too cool for school" vibe that can be annoying to sit through. It's a story that's basic enough to grasp, but one that could be a bit grating to watch unfold. The forces of both Paradiso and Inferno also have their sights on Bayonetta, as well as a mysterious young mage named Loki, setting the stage for a trip through Purgatorio. In fact, not all is well in Paradiso and Inferno and Bayonetta must set off to find out why the worlds are out of whack, while also rescuing a fellow Umbra Witch who sacrificed herself to keep Bayonetta alive. It helpfully introduces the game's characters, including the Rapunzel-like Bayonetta, while establishing that it is indeed picking up from the events of the first game. The story for Bayonetta 2 is set up nicely in the game's prologue mission. Though it's easy to dismiss Bayonetta as a shallow male fantasy, that would be doing this game a disservice, as it proves to be one of the most adrenaline-pumping action games of the year. Nearly five years after her first adventure, Bayonetta returns with the same fiery attitude and the kind of thrilling combat that made that 2009 outing a cult classic. So along came Nintendo to help offer a home to the hair-raising heroine, picking her story up where it left off. Publishers and console makers were all quiet on the prospect of a sequel to Platinum's 2009 cinematic action fest, unsurprising given that even the developer themselves acknowledged that sales for the first Bayonetta were weaker than they hoped. There were times when it didn't look like a Bayonetta 2 was ever going to be.
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