Bayonetta 2
Producer: Nintendo
Release Date: October 14, 2014
Platform: Wii U
Rating: Mature
Genre: Action/Adventure
Pure Diva
Written by Josh Schilling
Fans of the first Bayonetta released back in 2010 were always hoping for a sequel, but they weren’t necessarily expecting the follow-up title to be released exclusively on the WiiU. Since the original was only on the Xbox 360 and PS3, the current gen systems would make more sense, but the makers of those two consoles turned down the sequel, and Nintendo was left to pick up this exclusive. Luckily, the time for Bayonetta 2 has arrived just in time for the holidays, and the over-the-top, mind-bending action remains as the titular character blows through the denizens of heaven and hell on her way to save the soul of her like-powered witch friend Jeanne. And if none of that makes sense, the game also comes bundled with the first Bayonetta, giving WiiU owners the entire saga in one package and a way to play the illustrious diva’s entire story.
On imagination alone, this game rises above just about any other title. The settings set the proper stage for the completely unique enemies that Bayonetta shoots, kicks, and dispatches with her demon-summoning hair. Her foes are awe-inspiring in their creative design, and the combo-laden gameplay that is reminiscent of Devil May Cry adds to the beautiful chaos that permeates this game. The story drips with somewhat typical familiar Anime twists and turns, but it is overall grand and satisfying without being sappy, and very far from pointless or boring. The voice-acting and writing is as solid as any Platinum Games product, and the pacing keeps the player engaged throughout the dozen or so hours it will take to complete the campaign.
This game is pure spectacle, and shows off the power of the Wii U in ways that have not been seen before. When you are pulling off combos against spectacular enemies on a crumbling building while gigantic demons are battling in the background, you will get a taste of the grandeur that this game has to offer. Beyond the single-player story, this game offers other challenges, and a co-op mode as well if you have a buddy ready to tackle the forces of Heaven and Hell with you. Each chapter can also be replayed at higher difficulties while trying to attain better medals, and from there you can unlock different abilities and weapons. Instead of brandishing guns on her shoes, Bayonetta can now trade those in for a pair of chainsaws! Take that, you stupid angels!
What seals the deal with this game is Bayonetta herself. A lot has been said about her overt sexuality, and the cut scenes add to the controversy with their gratuitous slow-motion crotch shots, but Bayonetta wears it all with the flair of a true diva, and could certainly care less what you, I, or any of the characters in the game think. Her goal is not to make males drool, and she shows contempt for them in just about every interaction she has: she just is who she is and you can tell that she is supremely proud of that fact. With all that in mind, she is definitively the greatest female video game character of all time. More powerful and interesting than Lara Croft or Samus, and not naïve like Elizabeth from Bioshock Infinite or Ellie from Last of Us, Bayonetta is more akin to Alyx Vance from Half Life 2 in how they command attention not only from their abilities, but with their charm and complete independence of male support. Bayonetta rises above with her style, her skills, her wit, and she could probably kick the crap out of any rival, which seals the deal in my book. The best part is that Bayonetta knows all of this already, but would be politely appreciative at the same time…maybe.