Bayonetta 2 is the sequel to one of the most impressive action games in recent memory. The game from PlatinumGames and Nintendo is a third-person action brawler with bigger than life setpieces, humor, and angels and demons.

The story starts with Bayonetta traveling to the town of Noatun to find the gate to Hell. On her way, she picks up a young witch-boy sidekick named Loki.

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The main story in Bayonetta 2 revolves around a woman named Jeanne, who gets kidnapped to hell by the angel Jubileus. While she tries to save her, she meets a journalist named Luka and a little girl named Cereza. Despite her initial reluctance to help, Bayonetta grows to care for the girl and finds herself protecting them from the angels.

They travel to a mysterious mountain called Fimbulventr, which houses the gates to both Paradiso and Inferno. On the way, they encounter Loptr, a being that looks like a doppelganger of Balder. He attempts to escape into the past, but Bayonetta stops him, knowing that absorbing his evil soul would corrupt her father and set the events of the first game into motion. He then explains that the world was originally one universe, but the imbalance between light and dark caused it to split into multiple realities.

Characters

Aside from Bayonetta, the other characters in the game are mostly new to the series. Rosa is a clan member who committed the cardinal sin of having a child with a Lumen Sage. She wields unique revolvers and is a formidable foe for Bayonetta.

Rodin is the leader of the Lumens and a powerful demon hunter. He provides Bayonetta with a new set of weapons and explains that the only way to rescue Jeanne from Inferno is to retrieve the Umbra Watch.

Loptr is an ancient being who observes Bayonetta’s journey from atop Fimbulventr. He is the evil half of Aesir, the god of chaos who created the Eyes of the World. He is unable to control the good half of the god, which is Loki.

Weapons

The free-flowing combat of the original Bayonetta is back and better than ever. The second installment expands the range of weaponry with new additions and some returning favorites, while keeping the core gameplay solid.

Each weapon has its own set of combos and properties. For example, Colour My World is a staple that fits Bayonetta’s “brand” so well and its fusion with Madama Butterfly adds to the fun of each shot.

On the other hand, Phantasmaraneae’s power allows her to glide and attack at a high speed. It’s a little slower than Rakshasa blades or Chernabog scythe, but it hits hard and can be used in a wide variety of combinations. Choosing the right weapon for each encounter is essential. This is what makes Bayonetta 2 such a satisfying experience.

Action

Like its predecessor, Bayonetta 2 is a demanding action game that pushes the boundaries of what you can do in a videogame. The action never lets up, from battling on top of fighter jets as they soar over a city to fighting off demons in an underwater arena.

The February 2014 Nintendo Direct showed off more of the game’s action. A trailer featured a battle between the Masked Lumen and Bayonetta, who uses her new weapons to attack. She also uses Wicked Weaves, Witch Time and Torture Attacks against her enemies.

Hellena Taylor has portrayed the bullet witch as more human this time around, which gives the story depth. She still tears angels to shreds and fights against the mighty Sages of Paradiso and Inferno, but there is more of a balance between action and storytelling in this sequel.

Final Words

Honestly, I’m surprised Nintendo thought funding this sequel for PlatinumGames’ cult favourite was a good idea. But I’m glad they did because this is one hell of a game.

Bayonetta 2 is a brazen, over-sexualised video game that’s self aware of just how ridiculous it is at times. Its crotch shots and blatant innuendo are toned down slightly, but it still does a good job of making the protagonist feel confident without resorting to clumsy sexism.

Ultimately, Bayonetta 2 delivers an avalanche of mind-bending spectacle that will leave you exhausted and happy in equal measure. And while her character arc may be over, I can’t wait to see where this series goes next. It’s sure to be explosive. I can’t wait to get my hands on it.