Bayonetta 2 In-Depth Review

Reviewed by Bob

(Played on Wii U using the Pro Controller)

Platform: Wii U

Developer: Platinum Games

Release Date: September 2014

          Bayonetta 2 is a Wii U exclusive action game. The player takes control of one of the last surviving Umbra Witches: Bayonetta, as she embarks on a journey that takes her into both Heaven and Hell. Along the way she gains many weapons and accessories that help make this game an extraordinarily action packed and fast paced marvel. How does this game fare as one of the Wii U's most violently fun and sexual games? Let’s have a look:

Bayonetta is happy to be back

 

 

          The story takes place shortly after the events of the first game. With the world once again at peace, we find Bayonetta and her short & fat Italian stereotype Enzo shopping in the city. Jeanne arrives telling Bayonetta how both Paradiso and Inferno are strangely quiet. Wouldn't you know it, just then angels attack leading into a brawl that results in Bayonetta losing control of one of her summons causing Jeanne to get her soul knocked out of her. This sets Bayonetta along with Enzo and the lover of Japanese sake Rodin on a path into Hell to rescue Jeanne before her soul is devoured. Along the way we meet a few new comers like Loki and the Masked Lumen and some old favorites like Luka. Plenty of ups and downs in the story and a few plot twists that are pretty easy to see (I wonder who the Masked Lumen is?)

Who is that masked man?

          While confusing at points, the story does a decent job at getting us and Bayonetta where we need to go. In the story, we can see how much more development Bayonetta got as a character. She certainly has one of the strongest personalities for a video game character in recent years. In my opinion, a stronger story when compared to the first, but nothing too special as the story serves mainly as a tool to take us from one place to the next. If anything, the story is kept at a quick pace. Almost no part of it seems to drag.

          The category that can make or break an action game is gameplay. Largely unchanged from the first game, Bayonetta 2 has great controls and plays well. In terms of controls, you get three main fighting buttons with triggers that allow for different maneuvers; the highlight being witch-time which causes momentary slowdown when you dodge an enemy attack. This is critical in harder difficulties and insures that the player doesn't mash buttons in order to win. In general, the game isn't too difficult; even on the hardest default setting, I died only a few times. On the normal difficulty, I didn't die a single time. Unlike the first game, you are no longer punished for using items during a level by having it drastically impact your final score. Due to this, I got almost all gold and platinum trophies on my first playthrough of the game. The overall score takes into consideration the time it took to complete the chapter, the combo score and damage taken.

Yes, you can fight with a chain-chomp

          Looking closer at how the game plays, there are sixteen chapters in addition to the prologue. Each chapter looks different and has different challenges insides. The levels at there core are just areas that lead the player from one battle arena or set piece to the next. You fight, break a seal to continue and fight some more. The game does a good job about adding variety to make this formula stay fresh instead of becoming quickly stale. It does this by adding new bosses and enemy types, puts Bayonetta in flying or driving situations or in a mech just to name a few. At one point she even surfs up a water tornado on a board while battling a giant snake angel.

Just an ordinary day

          Aside from the battles, each stages has collectables such as crows which unlock Miiverse stamps, journal entries, golden LPs for new weapons, witch hearts and moon pearls (for health and magic boosts). Hidden away are the returning challenge portals which task Bayonetta with killing enemies while adhering to certain conditions such as not touching the floor or doing it all in one combo. New to the collectables are Witch tombs that require collecting broken pieces to be collected in a given time before you can open it to get the treasure inside. The gameplay is fast and tight which gives the player a sense of amazement at the fact that the chaos they are creating on screen is all their doing.

          The visuals in this game look amazing for being on the Wii U.  Given the scope of the battles and bosses, the visuals are a nice treat.  Granted, there are some poor textures if you look close enough at certain spots and things clip from time to time (mainly the extra costumes).  Given how the first game was very dark and had a very limited amount of truly colorful and eye-catching stages, the sequel is a massive upgrade.  Most stages are very vibrant and colorful.  Many stages stick out in my memory from when I played this game.  The prologue fight on top of the jet was a spectacular way to start the game.  The first stage in Inferno was memorable along with Chapter 14: The Witch Hunts which puts the player in control of a mech.

Just one of the epic moments in this game

          All in all, the visuals took advantage of the hardware.  This is especially true of the animations.  The game runs smoothly and both character and weapon animations are wonderfully stylish and brutal. 

Don't forget about the many Nintendo costumes in the game

          During my several run-throughs of the game, I didn't encounter any slowdowns and framerate was very consistent.  Most character models also look very polished.  The main characters especially are great looking along with the various enemies; angels look great with their shiny armor and multiple layers as they take damage.  They make for some really grotesque looking creatures.  The NPCs, however, in some stages look pretty minimal.

Don't you dare say that I should do a barrel roll

          The sound and music in this game are utterly fantastic and ear catching. I can't tell you how long the "Moon River" remix and theme were caught in my head. I had to remove them from my favorites list on Youtube for a while just so I couldn't accidentally listen to them and get the songs caught in my headagain. I almost resorted to bashing my head in just to get the music to stop playing. Besides these two tracks, the rest of the music does its job well. Most of the music isn't very memorable, but while you are playing they give you a sense of action and urgency. My only complaint would be at the end of the game when Bayonetta is doing her traditional pole-dance, the original version of "Moon River" plays and it is kind of weird. Aside from the music, the sound effects are well done, the hits seem impactful and the gory sounds pleasant. Voice acting is very well done; the main characters comeacross with real personality and flair (although some of the dialogue is a really cheesy). Overall, the sound is fantastic and the soundtrack would be a good buy in my opinion if only for the two songs I mentioned.

Music sets the mood...

 

                                                         
          The replay value is really strong with this game. There are three starter difficulties withfourth unlocked upon beating "3rd Climax" (hard mode). Your first playthrough will takeabout 12 hours given you aren't rushing through the stages and are searching for the collectables. Your later runs will of course be much fasterbecause you know how to play and where everything is. My first playthrough clocked in at about 13 hours on 2nd Climax while my next on a higher difficulty only lasted 6 hours. Aside from the four levels of difficulty through the 16 stages, there are plenty of items to collect that require a few hours of grinding the same level. You can also challenge yourself to getting Pure Platinum on each chapter, a feat which for me is impossible. There is even a secret boss battle if you save up the maximum amount of halos. This boss is extraordinarily tough and in my opinion cheap as hell. He will kill you with a few hits, even if you have maxed out health. 

I did not.

          After completing the main story for the first time, you also gain access to Witch Trials which are just gauntlets of monsters that increase in difficulty. Lastly, there is the Tag Climax mode which is fun with a partner. You don't really get anything from playing it too much besides a rank which does nothing as far as I can tell. Lot's to do after the credits roll, but if you are looking for something more meaningful besides just a few unlockable items, there is probably no point in coming back to it. The game is so fun however, you might just want the excuse to play more of it.

          This game is incredible. It is amazingly fun, fast-paced and energetic. Bayonetta 2 has a strong personality and is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be and hits every note. Of course, given you aren't too keen on what the game looks like or find its quirkiness too weird, the game has a very nice appeal. The levels are beautiful, the art fantastic, the music catchy, the weapons and animations superb and the pace is near perfect. This sequel improves on the original in every way and outdoes itself. I don't think I have ever played an action game like this before and thought it was THIS good. While I was playing it, I kept thinking to myself "this game is one of the best I have ever played." If you own a Wii U, it would be an injustice not to buy this game. It saddens me to think that many people won’t get a chance because they refuse to purchase the console. This is as close to gaming perfection as it gets for me. Put simply, it does what a game ought to, it lets the player have fun. That being said, I hope there is another sequel down the road. The world would be a better place if we all had some Bayonetta in our lives.

Dollar to Play Ratio: About $2 per hour (29 Hours total)

Do you agree with my review? Post in the comments section and let me know what you think.

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