Bayonetta 2

In an effort to learn more about the character I had otherwise only encountered through Super Smash Bros., I picked up a copy of Bayonetta 2. I was a little weary to play this game, as I hadn't played the original, and I didn't know how important it was going to be in the sequel. Long story short, it was absolutely necessary, and I had to read a plot summary online just to understand half of what was going on in this game. That did hurt my enjoyment a bit, but I'm the idiot who played the sequel first, so I won't fault the game for it. However, there were still some aspects of this title that I had to force myself past in order to get to the parts that were actually worth playing.

The basic premise of Bayonetta 2 is simple. You play as Bayonetta, an Umbra Witch who can kick butt in battle on her own, but is unbelievably strong thanks to her ability to summon assistance from the underworld. All you really have to do in the game is travel through some fairly linear levels and fight a lot of angels, demons, and otherwise. Exploration in these stages can be rewarding, unlocking different world-building story bits, new weapons, and combat boosts. However, the meat of the game is the fighting and, to a lesser extent, the story.

The game's narrative is told through cutscenes, and at the start of the game, they were so crass and uninteresting that I almost stopped playing. Luckily, they get better, and the story becomes much more interesting and emotional. I ended up really liking what they did with it, and wish the beginning was as enthralling as the end. However, Bayonetta 2's identity lies in the fighting, so that's where the real focus went. The whole game revolves around precision combat, challenging you to take down a wide variety of opponents by mastering Bayonetta's moveset and taking full advantage of her underworld counterparts. Through purchasable upgrades and items earned from extra challenges, Bayonetta can grow in strength, making future fights that much cooler. I found the game to strike a near-perfect balance between the exploration and fighting segments, making me feel both excited to battle when I was exploring, and excited to explore when I was fighting.

After playing this sequel, I'm excited to go back and play the original. If it wasn't for the disappointing opening (honestly reminiscent of The Typing of the Dead: Overkill), this game might have been one of my favorite titles on the Switch. As it stands, it's still a top-notch adventure that has me a lot more interested in combat-heavy action games, which I wasn't expecting. Ultimately, if you're thinking of trying this one out, definitely play the original first. Bayonetta 2 is a great game, but without the background from the first game, it's a lot harder to appreciate.

The game is available for Switch here (as of 7/14/21): https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/bayonetta-2-switch/

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