Bayonetta 2

BUY.

Given my previous review of Bayonetta 1 was so positive, I doubt this comes as a surprise to anyone; regardless, this is a FANTASTIC game.

They improved on every negative aspect of the game that I previously didn't enjoy -- there are no more QTE's, especially not ones that instantly kill you (however there is 1 enemy in 1 part of the game that can instantly kill you, but you literally only see him twice in the entire game) and falling off the map doesn't seem to cause you damage anymore.

The combat feels just as tight and satisfying as before; in fact, it actually seems more responsive and quicker to me than Bayonetta 1, which I found very impressive. The weapons in Bayonetta 2 seem a lot more useful, as I was constantly changing between weapon sets and updating my kit, and trying out new things. The combo system is just as you'll remember it from the first Bayonetta, with many of the combos you have burned into your memory working as effortlessly as they did in it's predecessor.

The graphics of the game were noticeably overhauled, giving a significant contrast between Bayonetta 1 and 2, with the visual effects and styles the were going for becoming all the more emphasized by the increase in power of the newer console. The character models in particular look much better, but that could also be owed to Bayonetta and Jeanne's new "design", which I'm also a particularly large fan of.

Bayonetta now has short hair, and her costume is much more fantastical, looking closer to robes almost, than the essential catsuit she wore before. I'm normally a fan of longer hair, but the "bun" she had in Bayonetta 1 made her look as ridiculous as the catsuit did; nothing about her design really seemed to fit together nicely, it just seemed like a bunch of ideas they put together. In Bayonetta 2, her design is much more cohesive, as if someone actually sat down and planned out what an Umbra Witch would look like, and how to make that fit Bayonetta's unique flair.

Jeanne also got a overhaul, though not nearly as drastic. She's still sporting the red bodysuit and goggles, but now she has incredibly long flowing hair, no doubt in contrast to Bayonetta's now incredibly short hair.

Luka also recieved somewhat of a makeover, no longer sporting the odd hairstyle he once wore, and now he has short hair with a hat, and a much more suave suit. The entire air around him leaves him feeling more like the mysterious, debonair character he was meant to be in the original, but that couldn't proprerly be portrayed without having him steal the lime light from Bayonetta.

Rodin and Enzo didn't seem to change all that much, with Rodin using the exact same scenes when you turn in a LP as the first game, but the few new scenes of him in Bayonetta 2 do look pretty amazing. Enzo has very very little screentime, and as a result I don't think they paid much attention to his model at all. He easily looked the worst out of the bunch, however that may have been intentional, to add to his greasy, sleezeball persona.

While this game is a drastic improvement over the original Bayonetta, in terms of quality of life (being able to just mash B to exit the item menu) and broken mechanics (seriously, random QTE's are sooo mid-2000's) I feel as though they streamlined the game a bit too much. The original Bayonetta was incredibly difficult, and I'd finish more or less every chapter with a Stone award. In Bayonetta 2, it was rare for me to receive anything under Gold, and a lot of that is due to the myriad of changes within the game.

For starters, you can now recover health between, or even during, battle. In Bayonetta 1, there was a much, much greater emphasis on not getting hit, as you had no way to recover outside of using items, and if you did that, it'd negatively affect your score at the end of the chapter. In Bayonetta 2, however, there are drop items called Green Laurels, that are plentiful in the containers much like the Butterflies ended up being in Bayonetta 1, and they refill your health. In-battle, there's a new mechanic called "Umbran Climax", in which every attack you make is a "Wicked Weave", (which is a super powered attack based on the weapon you're using, for most weapons you'll summon a giant fist or foot out of the air, but for specific weapons you'll summon a giant version of that weapon) and each hit you make restores your health as well. You end up dying much much less as a result, especially because you're not only healing, but dealing massive amounts of damage as well. It also seems that they've removed the penalty for using items (as far as I can tell) and instead you just don't get the "No Item" bonus.

The levels also feel much shorter than the original Bayonetta, which is a very good thing in some aspects, because some of those levels really dragged on forever (especially the vehicle ones..) and the boss fights aren't as drawn out as they were, but it also takes away some of the BLAM feeling of them. I distinctly remember the fight between me and the giant hydra dude with tentacles everywhere, or the dragon where I had to use the sands of time to rebuild the platform I was standing on, so I could fight him properly, but there aren't really any fights like that in Bayonetta 2. It's almost a reverse of Bayonetta 1, in which the humanoid fights were pretty boring and tedious for the most part, but in Bayonetta 2 they're some of the most fantastic fights you'll have, with ridiculous magic attacks being flung at you every which way, while titanic demons and angels fight in the background, mirroring your moves.

Having said all of that, the game is still VERY much Bayonetta, and it's ridiculously over the top and in your face at all times. This game seems much more focused on improving the story instead of just having the most silly ridiculous things happen at all times compared to the first game, which I actually enjoy. Don't get me wrong though -- this is still Bayonetta, and there's constant crazy action and ridiculous boss fights everywhere you look, but it seems toned down and more grounded than Bayonetta 1, which I actually appreciated. It also nicely wrapped up the story of Bayonetta 1 and 2 in a little package, and they left themselves in a position where they could make a Bayonetta 3 if they chose to, but if this were the last Bayonetta game we were to ever play, that'd be alright too.

One thing I realized I haven't touched on in these reviews, or even spoken about, is the side content in these games. If you were to read my reviews and all information about the game was based on what I said here, you'd be criminally misinformed; these games have challenge rooms for you complete, collectibles to find, costumes, accessories, and weapons to unlock, and in Bayonetta 2, there's something called the Lost Witch trials which I haven't even started yet, but I'm excited to play through it. There's also the increased difficulties, as well as a secret boss fight for you to unlock as well. These games have incredible replay value, and they're 100% worth the $60 (for both) you'd shell out.

If you're on the fence, or if you just really enjoy action games, Bayonetta will be up your alley. If you just bought a Wii U, and have no idea what games you should pick up on it? Bayonetta 1 & 2 will last you a long time with all the replay value packed in. Hell, even if you've never played a action game before and this is your first foray into the genre, PICK UP BAYONETTA. You will not be dissapointed.

The only time I'd tell people to not pick up Bayonetta is if the sexualization of the character is a massive turnoff (which it is for many people, which is a valid complaint) or you just hate action games. If those two don't apply to you, then buy this game.