Bayonetta 2 Review - IGN (2024)

Right from the action-packed moments of its fantastic prologue, I couldn't help but notice how much better Bayonetta 2 looks and plays than its predecessor - or most other action games, for that matter. Impressively, Bayonetta 2 just gets better from there. With the style, grace, and precision of a runway model, she sashays, punches, poses, and kicks her way through an outstanding 10-hour campaign full of grand setpieces and deadly angels and demons.

Building on the original Bayonetta’s strengths, Bayonetta's 2 free-flowing combat remains its greatest asset. Each punch, kick, and weapon swing flows comfortably into the next empowering move. Everything moves at a fast and fluid 60 frames-per-second target (it never noticeably dipped), and this sequel feels supercharged thanks to excellent animation, more opportunities to cancel out of attacks mid-move to dodge, and fun new weapons to unlock, like the Rakshasa blades or the Chernabog scythe. Each feels distinct and has its own branching combos that can be mixed and matched to set up different styles of play.

Bayonetta 2 Review - IGN (1)

Executing combos feels natural, and it's invigorating to pull off long attack strings on a group of enemies. Perfectly timed dodges have a tangible reward thanks to Witch Time, a slow-motion payoff for dodging at the last second that allows me to dig in and devastate angelic foes. Once I factored in the new Umbran Climax - a high-power release of demon-summoning attacks that strike in a wide radius - I had plenty of ways to embarrass the opposition. No matter how large they got (and Bayonetta 2’s enemies get enormous) my attacks could still send them reeling.

Bayonetta’s not overpowered, though. Even on normal difficulty, the enemies shouldn’t be underestimated. The dozens of enemy types, from the small flying underlings to the large bosses themselves, have distinct attack patterns and signature tells that demand and reward your attention. Each boss has a cool and unique visual design, and no two behave the same way. The flying boss Valor, whose gold armor gives him the look of an angelic knight, fights much differently than the deadly Urbane, a ground-based foe that wields dual flaming gauntlets. The constant enemy variety makes me feel like I’m never fighting the same foe for too long or too often.

Action gets chaotic, but big, colorful effects help make it clear what’s going on at any given moment: successful last-second dodges set off purple-hued slow-motion moments, while Angelic minions, with the sculptured look of mythic statues, have a shimmering gold effect that signals they’re winding up to attack. Clear visual language like this informs quick decisions, letting me confidently dodge and strike enemies down with a high-powered offense.

The meticulous rating system gave me incentive to aim higher and experiment with new combos and moves. Each chapter rates you based on time played and combo prowess, with penalties to your score for items or continues used. It pushes you to do better with great rewards like score multipliers and extra currency to spend on new techniques, accessories, hilarious Nintendo-themed costumes, and items.

Many elements of Bayonetta 2's presentation and mechanics are geared for hardcore action fans, but it attempts to embrace casual newcomers too – with mixed results. The GamePad-focused touch control option uses simple taps, holds, and swipes to send an A.I.-driven Bayonetta into attack. That alternate control scheme is a neat addition, but it doesn’t hold up well with lots of enemies on screen because the camera has trouble keeping up. You’ll have to learn the standard control scheme a few hours in regardless - and you should, because it’s fantastic.

There’s also an online only, scenario-based co-op mode that squeezes a little more value out of Bayonetta 2’s excellent combat. Each one is acquired by completing sections of the main campaign, and they distill combat to smaller area encounters with a group of enemies or even bosses. They’re fun, but it’s all over after just two- or three-minute bursts of action.

As a finishing touch, Bayonetta's wicked weaves -- transformations involving powerful demonic accomplishes -- punctuate the end of an action sequence, often skewering enemies in outrageous death traps. They create some of the most extravagant moments, with gruesome enemy-munching sequences. Mashing buttons as a Godzilla-sized demon is turned in into devilish lunchmeat for one of Bayonetta’s minions is a satisfying conclusion after a tense fight.

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But as much as I enjoy Bayonetta's over-the-top style, and I’m not too put off by her hypersexualized character design, the writing does have a bad habit of occasionally slipping into annoyingly juvenile territory with some bad attempts at humor. I don’t mind some juvenile humor to complement a light-hearted action game, but the jokes just lean on foul-mouthed punchlines and silly character tropes, and the sequences go on for way longer than they should.

On the other hand, the writing has some good high points, like how it positions The Masked Lumen Sage as an excellent foil to Bayonetta. The times I fought him felt tense, as he firmly stood toe-to-toe with my heroine’s high-powered abilities, summoning his own angelic helpers to counter my own.

The excellent combat of Bayonetta 2 is boosted by superb art direction and pacing, both of which make Bayonetta 1 look poor by comparison. Missions never lets up, presenting more enemy types to fight across urban cityscapes, quaint mountain cities, and stylized interpretations of Heaven and Hell. Level designs give you room to take advantage of Bayonetta’s shapeshifting abilities, so you can charge through a platforming area as a panther or swim through underwater sections as a sea serpent. It’s also useful in combat as well. By double-tapping the dodge button I can quickly transform and close the space between opponents I fight on the ground, in the air, and underwater.

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Bayonetta 2 Review - IGN (2024)

FAQs

Is Bayonetta 2 a good game? ›

A delightful sequel for a delightful game. Bayonetta 2 does not add much in terms of new gameplay mechanics, but it does offer fabulous new music, new outfits (arguably the best in the trilogy), new weapons, new items and new modes. Story and lore wise, it's as simple and easy to follow as the original game is.

Is Bayonetta 2 better then 1? ›

Bayonetta 2 does make many good QoL changes, such as the removal of the dumb instant death QTE sequences, and the graphics are far better and more colorful (which is actually a bad thing for telegraphing enemies since they blend more into background than the ones found in B1), but for whatever reason, the combat was ...

How many hours is Bayonetta 2? ›

When focusing on the main objectives, Bayonetta 2 is about 9 Hours in length.

Is Bayonetta 2 hard to play? ›

It can be fast paced and difficult, but I think you just need to get used to the game and it's mechanics and it'll get easier. By the end of the game or on subsequent playthroughs you'll be feeling like a badass witch. Bayo 2 is much easier than 1, and the combat is a lot smoother.

Is Bayonetta 2 replayable? ›

However, both of these games are immensely replayable. Not only is there a bunch of secret stuff to collect, like Hidden Verses, but the combat is designed to be replayable thanks to the score system.

Did Bayonetta 2 sell well on Switch? ›

The title was the seventh best-selling game in the UK in its first week of release, but was absent from the Top 40 best-seller list in its second week. The Nintendo Switch version of Bayonetta 2 sold 9,532 copies within its first week on sale in Japan, which placed it at number 14 on the all format sales chart.

Can I play Bayonetta 2 without playing Bayonetta 1? ›

For the story, you really dont need to play Bayonetta 1 to understand 2.

Is Bayonetta 3 better? ›

Bayonetta is back and the long-awaited third game not only builds up on the excellent formula of games past, it goes one step forward and adds new protagonists, experiments with elements of other genres, improves on its plot structure, and allows all kinds of players to enjoy it, creating an experience that's both ...

Why is Bayonetta 2 an 18? ›

Swear words like the "f" and "s" words also appear in the dialogue. Bayonetta 2 has to do with the extent to which the main character is sexualised, since Bayonetta wears revealing clothing and strikes sexy poses, with the camera often focused on specific parts of her body.

What is the longest Bayonetta game? ›

When focusing on the main objectives, Bayonetta 3 is about 13 Hours in length. If you're a gamer that strives to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 44 Hours to obtain 100% completion.

Are Bayonetta 1 and 2 different timelines? ›

Bayonetta from 1 and 2 being different doesn't really change Bayo 2 being a direct sequel to 1. Think of it this way. Bayonetta 1's events absolutely happened in the Bayo 2 universe. However, that doesn't mean Bayo 2's events happen in every universe where Bayo 1's events happen.

Why did Bayonetta 3 take so long? ›

Bayonetta 3 took so long because it was originally conceived as semi-open world.

Is Bayonetta 2 fun? ›

Overall, this is about as much fun as anyone will have with a character action game and it is certainly there with/at the top of the genre in my experience. Absolutely a must play for anyone who likes a good action game.

Do you need to play Bayonetta 2 before 3? ›

The latter is mostly true: if you can play the first two, you'll get a lot out of it. If you play Bayonetta 3 first you'll mostly be fine, but there are bits and pieces from the original two games that will greatly benefit your enjoyment of the story, and certain character interactions.

Are Bayonetta 1 and 2 the same person? ›

Bayonetta 1 and Bayonetta 2 from the ending are from universes where their respective games happened pretty much the same way but they diverged afterwards (so in Bayonetta 1's case, she went to Vigrid but never went to Noatun, for example).

Does Bayonetta 2 have a good story? ›

Arguably the most polished action game of all time. The gameplay is sublime, but the game loses points for it's terrible excuse for a story. Not as ambitious as the superior The Wonderful 101 and therefore doesn't reach the same heights, but the gameplay is more consistent.

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