S&S Review: Bayonetta 2

Title: Bayonetta 2
Format: Wii U
Release Date: October 24, 2014
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Platinum Games
Price: $59.99
ESRB Rating: M

Saying "Bayonetta 2 is fun" is an understatement. The most important thing for me in a game is solid gameplay, and Bayonetta 2 hits a home run in how it plays. It feels incredibly satisfying, and combine that with a story that doesn't make sense but has likable characters, Bayonetta 2 is my game of the year so far in 2014. Even better is that both Bayonetta 1 and 2 are in the package so players can experience the first game, like myself.

Gameplay is King: 
The combat is exceptional. Bayonetta 2 is fast-paced and hectic. The game controls well and there weren't any frame rate issues when battling numerous enemies at once. The enemies won't charge at you one by one, which can make combat fun. They're smart and they will make sure the player is aware and thinks quickly. Being aware is incredibly important for a few reasons. If you don't dodge an enemy attack or quickly strike before they do, you can get caught in the middle of a deadly combo, which will hurt your rewards for completing a battle or mission. Completing missions earns you coins and medals.

Witch Time is a brilliant gameplay feature. When an enemy thrusts or raises their weapon, there is a very brief pause where you can dodge their attack and activate Witch Time. When activated, time slows down for a very short period of time, allowing you to attack the enemy with a vicious combo. Dodging multiple enemies at once and countering with an extensive combo provides a rush that doesn't go away. Witch Time is crucial against groups of enemies and bosses. Certain attacks are more powerful than others and evading those destructive moves is crucial if you want to survive. When building up enough mana, using Umbran Climax will provide a damage boost for attacks for a short period of time.
In the first mission you are fighting enemies on a moving jet. That sums up how insane this game is. Boss fights can be tough, but they are fun and epic. They're huge and fighting them, either in the air or on the ground felt intense. Using climax to finish off a boss is awesome. Bayonetta will summon a demon and it will devastate the boss in disgusting fashion. Bosses don't have set attack patterns, but always be cautious of the next deadly strike. Tough bosses can be made easier with the help of lollipops, which players can create with various materials, and lollipops can be found in chests. These short buffs can make the most difficult boss significantly easier. Red lollipops provide a damage increase for a period of time, yellow ones provide a temporary shield, purple recovers magic and green restores health. I seldom used lollipops, mainly because I felt like I would be cheating myself out of a challenge and the reward of defeating a tough foe would be lost.

There are a number of different weapons players can use, from quick whips to slower, but more powerful chainsaws. Certain weapons are exclusive to Bayonetta's arms and feet, but this customization allows players to create the perfect balance between strength and speed. Bayonetta can feel very different depending on which weapons are equipped. I had a tough time using the bow with a number of weapons because I didn't feel well-balanced. I didn't feel fast or deadly and combos were tough to string together without me repeating the same moves over and over again. While the game is loading, players can practice a list of combos that are shown to get a feel for the weapons. Story: 
The story in Bayonetta 2 isn't something worth remembering. While fighting a large demon, Bayonetta's friend Jeanne is taken to Hell and Bayonetta must find a way to reach Hell and save Jeanne. It's not gripping, but it is comedic with weird characters. Don't expect the story to become deep and all that interesting, especially when a certain character will often come in to break up the tension. I completed the game in about ten hours while on the 2nd climax, or "normal" difficulty. Simply put, the story takes a back seat to the combat. Gates of Hell: 
There will be Gates of Hell portals throughout the game, either during a mission or before embarking on the next chapter. players can spend Halo coins, which is the currency, and purchase weapons, accessories, items and more attacks. Rodin sells moon pearls, which increases mana, and he sells witch hearts, which increase Bayonetta's health. Rodin accepts LPs, which are records that can be found throughout the game and they provide players with weapons to be purchased.

Along with Gates of Hell portals existing throughout the game, Muspelheim portals are areas that provide challenges for players to complete. These challenges will test a player's skill, ranging from "Defeat all enemies without being hit," "Defeat all enemies within the time limit," and more. If you complete these challenges, broken witch heart pieces or broken moon pearl pieces will be rewards. Some portals are more difficult than others, but with skill, patience and most Witch Time, these portals can be conquered. Final Thoughts: 

Bayonetta 2 is an exceptional game. While the story isn't too memorable, the gameplay is extraordinary and makes the game almost perfect. Witch Time is my favorite gameplay mechanic, especially when fighting enormous bosses or large hordes of enemies. I don't usually play a game a second time right after its completion, but Bayonetta 2 warrants multiple play throughs. Gameplay is the most important part for me, and this game nails the combat extremely well. This is a must own for action fans and Wii U owners. +Incredible combat +Great boss fights -Mediocre story S&S Rating: 9/10