Bayonetta 2

Bayonetta 2 (2014) is a fighting game where you use fantastical guns and attacks to defeat hordes of enemies in over-the-top and dramatic combat. You attack enemies with extreme weapons and magical powers and, in a new addition for this second entry, can unleash all your magic to supercharge your attacks. Outrageous outfits, extravagant action, and hyper-stylised fights combine with the joy of exacting and demanding fighting to make for a thrilling sequel.

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You once again play the charming titular witch Bayonetta who, after the events of the first game, goes back to her regular life. When your best friend, a fellow witch called Jeanne, has her soul consumed by demonic forces when you go to the shops, you set out on a mission to the gates of Hell to save her. On your journey to the underworld, you fight off evil foes and ancient monsters with your guns, swords, and magic.

Play involves traversing the world and fighting enemies. You use guns, melee weapons, and bizarre and unusual magical tools made out of your hair. Combat is as fast-paced as it is extravagant, and to deal the most damage, you need to pull off intricate and highly complex strings of moves in rapid succession, while simultaneously dodging powerful enemy attacks. A new feature to this second game, Umbran Climax, lets you supercharge your attacks and restore valuable health, but at the expense of your magic meter, reducing the number of actions you can take afterwards, so using it is always a carefully considered risk.

The result is a strangely engrossing mix of off-kilter humour and extravagant action paired with the need for high skill and experimentation. Some may be put off by the strangeness (and violence and nudity), but it's exactly this irreverent joy in the bizarre that makes it so much fun.

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Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Bayonetta 2 20 months ago. It was re-examined by Ellen Robertson and updated 3 months ago.