Bayonetta 2 Catch-All

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Reviews are coming in for Bayonetta 2, and they're almost universally glowing.

shoptroll wrote:
ccesarano wrote:

Could've sworn we had a Bayonetta 2 thread, but Search couldn't find one and the Bayonetta thread was last updated in 2012. I wasn't sure if it was time to break out my robe and necromancy hat, though, so here I post.

Nintendo Life gives Bayonetta 2 a 9/10, and USGamer gives it a 4.5/5.

Eurogamer: 9/10, Destructoid: 10/10

So I'm guessing if you liked the first one you'll definitely love the second.

GameSpot: 10/10

Bayonetta 2's combat is so expertly constructed, and its presentation so joyously insane, that you'd have to try so very hard to get bored of it all. In a year filled with the promise of ever more elaborate experiences on all the shiny new hardware, that Bayonetta 2--a homage to classic game design and escapism--should be the most fun I've had playing a game all year is unexpected. But maybe it shouldn't have been. After all, its predecessor still stands as one of the finest games of its genre. To have surpassed that with Bayonetta 2, and to have created a game that will be remembered as an absolute classic, is nothing short of astonishing.

Polygon: 7.5/10

When Platinum Games is on, it's really, really on, and Bayonetta 2 is in almost any respect that counts a better game than the first, whose mechanics were already exemplary. But every time I'd feel on a roll, enjoying my time with Bayonetta 2 immensely, I'd be broken out of it by another cheap shot of T&A. I would be wrecking a flock of angelic or demonic enemies, sliding in and out of witch time almost at will, and then the special weapon I had picked up became a literal stripper pole for Bayonetta to dance on, because ... well, because, I guess.

I won't guess why the blatant over-sexualization is still there, often more intensely than before. But it causes an otherwise great game to require a much bigger mental compromise to enjoy.

Joystiq: 5/5

Bayonetta 2 is the perfect action game. It oozes style and boasts gameplay that's both refined and lacking in excess. The combat is so purely entertaining that it's easy to lose yourself in the almost-zen flow of dodging, countering and kicking enemies to death. Bayonetta 2 rewards a player's drive to look as cool as possible in combat with gameplay designed for exactly that – and with the acrobatic violence of a winking heroine who is as legitimately endearing as she is completely ludicrous. Even if Bayonetta 2 did not include an enhanced remake of its predecessor, it would launch as one of the Wii U's best games, but this generous inclusion pushes Platinum's first sequel into no-brainer territory for anyone with even the slightest affection for action games. If you bought the Wii U months ago explicitly in anticipation of Bayonetta 2, congratulations, your decision has paid off in spades.

Paste Magazine: 9.5/10

Who is Bayonetta for? It’s never been entirely clear, and the question remained at the back of my mind throughout Bayonetta 2. Is she a raunchy male-gaze-panderer, or a woman reclaiming her own sexuality? Is her story an ill-thought mish-mash, or is it a hilarious, self-aware send-up of videogame clichés? That’s up for debate. But if you thought Bayonetta fell under the latter category the first time around, then you’re in for a treat, because the sequel knocks it right out of the park all over again.

Edge also gave the game a perfect score. Famitsu gave it a 38/40 when it released in Japan. It will release in North America, Europe, and Australia on the 24th for the Wii U.

Argh. Too much stuff is coming out on the 24th...

I was secretly hoping this wouldn't be very good so I could actually cut down on my current pile a bit. How disappointing (not really).

I'm just trying to decide if I should replay the first one before diving into the second, or say "screw it I'ma jump in and jam" and start off Bayonetta 2.

1) I have this on my Christmas list. I'm hoping my wife gets it for me.

2) I want to replay the first one. Trying to decide if I want to do that with my 360 copy, or wait and play it on the Wii U.

3) I want to show the game to my wife so I can enjoy the really confused look on her face at seeing the insanity that is Bayonetta. Doing this will almost definitely result in (1) not happening.

I've had this pre-ordered since the summer. I'm super bummed that I probably won't get it on day one, and then I'm leaving the next day on a 12 day business trip. D:

I'm glad it's getting good reviews, and I hope it sways some of those original fans of the first game to give the Wii U a go. Hopefully they'll let go of their bitterness and stubbornness.

I wish that this was coming to other consoles. I loved B1 but have no intention of buying a WiiU.

Why is Bayonetta 2 a WiiU exclusive? That makes no sense to me.

No publishers would pick it up except Nintendo.

I'm only feeling a very tiny bit of schadenfreude in waiting to hear all the cries of "it's not fair that Bayonetta 2 is only going to be on the Wii U! I want it on my PS4bone!" I pretty much feel the same way any time Ubi/EA make an announcement of something that won't be on Wii U.

Finally downloaded the demo. Don't know if I want to play it on the gamepad sooner or wait until I have TV access later.

Xeknos wrote:

Why is Bayonetta 2 a WiiU exclusive? That makes no sense to me.

Pretty much what blind evil said. No other publisher would pay for it, so Nintendo stepped in and funded the game's development in whole.

I played the demo last night. I'll be honest, there's something perfect about the voice actress' delivery of "So close!" when you dodge and activate Witch Time. The perfect sort of taunt.

Of course, the demo also proved my real issue with action games. Even when I'm trying to vary up my attacks, I ultimately just find myself mashing buttons and repeating moves. At least, early on. We'll see what happens when the full game releases.

Chaz wrote:

I'm only feeling a very tiny bit of schadenfreude in waiting to hear all the cries of "it's not fair that Bayonetta 2 is only going to be on the Wii U! I want it on my PS4bone!"

Don't hold your breath.

Chaz wrote:

I'm only feeling a very tiny bit of schadenfreude in waiting to hear all the cries of "it's not fair that Bayonetta 2 is only going to be on the Wii U! I want it on my PS4bone!"

Ugh. There have been so many complaints about this being an exclusive since it was announced that I'm long past Schadenfreude. If I had a nickel for every time I saw someone accuse Platinum of being greedy or betraying their fan base, I could personally bankroll Bayonetta 3 as an NGage exclusive (which would, of course, get it back on a Microsoft platform).

ccesarano wrote:

I'm just trying to decide if I should replay the first one before diving into the second, or say "screw it I'ma jump in and jam" and start off Bayonetta 2.

If you buy the disc version, it includes a port of the original, if that makes any difference to you. It dissuaded me from replaying the original on my 360, but I think I'll replay on the WiiU. I don't think I'll spend 100 hours unlocking everything again, though.

Assuming the second one improves upon the first, it probably makes sense to do the replay the first, lest I go back to it after playing the second one and be all disappointed.

The problem there is that I probably won't get to Bayonetta 2 until some time summer of 2015 if that happens.

The Wii U port of Bayonetta isn't exclusive to the disc version of Bayonetta 2. It will be available in the eShop independently, and the eShop version of Bayonetta 2 is actually slightly less expensive to reflect that.

It was really murky how that would all play out for awhile, but it's like this:

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Also, the digital pricing for both Bayonetta and Bayonetta 2 is finally clear. Bayonetta is $29.99 by itself and Bayonetta 2 is $49.99. Buy either one, and you'll get an automatic discount on the other to make the price $59.98 in total.

There doesn't seem to be a time limit on the discount, so you can buy either one and then later get the other at the lower price.

Also, the copy of Bayonetta that comes with the physical copy of Bayonetta 2 is a separate disc, not a download code, and not included on the Bayonetta 2 disc.

Oh, summer vacation 2015 is going to be awesome.

Grad work completed, and a pile of games a mile high.

Heck yes. The demo convinced me to buy for sure. I'll be doing a 1 and 2 playthrough.

As for exclusivity, I bought a PS3 for some of the exclusives, why can't some of you buy a WiiU for some of its?

There are many good games on the system, I'm tired of the "won't buy Nintendo." Just be quiet and don't. I'll be here enjoying all the games on all the systems I own.

(If financial reasons, man I get that, if just stubbornness, don't get that.)

Aww man

I loved the heck out of 1, on my 360. It did have that "Oh god, please don't let anyone walk into the room right now!" feeling while playing, but fun!

I won't be buying a new console for a long time. So it looks like I'll be late to the party.... leave a light on for me (for the eventual port to PC, or something...)

Since the development of this one was partly/mostly funded by Nintendo, I don't know that a PC port is super likely. This may be one of those rare real exclusive releases.

It was funded entirely by Nintendo. Kamiya, the head of Platinum Games, has said it's as likely to get ported to another system as a Mario or Zelda game.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

It was funded entirely by Nintendo. Kamiya, the head of Platinum Games, has said it's as likely to get ported to another system as a Mario or Zelda game.

Yeah, I hear what you're saying, but they could probably still port it to the Vita, right?

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/wktNlH3.png)

CptDomano wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

It was funded entirely by Nintendo. Kamiya, the head of Platinum Games, has said it's as likely to get ported to another system as a Mario or Zelda game.

Yeah, I hear what you're saying, but they could probably still port it to the Vita, right?

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/wktNlH3.png)

Yeah, but it won't be as good.

I'm glad it's getting good reviews, even though I'll never get a chance to play it as I don't have any interest in the Wii U. Hell, I have a PS3 and have games still in the plastic wrap because I'm such a die-hard PC gamer. I liked B1 on the PS3 and probably would have bought B2 at $40.00, but oh well, my little money doesn't mean much.

I hope it makes a buttload of money for everyone. They deserve it for not bowing to the pressure about it being sexist and whatnot and making a game that, by all accounts, is fun.

^^^ This is pretty much my position as well. Right down to the unplayed PS3 titles (I think I put about 20 minutes into GT6).

Enjoyed the heck out of Bayo 1 on 360. Glad part 2 is meeting critical success (minus the perv camera zooms). Won't be playing it myself.

Hope it sells well though.

Yea, I could do without the "perv-cams," but do find Bayonetta pretty dreamy.

ccesarano wrote:

The problem there is that I probably won't get to Bayonetta 2 until some time summer of 2015 if that happens. :P

So it was a rhetorical question, then?

Cymbrogi wrote:

They deserve it for not bowing to the pressure about it being sexist and whatnot and making a game that, by all accounts, is fun.

Was that actually a problem? I don't recall any "pressure" at all. A couple of people didn't like the sexualization of Bayonetta but it seemed like a quiet minority.

As I see it, comparing the sexualization of Bayonetta to most other games is like comparing burlesque to strippers. It is done in a stylized, self-referential way by an empowered character. (At least, in the first game.) I have no significant problem with it and I don't think many people do. Of course other people are entitled to their own reading and have the right to dislike it. But I don't think Platinum are like some brave ballsy crusaders daring to fly in the face of overwhelming social pressure in the name of artistic integrity, or something.

I think there was some talk about her sexualization, but her general empowerment as a female character counterbalanced it pretty well.

It's a very different environment that Bayonetta 2 is releasing in, though.

beeporama wrote:

As I see it, comparing the sexualization of Bayonetta to most other games is like comparing burlesque to strippers.

I really like this comparison.

She kicks butt, takes names and from what I can tell is portrayed as very intelligent.

I'm okay with my daughter playing this! When she's 13.

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