Bayonetta 2

Bayonetta 2 is a single-player third-person action game and sequel to Bayonetta.

The story places the player in the role of the titular witch, Bayonetta, who awakens after a two-year slumber to find that her friend and fellow Umbra Witch, Jeanne, has been taken into the depths of Inferno. Bayonetta must travel through otherworldly realms and the city of No London to confront angelic and demonic foes in order to rescue Jeanne and confront the larger conspiracy threatening both heaven and earth. The narrative follows her traversing familiar and new locations, meeting allies and adversaries of the Umbra and Lumen Sages, and advancing toward a dramatic climax.

Gameplay centres on fluid, high-speed combat combining melee, firearms and magical attacks. Bayonetta wields “guns and boots” (dual firearms for her hands and feet), enabling seamless transition between ranged and close combat. Her signature manoeuvre is “Witch Time”, triggered by executing a well-timed dodge, which slows down time and allows for powerful counterattacks. Success in battle relies on chaining combos, juggling enemies, and exploiting weak points to increase the difficulty rating from “Umbran Climax” bonus to Platinum.

Customization plays a major role: Bayonetta can be equipped with various weapon sets (pairs of hand-guns, foot-guns or mixed), accessories that modify stats and abilities, and new moves unlocked via Umbran Climax mode. In Umbran Climax, once the magic gauge is full, Bayonetta enters a powered-up state that enhances attacks, grants automatic health regeneration and allows greater combo versatility. Levels are linear but include hidden areas and optional fighting waves to earn more magic gauge and accessories.

The game includes score-attack modes, time trials and a New Game Plus mode with additional weapon sets and challenge levels unlocked after completion. Platform differences include the original Wii U version with exclusive features such as motion-based camera control and an “Arena Battle” mode; the later Nintendo Switch edition adds local co-op.