Blood And Beauty

Some will even remind old-school game fans of similarly-visceral masterpieces like Vampire Savior, Alien VS. Predator or Dungeons & Dragons - Shadow Over Mystara. Bayonetta's host of normal moves (punches, kicks, and slashes) use swords, hammers, torches, and even a scythe; each of which are capable of leaving enemies decapitated, buried, charred, or in pieces. Of course, it has that Japanese charm, so decaps and torso separations are preceeded by hails of blinding flashes. These death sequences are not canned for specific enemies, and there are so many that you can see new ones for quite a long time even after running through each difficulty. Bayonetta's signature Hair attacks make their devastatingly-fashionable, complex return with the Wicked Weave, Climax, Umbran Climax, and Torture Attack. These colossal creature summons don't just even the playing field for Bayonetta; they outright obliterate it.

Wicked Weaves promptly conclude irresistably-sexy attack strings and fights, leaving enemies crushed, ripped, smashed, and bashed into bursts of blood. Bosses are no exception here, and even as big as they are, get ripped to shreds, sliced and diced, caved-in, or decapped in violent explosions, while others get devoured. Bayonetta's Torture Attacks live up to their namesake with devisive death dealings by guillotine, grinder, iron maiden, giant spiked wheels, vices, and machines I've never even seen before. In somewhat humorous, yet grim fashion, Bayonetta's death machines appear out of nowhere (even on the wings of F-14 fighter jets) and leave radiant, crimson explosions of glimmering particles in her wake. Surprisingly (yet fitting for Bayonetta's persona), there are even some humorous attacks, including slaps, spankings, and one that literally kicks ass. The game refers to some of these attacks as Punishment Attacks even though they essentially humiliate.

She's does slay in dark locales like other titles in the genre, but it would be in elegant, pastel-colored one-piece dresses with matching mufflers, heels, and cartwheel hats. If not that, then a vividly-colored blue, red, or white decorated Chinese dress with the slit on the side extra high. Still, she may even be seen in a sultry police uniform custom-tailored for women, complete with pulse-raising knee-high boots and cleavage-obstructing miniature necktie. She even wears Nintendo cameo outfits from series like Zelda and Metroid! If that's still not enough for those who want to see her stacked figure in all of its glory, Bayonetta goes completely nude...in chrome. Lastly, for those who just cannot be pleased, and to the the dismay of few, her amazing wardrobe comes off during certain attacks, leaving her in a revealing swimsuit. The juxtaposition between her fashion and the blood that defiles it is key to realizing the theme of "Gore" and how it defines Bayonetta 2.

Despite the gore associated with angels in Bayonetta 2 as enemies or adversaries, the game doesn't depict them as weak, frail beings. In most games that feature angels, they are depicted as passive overseers incapable of battle. Instead, Bayonetta 2 depicts them as epic and graceful, yet monstrous and powerful beings capable of waging all-out-war on hell and its minions. They are every bit as capable as their demon counterparts. There is a clear divide between the two in this game, and while the demons are depicted as just savage, there is the feeling that the angels are somehow more feeling than their counterparts. This contrast really shows through in enemy and boss design, where the angel ones seem more majestic than their grotesque demon counterparts. When they appear, there is an incredible sense of awe, and their graduer is even distracting at times. The scale of the enemies in this game cannot be overstated; they are truly monstorus in all their glory.