Fans are finally going to see the release of Bayonetta 3 later this year. It's one of the most anticipated releases from PlatinumGames on the Switch, with gamers getting a brief look at the game last fall during a Nintendo Direct. The hype for the game further intensified when the most recent Bayonetta 3 trailer revealed the release date, confirming it to arrive near the end of October.
The new trailer showed off the game's premise, new enemies, as well as Bayonetta's new demonic powers. It also showed off a number of characters like Rodin, Enzo and Luka, who are all fan favorites. Bayonetta 3 also introduces Viola, an Umbra Witch who can summon a giant Cheshire Cat doll and uses a katana to fight, with her fighting style and appearance being similar to Raiden from Metal Gear Rising and Nero from Devil May Cry. While this trailer showed off the action and character models in their original look, PlatinumGames reveals there is an optional censor mode for certain players.
This mode was announced in a tweet from PlatinumGames itself, with this being called "Naive Angel" mode. When this mode is toggled, it will cover up certain elements that show a lot of skin from Bayonetta, such as when she executes her Wicked Weave attacks. Instead of completely stripping Bayonetta down naked, she will be covered by a bodysuit. This applies to Bayonetta's Masquerade transformations as well, with the tweet having a video that shows the differences between whether the mode is turned on or not.
This mode is stated to be completely optional, and helps appeal to a wider demographic who might be somewhat turned off by the game's over-the-top sexual content. Amusingly PlatinumGames alludes to this mode being best for "playing right in the living room" without the game being mistaken for something else. Fans noted this mode was similar to how Bayonetta was handled in the Super Smash Bros. series, with some even calling it "Smash Bros." mode.
With this mode, it's likely to help Bayonetta 3 get a broader audience, without alienating any of the fans who enjoyed the risque elements of the series. With only a few months left before release, PlatinumGames is doing a lot to help get as many eyes on the game as possible, with this mode being one way of doing so.
Bayonetta 3 will release exclusively for Nintendo Switch on October 28, 2022.