Bayonetta 3 is one of the most anticipated titles for the Nintendo Switch this year, and thankfully fans won't have to wait much longer to sink their teeth into it. After making an appearance at the most recent Nintendo Direct, new gameplay footage has been provided. A deeper look is needed to break down the new gameplay elements that await the titular Umbra Witch.
Bayonetta 3 features at least two playable characters: series protagonist Bayonetta and a new playable character Viola. Both witches will face off against man-made enemies known as the Homunculi. Unlike previous games, which took us to divine realms and had players face off against Angels, this entry will mainly focus on the real world, with locations in Japan and China being confirmed. The story remains mysterious, but Bayonetta 3 will likely feature a multi-versal narrative. This time, she'll face a threat more significant than she's ever encountered and will need to wield new combat skills that up the ante.
A Tale of Two Witches
This time around, Bayonetta will have more direct control over her demons, giving players many new abilities and features. Unlike in previous entries in which she'd use her enchanted hair to summon glorious Kaiju-sized demons for special attacks and scenarios, in Bayonetta 3, this will become a standard feature. Players can use the "Demon Slave" system to wield direct control of her demons for punishing combos and added tact. While summoning her demons, Bayonetta will be vulnerable to attack requiring players to pay even more attention to the frantic battles the series is known for.
Bayonetta 3 also uses a "Demon Masquerade" feature that seems lifted out of PlatinumGames' previously canceled Scalebound. The "Demon Masquerade" allows Bayonetta to combine form with her demons and gives the player new combos for combat and exploratory options for finding every secret goodie. Furthermore, this encourages variety with the weapons, as every tool in her arsenal will have a unique demon attached to it. However, Bayonetta isn't the only witch in the game this time around.
Viola's innovative twist to the Bayonetta combat formula confirms previous reports that the third entry would shake up the gameplay while simultaneously refining it to new heights. While earlier entries in the series have featured unlockable characters, Bayonetta 3 one-ups them by giving players a second playable protagonist. Rookie witch Viola enters the fray with a unique combat style, and her own flourishes. Viola fights with a large katana and uses magical darts to punish enemies from afar. Moreover, she also has her own demon: A giant cat named Cheshire.
While Bayonetta primarily relies on dodging to avoid enemy attacks, Viola takes a more defensive route, with her slo-mo "Witch Time" only being triggered upon successfully blocking an enemy's attack. While players are summoning Viola's sidekick Cheshire, they won't be able to use their sword and will have to fight with their bare hands. With great power comes great responsibility, and this time players will have to watch out for their protagonists' and beloved demons' livelihood.
It's hard to believe that Bayonetta 3 was revealed alongside the Nintendo Switch itself, but as the calendar inches closer to its release PlatinumGames and Nintendo have been steadily feeding fans new content. The increased depth and personalization in the combat thanks to the "Demon Slave" and "Demon Masquerade" functions coupled with a brand new playable protagonist should provide the types of refinements and revisions that every good sequel aims to deliver. This time around, PlatinumGames has the power of the Switch all to itself and isn't constrained by the Wii U's hardware like it was for Bayonetta 2. By maximizing their resources into a single platform and taking the time needed, Bayonetta 3 looks to be a stellar continuation to a series that started all the way back in 2009.
Bayonetta 3 releases on October 28th, 2022, for the Nintendo Switch.