Bayonetta 2 (NSP, XCI) ROM + v1.2 Update

Bayonetta 2 is a 2014 action-adventure game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Nintendo. It is the sequel to the 2009 game Bayonetta and was directed by Yusuke Hashimoto and produced by Atsushi Inaba, Akiko Kuroda, and Hitoshi Yamagami, under supervision by series creator Hideki Kamiya.

GAMEPLAY

Bayonetta 2 carries on the action-style gameplay of its predecessor, in which players control the eponymous Bayonetta as she fights against various angelic and demonic forces using combinations of melee attacks and gunplay. Dodging enemy attacks at the last second activates ‘Witch Time’, slowing down enemies around Bayonetta and allowing players to easily retaliate and solve certain environmental puzzles. Players are also able to use special moves called Torture Attacks, trapping opponents in infernal devices for extra points. Weapon customization from the first game also returns, allowing players to equip combinations of new weapons on both Bayonetta’s hands and feet. A large array of weapons can be equipped, including the character’s signature guns, a bow, swords, and other forms of projectile weapons. Players earn grades during combat, with the highest ‘Pure Platinum’ grade achieved by performing high numbers of combos, in the fastest time possible, without being damaged. As with the previous game, Bayonetta can use Torture Attacks on her enemies, conjure torture devices that finish off single enemies in gruesome ways, and grant a bonus to the player.

Bayonetta 2 adds a new gameplay element called Umbran Climax which can be activated when the player has a full magic gauge. Similar to the state of boss fights in the first game, this technique strengthens Bayonetta’s attacks and combos with extra Wicked Weaves and Infernal Demon summons for a short period of time. This increases their overall range and damage and replenishes Bayonetta’s health when in use.

SETTING AND CHARACTERS

Most of Bayonetta 2 takes place on the fictional sacred mountain of Fimbulventr and the nearby town of Noatun, both located in the Middle East. The main character Bayonetta (Hellena Taylor / Atsuko Tanaka) travels to the mountain to find the Gates of Hell to save her friend Jeanne (Grey DeLisle-Griffin / Mie Sonozaki).

Returning characters include Rodin (Dave Fennoy / Tesshō Genda), the bartender of Gates of Hell who supplies Bayonetta with powerful weapons; Luka (Yuri Lowenthal / Daisuke Namikawa), a journalist who provides Bayonetta with valuable information; and Enzo (John Kassir / Wataru Takagi), an informant who provides comic relief. New characters include Loki (Mark Daugherty / Junko Minagawa), an amnesiac boy who guides Bayonetta to the mountain; the Masked Lumen (Crispin Freeman / Takehito Koyasu), a powerful Sage and Bayonetta’s new rival; and Loptr (TJ Ramini / Takumi Yamazaki), a mysterious Prophet apparently allied with the Masked Lumen.

PLOT

Jeanne saves Bayonetta from the summon`s attack, but the attack causes Inferno to claim her soul. At the same time, a masked Lumen Sage is brought to the present by a mysterious figure, known as the Prophet, who promises him the chance for revenge. Due to the death of the allegedly last Lumen Sage, Father Balder by Bayonetta and Jeanne, the Right Eye of Lightness had disappeared, which prompted Luka to investigate the consequences to the planet, and if it is connected to the natural disasters that have been occurring. The Prophet shows Bayonetta a vision that implies the Witch Hunts 500 years ago were not caused by Balder.

Bayonetta reaches Inferno and travels into its depths to save Jeanne. With the help of Rodin, Bayonetta is able to save Jeanne’s soul and revive her. However, the Sage attacks Loki again and reveals himself to be a young Balder. Now in Vigrid during the Witch Hunts, Bayonetta meets her mother Rosa, and the two work together to fight back against the angels. When they become separated, Bayonetta encounters Loptr, a doppelgänger of Loki who is the Prophet in the present. Loptr claims that the Eyes of the World, one of which Bayonetta possesses, belong to him. Later meeting with the young Balder, Bayonetta arrives too late to stop Loptr from murdering Rosa.

Bayonetta realizes that Loptr has tricked Balder into seeking revenge on Loki in the present. Meanwhile, in the present, Luka encounters Loki, who claims to remember everything and asks Luka to take him to Fimbulventr. With Jeanne’s help, Bayonetta and Balder reach the top of Fimbulventr and find Loptr having already captured Loki. Loptr explains that he and Loki were once the God of Chaos, Aesir, the creator of the Eyes of the World. Despite their efforts, Loptr takes both of the Eyes from Balder and Bayonetta and transforms into Aesir with the intent to rule humanity.

Loki claims that Aesir’s power can erase anything from existence, and uses that power to destroy the Eyes, weakening Loptr and allowing Bayonetta and Balder to destroy his body with Jeanne’s help. Balder reveals he knows that Bayonetta is his daughter and asks her to stop him should he be corrupted, and is returned to his time. With Loptr and the Eyes gone, Loki says he plans to take a break from the world’s affairs, but that he may meet Bayonetta again, and fades away.