The first Bayonetta took something that was out of the norm at the time and brought it out in the limelight. Female protagonists didn’t see as much representation as they should’ve been, and Platinum Games showed the world how popular a skimpily-clad witch with reading glasses could become.
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While the series has an in-your-face suggestive theme about the protagonist, it brings much more to the table. Its combat system became an instant hit and is still considered one of the best. This is why, after the first title, Platinum Games turned Bayonetta into a franchise. Each title in the series has its pros and cons, through which every Bayonetta game can be ranked.
4 Bayonetta 3
The One That Could've Been Better


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Bayonetta 3
-
- Top Critic Avg: 85/100 Critics Rec: 85%
- Released
- October 28, 2022
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Platinum Games
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Franchise
- Bayonetta
- Platform(s)
- Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Metascore
- 86
Bayonetta 3 tries to amp things up by introducing a multiverse where countless Bayonettas exist. The game tries very hard to build on the success of the previous two installments but falls flat, with the weakest element being the story. Many fans criticized the game for not utilizing the concept of the multiverse to its full potential. In addition, the story isn’t built up properly, with the main antagonist not being fleshed out and you getting the feeling that everything is all over the place.
If that’s not enough, the third installment also changes Bayonetta's personality. The once flirty and charismatic main character is reduced to a more silent protagonist who shoots off one-liners with a deadpan expression. Gameplay is also different in the third installment and characters’ actions seem to have no consequences. The story continues as it would without the heroes’ input. The game also tries to introduce a romance angle for Bayonetta, but it feels too forced.
Bayonetta 3 is a good action game, but it fails to resonate with many fans because it isn’t true to the Bayonetta franchise. If it was a stand-alone game, it wouldn’t receive as much criticism as it does. Fans who are used to the engaging stories of the previous installments and a chirpy Bayonetta will feel something is off. Despite disagreements among fans about whether the game is good or not, its ending is something everyone agrees is the weakest among the rest.
3 Bayonetta Origins: Cereza And The Lost Demon
The One That Explains The Past


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Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
-
- Top Critic Avg: 81/100 Critics Rec: 86%
- Released
- March 17, 2023
- ESRB
- T for Teen for Animated Blood and Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Platinum Games
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Franchise
- Bayonetta
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a significant change from the other three installments in the series because it's a prequel that takes place before Bayonetta became a powerful witch. The game does what the first two installments do and tries to make it better. Everything from the visuals to the soundtrack is spot-on, and you can easily immerse yourself into the game.
The game also introduces a unique gameplay mechanism where you can control the young witch Cereza and the demon Cheshire simultaneously. The prequel also tries to take elements from the third title, like the semi-open-world, and refines it. In Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, you can explore the world more, and you’ll be rewarded for it. These rewards range from discovering new areas to gaining new skills.
The best thing about the game, however, may be its story. Cereza starts as an immature and novice witch who lacks confidence, but throughout her journey, she learns to trust herself. By the end of the game, she’s well on the path to becoming the Bayonetta you know and love. The main character’s bickering and dynamics with the demon Cheshire is also interesting, and their development makes things more realistic.
2 Bayonetta
The One Where It All Began


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Bayonetta
-
- Top Critic Avg: 85/100 Critics Rec: 92%
- Released
- October 29, 2009
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Platinum Games
- Publisher(s)
- Sega
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Franchise
- Bayonetta
- Platform(s)
- PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, Nintendo Wii U, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Bayonetta was a marriage of attractive characters with a well-developed storyline. The game became a massive success with gamers because of its well-presented characters, engaging music, and interesting combat mechanism. While the game’s story was met with criticism, it’s still fleshed out in a way where the titular character, Bayonetta’s struggles with amnesia resonates with you, and you want her to find out who she is and why she doesn’t remember anything.
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10 Things We Wish We Knew Before Starting Bayonetta Origins
Help Cereza and Chesire in their lovely adventure.
Bayonetta dresses provocatively, with most of her iconic outfits being of a suggestive nature. Pair that with her librarian glasses and British accent, and the main character oozes sex appeal. This element became a hit with fans and, especially combined with the fact that Bayonetta is a boss who takes on the toughest of foes while still looking pretty. She is relatable to you but also has an aura of confidence that showcases her toughness. This is an interesting combination and hard to pull off, but Platinum Games made it work.
Another iconic element of Bayonetta is the smooth combat system that allows you to attack in unique combinations. While the game is a button masher and hack-and-slack, you can use various combos to achieve a high combo score. This score can help you attain a high overall score and may achieve the Platinum rank.
1 Bayonetta 2
The One That Made It Better


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Bayonetta 2
-
- Top Critic Avg: 91/100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- October 24, 2014
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Platinum Games
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Bayonetta
- Platform(s)
- Switch, Nintendo Wii U
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Bayonetta 2 took everything the original did well, refined it, and made it better. For instance, Bayonetta herself has a new hairstyle and outfit, ensuring fans see something new. However, the two-person player mode may be the best addition. The new mode may not be game-changing, but it allows you to tag team with a friend and take on opponents while accumulating a joint score.
Bayonetta 2 also refined the game’s popular combat system by adding more variety to enemies so you aren’t just fighting angels, like the first game. The developer also shakes things up with enemy placement. The combat was arguably the best thing about Bayonetta, so it’s no surprise Platinum Games concentrated on making it better. The game also offers a better story where you’re engaged and also waiting for the next twist.
The game also has a more vibrant and realistic-looking world than the first in the series. When the first Bayonetta was released, many touted it as the best game in the world, so making a game like that better is a huge task. While Bayonetta 2 isn’t the newest game in the series, it keeps you hooked better than the newer titles. It’s the best Bayonetta game in terms of combat, story, and visual elements.
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Bayonetta is known for having some of the largest and toughest bosses to beat. So, which 10 are the most difficult bosses in Bayonetta 2?