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Bayonetta is known for her guns. I mean, it’s hard for them to not be the first thing that comes to mind, given she dual-wields one pair and another two are installed on the heels of her shoes for added firepower. But the series is also known for an array of equipment, with each entry offering a variety of items to beat up foes no matter where they hail. Bayonetta 3 is no exception, with yet another impressive weapon list, and I couldn’t help but feel that this time it was exceptionally good at calling back to the series’ past and lore.
Editor’s Note: There will be spoilers for Bayonetta 3 weapons and demons below. However, no spoiler screenshots will be shared, in case people want to skim through the article.
To start, Colour My World is amazing because you can’t have a Bayonetta game without a set of four trademark guns. It’s the staple, and it excels here. Especially as the Demon Masquerade tied to it is Madama Butterfly. This is an intrinsic part of Bayonetta’s personality. It feels so comfortable and familiar, yet the merging with Madama Butterfly adds this extra heft to each attack and fits Bayonetta’s “brand” so well. Also, this is probably silly to say, but the color scheme suits her so well too. Getting it in the first chapter feels like coming home.
Bayonetta 3 also doesn’t hesitate to quickly add a weapon someone might consider “silly” to the weapons list. That’s the Ignis Araneae Yo-yo, the favored piece of equipment for the Bayonetta living in Japan. It felt kind of like she was living out some Gogo Yubari or Bridget fantasy when equipping it. There’s this flurry of activity, with webs of spinning, bladed orbs just viscerally tearing through any opponent. Or like she’s the strongest roller derby ace, tearing around on definitely unauthorized for play “skates.” That it also takes a familiar recurring boss from Bayonetta and Bayonetta 2, Phantasmaranere, and makes it playable as a Demon Masquerade is even better.
Speaking of returning bosses, Alruna showing up again after Bayonetta 2 and bringing the boss Alraune was something I didn’t expect. Granted, you need to work for it. Finding the Umbran Tears in the third chapter can require some precise and quick movements. (Especially to get the cat near the shrine area.) Not to mention it also means going through Chapter 3’s Phenomenal Remnant 3. Considering the events of Bayonetta 2, in which Alraune held Jeanne’s soul, and the hatred she’s always had for Madama Butterfly, it will never not be satisfying to me to see her as an ally.
But out of all the glorious weapons, I especially love the Bayonetta 3 Tartarus due to it being inspired by and tied to one of the most ridiculous and unexpected demons in the game: Umbra Clock Tower. Yes, the actual Vigrid clock tower is in a game as a demon. When Bayonetta wields them, she essentially starts shooting off two miniguns. That they look like a pair of gates enhances the whole effect. It is filled with this sense of history and affection for the series. I mean, when it comes to possible series paying tribute to itself, Bayonetta 3 is absolutely the game you’d expect to do it.
As a point of reference, for those wondering what they could look forward to when playing, here’s the full list of Bayonetta 3 weapons for Bayonetta:
- Abracadabra
- Alruna
- Cassiopeia
- Colour My World
- Cruel Altea
- Dead End Express
- G-Pillar
- Handguns
- Ignis Araneae Yo-yo
- Love is Blue (Note: You need a Bayonetta 2 save file to buy it from Rodin.)
- Ribbit Libido-BZ55
- Scarborough Fair (Note: You need a Bayonetta save file to buy it from Rodin.)
- Simoon
- Tartarus
As you’d expect from any proper sequel, Bayonetta 3 is a celebration of the series as a whole. Its revels in everything that came before it. There’s a love for the characters and world. And with the way PlatinumGames’ handled the weapons in Bayonetta 3, it’s like you’re being reminded of past games and cool details about the series whenever you head into a battle.
Bayonetta 3 is available for the Nintendo Switch.
