Celebrating 15 Years of Bayonetta: The Pioneer of the Stylish Action Genre

Back on January 5, 2010, Bayonetta hit the scene in North America, setting a new benchmark in the world of action games. This game didn’t just join the character action or stylish action games; it defined them. While today’s market is filled with such flair and drama, back then, Bayonetta stood out with its bold style and innovative combat mechanics, including the groundbreaking Witch Time.

Originally conceived as another high-speed action adventure by Devil May Cry creator Hideki Kamiya, Bayonetta quickly established its unique identity. The introduction of Witch Time, a time manipulation mechanic linked to evasion, was relatively novel at the time. Before the idea of slowing combat as a reward for skillful defense became common, Bayonetta’s daring and untested approach made waves in the gaming community.

Let’s talk about Witch Time. During the 2000s, Max Payne’s Bullet Time was all the rage, giving players that slow-motion feel that was incredibly popular thanks to movies like The Matrix. Devil May Cry also made its mark with a fresh take on high-speed action. Despite their differences, Bayonetta managed to bring these worlds together through Witch Time. Players could dodge attacks perfectly and then unleash a flurry of attacks while enemies were slowed down. It wasn’t just about slowing down the action; it was about rewarding skill with powerful, fast-paced combos.

Dante’s Royalguard Style in Devil May Cry always offered a technical, counter-based challenge, but Bayonetta simplified things for a broader audience. While time manipulation wasn’t entirely new, games like Viewtiful Joe and Ninja Gaiden explored other unique mechanics, leaving Witch Time to set the foundation for future titles in the genre.

PlatinumGames, building on Bayonetta’s success, carried forward the legacy of stylish action. Games like Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and Vanquish feature similar time-based mechanics. For instance, Revengeance’s Blade Mode shares similarities with Witch Time, allowing for rapid attacks on foes caught in slow motion. Although Vanquish uses its AR Mode differently, the spirit of manipulating time is still there.

Astral Chain’s Perfect Call and Nier: Automata’s Perfect Dodge demonstrate these mechanics’ evolution. They might not result in a full-blown slow-motion effect but they capture the essence of using precise evasion for gaining an edge in combat, a hallmark of Bayonetta’s influence.

Each of PlatinumGames’ titles, including Astral Chain with its dual-character challenge, uniquely interprets and builds upon Bayonetta’s foundation. Nier: Automata, for example, requires players to master the Perfect Dodge for surviving its tougher levels, showcasing how Platinum’s touch has become essential.

In Devil May Cry 5, under Hideaki Itsuno’s direction, we see nods to Bayonetta’s influence. Nero’s Ragtime from the Devil Breaker lineup creates slow-motion areas, somewhat echoing Witch Time’s impact. While it’s not entirely the same, the spirit of controlling time in combat shines through, showing how Bayonetta’s mechanics ripple through the action game genre.

Even games outside the immediate Bayonetta circle, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, incorporate the essence of Witch Time with its Flurry Rush mechanic. Titles such as Ghost of Tsushima continue to explore time manipulation, indicating that the impact of Bayonetta has reached far and wide, redefining what action games can be.

As stylish action games grow in popularity, it’s becoming tougher to clearly define new titles within the genre. Nevertheless, Bayonetta’s Witch Time serves as a reminder of that pivotal moment when a bold experiment in gaming mechanics forever changed player expectations.