Bayonetta: The Stylish Action Classic That Set the Standard 15 Years Ago

Bayonetta burst onto the scene in North America on January 5, 2010, making an undeniable impact on the world of action games. The game carved out a niche for itself, transforming into a defining point in the Character Action genre—a space known for its overlap with contemporary mainstream gaming. Back then, Bayonetta’s flair and intense stylization weren’t as common as they are today. Yet, if we’re picking out the game’s standout innovation, it has to be the Witch Time mechanic, which offered something truly fresh and influential.

Initially dreamed up as a high-paced action experience by Devil May Cry creator, Hideki Kamiya, Bayonetta gradually evolved into a franchise with its own distinct identity. The Witch Time mechanic, which is tied to dodging attacks to slow down time, was relatively new back then, setting Bayonetta apart. This mechanic rewarded defensive prowess by temporarily slowing combat, offering a unique approach at a time when such ideas were pretty novel for the genre.

The slow-motion mechanic made popular by Max Payne in the 2000s drew heavily on The Matrix’s cinematic techniques, bringing a fresh twist to gaming. Devil May Cry had a different charm with its fast action, putting it in a league apart from such slow-motion antics. Yet, Bayonetta bridged this gap by introducing Witch Time. By nailing precise dodges, players could make enemies move in slow motion, while they remained swift, offering a thrilling combat advantage.

Dante from Devil May Cry did have his Royalguard Style, heavily rooted in counters, but Bayonetta steered towards a more accessible direction, making intricate time control more mainstream. Before Bayonetta, although games like Viewtiful Joe experimented with slower mechanics, action titles like Ninja Gaiden focused on different unique hooks. The groundwork laid by Witch Time has clearly been influential, with other titles nodding to it ever since.

PlatinumGames, since Bayonetta’s debut, has adapted the Witch Time essence in other projects. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance used Blade Mode, which lets players dismember enemies stuck in slow-mo, reminiscent of Bayonetta’s mechanic. Even Vanquish played around with time slowing with its AR Mode, albeit in a shooting context.

Games like Astral Chain and Nier: Automata have adopted their versions of time manipulation. While they aren’t exact replicas, mirroring Witch Time’s defensive rewards in their systems, they maintain the spirit in refining slow-motion effects further. Astral Chain blends these ideas within its dual-character setup, while Nier: Automata employs them for dodging in its notoriously challenging modes.

Bayonetta lit the path for a fashionable form of gameplay that went on to impact an entire genre. The latest Devil May Cry 5 even showcases influences from Bayonetta with Nero’s Ragtime, a device manipulating time similarly to Witch Time.

Bayonetta’s legacy extends well beyond closely related titles, affecting the wider sphere of action gaming. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild incorporated the Flurry Rush, echoing Bayonetta’s formulas of rewarding timed evasions. Even Ghost of Tsushima channels elements of time manipulation, signaling the footprint Witch Time has left.

As stylish action titles gain a broader presence, it’s challenging to pin down just how pervasive Bayonetta’s influence is. Yet when we see elements like Witch Time embedded in games of Final Fantasy 16’s scale, it’s clear: Bayonetta took a remarkable idea and turned it into a staple of player satisfaction.