Metareview: Bayonetta 2

Our five-star review - yup, all five stars - said Bayonetta 2 is a bit of a triumph, with Earnest "Nex" Cavalli deeming Platinum's hack-and-slash sequel one of the best games to come to Wii U. And remember, it's only on Wii U.

"Bayonetta 2 is the perfect action game," wrote Nex. "It oozes style and boasts gameplay that's both refined and lacking in excess. The combat is so purely entertaining that it's easy to lose yourself in the almost-zen flow of dodging, countering and kicking enemies to death. Bayonetta 2 rewards a player's drive to look as cool as possible in combat with gameplay designed for exactly that – and with the acrobatic violence of a winking heroine who is as legitimately endearing as she is completely ludicrous."

Nex wasn't the only one bewitched by Bayonetta 2's charms. As ever with Metareview, we've taken a sample of the other reviews out there, and you can peruse some choice quotes with links to the full articles below the break.

• GameSpot (10/10): "In a year filled with the promise of ever more elaborate experiences on all the shiny new hardware, that Bayonetta 2 - a homage to classic game design and escapism - should be the most fun I've had playing a game all year is unexpected. But maybe it shouldn't have been. After all, its predecessor still stands as one of the finest games of its genre. To have surpassed that with Bayonetta 2, and to have created a game that will be remembered as an absolute classic, is nothing short of astonishing."

• Destructoid (10/10): "Bayonetta 2 doesn't linger whenever a new concept is introduced, which is a pretty big accomplishment since it's running on all cylinders throughout. Whether it's flying through the air in a special boss fight or piloting a mech, the game keeps you interested throughout its 12 chapters without re-using mechanics over and over. The level design is still reminiscent of Devil May Cry or God Hand in that its semi-open, allowing for a good deal of exploration and hidden treasures. There's also more underwater parts this time around -- don't worry, they're good."

• Eurogamer (9/10): "Bayonetta 2's biggest disappointment may be that it's an iterative sequel, but it's not such a problem when it's iterating on genius."

• Game Informer (9/10): "Fluid and satisfying combat remains the centerpiece of the experience. No matter what you do, Bayonetta 2 makes you look and feel awesome while doing it. Tearing apart angelic juggernauts, demolishing hordes of demons, and sweating through high-precision duels all require different approaches to the combat system. The variety of encounters – and the set-piece moments that separate them – keeps the unpredictable action moving."

• Polygon (7.5/10): "I won't guess why the blatant over-sexualization is still there, often more intensely than before. But it causes an otherwise great game to require a much bigger mental compromise to enjoy."

[Image: Nintendo]