15 Years Ago, Bayonetta Pioneered a Stylish Action Genre Mainstay

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Since its debut on January 5, 2010, in North America, Bayonetta has come to be seen as a defining moment in the subgenre it helped create. Although Character Action or Stylish Action games now share many characteristics with mainstream productions of today’s industry, the level of flair that Bayonetta introduced was far less common back then. The game stood out not only for its edgy themes and imaginative combat, but also for its groundbreaking Witch Time mechanic, which might have had the greatest impact on this title over time.

Initially, Bayonetta seemed like another high-speed action game from Hideki Kamiya’s workshop, but it has since developed its unique identity. The Witch Time manipulation system, which was quite innovative when introduced, now fits comfortably among similar mechanics in contemporary games. Before slowing down combat as a skill-based reward became commonplace, Bayonetta took a risk by venturing into unexplored territories.

Bayonetta’s Witch Time Redefined the Formula Established in Devil May Cry

Utilizing Max Payne’s Bullet Time to Build the Stylish Action Identity

In the 2000s, the “Bullet Time” mechanic in Max Payne was highly acclaimed for its innovative adaptation of a trick from The Matrix into gaming. Similarly, Devil May Cry stood out due to its unique approach to third-person action, but it was markedly faster than anything associated with slow-motion. Although these two series evolved differently over time, Bayonetta eventually brought them closer together with the “Witch Time.” By precisely timing dodges, players can execute quicker attacks while enemies are slowed down, and the duration of this effect can be extended until the end of a combo sequence.

In simpler terms, Dante’s combat style in Devil May Cry has always been complex, focusing on counters. However, Bayonetta shifted away from this challenging approach and made it more accessible. While time manipulation wasn’t completely unknown before, it wasn’t as prominent. For example, Viewtiful Joe had slow-motion abilities, but other games like Ninja Gaiden focused on their own mechanics. God Hand, with its versatile moveset, was a unique experiment. However, Witch Time laid the groundwork for future games to emulate for many years.

The Impact of Bayonetta on the Establishment of the Character Action Genre

PlatinumGames Titles in a Similar Vein Have Since Featured Various Takes on Witch Time

The style-focused gameplay seen in many modern action titles has been significantly influenced by both Bayonetta and DMC, as they have adopted similar time-based mechanics, which Platinum Games has largely spearheaded. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance’s Blade Mode shares the closest resemblance to Witch Time, enabling players to swiftly cut through enemies frozen in slow motion. In comparison, Vanquish’s AR Mode might seem more intricate due to its complete halt in response to damage, but the frequent gunplay ensures that the fire rate remains fast within this context.

Automata are examples of defensive maneuvers that emphasize precise dodging, reminiscent of the Witch Time in other games. Although they may focus more on quick movement for positioning advantage rather than a noticeable slow-down phase, these techniques can be seen as refined versions of a move that has become characteristic of their respective studios.

In this scenario, Perfect Call is merely a single aspect of Legion’s broader set of skills. For instance, similar to how PlatinumGames designed Astral Chain to test its dual-character concept as much as revisit familiar territory. Conversely, Nier seems to have mastered the most seamless and crucial implementation of slowdown since Witch Time. In fact, using Perfect Dodge for its invulnerability frames is nearly essential for survival in the game’s challenging higher difficulty modes.

The Mechanical Innovation of Bayonetta Has Come Full Circle

Witch Time’s Influence in Devil May Cry 5 is Clear

In the evolution of the DMC series under Hideaki Itsuno, there’s been notable refinement on the foundation laid by Kamiya, and it seems that the latest installment, Devil May Cry 5, subtly references the creator’s earlier work. One of Nero’s prosthetics in this game, called Ragtime, generates a bubble that slows down enemies inside. Unlike Witch Time, it doesn’t link to dodging, but you can still manipulate your character freely during this slow-motion effect. Although its duration is limited and not universal, the ability to position Ragtime anywhere in 3D space offers a sense of freedom akin to the style that Bayonetta embodies.

Newer Attempts at the System Have Become Common in Action Combat as a Whole

The influence of the game Bayonetta has probably extended beyond just similar titles into the broader action genre as a whole. For instance, the Flurry Rush system in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which slows down time when you skillfully dodge, shares some resemblance with Bayonetta’s Witch Time. Even in action-adventure games, we can see traces of Platinum Games’ signature style. Games like Ghost of Tsushima, with its Concentration Mode, showcase a fusion of various influences, particularly in their realistic handling of time manipulation, but the mark Bayonetta has left is still quite noticeable.

As a passionate gamer, it’s become quite tricky to pinpoint exactly how much impact Bayonetta has had on the action genre overall, given that slow-motion effects seem less distinctive when compared to more contemporary releases. It’s getting harder and harder to definitively categorize whether a grand production like Final Fantasy 16 can be considered a stylish action title, as more elements of Platinum Games’ design are being adopted by larger companies. However, the inclusion of Witch Time is certainly a sign that we may have reached a pivotal moment where an innovative experiment has proven to deliver delightful gameplay experiences for players.

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2025-01-05 19:44