Three years after the game's announcement, Bayonetta 3 fans finally received news on the upcoming action title. The first gameplay of Bayonetta 3 was revealed in a recent Nintendo Direct, which immediately garnered a positive reaction from the fanbase. PlatinumGames showed off some of the incredible work put into the game, with the same bombastic and flashy gameplay that fans have come to expect. One aspect of the game that has players scratching their heads was the story's direction, as plot details have been left ambigous. However, fans have already started crafting the theory that this game will involve some alternate timelines based on what has been shown.
The last two Bayonetta games are no stranger to messing around with time travel, with the concept being an essential plot point. Both games have seen the past versions of the cast meeting some of their present-day counterparts. This fan theory also hinges on an important time-travel related plot point from the first game. The following will contain major spoilers for Bayonetta 1.
In the first game, Bayonetta encounters a young girl in big pigtails named Cereza. She's a character that Bayonetta watches over the course of the game, who also thinks is her mother. During the climax, it's revealed that Cereza is actually a time-displaced version of Bayonetta from the past, who was summoned to the present by game's antagonist, Balder, with Bayonetta's real name also being Cereza. The younger Cereza was eventually returned to her original timeline near the end of the game. Now, considering Bayonetta's appearance in Bayonetta 3 also shares some of the same design cues as when she was a child, the theory suggests that the character we see in the game is the alternate timeline Cereza grown up.
This theory is supported through a few factors. Since the younger Cereza was being protected by Bayonetta, she would grow up and end up idolizing and mimicking some things that her "mom" did. This can be seen with some of the new moves that Bayonetta can do in 3, as well as her different technique of summoning demons with her hair. The other factor involves the recent news that Bayonetta's actor won't be reprising her role in Bayonetta 3. Some fans noticed that Bayonetta's voice was different than usual, giving credence to the theory.
The final factor involves the mysterious figure teased at the end of the trailer. Some immediate theories were that it could be Bayonetta's rival Jeanne, considering their history and the fact Jeanne has used a sword in past games. Others theorized it could be yet another version of Bayonetta, considering the hilt has the same cat doll that Cereza carried as a child. This however is all speculation at this time until more information for Bayonetta 3 comes out.
Bayonetta 3 will launch exclusively for the Nintendo Switch in 2022.
