Bayonetta 3's latest update has just rolled out, and it includes various gameplay adjustments and bug fixes. The game has been out since October 28, 2022, and has been well received by fans and critics—with Bayonetta 3 even winning Best Action Game during The Game Awards 2022.
With its fast-paced gameplay, the Bayonetta series has been a staple in the action-adventure genre, earning the attention of gamers everywhere. The stylish heroine has become an icon of sorts—even appearing in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a guest fighter. The third iteration saw the game launch exclusively on the Nintendo Switch to critical acclaim. However, as with the case of modern games, patches and updates are regularly released to add features or adjust game balancing and gameplay design issues.
Per the Nintendo customer support website, Version 1.2.0 for Bayonetta has been released, and various enhancements to the game were listed. While a majority of the changes were made to make it a little easier, multiple combat adjustments were also made that benefit the player in terms of utilizing abilities and combos. It's a different direction than Bayonetta 3's day one patch which focused on features such as the Online Leaderboard, the Naive Angel mode, and smaller game-balancing components that were meant to improve the gameplay experience.
The game is actually more forgiving than the others in the series in terms of challenge. Bayonetta 3 already has options to make the game easier and more accessible to casual fans, such as the inclusion of a practice mode and an assist feature. The featured update would mean that Nintendo is considering making the game more accessible by even lowering the challenge in some parts of the game. Combat mechanics and accessories being reworked would also mean shifts in gameplay which could make executing moves and combos more fluid.
While Bayonetta 3 has had its share of controversy, PlatinumGames seems to be committed to providing an unparalleled and pleasant experience by continually adjusting and improving the game mechanics. While the most common denominator in the patch notes would be the attempt to alter the difficulty, there are more things the developers can address. The current 1.2.0 patch is a step in the right direction, but Bayonetta 3 may need more than a difficulty adjustment to be able to provide a more memorable experience.
Bayonetta 3 Patch 1.2.0 Notes
- Combat Adjustments
- Adjusted Viola’s activation window for “Block” and activation conditions for Witch Time.
- Adjustments were made to prevent Viola's evasive input and Cheshire's summoning input from activating Assault Slave while maintaining invincibility if they are used in rapid succession.
- Weapons "Simoon", "Tartarus" and Viola's Charge Attacks can now continue to hold charge, even if dodged or blocked.
- Wink Slave can now be activated from the combos "PKP*" and "PKK*" for the weapons "G-Pillar", "Dead End Express" and "Cassiopeia".
- When equipping the accessories "Infernal Communicator" and "Pulley's Butterfly" to summon Devils and Butterflies, it is now possible to cancel the summoning motion by dodging or blocking.
- Niflheim
- Various Niflheim stage conditions were changed to lower the difficulty.
- Game Modes
- Conditions for obtaining the "Tricolored Keys" needed to unseal the "Old Picture Book" have been made easier.
- "Tricolored Keys" will be automatically available on the chapter select screen once it becomes possible to access the "Gates of Hell".
- Even if the player already has access to the Gates of Hell, or has already obtained one or two keys, they will automatically obtain the remaining keys when going to the chapter select screen after applying the update.
- Conditions for obtaining the "Tricolored Keys" needed to unseal the "Old Picture Book" have been made easier.
- Other Changes
- Adjustments have been made to the Golem Treasure Chests found in stages.
- Time limits have been increased, and difficulty has been lowered.
- Golem Chest fragmenting animation can now be fast-forwarded with the B-button.
- Adjustments have been made to reduce situations with poor camera visibility.
- Adjusted game balance.
- Adjustments have been made to the Golem Treasure Chests found in stages.
- Bug Fixes
- Fixed a bug in Verse 5 of Chapter 7 that prevented progress when certain actions were performed while controlling Cheshire.
- Fixed a problem with the accessory "Hymn of Durga" in which its effect was not being applied to some attacks.
- Fixed an issue where using Alruna’s “Bondage Whip (P or K* long press)” skill in certain situations would cause the enemies to die instantly.
- Fixed an issue where the weapons using “Crow Within” (J* long press)” with "Scarborough Fair" and "Love is Blue" would cause the player to move forward significantly under certain conditions.
- Fixed an issue where Bayonetta's animations would not play correctly when switching weapons immediately after using the "Crow Within (J* long press)” with the weapons "Scarborough Fair" and "Love is Blue".
- Fixed a bug that caused "Black Pearl Rain (Rotate L stick + S*)” for Infernal Demon "Kraken" to trigger "Wink Slave" with abnormally high attack power.
- Fixed a bug that caused "Devil Rodin" to be stuck for a time when using "After Burner Kick (↑K* in midair)" continuously, immediately after rising up with a prior "After Burner Kick (J・K*)”.
- Fixed a bug in which Viola’s Assault Slave was able to summon Infernal Demons in "Infernal Demon-prohibited areas”.
- Fixed an error in the hand symbol seen in Cutie J’s transformation sequence viewable in Side Chapter.
- Fixed other issues to make the game more enjoyable to play.
Bayonetta 3 is available now, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch.
Source: Nintendo
