Platinum took everything stylish from the first game and said “more.” Combat is familiar but Umbran Climax adds explosive flourishes. Makes combos feel powerful without killing the skill ceiling.
Enemies mix angels and demons so you can’t just autopilot Witch Time. Set pieces escalate fast - fighting on a jet within minutes, falling through dimensional rifts, battling kaiju demons with skyscraper swords. The spectacle never kills responsiveness. The dodge window and animation canceling stay tight, and Tag Climax co-op is underrated - juggling enemies with a friend while sharing lives is fun.
The combat feels even tighter. The new mechanics add depth without overwhelming you.
The story keeps the nonsense but adds more emotion. Bayonetta and Jeanne’s relationship gets a lot of focus. It’s still absurd but more polished.
The game looks better than the first game. It has better particle effects, the soundtrack is excellent, and it runs solid on Switch.
Refined sequel that improves on the original.