Was Bayonetta 3’s Ending Bad? A Deep Dive into Controversy

The short answer? Yes, for many players, Bayonetta 3’s ending was considered bad, or at the very least, highly divisive. While the gameplay itself was generally well-received, the narrative choices in the final act left a sour taste for a significant portion of the fanbase. The unearned romance between Bayonetta and Luka, the sudden reveal of Viola as their child from an alternate universe, and the apparent death of Bayonetta herself contributed to a sense of betrayal and dissatisfaction. The ending’s abruptness and seemingly out-of-character decisions undermined years of established lore and character development. The ending was disappointing because it appeared to invalidate previous character relationships while setting up a future that many felt wasn’t earned. This perceived betrayal is the core reason why the ending is viewed negatively.

The Anatomy of Disappointment: Why the Ending Failed

The issues with the ending are multifaceted:

• Rushed Romance: The romantic relationship between Bayonetta and Luka felt forced and lacked the build-up necessary to feel genuine. Their dynamic in previous games was largely one of camaraderie and playful banter, not romantic yearning.

• Viola’s Inheritance: The introduction of Viola as the daughter of Bayonetta and Luka felt like a Deus Ex Machina plot device. While Viola’s gameplay contributions were appreciated by some, her sudden family ties felt contrived and served primarily to facilitate a changing of the guard.

• Character Deaths: The apparent deaths of Bayonetta and Luka, while perhaps intended to be poignant, instead felt like a cheap way to raise the stakes and pass the torch to Viola. Many fans felt that these characters deserved a more dignified exit. The ambiguity surrounding Jeanne’s fate didn’t help either.

• Lore Inconsistencies: The game’s multiversal narrative introduced numerous alternate versions of existing characters, leading to confusion and a sense that the established lore was being disregarded. The guns used by Bayonetta β0 being called ‘Whittingham Fair’ instead of ‘Scarborough Fair’ demonstrates a shift in how details were managed.

• Theme Shift: The game’s shift from themes of individual power and embracing one’s destiny to family legacy and passing on the mantle felt discordant with the franchise’s established tone. It may not be the best ending that reflects the main themes of the Bayonetta series.

The Good, the Bad, and the Mediocre: Evaluating the Game as a Whole

It’s important to acknowledge that Bayonetta 3 wasn’t universally panned. The gameplay remained a strong point, with innovative mechanics like Demon Masquerade and the introduction of Viola as a playable character adding fresh layers to the combat.

However, even these positives were often overshadowed by the negative reception of the story and ending. For many, the narrative failings overshadowed the enjoyable gameplay mechanics. The overall narrative incoherence and character assassination affected the enjoyment of the game.

The Future of the Franchise: Bayonetta 4 and Beyond

Despite the controversy, Bayonetta 4 is confirmed to be in development, with Viola seemingly taking on the mantle of Bayonetta. This has left many fans apprehensive, wondering if Platinum Games will address the criticisms of Bayonetta 3 or continue down the same path.

The direction of Bayonetta 4 is uncertain, but there’s hope that the developers will listen to the feedback and craft a narrative that respects the series’ history while forging a new path forward. Director Hideki Kamiya has alluded to the future of the series on social media, and while his words are often cryptic, they suggest that he’s aware of the fan concerns.

The ending of Bayonetta 3 has ignited important conversations about storytelling in video games, character development, and the delicate balance between innovation and respecting established lore.

The Games Learning Society is a hub for those who seek to understand video game design and narrative structure on a deeper level. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about the academic study of gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Bayonetta Dead at the End of Bayonetta 3?

Yes and no. Cereza (Bayonetta) and Luka are seemingly dragged into Inferno. While their souls are in Inferno, they are not present in the human world. The permanence of their “death” remains ambiguous, especially given the franchise’s history of character resurrections and multiversal shenanigans.

2. Will Viola be in Bayonetta 4?

Yes. It has been confirmed that Bayonetta 4 features Viola as the protagonist. This confirms that Viola will play a central role in the upcoming game.

3. Why do people hate the Bayonetta 3 ending?

The primary reasons include the rushed romance between Bayonetta and Luka, the introduction of Viola as their child from an alternate universe, and the apparent death of Bayonetta herself. Many felt the ending was unearned and disrespectful to established lore.

4. Is Viola Luka’s daughter?

Yes, Viola is the daughter of Bayonetta and Luka from an alternate universe, referred to as the β0 versions.

5. Are Bayonetta and Luka in love?

Bayonetta 3 heavily implies that Bayonetta and Luka are in love. The game ends with them in Inferno together, and Viola is revealed to be their daughter in another timeline.

6. Is Jeanne really dead in Bayonetta 3?

The ending leaves Jeanne’s fate somewhat ambiguous. She survived the initial explosion but disappeared afterward, leaving her condition uncertain.

7. Why did Bayonetta rip her heart out?

Bayonetta rips her heart out (multiple times) to summon empowered versions of her Demon Slaves.

8. Will Bayonetta 3 be censored?

The game features a “Naive Angel Mode” that censors some of the more revealing content, but the base game retains its mature content.

9. What is Bayonetta 3’s biggest sin?

Some critics argue that Bayonetta 3’s biggest sin is its unwillingness to fully commit to its plot decisions. The ending may leave a negative impact on many players.

10. Why does Luka have powers in Bayonetta 3?

In Bayonetta 3, Luka receives magical abilities from his faerie counterpart Lukaon due to the Multiverse collapse, transforming him into the bestial Strider.

11. Is Cereza Bayonetta’s daughter?

No. Cereza is Bayonetta’s younger self brought from the past to the present, and her experiences are intended to reawaken Bayonetta’s memories.

12. Why is Viola the new Bayonetta?

Viola becomes the new Bayonetta after Cereza (Bayonetta) and Luka are dragged into Inferno. Rodin calls Viola ‘Bayonetta’, which seems to be the name Cereza passed down to her.

13. Why does Viola have Cheshire?

Cheshire is Viola’s Infernal Demon, serving as her primary demonic companion.

14. What does Bayonetta call Viola at the end?

Rodin, not Bayonetta, calls Viola “Bayonetta” at the end.

15. Why is Bayonetta 3 mature?

Bayonetta 3 is rated Mature for its bad language, violence, blood, gore, partial nudity, and in-app purchases.