In a recent interview, PlatinumGames’ Hideki Kamiya mentioned that he was still up for working with Microsoft to releasethe canceledScalebound. In that same interview, he also discussed the upcomingBayonetta 3, namely that he’d like it if fans had already played the first two games before checking out the third one.
Speaking with IGN Japan (as translated by VGC), Kamiya, who is serving as executive director onBayonetta 3, mentioned that players will still be able to enjoy the story without any prior knowledge of the previous games. However, he recommends newcomers play through the first two games since it will make it more interesting and mean they won’t miss out on anything.
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This may sound like a no-brainer to some (plus many fans have no doubt played the first two games already), but, as Kamiya points out, the storylines ofBayonettaandBayonetta 2were written so that fans could start with either one. WhileBayonetta 2carries over character relationships and plot points from the first game, its story is not wholly reliant on knowledge of its predecessor.
Ever sinceBayonetta 3resurfaced last year after nearly four years of silence, its new trailer has sparked a number of theories about the game’s story.Bayonetta’s new look and new voice actor, in particular, have some thinking that this isn’t the same Bayonetta from the previous games.
Without spoiling too much, the last two games featured time travel as an important plot point. As such, a common theory is thatBayonetta 3isn’t a direct sequel and is instead set in an alternate timeline. Other evidence that could support this theory are the new enemy designs, which don’t resemble either the angels or demons from the previous games, and the mysterious silhouetted figure from the end of the most recent trailer, who many suspect is an alternate Jeanne, Bayonetta’s arch-rival turned best friend.
Bayonetta 3was first announced with a vague teaser trailer in 2017 but received no notable updates until last September’s Nintendo Direct. There were fears of development trouble and that it had been canceled likeScalebound, but the game is apparently on track for a 2022 release.
Kamiya served as director on the first game, but took on a supervisor role forBayonetta 2, with one Yusuke Hashimoto taking over as director. For the third game, Kamiya has entrusted the director’s chair to Yusuke Miyata. Miyata has contributed to previous PlatinumGames titles likeThe Wonderful 101andAstral Chain, with Kamiya describing him as a long-time and trusted co-worker.
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