Bayonetta is a stylized action-adventure game from developer PlatinumGames that premiered in 2009 with Bayonetta on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. While Bayonetta garnered praise from many fans and critics for its fast-paced action and unique setting, drawing inspiration from sources ranging from the Devil May Cry games to Dante’s Divine Comedy, it failed to achieve the commercial success expected by PlatinumGames. Despite lower-than-expected sales, the franchise proved popular enough to receive a sequel in 2014’s Wii U exclusive Bayonetta 2. Nintendo has remained the exclusive home of the franchise since then, with executive producer Hideki Kamiya recently stating that Bayonetta 3 wouldn’t have happened without Nintendo’s support.
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In a video posted to TikTok, user thehighrunner shared a video of their attempt at pulling off the Windmill Dance, one of Bayonetta’s signature moves from the series. The description for the video states that thehighrunner had 30 minutes to try out the move after learning it and, while the clip shows a few rough starts in the beginning, they manage to master the complicated routine in short order. By the time the short clip has ended viewers can see thehighrunner pulling off the Windmill Dance with finesse, even while holding a pistol in each hand like Bayonetta herself.
Responses to the dizzying dance move were overwhelmingly positive, with some Bayonetta fans joking that the next step should be learning to do the routine in stiletto heels like the heroine herself. While doing real-life acrobatics in high heels might prove to be a tall order, thehighrunner did respond to one comment stating that they’d love to try the Windmill Dance in one of Bayonetta’s stylish costumes at some point. For fans of the franchise, seeing one of Bayonetta’s iconic moves performed in full costume could be a real treat.
With its fast-paced gameplay, over-the-top storylines, and bombastic characters, Bayonetta has managed to carve out a unique spot for itself in a gaming industry that can seem homogenous at times. Although Bayonetta 3’s recent release has been surrounded by some controversy, with fan complaints ranging from unhappiness at changes to the game’s voice cast to an apparent move away from the strong female and LGBTQIA+ representation in the Bayonetta series, there are still few characters that can create gaming magic quite like PlatinumGames’ shapeshifting, weapon-wielding witch.
Bayonetta 3 is available now for the Nintendo Switch.
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