Infernal Clans

Lore & Background

The lore surrounding these demons is rooted in the cosmological split between three realms: Paradiso (Heaven), Purgatorio, and Inferno. While the Angels of Paradiso reside in a golden valley or palace, Infernals dwell in Hell, a realm Bayonetta cannot physically enter but can access through her hair to summon allies. The game establishes that both the Umbra Witches and their enemies, the Lumen Sages, once shared two artifacts called the 'Eyes of the World' to oversee time before a massive war led to the near-extinction of the Witches by an angel-led witch hunt. It was during this conflict, and in subsequent battles within Vigrid, that Umbra Witches utilized their hair to channel Infernals. The source explicitly notes that Bayonetta summons 'parts of Madama Butterfly' and other demons using her hair as a conduit. These entities are not described as having independent political structures or rivalries with Lumen Sages; their existence is defined by the summoning pact, serving as the counter-balance to the Angels who seek to bring about apocalypse on Earth.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Bayonetta centers on her search for the truth of her past in the fictional European city of Vigrid. Stricken with amnesia after waking from a 500-year sleep, she battles angels while utilizing her hair to summon Infernals. A pivotal moment occurs when she meets a young girl named Cereza, who believes Bayonetta is her mother; this interaction triggers flashbacks revealing that Bayonetta and Jeanne are the only survivors of the Umbra Witches. The story details how the 'Eyes of the World' were created by Aesir, the God of the human realm, and split between the factions. As Bayonetta fights through chapters against Angelic forces, she executes powerful attacks by summoning demons. While the text mentions Inferno as the home of these summoned entities, it clarifies that this realm is 'not visited in the game.' Instead, the story focuses on the clashes in Vigrid and Isla del Sol, where Bayonetta's ability to bring forth these demonic allies proves crucial against the overwhelming numbers of Heaven.

Reader's Guide

Gameplay mechanics define how players interact with Infernals. The combat system, similar to Devil May Cry but using an arena-based ranking system rather than a live Style Rank, rewards performance based on time, combo points, and damage. Players can execute 'Wicked Weave' attacks and 'Torture Attacks,' the latter involving the summoning of devices like chainsaws or iron maidens to deal massive damage. A core ability is 'Witch Time,' activated by a well-timed dodge, which slows enemies down, allowing Bayonetta to inflict counter-damage. The source specifies that 'Bayonetta's strongest attacks allow her to summon parts of Madama Butterfly and other demons with her hair.' To survive these encounters, players can use Lollipops to heal or induce invincibility, though doing so lowers the chapter score. Enemies drop halos used to purchase weapon upgrades and techniques. The game offers five difficulty modes: 'Very Easy', 'Easy', 'Normal', 'Hard', and 'Non-Stop Infinite Climax.' On easier settings, an automatic mode allows players to execute combos with a single button press.

Did You Know?

• Bayonetta was the third project released by PlatinumGames, founded by former Clover Studio employees.
• The development team's name, 'Team Little Angels,' is a play on 'Team Little Devils,' the group that developed the first Devil May Cry game.
• Director Hideki Kamiya jokingly referred to the 'Very Easy Automatic' difficulty mode as 'Mommy Mode.'
• The game features an arena-based ranking system where scores are tallied at the end of each chapter, unlike the live Style Rank in Devil May Cry.
• Bayonetta: Bloody Fate is an anime film adaptation released by Gonzo in Japan in November 2013.