9) Bayonetta 2
When Platinum Games announced that Bayonetta 2 would be releasing as a Wii U exclusive, fans of the titular witch were left understandably disappointed. But quite frankly, the sequel simply would not have seen the light of day without Nintendo’s financial backing, and given the glorious quality of the final product, we’re glad that The Big N stepped in at all.
Moreover, Platinum’s follow-up wasn’t forced to bow to any compromises in its journey to the company’s more family-friendly console, allowing the studio to deliver one of the finest action games of the modern era. A masterclass that stands head and elegant shoulders above other titles in the hack and slash genre — Ninja Gaiden, DMC et al. — for its audacity and silky smooth gameplay.
Sublime combat meets high-adrenaline action in perfect harmony, resulting in a game that elevates its genre to new heights. You’ll begin your quest button mashing, and complete it feeling like a champion. All this within the confines of a short-but-sweet 10-15 hour single-player mode. It’s an unadulterated slice of mayhem and fun, sporting some of the most memorable boss encounters I’ve ever played through — for instance, Urbane, the hulking, gold-plated monolith. The only remaining question is how Platinum can possibly top this with a third game in the series.
Play Bayonetta 2, however you can, and enjoy its unfettered gaming goodness. This is why you play video games — or at least, it’s why I do