Understanding Characters - Bayonetta (Cereza) from... Bayonetta

Bayonetta is probably one of the most unique and coolest female characters in gaming today. The game, Bayonetta, is a part of a type of genre called "character-action", which is a sub-genre of hack 'n' slash/beat-'em-up games that focuses solely on the fast-paced action-oriented gameplay, and the main character, without much emphasis on story. Bayonetta has a pretty bogus story but awesome gameplay and characters, hence the genre (this is also a given seeing as the studio that made it, Platinum Games, is known for having pretty terrible stories in their games, with the exception of Wonderful 101). Bayonetta, the character, is very memorable for being a very strong, witty, and sexy character, three character traits that work very well together. I suppose her flaw is that she is rather cocky as well, which if you think about it is rather appropriate because the gameplay is meant to make the player feel pretty badass, I mean I'd be pretty cocky too if I could do sick air-combos and turn my clothes into giant monsters.

Anyway, probably the most prominent detail about Bayonetta as a character is that she is clearly sexualised, but she is still written with so much detail and effort that it doesn't come across as objectification; and that's an important distinction that a lot of people miss when designing female characters in games. A lot of female characters, when trying too hard not to be offensive, end up making the characters weaker and overly emotional, such as the ungodly trash that is Metroid: Other M, or when they want to desperately pander to the feminist audience, they'll make the character simply strong, with no existing traits other than that. The idea for Bayonetta was to have that perfect balance of sexuality, intelligence, emotion, and depth. She is quite shamelessly sexualised, but it is done in such a goofy fashion that it just feels appropriate for the game.

Overall, Bayonetta works very well as an action heroine because she cool in every aspect, which is not a common trait with female video game characters.