Platinum is adding an optional mode for Bayonetta 3 that hides fanservice

“Naive Angel Mode”

Following Nintendo’s release date announcement, Platinum had a tweet of their own to showcase a Bayonetta 3 optional mode: a toggle, actually.

It’s called “Naïve Angel mode, and here’s what the developer had to say about it:

“Relax, the witch is back and sexier than ever. We’ve added the revolutionary ‘Naive Angel Mode’ to Bayonetta 3 so more people can fully enjoy it. By turning it on, you can play right in the living room without having to worry about what’s on screen… we think.”

The tweet goes a step further and actually shows the mode in action with a 40-second video. It slides back and forth and shows what a scene might look like with the toggle on or off. For the most part, as is customary, this seems like it’ll be heavily used during “finishers,” when Bayonetta utilizes various transformation forms to cut down bosses — but it can also apply costume changes. If you’re curious, you can watch it below!

This is such a loaded issue, but having it as an optional toggle should (ha!) satisfy as many people as possible. People who don’t like the Bayonetta 3 optional mode can completely ignore it, and relish the fact that Nintendo is still releasing M-rated games (as has been the case for a while) on the system. The phrase “relax, the witch is back and sexier than ever” implies that Bayonetta 3 will not be a compromise per se.

While talks with platform holders as to what remains “acceptable” rage on (mainly with Sony), these sorts of clever solutions could allow studios to have it both ways.

Relax, the witch is back and sexier than ever🌙

We've added the revolutionary "Naive Angel Mode" to Bayonetta 3 so more people can fully enjoy it👍

By turning it on, you can play right in the living room without having to worry about what's on screen… we think😅#Bayonetta3 pic.twitter.com/SEs3vqrdYc

— PlatinumGames Inc. (@platinumgames) July 13, 2022