Bayonetta 3 is finally here, and it‘s everything fans of the series could have hoped for. PlatinumGames has once again delivered an action-packed thrill ride filled with outrageous characters, jaw-dropping setpieces, and some of the most stylish combat in any video game. But amidst all the chaos and spectacle, two new additions stand out as particularly memorable: the Kraken demon and its signature weapon, the Cassiopeia.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about these fearsome tools of destruction. From their devastating abilities to the process of unlocking them, we‘ve got all the details you need to make the most of Bayonetta‘s latest infernal armaments. We‘ll also dive into some juicy lore tidbits, behind-the-scenes development info, and high-level strategies for using the Kraken and Cassiopeia like a true Umbra Witch. So let‘s get started!
What Are the Kraken and Cassiopeia?
The Kraken is a gigantic sea monster that Bayonetta can summon during battle, while the Cassiopeia is a massive anchor weapon imbued with the Kraken‘s power. Here‘s a quick rundown of their abilities:
Kraken
- Grapples enemies with tentacles for combos
- Sweeps foes aside with huge waves
- Immobilizes tougher targets for free hits
- Excels at crowd control and raw damage output
Cassiopeia
- Heavy swings crush enemies caught in its path
- Throws and reels in foes with attached chain
- Mixes close and long-range attacks
- Great for building combos and looking stylish
According to director Hideki Kamiya, the idea for the Kraken came from wanting to give Bayonetta "an absolutely colossal demon" to play with. In a developer blog post, he explained:
"When we were planning out the demon roster for Bayonetta 3, we knew we wanted to include some truly gigantic creatures for her to summon. The Kraken was one of the first ideas that came to mind – I mean, what‘s bigger and badder than a giant octopus monster? We had a lot of fun designing its attacks and thinking about how it would interact with enemies on the battlefield."
As for the Cassiopeia, Kamiya noted that it was designed as the perfect complement to the Kraken‘s monstrous might:
"The Cassiopeia is actually one of my favorite weapons in the game. It‘s just so satisfying to swing around and smash enemies with. But more than that, I love how it ties into the Kraken‘s design and lore. The two of them together make for a really unique and memorable duo."
How to Unlock the Kraken and Cassiopeia
Unlocking the Kraken demon and Cassiopeia weapon in Bayonetta 3 takes some dedication, but it‘s well worth the effort. Here‘s a step-by-step breakdown of what you need to do:
- Complete the game‘s main story (Chapters 1-14)
- Unlock the bonus chapter "Phenomenal Remnant 14"
- Select Phenomenal Remnant 14 from the chapter select screen
- Beat the challenging enemies and boss of Phenomenal Remnant 14
- Watch the cutscene of Bayonetta summoning the Kraken and claiming the Cassiopeia
It‘s important to note that Phenomenal Remnant 14 is no cakewalk. You‘ll be facing some of the toughest foes in the game, so make sure you‘ve got a good grasp of Bayonetta‘s moves and mechanics before attempting it.
In an interview with Famitsu, PlatinumGames producer Yuji Nakao offered some advice for players struggling with the chapter:
"Phenomenal Remnant 14 is definitely one of the more challenging parts of Bayonetta 3, but it‘s also very rewarding. My advice would be to take your time, learn the enemy patterns, and don‘t be afraid to experiment with different weapons and techniques. And of course, if you‘re really having trouble, there‘s no shame in turning down the difficulty or using some of the game‘s assist features."
Mastering the Kraken and Cassiopeia
Once you‘ve got your hands on the Kraken and Cassiopeia, it‘s time to put them to work on the battlefield. Here are some tips and strategies to help you make the most of their unique abilities:
Kraken Strategies
- Spam the Kraken liberally to corral and crush weak mobs
- Grapple larger enemies to set them up for huge combo finishes
- Use tentacle grabs to interrupt enemy attacks and create openings
- Mix in waves and sweeps to build space when surrounded
Cassiopeia Strategies
- Swing wildly to cleave through groups with wide hitboxes
- Aim throws carefully to drag enemies right where you want them
- Alternate long and close-range swings to reposition mid-combo
- Finish combos with an anchor slam or chain stab for extra style points
For some high-level play inspiration, check out this footage from a top Japanese Bayonetta player absolutely demolishing a boss with the Kraken and Cassiopeia:
[Link to YouTube video]Speedrunners have also been putting the demonic duo to good use – look how fast they rip through hordes of angels in this world record run of Chapter 7:
[Link to Twitch clip]Fun Facts About the Kraken and Cassiopeia
In Greek mythology, Cassiopeia was a queen who boasted about her beauty and was punished by Poseidon, leading to her daughter Andromeda nearly being sacrificed to a sea monster. The Kraken itself has roots in Norse folklore as a massive squid-like creature that ate whales and sunk ships.
Bayonetta data-miner L. Spector discovered a hidden audio file called "kraken_laugh.wav" that doesn‘t appear to be used anywhere in the final game. Maybe we‘ll hear the Kraken let out a terrifying chuckle in the inevitable Bayonetta 4?
In an unused storyboard from the "Bayonetta 3 Art Works" book, the Cassiopeia originally had a different design that resembled a giant fish skeleton rather than an anchor. Fascinating to think about how it evolved during development!
Final Thoughts
Bayonetta 3 is a game bursting with spectacle, style, and surprises around every corner. But for my money, no singular addition quite captures all those qualities like the Kraken demon and Cassiopeia weapon. They represent the absolute pinnacle of Bayonetta‘s over-the-top combat, lore, and sheer cool factor.
Hideo Kamiya and the rest of the mad geniuses at PlatinumGames deserve all the credit in the world for dreaming up such an audacious concept and executing it with such panache. I can only imagine the years of hard work and countless iterations it took to nail down the Kraken and Cassiopeia‘s designs. But the end result was more than worth it – they stand proudly alongside beloved summons like Madama Butterfly and weapons like the Rakshasa as true icons of the series.
So whether you‘re a seasoned Umbra Witch looking to spice up your combo game, or a total newcomer eager to witness Bayonetta‘s new bag of tricks, I cannot recommend unlocking the Kraken and Cassiopeia highly enough. With these destructive demons at your disposal, you‘ll be dominating the forces of Heaven and Hell in a flash – and having an absolute blast doing it. Just be careful not to get too carried away, okay? After all, even supernatural queens of style and sass need to rest their guns (and tentacles) sometimes.
Sources and Further Reading
- Hideki Kamiya‘s developer blog
- "The Mythology Behind Bayonetta" by U. Nicewatch
- Bayonetta 3 speedrun leaderboards
- "Bayonetta 3 Art Works" concept book
- Digital Foundry‘s Bayonetta 3 tech analysis
