Chapter VIII: An Ancient Civilization

Bayonetta and Loki are now dangerously close to Inferno. In case it wasn’t clear from the previous Chapter, expect to start seeing a whole lot more demon activity from here on out!

As soon as you start this Chapter, go straight ahead to pick up the Journal’s Echo A Seal. Move on ahead to encounter a new Infernal Demon enemy...

Verse 1

Enemy Spotlight: Greed

Greed loves to dart around looking for things to eat, and Umbra Witches are absolutely on the menu! If you try to deny him his meal, he’ll try to cook it himself with fireballs, or freeze it for later with ice breath. Let him eat cake; stay away from his front, attack the sides and rear, and dodge his highly telegraphed elemental attacks.

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax

Enemies: Greed x1

You face a single Greed in this Verse, on a pretty small platform! Make sure he can’t get you from the front, because he’ll bite and toss you aside. Aside from that, stay away from his claw attacks, fire, and ice, and attack him during Witch Time.

∞ Climax

Enemies: Greed x1, Hideous (Twin Blades) x2

Having Hideouses around complicates matters, especially on the small battlefield, but fortunately they need to be close to you to do any real damage. Staying mobile is still your best bet. If you need to mount attacks from above, do so. Use the smaller space to bait attacks to dodge into Witch Time as well.

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Weapons: Salamandra (Arms)

As it does with most enemies, Salamandra fillets Greeds quite efficiently.

Go up the broken stairs, but make sure to jump up and to the left to find quite the bounty! First, open the chest to find a Green Herb Lollipop, then follow the edge of the outcropping to find a chest containing a Broken Witch Heart (20/40). Finally, go back to the first chest. Inside the nearby room is a Muspelheim.

Verse 2

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax/∞ Climax

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Pure Platinum Weapons: N/A

Muspelheim Objective: You only deal damage with enemy weapons.

Enemies: Hideous (Twin Blades) x2, Hideous (Gun) x1; ∞ Climax: Pride x1

This is another Muspelheim where all that matters is your personal speed and ability to attack multiple enemies at once. The twin blades are best used against multiple enemies, while the gun deals massive damage against a single foe. The wheel should be used a fair distance away from those enemies, but it rolls through anything in its path with impressive force.

Beating this Verse nabs you a Broken Witch Heart (21/40)

Head back the way you came and continue up the steps, picking up the Angels and Demons Journal’s Echo along the way. Keep climbing, and when you reach the top, turn left and keep moving until you reach the next Verse.

Verse 3

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax/∞ Climax

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Pure Platinum Weapons: Salamandra (Arms)

Enemies: Hideous (Twin Blades) x2, Hideous (Gun) x2; ∞ Climax: Hatred (x1)

This is a short but sweet Verse where the same strategy applies on any difficulty. Whether your foes are Hideouses or Hatreds, you have to dodge like a rabbit to avoid melee swings, and retaliate in kind.

At the large platform just past The Gates of Hell, align yourself to the left—there’s an Umbran Crow (10/20) sitting on the rim. Move to the other side of the platform, and examine the deactivated Witch Walk Portal. Once you do so, it’s boss time.

Verse 4

Boss: Golem

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax/∞ Climax

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Pure Platinum Weapons: Salamandra (Arms)

Enemies: Golem

Golem really dislikes Umbran Climax, so much so that it more or less freezes him in place. Thus, you should let him taste it as much as possible.

While you’re not using Umbran Climax, however, Golem fires lasers, and spins around and toward you while in his diamond form. He also changes into a sword and tries to slash you, and divebomb you as a bird. All of these forms are quite large. This means that all of the above listed attacks are easy to see coming and dodge into Witch Time.

Finally, hit Golem enough times and he’ll fall apart, exposing his core and leaving him even more helpless.

In order to repair the portal, it’s time to take a little stop in Paradiso. Follow Loki back past the entrance to The Gates of Hell, and through the golden portal he constructs into the waterfall.

Follow the broken path while keeping an eye down and to the right for the Garden of God Journal’s Echo. Then go to the main platform to fight some angels.

Verse 5

Enemy Spotlight: Allegiance

At first glance, Allegiance doesn’t look like he might be any more trouble than an Accolade. Then you realize that his flaming sword extends while you’re trying to play keep-away, and he can send pieces of his shield to seek you out. His moves are slow but powerful, with one exception: the spinning slash he employs if you try to sneak up on him from behind. That one’s fast but powerful.

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax

Enemies: Enrapture x1, Compassion x6, Allegiance x1

Stop the Enraptured in his tracks before he can anger the Compassions, then pop the balloons. When Allegiance shows up, run around in an attempt to hit him from the front and sides, and dodge any attacks that come up. Take advantage of all Witch Time opportunities!

∞ Climax

Enemies: Accolade (Twin Blades) x1, Compassion x6, Allegiance x2

Go for the Compassions while you wait for the Accolade to give you a dodging opportunity. You have to fight two Allegiances this time, and the only course of action is to be as fast and aggressive as they are. If you try to be defensive, they will quickly overwhelm you.

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Weapons: Salamandra (Arms)

Be sure to taunt between the two enemy waves to ensure that your combo isn’t broken for the Verse.

Beating this Verse gives you the Angelic Hymns Gold LP The Harmonious Blacksmith 1/3.

Once you’re done, go straight ahead and veer off to the left for a chest containing Witch Concoction Ingredients, then go to the large doors at the end of the straight path for a Broken Moon Pearl (8/16). You’re done in Paradiso for now—time to go back.

You’ll now see the Guardian Journal’s Echo where you fought the Golem.

Don’t activate the portal yet, though! Instead, go back to the very start of the stage to trigger Verse 6. This one’s easy to miss.

Verse 6

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax

Enemies: Hatred x2

Two Hatreds in a tight space can spell disaster if you let them double-team you. Run around the edges, darting in and out with attacks as necessary. Divide and conquer.

∞ Climax

Enemies: Hatred x1, Fury x5

You have to do a little more jumping and Stiletto to vanquish the enemies here, but this should actually prove a little easier than in the lower difficulties because you have only one Hatred to deal with. Don’t get crowded!

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Weapons: Salamandra (Arms)

The above strategies with Salamandra are enough to gain Pure Platinum.

Go back to the Witch Walk Portal and examine it to repair and activate it.

While you’re flying, note that one of the breakable objects is violet in contrast to the blue ones—that one contains a Broken Moon Pearl (9/16). Be sure to hit it!

Up ahead, Loki activates a pole. Spin on it to open the way forward.

Go straight on the platform, then straight on still. Across some floating platforms you’ll find a chest containing a Mega Purple Magic Lollipop. Go back and attempt to advance up the steps to activate the next Verse.

Verse 7

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax

Enemies: Greed x1, Hideous (Scythe) x2

Hit and run against the Greed and Hideouses. You’ve got plenty of room to maneuver so there’s no point in wasting it.

∞ Climax

Enemies: Sloth x1, Fury x5

Sloths make everything tougher! This battle will be a little faster and a little more airborne as Sloth jumps around and Furies try to flank you. Slash everything in sight and drop your guard against Sloth only when you think you have a chance of getting the drop on him.

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Weapons: [1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax ] Salamandra (Arms); [∞ Climax] Rakshasa (Arms)

The Sloth on ∞ Climax is going to make your day pretty tough. Lock blades with it. Salamandra is enough for the lower difficulties.

With the way clear, go up the steps. There’s a portal to The Gates of Hell to the left. To the right, there’s another handy portal to Paradiso, courtesy of Loki.

Don’t go through the portal—instead, jump around and past it! You find the Angelic Hymns Gold LP The Harmonious Blacksmith 2/3, then trigger a Verse on the way back.

Verse 8

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax

Enemies: Greed x1

This is a fight against a single Greed. However, it’s in a narrow space, meaning that it’s easier for him to get you from the front and chomp on you. Jump and dodge so that doesn’t happen.

∞ Climax

Enemies: Sloth x1

The narrow space actually works against the Sloth somewhat, as he won’t have as much room to jump around. However, his swordplay is still peerless, so be on your guard.

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Weapons: [1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax ] Salamandra (Arms); [∞ Climax] Rakshasa (Arms)

Just as in last Verse, lock swords with Sloth, and slice Greed in two with Salamandra.

Jump back around and go through the portal to enter a familiar courtyard from earlier in the game.

Verse 9

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax

Enemies: Accolade (Hammer) x1, Accolade (Shield) x1

Use the swings from the hammer Accolade to provide Witch Time opportunities, then prioritize the shield Accolade. Simple, no muss, no fuss.

∞ Climax

Enemies: Gravitas x2

On this difficulty, you’ve fought two Urbanes before. Treat this the same way, except, well, freezing instead of burning. Dodge their hammers, stay mobile, get underfoot, and use Umbran Climax ASAP.

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Weapons:Salamandra (Arms), Alruna (Legs)

The Alruna provides minimal help in the lower difficulties, but holding K during Witch Time/Umbran Climax to slam Gravitases to the ground proves invaluable on ∞ Climax.

With the enemies cleared, you’re now free to open the two chests in this room’s side alleys, containing some Halos and a Mega Green Herb Lollipop.

Leave the room and you’ll see some water ready and waiting, but before you go in, look up for an Umbran Crow (11/20).

Jump into the water, and start swimming around the sunken church. In the first alcove to the right is a Yellow Moon Lollipop. Once you’ve gotten that, go to the adjacent alcove, swim toward the ceiling, and look around to see a Muspelheim.

Verse 10

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax

Muspelheim Objective: Defeat all enemies without touching the ground once.

Enemies: Cachet x1, Compassion x3, Fidelity x1

This Verse looks complicated at first sight, but it absolutely is not. When the Verse starts, repeatedly press K while having Alruna equipped to your legs. Alruna will then proceed to do all of the work for you. Enjoy your Pure Platinum!

∞ Climax

Muspelheim Objective: Defeat all enemies without touching the ground once.

Enemies: Fidelity x2, Cachet x2

This Verse looks complicated, and it absolutely is! Jump to the center pillar and whip away the Fidelities. PPPPK with Alruna (Arms) and Chain Chomp (Legs) can put a hurt on all of them. When the Cachets show up, you must do a lot of jumping and Crow Within as platforms are destroyed, but stick to Alruna. If all else fails, come back with Rosa for extra damage.

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Weapons:[1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax] Alruna (Legs); [∞ Climax] Alruna (Arms), Undine or Chain Chomp (Legs)

The above strategies will gain you the Pure Platinum with proper execution. Alternatively, if all else fails, the Rodin weapon will destroy everything in record time if you utilize its harp and blade functions.

Beating this Verse nabs you a Broken Moon Pearl (10/16)

Head to the end of the church to get into another fight, lickety-split!

Verse 11

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax/∞ Climax

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Pure Platinum Weapons:Salamandra (Arms)

Enemies: Fidelity x3

No matter the difficulty, you face three Fidelities—the only difference will be how quickly they’re moving. Unlike most underwater fights, however, you’ll have lots of solid ground under you, so you can maneuver a little better than usual. Avoid the mines that Fidelity lays, and either use Stiletto or swim with Snake Within to close in on the angels and put them down.

After the fight, Loki creates a portal out of Paradiso. Swim up and check the balconies on the way for a chest containing a Broken Witch Heart (22/40).

Once you jump out of the portal, you see a Muspelheim to your left.

Verse 12

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax

Muspelheim Objective: Defeat all enemies using a single combo.

Enemies: Fury x6, Hideous (Twin Blades) x1, Hideous (Gun) x1, Hideous (Scythe) x1

This is an excellent Verse to practice your Dodge Offset skills. Every time you concentrate on an enemy, another one will be looking to hit you from the side. Keep an eye on Bayonetta’s surroundings, and dodge all would-be flankers!

∞ Climax

Muspelheim Objective: Defeat all enemies using a single combo.

Enemies: Malicious x1, Resentment x1, Greed x1, Fury x10

All of the fun punching bag enemies have been replaced with enemies that can restrain you in some way, breaking your combo. Boo. Employ the same strategies as in the lower difficulties, but stay mobile and pick your hits. Don’t get close to an enemy unless it’s on your terms!

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Weapons: Salamandra (Arms)

The above strategies work well with Salamandra.

Beating this Verse nabs you a Broken Witch Heart (23/40)

Once you come out, check the room for a small doorway leading to a chest containing a Midas’s Testament.

Now you’re ready for the great escape! Go back to the staircase and start climbing.

Verse 13

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax/∞ Climax

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Pure Platinum Weapons: N/A

Enemies: Golem

Use Panther Within and run to the top as fast as you can! This is simple enough, but Golem is fast. Don’t be intimidated!

When you reach the top, you’re greeted by one more portal to The Gates of Hell. Use it if you need it, then go onto the platform for the Chapter’s last battle.

Verse 14

Enemy Spotlight: Pride

Pride looks a lot like Pain, so much so that you might not think it’s a different enemy at first. It also attacks a lot like Pain, and causes about as much pain as Pain when it hits you. It is, however, a different color and is normally on fire. Keep that point in mind—it’s important.

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax

Enemies: Pride x1

A single Pride is a challenging, but winnable fight. As with Pain, simply watch how it works, and don’t be in the way of its lunges or charges.

∞ Climax

Enemies: Resentment x3

You absolutely need to use Umbran Climax here to have an easier time. Use items if you have to. Three Resentments in one place is an extremely dangerous combination. With Umbran Climax active, use your ability to stagger the Resentments and attack them all at once. Without Umbran Climax, dodge and counter their beams, claws, and slithering attacks as best you can, but know that you’re at a disadvantage until you can get your magic up.

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Weapons: Salamandra (Arms, Legs)

The above strategies with Salamandra are enough.

Examine the Witch Walk Portal to repair it, then jump through. As you jump through the portal, keep an eye out for the Broken Witch Heart (24/40) in the red breakable object to the left!

post-chapter spoils 4 Verse Cards (Greed, Allegiance, Golem, Pride) • Journal’s Echo: Demonic Currency