Hideki Kamiya has well proven that he can combine his own level of creativity with his team’s ingenuity to craft a stylish and satisfying game. If you need proof of that, check out the first Devil May Cry or Viewtiful Joe and see if you still aren’t a believer. Or, if you’ve no time for that, consider Bayonetta, his next title being prepped to reach gamers in early 2010.

Little has been revealed about Bayonetta’s story, but it’d be a respectable postulation if one were to assume that it’ll be integral to the gameplay. From what has been made clear through trailers, Bayonetta is a pure-hearted witch who combats evil, and has been awakened after a five hundred year rest to take on that task again. And, as can generally be expected of female protagonists in games, she’s going to do this almost completely naked.

But Bayonetta won’t be in her birthday suit for the entirety of the game. Her tight, leathery outfit serves as her armor, and so happens to be made of her own hair. In fact, her hair will play an important role in combat, as it’ll be used by players to summon demonic body parts, such as stiletto-clad feet that deliver a brutal kick, huge fists that pound enemies, and a large dragon head, which snaps up even the largest of enemies, severing them easily with its massive jaws.

These summoned assistant limbs will usually only be present when executing foes, or performing intricate combos. On average, combat will rely on Bayonetta’s flexibility, acrobatics, and guns… but mostly her guns. Aside from those in her hands, Bayonetta will be able to dual-wield guns strapped to her ankles as well, though it’s never really explained exactly how that would work. Logistics aside, having four times the average firepower with any weapon in the game seems like it will certainly be an interesting prospect.

Players will also be able to customize their weapon loadout before each level, so if you’d like to have a shotgun in each hand, and a rocket launcher on each leg before you head out into the big bad world, why not? Though all this talk of firearms shouldn’t dissuade fans of games like God of War; Bayonetta’s being a witch means that she’s particularly skilled in magic, as well. Interspersed between melee attacks, gunshots, and spontaneously appearing fists will be the “Witch Time” feature, which works almost exactly like the bullet time of Max Payne.

In order to use Witch Time, players will have to dodge an incoming attack just as it is about to harm them, at which point everything in the game will slow down, leaving the perfect opportunity to begin a lengthy combo that would have been otherwise possible. As for the kinds of things that will be struggling to crush the loveable witch, players can expect to see goblin-like angels, cherubs and some rather Hellenistic demons. Each enemy will be as diverse in fighting style as in appearance, as some will force players to change up how and when they attack, while others may simply alter Bayonetta’s special attacks a little. And aside from using twin pistols, shotguns, and rocket launchers, players will be able to equip katanas, which will obviously better suit those more interested in close-range combat.

Bayonetta looks as though it will attempt to capitalize on the success of many action games modeled after Devil May Cry. With Kamiya at the helm, it’s hard to doubt the game’s potential, even this far from its release. As we await a gameplay demo and more information, Gameonn will keep you posted leading up to its release sometime in January 2010.