-Bayonetta-

-Review-

The genius behind games like Devil May Cry, Okami, Resident Evil 2 (I could go on and on), Hideki Kamiya, decided to grace us with yet another gem of a game.  Bayonetta sets the bar for the action genre.  It’s that simple.

-Gameplay-

Arguably the most important part of any game, if the gameplay is shallow, the game will be a lackluster or frustrating experience.  Thankfully, as you can probably guess, the gameplay is Bayonetta is simply remarkable.  At first glance, the game might seem like some sort of button masher, but button mashing will only help on the easier difficulties and only in the beginning.  As you turn up the difficulty and progress through the game, button mashing is not advised.

Thankfully, the controls are simple enough that any gamer should be able to pick up and play Bayonetta without resorting to mindless button mashing.  A button for punches and a button for kicks.  Mix them together to create dozens of different combos.  It’s simple, but the system is pretty deep.  Build up your magic gauge by attacking and avoiding attacks.  Once full, annihilate opponents with Torture Attacks.  It’s oh so satisfying… and gruesome.

Combos change a bit depending on the weapons equipped too.  Bayonetta equips weapons on both her hands and her feet so experiment to find out what’s best for you.

Dodging in the game is probably more important than attacking at times.  Dodge at the last possible moment to activate Witch Time, which will slow down time, allowing you to punish foes with little chance of retaliation.  All in all, the gameplay is something that needs to be experienced in order to completely understand.  Once you do experience it, you’ll probably dish out the money to buy it.

-Story-

An interesting tale poorly told in my opinion.  There are two clans that oversee the world, the Lumen Sages and the Umbra Witches.  Both clans possess an “Eye” used to oversee the world.  Then, one day, a relationship between a Sage and a Witch occurs and all hell breaks loose.  Both clans are pretty much wiped out.  Bayonetta, asleep at the bottom of a lake all this time, awakens 500 years later, with a fragmented memory.  She sets out trying to piece together her memory and regain the Umbran Left Eye.

If you purchase Bayonetta, you’re not looking for a stellar plot, you’re looking for excellent gameplay.  In all reality though, the plot isn’t bad by any means.  It’s an interesting story, but it is poorly told.  Don’t be surprised if at the end of the game you just shake your head trying to understand what just happened.

In addition, the story doesn’t take itself seriously at times, which I enjoyed.  Bayonetta is overly sexual to the point where it’s quite funny.  It gives her character and makes the unfolding story more enjoyable to watch.

-Graphics-

The graphics are good, but not the most amazing thing out there by any means.  While technically impressive, the graphics are great on an artistic level.  Enemy design is amazing, environments are beautiful, and Bayonetta’s character design is unique and well done.  Framerate is solid, with only a few slow downs and screen tearing does exist but it’s not too bad.  Keep in mind, I played the 360 version.  The PS3 version is another beast entirely, one that I would urge you to avoid if you also own a 360.

-Sound-

The music may not seem fitting at first, but after a while, you’ll understand that the music is great and varied and pure “Bayonetta” at its core (an example is the remixed track “Fly me to the Moon”).  You also have heavenly music for your angelic foes.  It works and it sounds nice, with the tunes often getting stuck in my head.  Some classic Sega themes have made it into the game too.  Nice touch Platinum Games!

-Replayability-

Tons of stuff to buy, including weapons, techniques, costumes, and accessories.  They’re not cheap either!  Be prepared to play through the game a few times in order to unlock everything.  The game is about 10 hours long or so, but it’s so much fun that you will be playing it again and again.  For those looking for a challenge, there are unlockable hard modes.  And they’re hard.  Not cheap, but actually difficult.

-Verdict-

Bayonetta is simply amazing, and is now one of my all time favorite games.  The people at Platinum Games really do churn out platinum titles.  No more standing around.  Go out and buy it, order it, or whatever.  Seriously.

98%