Bayonetta – Review

1. I can’t help but compare Platinum Games to a video game supergroup. Much like Journey and Temple of the Dog are to music, Platinum Games is the assembly of some of gaming’s greatest developers. After the fall of the great Clover Studios, Atsushi Inaba (head of Clover Studios) teamed up with other big name developers like Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami and Devil May Cry developer Hideki Kamiya. One of the first games released by Platinum Games was MadWorld, a bloody beat-em-up that took advantage of the Wii’s motion controls in brilliantly violent ways. But now it’s time for the 360 to get a shot from this group of gaming geniuses. The long-developed title Bayonetta stayed under wraps for a while, but the bombastic combat and uniquely-designed main character couldn’t help but seep into the gaming scene. On January 5, 2010, Bayonetta arrived on American shores. Forget everything you know about action games, because Platinum Games has made another unforgettable title that officially reshapes the expectations of this generation.
   
   Bayonetta follows the main character Bayonetta, a mysterious Umbra Witch whose past remains a mystery to her. Formally introduced in the game as a towering, gun-toting woman whose hair makes up a majority of her attire, Bayonetta is instantly dragged into an ongoing battle between the angels of Heaven and the demons of Hell. Along the way she encounters fellow witches, a rather whiny male interest, and a little girl who’s lost her “mummy.” The storyline is ridiculous and actually pretty forgettable, but you’ll normally be watching the downright crazy fight choreography instead of the slim narrative. Much like Devil May Cry before it, Bayonetta really doesn’t deliver that deep of a story, but that’s not a big issue considering how over-the-top everything else in the game is.
   
   Bayonetta is a fond throwback to the days of 3-D action games, not unlike Devil May Cry or Onimusha. A majority of the game involves running around fairly linear paths, having the path close off, and having to defeat enemies to progress. Nothing too special. Fortunately, though, the combat is absolute gold. Bayonetta has all of the moves Dante had back in Devil May Cry, like jumping, melee, and shooting attacks, among a few unique traits as well. For example, holding down the punch or kick button lets Bayonetta use the guns strapped to her hands and feet. Rotating the movement analog stick and pressing the attack button lets Bayonetta go into an odd shooting sequence where players blast enemies with repeated gunfire. The most interesting inclusion to combat, and generally the most profitable, is Witch Time. By dodging enemy attacks at the very last second, Bayonetta can slow down time and attack enemies for extra damage and points. These skills are the tip of the iceberg and once more abilities are added to Bayonetta’s arsenal, the game shifts into overdrive. It just never stops.
   
   The enemies start off simple, not unlike Devil May Cry, but they slowly grow in size and stature. New weapons from fallen enemies change up the gameplay considerably, especially when switching items on the fly. The bosses are absolutely tremendous, some of the best ever seen in the genre. Leviathan angels and monstrous demons appear and dynamically change the way the boss fight is made. If taking out a monster over a pit of lava isn’t big enough for you, try attacking a beast while in a free-falling stone temple. Yeah, Bayonetta doesn’t skip on the showmanship, resulting in an absolutely unforgettable rollercoaster ride of an action game.
   
   Bayonetta can also initiate Torture Attacks, which are powered up after successfully stylish attacks. By pressing the Y and B buttons when prompted, the player can command Bayonetta to summon torture devices like presses, guillotines, and iron maidens for huge damage. These minigame sequences are visceral and provide a serious incentive to experiment in the heat of battle. To top off the insanity are Climax attacks, where Bayonetta can finish off a huge monster by summoning demons with her hair. While not too different than the Torture Attacks, they remain spectacles and show an unprecedented sense of power and destructivity. These all combine to form a combat system that’s tremendously impressive.
   
   The familiarities to Devil May Cry don’t end there. Bayonetta can rack up points with stylish and diverse combat, while also earning medals throughout depending on time, defense, and combat style (a kind homage to another Clover Studios title, Viewtiful Joe). Bayonetta can also earn Halos to spend on new weapons and skills in the Gates of Hell, or find hidden items to trade for more powerful stats. Aside from the combat, things can slow down considerably, especially when solving simple puzzles or avoiding environmental hazards. The combat still takes serious precedence in Bayonetta and the fact that it’s so powerfully satisfying makes the minor problems disappear almost entirely. One minor issue is the lack of any serious penalty for dying. The worst that happens is a point deduction, but fans of the genre will push their skills to their limits. If you’re aiming for high scores and awards (and unlockable difficulty settings), Bayonetta is definitely challenging. However, if you’re after a simple run-through of the story (for shame!), Bayonetta can feel a bit forgiving.
   
   Once again, like Devil May Cry, Bayonetta captivates with its insane acrobatics and fiery fight choreography that would make Neo and Trinity flinch. The motion-based cutscenes push the action-game genre to new heights, with over-the-top battles and creatively designed attack formations. As expected, Bayonetta’s sex appeal is a major part in the battles, but it’s still very creative. The lesser cutscenes follow film strips and mostly static images, which is a bit disappointing, but they let the characters express themselves decently and don’t saturate the game too much. The Torture and Climax attacks are some of the best (and bloodiest) in the game; seeing a huge dark dragon sink its teeth into a massive golem is just the beginning. The soundtrack is a combination of pop and jazz, amplifying Bayonetta’s style with some great vocals and mixes. The voice acting is as cheesy as the story itself, but seeing the characters express themselves in their own ways is entertaining. Bayonetta’s presentation thrives on dynamicity, a prime component in the action game genre, and always feels over-the-top and intense even when the battles are over.
   
   Pros
   + Fantastic combat system is stylish, diverse, and unquestionably visceral
   + Incredible graphics make combat flashy and intense
   + Multiple difficulties and game medals will keep you coming back
   
   Cons
   - Storyline delivery can be pretty cheesy
   - Not a huge penalty for dying
   
   There’s rarely a moment in Bayonetta that feels poorly-tuned. A finely-crafted and easy-to-learn combat system is one thing, but adding such depth and diversity to the mix is a fantastic move. Familiarity aside, Bayonetta has a captivating nuance to its combat and exploration, making it truly feel like the next step for the action game genre. Pack in a presentation that sets the bar for this generation of action games, and you get a 2010 spectacle that will be remembered for a long, long time. The entire game has its share of trappings, but its huge style, gravity-defying skills, and blissfully intricate combat system shows that even an old dog of a game genre can learn some new tricks, especially when summoning demons with their hair. Unless you get disturbed at a little sex appeal in between your gunplay, Bayonetta is a must-buy. Platinum Games’ record continues to grow and improve, and if Bayonetta is any implication of their future projects’ quality, they could very well be the best group of developers of this generation of game consoles.
2. Rating: 
   9
3. Product Release: Bayonetta (US, 01/05/2010)

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