Bayonetta – Review

1. It's been a very long time since I've picked up a game that I couldn't quit playing. The immersion factor seems to have been overlooked in the past decade. When you are paying so much money for a game, it should suck you in. Bayonetta achieves this. The premise of the game is you are a Witch who has lost her memories, and is fighting the forces of Paradiso (Heaven). Honestly, the story is a bit hard to follow, but it's interesting nonetheless.
   
   Let's start off with Graphics.
   The graphics in Bayonetta are stunning. Normally, when a console is in the stage of it's life that the 360 is in, graphics start becoming standardized, recycled. There comes a point where the bar just can't be raised any higher. Bayonetta shattered my expectations graphically. Generally, with fast paced games, they sacrifice graphic quality for the sake of framerate and to reduce bugs. This is not the case with Bayonetta. The textures are beautiful, the character models are beautiful, and the game still runs at a solid framerate. During my playthrough, I only noticed a framerate stutter one time, and it was in transit, which is forgivable.
   Graphics, 10/10
   
   Gameplay is another huge factor in any game, and Bayonetta doesn't disappoint. The biggest gameplay issue I have with most over-the-top hack n slash games is the learning curve. Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry, and similar games are either way too difficult, or as simple as playing Eddy Gordo in Tekken. Bayonetta finds the happy medium. The controls are simple to pick up, and take a bit of work to completely master. The story is interesting, but it's very hard to keep up with what's going on, and the developers did a pisspoor job putting the story element together, but the action engrosses you so deeply it's easily overlooked. Another thing that ties into gameplay is IMMERSION. When you play a game, it should make you feel as though you're IN the game. This game is definately not lacking in this department. The combat, namely boss fights, will keep you right on the edge of your seat. It's been a long time since a boss fight gave me an adrenaline rush. Adrenaline packed, heart pumping action is something that is usually only obtainable in an xbox live match. Bayonetta gets the job done solo. Minor camera issues keep this department from getting a perfect 10.
   Gameplay, 9/10
   
   The sound in Bayonetta was the biggest letdown. Most of the time (cutscenes, background music) it just seems fitting, however sometimes the J-Pop elevator music is just plain ridiculous. Some people have praised the voice acting. After I stopped laughing at how bad the dialogue and voice acting is, and got into the gameplay, I realized that in any other game, I would have been mortified. Somehow, someway, the corny dialogue and over the top voice acting just works for this game. All in all, the sound is the weak point, and I have to knock points off for the music.
   Sound, 6/10
   
   Overall, this game was worth every penny I paid (4167 to be exact). It's a great title for anyone who loves action, and missed the immersion factor in video games as much as I did.
   Overall, 9/10
2. Rating: 
   9
3. Product Release: Bayonetta (US, 01/05/2010)

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