Bayonetta – Review

1. Almost a decade ago Devil May Cry flat out molded what 3D action games would become in the future. Every game after from Ninja Gaiden to God of War owes something to the demon in the red coat, and in some ways that may make DMC as influential as say a Mario or Zelda. To be mentioned in the same sentence as the big two is no small feat, and like them, this probably won't be the last time we hear the Bayonetta name.
   
   Now nine years later, the same team that delivered us the first Devil May Cry gives us Bayonetta. Taking everything that made DMC great and refining to make the experience smoother, faster, and even more intense, Team Little Angels (then under the banner of Team Little Devils) gives us the action game that might just be the best the genre has seen in years. And it does it all while wearing high heels.
   Not only is she a looker, she's a pro at angel extermination too.
   
   Our story follows heroine and title character Bayonetta, a witch who has awakened after a 500 year sleep. With no memories of her past, Bayonetta sets out to re-discover who she is, why she was asleep for so long, and make a little money along the way by doing, what else, hunting down angels.
   
   The story is a mish mash of hard to follow story threads, generic plot points, and over the top action. It's hard at times to really follow whats going on, and even after a second play through you may be left scratching your head over what's going on. Some of this can be forgiven during the action cut scenes which are just as over the top and zany as what can be found in, say, Devil May Cry 3. However some might be left feeling out in the cold, wishing they were the ones controlling the actions. Others will find themselves more pumped up for the ensuing playable sequence.
   
   One thing both camps can agree on however, is how dissapointingly poor some of the plot points are presented. Possibly to save time or money, some of the cutscenes are presented in a still story book style. The 3D models are all well in tact and some wind effects make the characters hair and clothing move to at least add some subtle effects, but there are far too many of these moments in the game and break up the action too much. They aren't even useful as a storytelling tool, mostly due to the toll these scenes begin to have on your patience, as you wonder when you will get to stomp more angel faces into the ground.
   
   Though lacking in plot, Bayonetta well makes up for with attitude and grace. Maybe you won't care about what's happening to her, but Bayonetta is a likeable character despite her surroundings, not because of them. Instead of another over grown muscle head main character found in most action games, Bayonetta is smooth and has a certain charm about her. She's sexy and she knows it, and there are times when she'll strut her stuff, there are many more moments where she uses her wit, showing that there is an actual personality behind the looks.
   
   Lacking in story, the game more than makes up for with gameplay. Anyone who's played a DMC game in the past will actually find that some of their skills transer over. The classic throwing an enemy in the air and shooting them in the stomach to suspend them trick works much the same it ever did with Dante, however Bayonetta has many more tricks up her sleeves. There are so many combinations of moves that can be unlocked from using different combinations of weapons that it's hard to keep track of. Luckily you don't have to memorize a huge button combination list. The game flows unlike any action game before it. You feel in control of Bayonetta. Anything you want to do can seemingly be done. It's a great feeling to slam an enemy into the ground with your foot whilst unloading a 9mm magazine into their face with the pistols attached to Bayonettas feet. All while a pop tune blasts through your speakers. There's a certain undeniable charm about that.
   
   Best of all the different weapons that are unlocked or bought throughout the game are actually useful. The game is paced nicely so you don't unlock too many weapons at once, giving you time to learn the ins and outs of every weapon. Every player will likely find a different weapon set that works best for them, and there is no right or wrong choice. Will you stick with the dual pistol wielding starting set, or will you strap shotguns to your feet and cut angles apart with a katana? Choices, choices.
   
   Bayonettas strongest weapon hower is all natural. The line of witches Bayonetta comes from use their hair as a source of power. Using it, she can use the hair on her head for just about anything. Summoning giant fists and feet to pound enemies, making gigantic monster to devour enemies, and it even makes up Bayonettas clothes as well. The more powerful the attack, the less clothing she has. Some may call it trashy, but it's all very PG-13, and after a few times you'll be looking less at her bare skin and more at the destruction her magic causes.
   
   Overall, the game is fantastic. The plot is hard to follow and actually very forgivable, but the protagonist at least keeps you invested enough to somewhat care about the goings on. More importantly the game is a knock down, drag out good time, and has that special "one more level" touch every game wishes it had. With a single gameplay taking around 10-12 hours, and many more tougher difficulty levels to tackle afterward to unlock all the weapons, moves, costumes, and easter eggs. The game will last quite awhile after the first playing, for those who want to dance with the witch more, even after the first waltz has ended.
   
   Grading Scale: Awful-Bad-Average-Great-Excellent
   
   STORY: Average- Hard to follow plot, combined with some lifeless cutscenes make it hard to care about what's going on. The only thing that saves it are a likeable main character, and the action cut scenes. Some of the scenes with Bayonetta are kind of cheesy, but then again, which action game doesn't come with a slice of that?
   
   GRAPHICS: Excellent- Not the best graphics the 360 has ever scene, but the well designed sets, and at times bright color palette, bring the world to life.
   
   SOUND: Great- Good voice work through out, while catchy pop tunes help make some of the tough battles a little more tolerable.
   
   CONTROLS: Great- Fantastic fighting controls, a ton of moves can be combo-ed into any other move. Not necessary to memorize all the button combos.
   
   GAMEPLAY: Excellent- One of the few triple A actions games out there. Dante and Kratos have new competition. The one exception being an INCREDIBLY long shooting stage where Bayonetta rides a missle into a city. Plays a bit like Space Harrier, but just goes on, and on, and on.
   
   BUY, RENT, SKIP?: BUY!
2. Rating: 
   9
3. Product Release: Bayonetta (US, 01/05/2010)

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