What's taking so long?
Now all we need is Metroid Prime 4
Real gaming is back.
The sequel to Bayonetta 2. I now see why Microsoft axed Scalebound. it's cool when she's naked
I give it a perfect score for the gameplay. The story is enjoyable as well but it isn't the highlight for Bayonetta, however, I did not enjoy the ending.
la decepcion del año
por que existe viola siquiera
por que existe viola siquiera
If you took a lot of the bad parts of Bayonetta 1 and double downed on them, and made some questionable character choices, you get this game. I'm not exactly a huge fan of Bayo as a series to begin with, but this felt immensely unsatisfying aside from the gameplay mechanics, which are... okay. It's no DMC, but it's fine.
Viola is Nero if Nero was legitimately "dead weight" by the way.
Viola is Nero if Nero was legitimately "dead weight" by the way.
Wow. We have officially reached peak character action, and I'm not sure if it will ever be matched.
I'd been waiting for Bayonetta 3, like zillions of others for years upon years, starving for anything more than the short teaser trailer they showed what felt like eons ago. When we finally got the Project GG fakeout trailer, I jumped for joy, screamed, did a jig, and kept waiting. To say that there had been expectations for the Umbral Witch's third entry would be an excessive understatement, as the first two beloved entries delivered something so right to gaming that was foreign to the medium. Bayonetta is an unapologetically raunchy and sexy character with a sense of humor derived straight from her Devil May Cry DNA, with an arsenal of moves that would put a Joestar to shame.
Now to the game itself. I expected to have a good time, playing through a campaign and getting on to the next game, hopefully satiated with my favorite femme fatale. What I didn't expect was to have an experience where I'd smile from ear to ear the entire time, laugh out loud to the point where it hurt, and tear up upon the games conclusion. Bayonetta to me was always a "fun" series in games 1 and 2, and even the anime, but it dawned on me with 3 that it was more than a game, but a memory to hold and take with me. What Platinum never fails to do with their character action games (MG: Revengance, Nier: Automata, Astral Chain) is keep the gameplay loop fresh, evolving from entry to entry with something new yet familiar so fans of the companies attention to making action fun feel rewarded and continiously interested in what is yet to come. In Bayonetta 1 you become familiar with Witch Time and ultra tight dodging and 1 on 1 combat with humanoids and massive angels alike. Bayonetta 2 begins to think bigger with its addition of the demonic elements into your routine arsenal. Bayonetta 3 takes the series' formula and supersizes it, giving the titular witch an entire arsenal of Kaiju-demons and weapons to bring with her in battle. I LOVED this, as it gives FULL agency to the player in making Bayonetta the game THEY want while keeping the game in its base alive. I played with Bayonetta's legendary pistol as my main weapon and toyed around with secondaries. Going from the G-Pillar (which is an awesome name) associated with Gomorrah, and the massive trainsaw associated with totally not DoomTrain from FFVIII. Being able to summon Doom Train, Gomorrah, and Madame Butterfly in combat whenever my meter was high made fights feel epic and grandiose, as they should with the series. Having the ability to jump between my fast combo and a heavy hitting G-Pillar or Trainsaw (I forgot the actually name but its a chainsaw made out of a train so I'm running with it) felt great because I could weave in and out of combat and do big damage when I wanted. With each area you visit, you gain a new demon to summon and weapon to use, meaning that your experience will vary from location to location and you'll have the time and availability to try out each set. Platinum's been phenomenal with player agency ever since Kamiya began his journey on the DMC series, bringing with him total player control at each step of his character action expertise (and even outside of it, like with Wonderful 101.) In all, Bayonetta 3's combat feels like a player sandbox, throwing enemies at you and letting the player decide on the best route to take to remedy opposition. This made the entire experience a delight, as I didn't feel hamfisted into playing a certain way.
Many games have experimented with adding new playable characters to series with a beloved protagonist to varying success. Metal Gear Solid 2 had the infamous Big Shell fakeout where players discover they're going to play the majority of the game as the freshly minted Raiden instead of the heroic Solid Snake. Yakuza 4 which I recently played has the player split between four characters, the last of which you play being the Dragon of Dojima. Devil May Cry 4 drops the hot headed and bragadocious Nero on the player, a cringe, young, unfamiliar blonde with an attitude and a whole lot to say. Speaking of cringe, young, blonde, and hot headed... Bayonetta 3 introduces a new playable character: Viola. Viola is cringe, there's no way to go around that, but remember Luka in Bayonetta 1? In 2? He's as cringe as they come, but with Bayonetta's self aware satire and humour, it fits like a glove. She's annoying... but it's alright in the scope of the game at hand. Tasked with saving the multiverse, she is mostly inexperienced and unready for the objective at large, which is perfectly contrasted with the aged Bayonetta in her third attempt at righting the ship. I didn't love her playstyle at first, but the totally not Nero stand-in, grew on me as I played and eventually graced into the game's last chapter. She uses a katana, with one of her special combo's being practically Vergil's judgement cut, coupled with the familiar (if you've played Bayonetta 1&2) Cheshire summon who can aid her in combat. With no built in witch time mechanic it was very tough to understand how to play her at first, as you're more or less implored to take a Metal Gear Rising approach to fighting. Making use of perfect parry's allows for witch time with Viola, which admittably was rather tough to master because her block button is the same (when double tapped) as her gap closer, meaning that players must use dilligent timing and patience to master the art of not taking damage. While I ultimately enjoyed Bayonetta's gameplay WAY more than I did Viola's, I applaud Platinum for the risk they took in making a bold and brash character like Viola with a completely different moveset.
Difficulty is an interesting concept with Bayonetta and Platinum at large. The concept of an action game being hard is largely subjective, as reflexes and attention span vary from person to person. I found Bloodborne for example to be, generally speaking, quite easy, which is the opposite of what many others will say. Now, I'm not alone in that quip but it is just a sign of how the opinion of a reviewer in stating a game's difficulty should always be called into question in regards to the reader's own experience. What is easy for me, may be hard for you. Now I've played many Platinum Games' games at this point... starting with Bayonetta (and going even further into all the DMC games if you take in Kamiya's repertoire) into Rising, Automata, Astral Chain, Bayonetta 2, into Bayonetta 3 so I'm quite familiar with the way these games are meant to be played and the requirements for dodge timings and damage windows. I found Bayonetta 3 to be quite easy, not necessarily because of the difficulty of combat in and of itself, but the tools Platinum gives players to just up and complete the game. Gone is the increasing cost of restorative items that grew out of DMC and in is the ability to purchase healing/power items ad nauseum. I LOVED how I had a safety net of healing and damage items in case I ran into difficult enemies. Did it make the game easier? Sure, but did it make it "less fun" because I didn't have to spend as much time grinding in enemy encounters so I understood each and every witch time moment? No.
The story is light, but who really cares? It's serviceable enough in the nearly 14 hours it took me to complete and gives moments of comedy and sorrow to each of the series' mainstays. Enzo, Rodin, Jeanne, Luka, and Bayonetta all return with a new look but retain their unique brands of exposition. Jeanne is beautiful once again, Bayonetta is even beautifulist (that is a word I will only use in regards to Bayonetta,) and Viola was quite astonishing as well. You'll travel from location to location and meet some very intricate characters that all will repeat familiar stories and moments, with their tragic downfalls becoming a trend to the game's climax. I don't want to spoil anything but damn, if I didn't say that the Chinese location had one of the most eye-candy characters in gaming history I would be lying. Also, riding a train on the Great Wall of totally not China will shooting cannons at a Kaiju before summoning a massive Demon to have a bubblebath fight is an absolutely unforgettable and unbeatable moment in gaming history.
Music has only improved in each Bayonetta entry with 3 being the complete peak of the series thus far. Bayonetta's theme is incredible, and Viola's totally not Paramore combat theme is going to be a popular listen for me in the weeks to come. The motifs/themes in each level and at familiar moments of the games are excellently laid as is usual with Platinum, adding even more to the basically flawless game at large.
I know there was a lot of controversy about it, and I did really love Hellena Taylor as Bayonetta but man... Jennifer Hale is gonna do what Jennifer Hale is gonna do. She does a PHENOMENAL job voicing Bayonetta, even as an Canadian-American. She crushed it, and I'm really happy she's who Platinum was able to get.
I knew this game would make me happy, but I didn't know how much. I didn't know this game would make me cry at the ending. I didn't know how much Bayonetta as a franchise meant to me. I didn't know this would make me reflect on my experience with Platinum and Kamiya to this degree. Bayonetta 3 knocked every single expectation I had for the Umbral Witch out of the park to never be seen again. Bayonetta 3 is peak, peak gaming, peak action, peak Bayonetta. This is a MUST play to fans of the franchise, and of character action games. Platinum went all that and then some to make this feel like the ultimate experience.
I'd been waiting for Bayonetta 3, like zillions of others for years upon years, starving for anything more than the short teaser trailer they showed what felt like eons ago. When we finally got the Project GG fakeout trailer, I jumped for joy, screamed, did a jig, and kept waiting. To say that there had been expectations for the Umbral Witch's third entry would be an excessive understatement, as the first two beloved entries delivered something so right to gaming that was foreign to the medium. Bayonetta is an unapologetically raunchy and sexy character with a sense of humor derived straight from her Devil May Cry DNA, with an arsenal of moves that would put a Joestar to shame.
Now to the game itself. I expected to have a good time, playing through a campaign and getting on to the next game, hopefully satiated with my favorite femme fatale. What I didn't expect was to have an experience where I'd smile from ear to ear the entire time, laugh out loud to the point where it hurt, and tear up upon the games conclusion. Bayonetta to me was always a "fun" series in games 1 and 2, and even the anime, but it dawned on me with 3 that it was more than a game, but a memory to hold and take with me. What Platinum never fails to do with their character action games (MG: Revengance, Nier: Automata, Astral Chain) is keep the gameplay loop fresh, evolving from entry to entry with something new yet familiar so fans of the companies attention to making action fun feel rewarded and continiously interested in what is yet to come. In Bayonetta 1 you become familiar with Witch Time and ultra tight dodging and 1 on 1 combat with humanoids and massive angels alike. Bayonetta 2 begins to think bigger with its addition of the demonic elements into your routine arsenal. Bayonetta 3 takes the series' formula and supersizes it, giving the titular witch an entire arsenal of Kaiju-demons and weapons to bring with her in battle. I LOVED this, as it gives FULL agency to the player in making Bayonetta the game THEY want while keeping the game in its base alive. I played with Bayonetta's legendary pistol as my main weapon and toyed around with secondaries. Going from the G-Pillar (which is an awesome name) associated with Gomorrah, and the massive trainsaw associated with totally not DoomTrain from FFVIII. Being able to summon Doom Train, Gomorrah, and Madame Butterfly in combat whenever my meter was high made fights feel epic and grandiose, as they should with the series. Having the ability to jump between my fast combo and a heavy hitting G-Pillar or Trainsaw (I forgot the actually name but its a chainsaw made out of a train so I'm running with it) felt great because I could weave in and out of combat and do big damage when I wanted. With each area you visit, you gain a new demon to summon and weapon to use, meaning that your experience will vary from location to location and you'll have the time and availability to try out each set. Platinum's been phenomenal with player agency ever since Kamiya began his journey on the DMC series, bringing with him total player control at each step of his character action expertise (and even outside of it, like with Wonderful 101.) In all, Bayonetta 3's combat feels like a player sandbox, throwing enemies at you and letting the player decide on the best route to take to remedy opposition. This made the entire experience a delight, as I didn't feel hamfisted into playing a certain way.
Many games have experimented with adding new playable characters to series with a beloved protagonist to varying success. Metal Gear Solid 2 had the infamous Big Shell fakeout where players discover they're going to play the majority of the game as the freshly minted Raiden instead of the heroic Solid Snake. Yakuza 4 which I recently played has the player split between four characters, the last of which you play being the Dragon of Dojima. Devil May Cry 4 drops the hot headed and bragadocious Nero on the player, a cringe, young, unfamiliar blonde with an attitude and a whole lot to say. Speaking of cringe, young, blonde, and hot headed... Bayonetta 3 introduces a new playable character: Viola. Viola is cringe, there's no way to go around that, but remember Luka in Bayonetta 1? In 2? He's as cringe as they come, but with Bayonetta's self aware satire and humour, it fits like a glove. She's annoying... but it's alright in the scope of the game at hand. Tasked with saving the multiverse, she is mostly inexperienced and unready for the objective at large, which is perfectly contrasted with the aged Bayonetta in her third attempt at righting the ship. I didn't love her playstyle at first, but the totally not Nero stand-in, grew on me as I played and eventually graced into the game's last chapter. She uses a katana, with one of her special combo's being practically Vergil's judgement cut, coupled with the familiar (if you've played Bayonetta 1&2) Cheshire summon who can aid her in combat. With no built in witch time mechanic it was very tough to understand how to play her at first, as you're more or less implored to take a Metal Gear Rising approach to fighting. Making use of perfect parry's allows for witch time with Viola, which admittably was rather tough to master because her block button is the same (when double tapped) as her gap closer, meaning that players must use dilligent timing and patience to master the art of not taking damage. While I ultimately enjoyed Bayonetta's gameplay WAY more than I did Viola's, I applaud Platinum for the risk they took in making a bold and brash character like Viola with a completely different moveset.
Difficulty is an interesting concept with Bayonetta and Platinum at large. The concept of an action game being hard is largely subjective, as reflexes and attention span vary from person to person. I found Bloodborne for example to be, generally speaking, quite easy, which is the opposite of what many others will say. Now, I'm not alone in that quip but it is just a sign of how the opinion of a reviewer in stating a game's difficulty should always be called into question in regards to the reader's own experience. What is easy for me, may be hard for you. Now I've played many Platinum Games' games at this point... starting with Bayonetta (and going even further into all the DMC games if you take in Kamiya's repertoire) into Rising, Automata, Astral Chain, Bayonetta 2, into Bayonetta 3 so I'm quite familiar with the way these games are meant to be played and the requirements for dodge timings and damage windows. I found Bayonetta 3 to be quite easy, not necessarily because of the difficulty of combat in and of itself, but the tools Platinum gives players to just up and complete the game. Gone is the increasing cost of restorative items that grew out of DMC and in is the ability to purchase healing/power items ad nauseum. I LOVED how I had a safety net of healing and damage items in case I ran into difficult enemies. Did it make the game easier? Sure, but did it make it "less fun" because I didn't have to spend as much time grinding in enemy encounters so I understood each and every witch time moment? No.
The story is light, but who really cares? It's serviceable enough in the nearly 14 hours it took me to complete and gives moments of comedy and sorrow to each of the series' mainstays. Enzo, Rodin, Jeanne, Luka, and Bayonetta all return with a new look but retain their unique brands of exposition. Jeanne is beautiful once again, Bayonetta is even beautifulist (that is a word I will only use in regards to Bayonetta,) and Viola was quite astonishing as well. You'll travel from location to location and meet some very intricate characters that all will repeat familiar stories and moments, with their tragic downfalls becoming a trend to the game's climax. I don't want to spoil anything but damn, if I didn't say that the Chinese location had one of the most eye-candy characters in gaming history I would be lying. Also, riding a train on the Great Wall of totally not China will shooting cannons at a Kaiju before summoning a massive Demon to have a bubblebath fight is an absolutely unforgettable and unbeatable moment in gaming history.
Music has only improved in each Bayonetta entry with 3 being the complete peak of the series thus far. Bayonetta's theme is incredible, and Viola's totally not Paramore combat theme is going to be a popular listen for me in the weeks to come. The motifs/themes in each level and at familiar moments of the games are excellently laid as is usual with Platinum, adding even more to the basically flawless game at large.
I know there was a lot of controversy about it, and I did really love Hellena Taylor as Bayonetta but man... Jennifer Hale is gonna do what Jennifer Hale is gonna do. She does a PHENOMENAL job voicing Bayonetta, even as an Canadian-American. She crushed it, and I'm really happy she's who Platinum was able to get.
I knew this game would make me happy, but I didn't know how much. I didn't know this game would make me cry at the ending. I didn't know how much Bayonetta as a franchise meant to me. I didn't know this would make me reflect on my experience with Platinum and Kamiya to this degree. Bayonetta 3 knocked every single expectation I had for the Umbral Witch out of the park to never be seen again. Bayonetta 3 is peak, peak gaming, peak action, peak Bayonetta. This is a MUST play to fans of the franchise, and of character action games. Platinum went all that and then some to make this feel like the ultimate experience.
Such a long wait. For such an cluster fuck of chaos and actions. While old problems persist from previous entries and some new ones like camera inconsistentes and forced walky sections (even tho short and don't require walking for completion) only two weapons at a time hurts so much cause the level of creativity from all the new weapons is truly mind blowing. The games ambition can be comprised by the hardware it's on but doesn't take away from the fact that every half an hour there was a new exciting set piece that was having me grin like a dumbass. The gimmicks are galore and fun. And the combat will keep me coming back for more and more. Music is also slayyyyy
just mute the game, close your eyes, and hand the controller to someone else whenever Viola is on screen and youll get to experience what is hands down the best PS3 game released in 2022
Has some of the coolest gameplay and energy in the series, but I don't how to feel about some of the story & design decisions. It's not a disappointment per se, but I'm now hesitant to rush to pick up a game from Platinum without waiting a few days after release now.
One thing I do want to say is that I wish PG would have more confidence in themselves with their combat, so they can give up on the trivial QTEs & set piece minigames. A more focused combat experience would make these games flow a lot better in my opinion.
One thing I do want to say is that I wish PG would have more confidence in themselves with their combat, so they can give up on the trivial QTEs & set piece minigames. A more focused combat experience would make these games flow a lot better in my opinion.
It was certainly a long wait, but we finally got Bayo 3! I admire the ambition that Platinum put into this. The demons that you could summon were a fun gimmick, although it became a bit overcentralizing. It felt like I had to constantly rely on them due to enemies having a lot of health. The story is probably the next logical step when it comes to the ridiculousness of it all, although I did feel it lacked a lot of character behind it. Granted, the previous games didn't have that much going for it, but it was at least something. It's a more plot focused game and it's fine enough I suppose. I feel like Digital Foundry summarized what makes this game feel a bit lacking in comparison to previous entries. I had a fun time with it, and I'll dive back into it at some point, but at the end of the day, it had me wanting to go back to the older games.
I still have so much to do, so this review could change, but for now, I think the gameplay is incredible but the game is let down by a terrible ending and a general lack of personality surrounding its protagonist. Bayonetta does not feel like Bayonetta and that really sucks. I can only hope they do a 180 after this game's ending when it comes time to develop the fourth entry, because I do not like where it's going at the moment. I want my Bayonetta back, but I don't know if I ever will, especially after all this behind-the-scenes drama about her original voice actress.
This review contains spoilers
Bayonetta canonically proves she's a white woman in the face of Luka's wolf dick.
In all seriousness, this game is really good when it wants to be, and when it is its maybe the single best thing Platinum has put out in years. Otherwise, it just makes me wish Viola was an actually developed character (mechanically) with the whole controller used, or that the game was just about β3 or β4 Bayonetta instead of what the game actually was about, and it makes me wonder why they didn't just let me fight Sun Wukong instead of making me splash bathwater at him for five minutes or why they made the world's slowest rock paper scissors minigame.
The spider going nuclear was kinda fun though I guess.
In all seriousness, this game is really good when it wants to be, and when it is its maybe the single best thing Platinum has put out in years. Otherwise, it just makes me wish Viola was an actually developed character (mechanically) with the whole controller used, or that the game was just about β3 or β4 Bayonetta instead of what the game actually was about, and it makes me wonder why they didn't just let me fight Sun Wukong instead of making me splash bathwater at him for five minutes or why they made the world's slowest rock paper scissors minigame.
The spider going nuclear was kinda fun though I guess.
I'm torn. This has some of the moment to moment funnest gameplay in the series. It also has flatout the worst story. It also has a million setpieces of mixed quality.
You can tell Kaimya & Co. took a lot of stuff from Scalebound to use here and I think that stuff works great! The various Demon Slaves are really fun (with a few exceptions), and the Masquerade system also opens a lot of neat opportunities.
Viola the newcomer is fun but very limited. Her skill tree can be maxed really quickly & the game's insistence on giving every weapon a traversal option with a universal input of R x2 or Fwd+R while putting her main mechanic of parrying on the same button is madness. Her variation on the Demon Slave system felt worse overall as well.
The many setpieces are mixed - the first arc in Japan with like 5 goddamn chase setpieces was awful but later ones like the Queen Butterfly or the Paris shmup sequence were great. I just wish there were maybe....15% less of em.
The multiple AU Bayonettas all have pretty cool looks (that you can unlock ofc). I will say the Chinese Warlord costume was the worst. Far too busy.
The Jeanne chapters were... a thing. I didn't hate them. I didn't like them. I still don't understand, like, a lot of the gimmicks.
I won't get into specifics of the story but my main complaints could be summarized as "one of the most nothing villains possibly ever" and "the mechanics the entire story are based on have almost zero explanation". I also have qualms with it wanting me to be emotionally invested in certain things I had no reason to be.
In conclusion I'm glad we're now 3 for 3 on Bayonetta games being super fun but wildly inconsistent in terms of weird things that hurt the experience.
You can tell Kaimya & Co. took a lot of stuff from Scalebound to use here and I think that stuff works great! The various Demon Slaves are really fun (with a few exceptions), and the Masquerade system also opens a lot of neat opportunities.
Viola the newcomer is fun but very limited. Her skill tree can be maxed really quickly & the game's insistence on giving every weapon a traversal option with a universal input of R x2 or Fwd+R while putting her main mechanic of parrying on the same button is madness. Her variation on the Demon Slave system felt worse overall as well.
The many setpieces are mixed - the first arc in Japan with like 5 goddamn chase setpieces was awful but later ones like the Queen Butterfly or the Paris shmup sequence were great. I just wish there were maybe....15% less of em.
The multiple AU Bayonettas all have pretty cool looks (that you can unlock ofc). I will say the Chinese Warlord costume was the worst. Far too busy.
The Jeanne chapters were... a thing. I didn't hate them. I didn't like them. I still don't understand, like, a lot of the gimmicks.
I won't get into specifics of the story but my main complaints could be summarized as "one of the most nothing villains possibly ever" and "the mechanics the entire story are based on have almost zero explanation". I also have qualms with it wanting me to be emotionally invested in certain things I had no reason to be.
In conclusion I'm glad we're now 3 for 3 on Bayonetta games being super fun but wildly inconsistent in terms of weird things that hurt the experience.
I'M CUMMING
YOOOOOOOOOO
Despite me being a fan of the series, I was hesitant on giving my hopes up for this game. I thought it'd be "fine", probably worse than the other two games. Not only did this game blow my expectations away, but blew my expectations for action games in general.
The gameplay takes the free-flowness from Bayonetta 2 and amplifies it by 10. The combat is so smooth, whether you are button mashing or you are trying to get some sick combos, the combat remains enjoyable and engaging. Platforming is a joy, as you have so many options to move around the map, and the maps are generally a lot bigger and allows for more exploration for secrets.
Every chapter (except for the first couple, they kinda stunk), this game blew my mind from a gameplay perspective. This game thrives on its creativity and uniqueness, and it shows.
Though I'd like to discuss the story and my personal nitpicks, I don't want to spoil too much. Just know that this game can get real silly and real crazy.
The gameplay takes the free-flowness from Bayonetta 2 and amplifies it by 10. The combat is so smooth, whether you are button mashing or you are trying to get some sick combos, the combat remains enjoyable and engaging. Platforming is a joy, as you have so many options to move around the map, and the maps are generally a lot bigger and allows for more exploration for secrets.
Every chapter (except for the first couple, they kinda stunk), this game blew my mind from a gameplay perspective. This game thrives on its creativity and uniqueness, and it shows.
Though I'd like to discuss the story and my personal nitpicks, I don't want to spoil too much. Just know that this game can get real silly and real crazy.
i haven't even got the game yet i just know its gonna be cool as fuck
platinum fell off
Bayonetta is a franchise that's always meant a lot to me. The drama surrounding the release of this has been absolutely disheartening. I lost a lot of respect for what I considered to be one of my favorite voice actresses and the way it was handled by Kamiya especially was very awful. This had quickly gone from my most anticipated game of the year (or perhaps ever really) to something I felt sick thinking about it. I wasn't sure what to do. Seeing the way Taylor muddied the waters of an important topic for personal gain, throw the new voice actress under the bus and then for the cherry on top asks people to donate to an anti-choice organization just fucking blew my mind. And then finally the previews and reviews started rolling in. Reading and hearing people talk about the game made me feel like I could finally get excited again. I was able to get it a day early and just the experience of completely ignoring the internet until I finished it was such a relief. The gameplay is refined from what I already thought was perfect for me to basically just the next level perfect. I'm a fan of all the changes and everything they keep the same. The story wasn't necessarily the direction I was anticipating but in the same vein I enjoyed it a lot more than I would of thought. Even if you're not a fan of it the gameplay alone is more than enough to keep you engaged. Genuinely such a blast to play and experience. For a franchise I once thought would be dead forever to get an entire trilogy and shine even through unfortunate controversy is not what obliviously gay thirteen year old me sitting and playing this christmas morning would of ever expected. I'm glad to of gotten to play these each at a pretty pivotol moment in my life. I wholeheartedly loved this and even as I'm writing this review I am starting up a second playthrough to explore the mechanics more thoroughly.
Jennifer Hale is a great Bayonetta.
Jennifer Hale is a great Bayonetta.
I'm going to edit this in about... some months. I don't want to give final thoughts rn. I don't think it would be fair.
Overall right now? Absolutely loved the game. It did have it shortcomings... I'll prob expand on that at the time I decide to write a more in depth view of the game. I need time to truly lab and 'git gud' before I make any final thoughts.
It was worth waiting years for this game to be real. I'll say that for now.
Overall right now? Absolutely loved the game. It did have it shortcomings... I'll prob expand on that at the time I decide to write a more in depth view of the game. I need time to truly lab and 'git gud' before I make any final thoughts.
It was worth waiting years for this game to be real. I'll say that for now.
Bayonetta is back, baby! I waited years for this final entry in the trilogy. After being disappointed by Bayonetta 2, I hoped that this would reignite the love I have for this series. After all, Bayonetta is my favorite female video game protagonist. She truly deserves something extraordinary for her grand return, right?
Gameplay wise, she absolutely comes back guns blazing. Bayonetta 2 took a step in the wrong direction in my opinion. It didn’t have the same vigor and practically as the first entry. Thankfully they fixed their mistake here. The inclusion of controlling demons in combat is well welcomed too. My only issue here is Viola. Now, I love her. Her personality is adorable but unfortunately her combat felt lackluster. DMC was able to handle four fully fleshed out characters but this game can’t even handle two. Would’ve loved to see her moveset expanded or even have more levels just for her. Her battle theme is so kickass though. Ugh, the best theme in this game easily.
With all this praise, why can’t I still give this game five stars? Two main reasons. The story and the visuals. The visuals are more of a nitpick, they are honestly just fine, but still, there is not a massive leap in graphics from Bayo 1 to 2 to 3. If anything, this is more of the Switch’s fault. As it already tanks through certain cutscenes and combat scenarios. Dear Jubileus though, the writing in this was AWFUL. Worst than Bayonetta 2 even, which was just a rehash of the first game. Another generic garbage villain that spouts nonsense lines expecting me to actually care? These character action games, primarily by Capcom and Platinum are at their best when they’re silly, goofy fun. Not taking itself very seriously. Instead, becoming self-aware. I have no idea what they were thinking for the finale. It actually upsetted me how baffling the writing was. I just want to forget that ending, that total schlock. Bayonetta 1 is still superior in story it seems.
Even so, I still think it is worth playing through Bayonetta 3, especially if you’re an action game fan. Better money spent than the new COD, right?
Gameplay wise, she absolutely comes back guns blazing. Bayonetta 2 took a step in the wrong direction in my opinion. It didn’t have the same vigor and practically as the first entry. Thankfully they fixed their mistake here. The inclusion of controlling demons in combat is well welcomed too. My only issue here is Viola. Now, I love her. Her personality is adorable but unfortunately her combat felt lackluster. DMC was able to handle four fully fleshed out characters but this game can’t even handle two. Would’ve loved to see her moveset expanded or even have more levels just for her. Her battle theme is so kickass though. Ugh, the best theme in this game easily.
With all this praise, why can’t I still give this game five stars? Two main reasons. The story and the visuals. The visuals are more of a nitpick, they are honestly just fine, but still, there is not a massive leap in graphics from Bayo 1 to 2 to 3. If anything, this is more of the Switch’s fault. As it already tanks through certain cutscenes and combat scenarios. Dear Jubileus though, the writing in this was AWFUL. Worst than Bayonetta 2 even, which was just a rehash of the first game. Another generic garbage villain that spouts nonsense lines expecting me to actually care? These character action games, primarily by Capcom and Platinum are at their best when they’re silly, goofy fun. Not taking itself very seriously. Instead, becoming self-aware. I have no idea what they were thinking for the finale. It actually upsetted me how baffling the writing was. I just want to forget that ending, that total schlock. Bayonetta 1 is still superior in story it seems.
Even so, I still think it is worth playing through Bayonetta 3, especially if you’re an action game fan. Better money spent than the new COD, right?
boy what da hell boy what da hell are those writers smoking
This review contains spoilers
Having felt such explosive love for the first two games immediately upon picking them up, I was immediately very concerned for Bayonetta 3 when it just... really wasn't clicking for the first couple chapters. Between the downright confusing (even by this series' standards) narrative you're thrown headfirst into without a moment to pause, and the new mechanics which at first seem like they're gonna flip the entire combat system on its head, it was a bitter pill to swallow as someone who just wanted more of the same as two. But coming back to it on a night's sleep, as the gameplay started to click and the story started to reveal and explain itself, I really got back into Bayo 3 just like I hoped I would.
It's a phenomenal game and one I had a blast with once it got going. Gameplay wise keeps what works and tries to add some new ingredients to the mix, some like demon summons make me go "okay, this is decent" but others like Viola were sick. A character of power in this series who can't see 20 seconds ahead and is shown to have human flaws? He'll yeah. Mix in the actually surprisingly good swordplay, the comedic timing and her pop punk OST? I'm so down with this. The vast variety of locations are gorgeous and pretty to explore too, but yes very taxing on the aging Switch hardware. Still, don't let that take away from the spectacle of some of these worlds.
It's been said many times, many ways already, but yeah... the ending. There's parts of it I can somewhat excuse. Bayo ending up with Luka? I can absolutely see why it's upset people, and definitely not the most fitting romance they could've went with, but sure, whatever. Viola is Bayonetta's daughter? I can take that, fine. Bayo dying? Hmmmmmm, seems like a rather sad whimper to end it on for a series that always like to go out with an over-the-top flashy ending, but whatever, I'll just have to stomach it.
The bit that was just... no for me is Viola inheriting the Bayonetta name. As I've established, I think Viola is a sick character and one I'd absolutely love to see spinoffs or future entries centred around, but... as Bayonetta? Undoing the legacy of the original badass Cereza? All these points stacking up were losing me, but that one just strikes so deep to my core. Not like I'll "never play another game in the series again!" because I simply will, but it feels like a bit of a besmirchment to a character so many people love so deeply.
All that aside... the 95% of Bayonetta 3 is just fantastic and a game that any fan of the series or action game player shouldn't miss. It hits all the right notes and oozes style in the process. Just wish the legacy of one of my favourite gaming characters went out with a bang rather than a fizzle.
It's a phenomenal game and one I had a blast with once it got going. Gameplay wise keeps what works and tries to add some new ingredients to the mix, some like demon summons make me go "okay, this is decent" but others like Viola were sick. A character of power in this series who can't see 20 seconds ahead and is shown to have human flaws? He'll yeah. Mix in the actually surprisingly good swordplay, the comedic timing and her pop punk OST? I'm so down with this. The vast variety of locations are gorgeous and pretty to explore too, but yes very taxing on the aging Switch hardware. Still, don't let that take away from the spectacle of some of these worlds.
It's been said many times, many ways already, but yeah... the ending. There's parts of it I can somewhat excuse. Bayo ending up with Luka? I can absolutely see why it's upset people, and definitely not the most fitting romance they could've went with, but sure, whatever. Viola is Bayonetta's daughter? I can take that, fine. Bayo dying? Hmmmmmm, seems like a rather sad whimper to end it on for a series that always like to go out with an over-the-top flashy ending, but whatever, I'll just have to stomach it.
The bit that was just... no for me is Viola inheriting the Bayonetta name. As I've established, I think Viola is a sick character and one I'd absolutely love to see spinoffs or future entries centred around, but... as Bayonetta? Undoing the legacy of the original badass Cereza? All these points stacking up were losing me, but that one just strikes so deep to my core. Not like I'll "never play another game in the series again!" because I simply will, but it feels like a bit of a besmirchment to a character so many people love so deeply.
All that aside... the 95% of Bayonetta 3 is just fantastic and a game that any fan of the series or action game player shouldn't miss. It hits all the right notes and oozes style in the process. Just wish the legacy of one of my favourite gaming characters went out with a bang rather than a fizzle.
Really struggles on switch, and I didn't like the story whatsoever. But from a strictly gameplay standpoint this may be the best action game of all time, at the very least its up there with DMC5.
No story thoughts because I've never given two shits about any Bayonetta games story.
After chapter 1 I was a bit concerned about how well the new demon slave mechanic was going to integrate into the combat as it felt slow and clunky but it turned out to be mostly just how that first demon controls. Others played better and you can unlock additional abilities that make it play better as you go.
It took some getting used to how the new playable character, Viola's, Witch time that activates by blocking instead of dodging but otherwise she's fun to play as in her chapters. I feel they could be a bit more generous with the timing needed for the block to activate it though. The window is super small.
The pacing of this entry is excellent, constantly mixing things up and having cool new set pieces. Some were very unexpected like the side chapters you need to play during the story which I wont spoil here. I feel it did these set pieces better then 1 and 2 which already shined in this area.
The main thing that holds me back from considering this as good as 2 is that frankly this is uglier and performs worse. this game goes for more open levels to accommodate the demon slaves you can summon. A result of this is performance is unsteady and they tried to help performance with LOD that updates a few feet from your character, tons of dithering and blurry textures. Hopefully one day we can get an updated version on a system that isn't stuck multiple generations behind in terms of power.
After chapter 1 I was a bit concerned about how well the new demon slave mechanic was going to integrate into the combat as it felt slow and clunky but it turned out to be mostly just how that first demon controls. Others played better and you can unlock additional abilities that make it play better as you go.
It took some getting used to how the new playable character, Viola's, Witch time that activates by blocking instead of dodging but otherwise she's fun to play as in her chapters. I feel they could be a bit more generous with the timing needed for the block to activate it though. The window is super small.
The pacing of this entry is excellent, constantly mixing things up and having cool new set pieces. Some were very unexpected like the side chapters you need to play during the story which I wont spoil here. I feel it did these set pieces better then 1 and 2 which already shined in this area.
The main thing that holds me back from considering this as good as 2 is that frankly this is uglier and performs worse. this game goes for more open levels to accommodate the demon slaves you can summon. A result of this is performance is unsteady and they tried to help performance with LOD that updates a few feet from your character, tons of dithering and blurry textures. Hopefully one day we can get an updated version on a system that isn't stuck multiple generations behind in terms of power.
7/10
Mais uma vez a Platinum prova como é evoluir uma franquia. Bayonetta 3 é épico, porém há alguns pontos que travam a experiência por completo.
A gameplay continua sendo extremamente suave e responsiva, é incrível como o combate nunca fica repetitivo (mesmo eu sendo o mais médio dos jogadores de Hack'n Slash que usa sempre os mesmos combos). Porém, em relação ao seu antecessor, senti o combate mais cadenciado, talvez até um pouco mais lento. As diversas opções de armas que você tem acesso durante todo o jogo é surpreendente, todas muito bem trabalhadas em mecânica e animações, cada uma com suas respectivas invocações de demônios.
O jogo é LINDO de verdade, fico bobo como o Switch mesmo sendo uma plataforma menos poderosa, ainda apresenta mundos impressionantes. Tem seus problemas de desempenho, mas é completamente jogável.
Mais uma vez senti a história meio bagunçada, mas bem legal no geral, talvez seja algo pessoal mesmo. A adição da Viola foi interessante, é uma personagem carismática que dá ar novo nesse mundo, mas ao decorrer da narrativa ela parece meia distante dos personagens que já estão há 3 jogos juntos conosco. Falando em Viola, ela pesa tanto na narrativa como de gameplay, a mecânica de combate dela é muito precária e pouco trabalhada, há momentos que ela quebra completamente o ritmo do jogo por ser muito simples em comparação com a personagem principal. Falando em ritmo, também é algo constantemente quebrado, com as partes da Viola e com o quesito exploração que está muito mais presente em todas as fases do jogo.
Bayonetta é uma experiência incrível em todos os quesitos que foram sempre o forte da franquia: trilha sonora, combate, carisma e mundo. E em cada sequência, tudo isso fica ainda mais apaixonante, mesmo pensando que não tem como melhorar, ainda com poucos poréns que o jogo apresenta. Como disse anteriormente, Bayonetta 3 é ÉPICO!
A gameplay continua sendo extremamente suave e responsiva, é incrível como o combate nunca fica repetitivo (mesmo eu sendo o mais médio dos jogadores de Hack'n Slash que usa sempre os mesmos combos). Porém, em relação ao seu antecessor, senti o combate mais cadenciado, talvez até um pouco mais lento. As diversas opções de armas que você tem acesso durante todo o jogo é surpreendente, todas muito bem trabalhadas em mecânica e animações, cada uma com suas respectivas invocações de demônios.
O jogo é LINDO de verdade, fico bobo como o Switch mesmo sendo uma plataforma menos poderosa, ainda apresenta mundos impressionantes. Tem seus problemas de desempenho, mas é completamente jogável.
Mais uma vez senti a história meio bagunçada, mas bem legal no geral, talvez seja algo pessoal mesmo. A adição da Viola foi interessante, é uma personagem carismática que dá ar novo nesse mundo, mas ao decorrer da narrativa ela parece meia distante dos personagens que já estão há 3 jogos juntos conosco. Falando em Viola, ela pesa tanto na narrativa como de gameplay, a mecânica de combate dela é muito precária e pouco trabalhada, há momentos que ela quebra completamente o ritmo do jogo por ser muito simples em comparação com a personagem principal. Falando em ritmo, também é algo constantemente quebrado, com as partes da Viola e com o quesito exploração que está muito mais presente em todas as fases do jogo.
Bayonetta é uma experiência incrível em todos os quesitos que foram sempre o forte da franquia: trilha sonora, combate, carisma e mundo. E em cada sequência, tudo isso fica ainda mais apaixonante, mesmo pensando que não tem como melhorar, ainda com poucos poréns que o jogo apresenta. Como disse anteriormente, Bayonetta 3 é ÉPICO!
I absolutely love this game to death and I think its easily a top 5 action game. Aesthetic, music, designs, cutscene direction, everything masterclass. Just a little rough of an ending but I feel I need to process it and think on the final few minutes of the game