Really not sure how to feel about this one. I absolutely adore the first two, especially the second even though I know it's less popular among hardcore fans, but this felt like too much of a shift in tone for me and the story somehow manages to be predictable and a bit of a mess.

Outside of the overarching plot most of the game is
1. Go to a new universe
2. Kill big bad
3. Watch another Bayonetta (and Jeanne) die
4. Get chaos gear

And this happens four times.

Also killing off Cereza and handing the torch to Viola could have been done well, like Nero in DMC5, but this felt unearned. I like Viola, but not enough to completely replace the incredible protagonist we've spent 12 years with. Jeanne was also done dirty and her friendship with Bayonetta didn't feel handled very well, and the Luka romance and his whole arc felt completely off.

As for the gameplay it's still a load of fun, but now there are loads more minigame-like sections and Uncharted-esque setpieces thrown in that have put me off going back to aim for higher scores as I did with the last two. I enjoy the games most when it's Bayonetta vs. a horde of enemies, but B3 felt like it had much less of that instead opting for gimmick fights and a reliance on the new Demon Slave mechanic, which I will admit I still had some fun with.

So yeah, mixed feelings on this one. A shame as I'd been waiting a long time and watched every trailer over and over.

I will say though, that moment the Bayonettas from 1 and 2 show up HOLY SHIT was incredible, and there were still a lot of high moments.

Hoping I'll like it more after going back to it later.