This was, a disappointing game to say the least.. I really loved Bayonetta 1, Bayonetta 2 is one of my favorite games, this game takes everything I loved about those games and makes it worse?

It has some qualities actually, but none of them involve the combat... I loved what they went for with the level design and how huge it is, allowing for more exploration opportunities, Viola is a very likeable character and a solid addition to the main cast. But the combat was mediocre at best for me. On paper the new weapon formula is, for the most part, a "solid change" even though i still prefer the Bayonetta 2 formula, yet I wasn't a huge fan of most of the weapons in this game, a lot of them are slow/big weapons that become boring after a chapter or two and it took me a while to find a weapon to get accustomed to. Add to that the fact that the game is FILLED with giant enemies (and bosses too), and it's all because of the new addition of the Demon summons mechanic, which the more I played the more i felt the combat relies way too much on using the summons..

The story was mostly a mess, even though I don't play action games for the story but it doesn't help that this game's combat is already abysmal and how good the story was in 2, yes it did have some hype moments here and there, but I never really found myself invested..

Not saying that this game is utterly bad, but for every good thing this game does, there are 2 bad game designs that ruined the overall experience for the most part.

This was a rather long and hefty journey and I really enjoyed my time with this game. It's nowhere near a perfect or flawless game, if anything this game can suffer from a lot of issues, yet it's one of the most unique and serves as a really good collective experience even considering it's length.

The game incorporated some of the most interesting themes combined with visual representation of people's inner desires and regrets through palaces, which this game tackles in good way. Alongside a diversive gameplay and music that allowed me to get immersed with the game quickly even though it took its time with its earlier parts.

Additionally, the game consists of a really enjoyable cast of characters. And even though the majority of them fall under the scope of the cliché anime tropes, most of them had a really good dynamic with the main character, wether it be the main party members, or different people with different environment and struggles, while also having a distinct arc that falls under the game's main themes. And a lot of that worked well due the nature of the protagonist, as he is a silent/self insert character, and his arc revolving around him helping others, and seeing him grow while simultaneously connecting with other characters of different characteristics, which allows different players to find a comfort in this experience.

This game was rather short but somehow has everything for a game considering that it was under development for 6 months.

Kiryu's combat is really fluid in this game compared to the other dragon engine versions of Kiryu and with the addition of the new combat style the combat was much more engaging and responsive. Loved what this story added to Kiryu's saga adding another layer to his character and the last boss battle was the perfect fight thematically for Kiryu's journey, perfectly showcasing the clash of ideals within the yakuza underworld and its consequences, but the prize of this game was its ending. These games are very much known for how good they deliver some of their emotional moments and each games improves on that aspect, but this one illustrates a character journey spanning through different games and delivers from that an emotional moments that was very much anticipated but yet surprising.