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.