Bayonetta Review (PS3)
Story
This game takes place in a fictional city called Vigrid. Bayonetta is a witch who lost her memories after being found in a coffin, and she is trying to recover back her memories while fighting off angelic creatures who seem to target her. On her journey, she will encounter her mysterious rival, Jeanne, who seems to have known Bayonetta for a long time. Her mysterious past will serve as the backbone of the game's story.
Despite the game's interesting setting and lore, I do not think the game's plot is great, but it is certainly not terrible. The game's lore can be read by finding books scattered throughout the game's chapters. Many underdeveloped characters despite having interesting personalities, such as Enzo, Jeanne, Luka, Rodin, and the true villain of the game. Bayonetta is the star of the game, and has decent development as well as having great voiceover. This game's lore is actually pretty dense and detailed compared to other hack-and-slash games, but they are still worth reading to understand some of the game's obscure terms.
Gameplay
This game is an action hack-and-slash game, where you control Bayonetta to defeat the angelic enemies in different chapters. The progression is simple, as you defeat enemies in different encounters, complete puzzles, and overcome difficult boss fights. You may run, jump, explore for hidden items such as books and health upgrades, as well as complete optional portals called Alfheim Portals, where completing them unlocks items to increase Bayonetta's health or magic bars.
Upgrading is simple, as you can spend Halos (in-game currency) to buy items, new firearms, and accessories. You can also upgrade Bayonetta's health and magic bars by collecting pieces of certain items, which are not dissimilar with Devil May Cry games' Blue Orb Fragments system. You may also spend Halos to learn new combat techniques for Bayonetta, such as dodging while in the air and thrust attack. Items such as healing items and accessories can be bought from the store as well.
Combat is simple, and plays quite similarly to Devil May Cry games. Bayonetta has access to both punch and kick attacks, as well as the ability to shoot at enemies with her firearm. She may also switch between two different weapon sets that you may change while playing.
The weapons set is a bit unique, as you can equip different weapons for Bayonetta's hands and feet, and some of them are interchangeable. For example, firearms can be equipped on either Bayonetta's hands or legs slots, and the katana weapon can only be equipped on Bayonetta's hand slot. Depending on where you assigned weapons on Bayonetta's limbs, your movesets may change as well.
Bayonetta also has access to dodge, where using perfectly dodge will execute the Witch Time feature, slowing time around you for a short period of time. Wicked Weaves are also powerful attacks that are usually used as combo finishers, and may differ on Bayonetta's equipped weapons. Bayonetta also can use special attacks called Torture Attacks by expending her Magic Gauge, which can be increased by attacking enemies or dodging attacks. The real drawback of Magic Gauge is that it will be reduced drastically if Bayonetta takes damage.
Enemies come in different type, sporting angelic appearances that may deceive players. They are tough and relentless, and there is a good variety of enemies to be fought in the game. Bosses are the highlights in the game, with many of them appear in larger size to defeat Bayonetta. Quick time events are also implemented during some action sequences and boss fights.
At the end of a chapter, you will be rewarded accordingly to how well you performed in combat, such as amount of damage, your combo score, and how fast you complete the chapter. You will get more Halos as a reward for getting high rankings, such as Platinum ranking.
The gameplay is great, and Bayonetta is an excellent playable character with great moveset due to her mastery of different types of weapons. Excellent combat, great use of Witch-related abilities, varied progression sections between combat, platforming, and puzzle solving, good controls, as well as great boss fights. The only real issue I have with this game is the excessive amount of Quick Time Events, but can be ignored if you are good in doing it. Very good gameplay, regardless.
Graphics
Although this game looks good, this game ha many technical issues. Terrible framerate drops, slowdowns, long loading times, and screen tearing issues. This is a port from the Xbox 360 version that is done by Sega themselves. There is only patch released for the PS3 version that allows players to install the game data into the PS3, reducing many loading time issues. However, other technical issues such as screentearing are not fixed. They do no hinder your gameplay experience dramatically, but they are still noticeable.
While the characters are uniquely designed and well-done environments, the technical issues that this game have may hinder a player's experience a lot. Some of the character designs such as Bayonetta's design may not appeal to many players.
Sound
The voice acting is good, with specific highlights on both Bayonetta and Jeanne's voice actresses. Rodin's voice actor also did a good job, as well as other supporting characters. The soundtrack is also catchy, with mix of pop, jazz, rock, and orchestral tracks. This game also includes a pop cover of the classic song Fly Me to The Moon, which acts as Bayonetta's main theme in the game.
Replay Value
This game has good replay value. You can play the game in harder difficulties such as Infinite Climax, where enemies are tougher and has different placements in different chapters, complete all Alfheim quests, collect every weapon and books, or even fight the secret boss of the game.
Conclusion
This is a great action hack-and-slash game. Excellent gameplay, sexy yet stylish playable character, great boss fights, variety of good weapons, varied progression sections, and other factors make this game worth playing. Unfortunately, this game still has issues. This is the inferior version compared to other platforms, due to poorer graphics quality such as minor slowdowns and screentearings. While the latest patch and game install reduces the loading times issues, this game still do suffer other technical issues. The dense lore may actually catch players off-guard due to the simplistic story, but they are still worth reading. Characters are mostly boring, with no real developments except for Bayonetta. I suggest players to skip this version unless they have to, as there are superior versions available such as the Xbox 360 version, WiiU cersion, and the PC Steam version.
Score
Story: 7/10
Gameplay: 10/10
Graphics: 7/10
Sound: 8/10
Final Score: 8.0/10 or 32/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Bayonetta is a sexy yet strong playable character.
- Interesting lore, such as angels, demons and three different realms.
- Great controls.
- Great gameplay.
- Excellent regular and boss enemies.
- Varied progression sections.
- Challenging yet fair difficulty.
- Good voice acting.
- Solid soundtrack.
- Good replay value.
Cons
- Some of the characters' designs may not appeal to everyone, especially Bayonetta.
- Fanservice may not appeal to everyone.
- Story is mediocre.
- Lack of many character expositions and developments.
- Unnecessary QTEs.
- Technical issues such as screentearing and slowdowns.
**Images are from PressAKey game page.
Bayonetta is a witch who has lost her memories.
Despite the game's interesting setting and lore, I do not think the game's plot is great, but it is certainly not terrible. The game's lore can be read by finding books scattered throughout the game's chapters. Many underdeveloped characters despite having interesting personalities, such as Enzo, Jeanne, Luka, Rodin, and the true villain of the game. Bayonetta is the star of the game, and has decent development as well as having great voiceover. This game's lore is actually pretty dense and detailed compared to other hack-and-slash games, but they are still worth reading to understand some of the game's obscure terms.
Gameplay
Use Bayonetta's witch powers to obliterate her enemies.
Upgrading is simple, as you can spend Halos (in-game currency) to buy items, new firearms, and accessories. You can also upgrade Bayonetta's health and magic bars by collecting pieces of certain items, which are not dissimilar with Devil May Cry games' Blue Orb Fragments system. You may also spend Halos to learn new combat techniques for Bayonetta, such as dodging while in the air and thrust attack. Items such as healing items and accessories can be bought from the store as well.
Combat is simple, and plays quite similarly to Devil May Cry games. Bayonetta has access to both punch and kick attacks, as well as the ability to shoot at enemies with her firearm. She may also switch between two different weapon sets that you may change while playing.
The weapons set is a bit unique, as you can equip different weapons for Bayonetta's hands and feet, and some of them are interchangeable. For example, firearms can be equipped on either Bayonetta's hands or legs slots, and the katana weapon can only be equipped on Bayonetta's hand slot. Depending on where you assigned weapons on Bayonetta's limbs, your movesets may change as well.
Bayonetta also has access to dodge, where using perfectly dodge will execute the Witch Time feature, slowing time around you for a short period of time. Wicked Weaves are also powerful attacks that are usually used as combo finishers, and may differ on Bayonetta's equipped weapons. Bayonetta also can use special attacks called Torture Attacks by expending her Magic Gauge, which can be increased by attacking enemies or dodging attacks. The real drawback of Magic Gauge is that it will be reduced drastically if Bayonetta takes damage.
Enemies come in different type, sporting angelic appearances that may deceive players. They are tough and relentless, and there is a good variety of enemies to be fought in the game. Bosses are the highlights in the game, with many of them appear in larger size to defeat Bayonetta. Quick time events are also implemented during some action sequences and boss fights.
At the end of a chapter, you will be rewarded accordingly to how well you performed in combat, such as amount of damage, your combo score, and how fast you complete the chapter. You will get more Halos as a reward for getting high rankings, such as Platinum ranking.
The gameplay is great, and Bayonetta is an excellent playable character with great moveset due to her mastery of different types of weapons. Excellent combat, great use of Witch-related abilities, varied progression sections between combat, platforming, and puzzle solving, good controls, as well as great boss fights. The only real issue I have with this game is the excessive amount of Quick Time Events, but can be ignored if you are good in doing it. Very good gameplay, regardless.
Graphics
Decent graphics, although with many technical issues.
While the characters are uniquely designed and well-done environments, the technical issues that this game have may hinder a player's experience a lot. Some of the character designs such as Bayonetta's design may not appeal to many players.
Sound
Good voice acting and soundtrack.
Replay Value
Good replay value.
Conclusion
An excellent and sexy hack-and-slash game marred by terrible technical issues.
Score
Story: 7/10
Gameplay: 10/10
Graphics: 7/10
Sound: 8/10
Final Score: 8.0/10 or 32/40
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Bayonetta is a sexy yet strong playable character.
- Interesting lore, such as angels, demons and three different realms.
- Great controls.
- Great gameplay.
- Excellent regular and boss enemies.
- Varied progression sections.
- Challenging yet fair difficulty.
- Good voice acting.
- Solid soundtrack.
- Good replay value.
Cons
- Some of the characters' designs may not appeal to everyone, especially Bayonetta.
- Fanservice may not appeal to everyone.
- Story is mediocre.
- Lack of many character expositions and developments.
- Unnecessary QTEs.
- Technical issues such as screentearing and slowdowns.
**Images are from PressAKey game page.
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