‘Bayonetta’ Review

Game Rant reviews Bayonetta

I remember the first time I played Devil May Cry. It was early 2002 and I did not know what to expect (Smackdown 2 and Tekken 3, along with other less notable titles, were the only other games I had played).

From beginning to end, my mind was blown and I would end each mission wondering how they could ever top the last boss I had just fought or scale of the level I had witnessed.

Did Bayonetta leave me with that same feeling Hideki Kamiya orchestrated 9 years ago?

First, the story is not exactly your basic affair. Yes it is a classic good vs. evil title; but, at the same time, not really. Bayonetta can be a bit weird and American audiences (used to Call of Duty-like realness), might feel a bit overwhelmed by how over the top Japanese-developer Platinum Games has taken the title.

Technically, the game follows the character of Bayonetta, a witch who comes out of hibernation after twenty years. She has no memory of her past and begins hunting down the “Right Eye”, an ancient artifact, in hope of regaining the memories she has lost. The story isn’t on par with Uncharted 2 or Mass Effect 2 but it is interesting enough to keep you moving through the game. To be honest, it didn’t always make a ton of sense. But by the end of the game, I definitely had enough “Oh, I get it” moments to satisfy my ultimate experience of the game.

Furthermore, the presentation is definitely unique in every way imaginable – especially considering its competitors in the current gaming market. Bayonetta definitely feels like Devil May Cry on speed. From the enormous combos to the massive boss battles, the staples of the DMC series are all here and present but in a new steroid-riddled skin.

Is this a bad thing? Absolutely not because the Bayonetta team has taken that formula and made it their own. The religious theme of this game reminded me very much of Devil May Cry 4 but less restricted and a lot more confident in what it wanted to achieve. That’s what really oozes from this game’s design, characters and overall look – Confidence.

Bayonetta, herself, was already infamous before the game’s release. Now that I’ve taken her for a spin,  I must admit – she is an awesome character. Through her physical appearance and dialogue she exudes charisma and never fails to be outrageous.

The supporting cast is just as interesting: Enzo, your informant (either a Danny Devito or Joe Pesci spoof), to Rodin, your demonic merchant. The enemies are interesting, the more common enemy types are varying versions of religious icons (angels, etc.) and the bosses are outrageous seemingly tripling in size each time.

Click to continue reading the rest of Game Rant’s Bayonetta review…

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