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.
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Moreover, the gameplay is where Bayonetta truly shined for me. The Devil May Cry series lived and died by its combo system. For most, it was too daunting - punishing players who couldn’t build strong enough combos. Bayonetta is a bit of the same, but a little more forgiving, and possesses an “easy mode”, for players who might still struggle.
For some hardcore gamers, the appearance of an “easy” option in a Sega hack-and-slash game might be a slap in the face but, ultimately, it allows less honed players to enjoy the Bayonetta experience: ostentatious settings, character models, and fast paced action. That said, I played through on normal difficulty and found the game offering a perfect amount of challenge.
Ultimately, the key to the gameplay is to experiment with the combo system and not stick to a routine. “Witch Time” is a great device in Bayonetta, as it adds a new dimension to the way you play, and also helps you to learn how to use combos effectively.
The Bayonetta gameplay package is rounded out with torture attacks, climax finishers, punishment moves, hair powered magic moves, beast within attacks and witch walking - a lot of gameplay for your money. Not to mention extremely expansive, with the ability to unlock new weapons and moves, extending the shelf life by a surprising amount.
Bayonetta surprised me with just how much it had to offer; though, the game isn’t perfect. Most of the problems are cosmetic, lengthy load times, screen-tearing, and camera issues (especially facing bigger bosses). Also, the humor, as well as the obvious sexualization of Bayonetta (Jeanne and Joy as well), might not be to everyone’s taste.
In my opinion this is a game that should be experienced. So, whether you rent or purchase your own copy of Bayonetta, don’t miss out.
In terms of buying the game, if you are an avid fan of Devil May Cry then you should definitely purchase a copy (as you’ll likely want to play it multiple times and explore everything the game has to offer). But if your gaming interest lean more toward Modern Warfare 2 online combat, I’d still encourage you to check out the innovative and over the top button-mashing to be found in Bayonetta.
This game feels like it was built with a lot of love and I hope Platinum Games doesn’t wait too long to offer up a sequel. Bayonetta is on my personal list of Game of the Year contenders.
Bayonetta released January 5, 2010 on PS3 and Xbox 360 and October 24, 2014 on Wii U (attached with Bayonetta 2).
