Eurogamer: Bayonetta Review

Eurogamer: The best two Japanese action games of the year are diametrically opposed in approach. Demon's Souls is a brooding traipse through the corridors of purgatory, fair but relentlessly unforgiving. It teaches that modern videogames have made us weak and stupid, that our gaming muscles have atrophied through the efforts of so many mollycoddling developers. Every sword strike must be carefully considered, and button-mashers are not so much ridiculed as downright abused for their lack of sophistication. The result is a tense but ponderous experience, one that demands supreme trepidation before each step taken, careful contemplation before every input made.

In Bayonetta, meanwhile, you press a button and your television implodes.

[rtonaey]

Let's hope the PS3 version is good, or else

[kingdavid]

I woulda had the ps3 version by now because it has english voice language on it but i think ill wait for the xbox version. Theres too much to play atm anyway.

[Rikitatsu]

Famitsu: 40/40
Nowgamer: 9.3/10
Eurogamer: 9/10
Gamersyde: "Best beat'em up ever"

PlatinumGames teachs the industry lessons on how to make action games with great and deep gameplay.

[U-asked-for-it]

" Gamersyde: Best beat'em up ever"

yes I suppose it's better than the ol' mighty God of War then /s

maybe it's the best action game on the 360 though

[Rikitatsu]

Wake me up when GoW3 offers deep combat system, and a level design and platforming as good as Bayonetta's.

To be REALLY honest, GOW3 played like GoW 2 in HD, it felt like a last generation game to me, fans will love it, but you will need more than that to claim its a better action game than PlatinumGame's craft (Bayonetta)

Oh well...

[raztad]

@guy above

Bayonetta is the same old "Dante may Cry" gameplay. It's the same guy behind it. Devil may Cry was awesome but GoW3 is on other level. BTW, "GOW3 played like GoW 2 in HD" sounds like you already played GoW3 and besides, it's not exactly a bad thing GoW3 play like GoW2.

I love how EUROGAMER says Bayonetta is essentially an easy non-brainer game,

"The best two Japanese action games of the year are diametrically opposed in approach. Demon's Souls is a brooding traipse through the corridors of purgatory, fair but relentlessly unforgiving.
.
.
.
In Bayonetta, meanwhile, you press a button and your television implodes"

Thats funny. Bayonetta sounds like the perfect rent.

@silly guy bellow

I didnt know GoW3 was already out. Thanks for the heads up.

I indeed played DMC1 and DMC3 (the better edition with Sigil playable), but none of them are on the level of GoW, at least for me. BTW, you are one of the few hating the incredible GoW3 demo, but thats ok, I'll be playing both games (GoW3 day one) and Bayonetta when it reaches the bargain bin, and while waiting for them, Demons Souls owns all my time. I'm a happy gamer

[Rikitatsu]

Bayonetta is way better than DMC if you actually saw/or played the game... From its Incredible Level Design ( http://www.youtube.com/watc... To its Amazing, deep, stylish combat ( http://www.youtube.com/watc...

I did indeed play GoW 3 and found it very dull, Santa Monica fear changes, so they kept the formula created by Jaffe to ensure a good game, the result was a dated game with boring mechanics IMO.

[raztad]

I can do what you did to show Bayonetta is not more that DMC3 reskined and in HD. It's not a bad thing DMC3 was one of my favorite games but you make it sound like Bayonetta is something never done. Silly you.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Btw, Sigil in my previous post ---> Vergil.

EDIT: I'm starting to think you never played DMC before. Probably you were in the xbox world playing Ninja Gaiden, werent you?

@bellow

My emotions are totally unaffected by this friendly discussion.

Those changes sound like a very good set of additions to an already awesome combat (DMC was more on the hard side, but it seems Bayonetta can be easy), it's called evolving. I expect GoW3 deliver the same kind of improved gameplay, not just in the combat (weapons change on the fly for different combos, more brutality, fighting multiple enemies at the same time, cyclops and other giant monster control, etc) but new and improved platforming, ikarus wings sections, more puzzles, etc.

[Rikitatsu]

Last time I checked, DMC never had such imaginative level design, heck there are a lot of STRONG platforming elements in Bayonetta that you cant find it anywhere in the DMC series.

and no, while the combat might look similar in the video you posted, in reality, the combat is different. The basics of the combat is "Counter Attacking" You evade at the last moment to activate a slo-mo effect called witch time that helps you beat the very aggresive enemies.
Not to mention you can equip 2 weapons at once (ones at hands, and others at feet) You have TWO MELEE buttons instead of DMCs 1 button (Traingle) you mix up combos using melee, guns, magic, And Summons.

And here I was about to forget mentioning the beasts forms Bayonetta can transform into freely, which includes a Panther, bats, and a Crow.

As for your last question, I'm a big fan of DMC (especially the first) and I dislike Ninja Gaiden... Happy now?

[I_LOVE_MYSELF]

Well im looking forward to BOTH GodOW and Bayonetta

Im glad GodOW resembles the PS2 games BECAUSE sequels are meant to feel familiar... I do hope theres little tweaks that make it a nnoticible step up in generation...

But yeah I also loved DMC4 and yeah Bayonetta does look a lot like DMC but the fact is IT ISNT DMC... I am really interested in trying it out...

Its funny how people bashed Resi5 for being like Resi4 yet its okay for GodOW3 to play like GodOW2, GodOW1 and GodOW COO... Hippo-crits!

[Marceles]

The game plays like a mix of DMC and Viewtiful Joe. It's not as much as DMC as people think...you can't go in there guns blazing since it doesn't take that much damage as dodging and counter attacking. You can hack and slash if you want, just don't expect to get far in the game

[Ashriel]

Rikkitatsu, you should leave raztad be the GOW fanboy he is, he admits that GOW3 plays just like GOW2 but then he trashes Bayonetta, because it's similar to DMC .-.

I'm looking foward to both but Bayonetta seems much more interesting to me, I may rent GOW3 when it's out :D

@below: Indeed ;3

[TheBand1t]

They'll both be great, so STFU and go play some games.

[Homicide]

LOL @ God of War. It's for the casual gamers. All you have to do is press box, box, triangle and you win every battle. There's also a lot of QTEs.

Bayonetta is the action game we've been waiting for. Can't wait to pick up the superior 360 version.

[raztad]

@some guys above

You need to improve your reading skills, seriously. Where did I trash Bayonetta? Come on, to say that Bayonetta plays like DMC is not exactly trashing, quite the contrary.

Rakitatsu on the other hand, has been trashing GoW continuosly and innecesarily.

@Mercelles

In DMC you can't go guns blazing, even if you choose to play as a Gun Master. Game can be hard.

@Homicide

It's a good other example of a xfan that has never played GoW. Whatever, both Bayonetta and GoW will be avialable for PS3 owners, and I'll be playing both as I said before.

[Marceles]

"Bayonetta is the same old "Dante may Cry" gameplay. It's the same guy behind it. Devil may Cry was awesome but GoW3 is on other level."

That's bashing it lol...*yawn* same old game blah blah. Play it dude, that's all I have to say. If you're not interested then that's fine...it's just annoying reading people bashing a game they've never played before.

I don't mean guns literally....playing Bayonetta is like playing GOW on hard...you have to block and counter and have to watch how much you attack because the enemies take alot of life from you if you get hit.

[Homicide]

I have played GOW, and the combat is pretty bland. It's like playing Simon Says. The only thing God of War has going is its story.

[creatchee]

Comparing Bayonetta to God of War isn't fair - they're two totally different games (besides being part of the "beat 'em up" family).

In terms of gameplay, Bayonetta is more focused on outlandish combos/fatalities and gunplay, where God of War is more about large-scale setpieces/puzzles and maintaining a "thrill-ride" aspect to the game.

Both games have their place and both look awesome. But comparing the two is like saying Halo is the same as Portal - sure, they're both first-person games, but that's where the similarities end.

And to the anyone saying that either are simply HD upgrades of PS2 God of War or Devil May Cry - how the heck is that a bad thing? You're talking about two of the greatest games ever released on that platform (and maybe any other).

[Noctis Aftermath]

I would of given bayonetta a try if the presentation wasn't so shallow.

[Bonsai1214]

to be fair, you could switch between two sets of weapons on the fly with DMC. however, i haven't been following Bayonetta enough to see if you could do that too. and DMC greatly discouraged button mashing, since the entire combat system revolved around comboing with different weapons. that being said, i greatly enjoyed GoW and DMC, so i might rent this one and see how it handles.

[HDgamer]

Gameplay is the same.

[raztad]

@Marceles

Why to take offense because a comparison with a game Bayonetta is obviously improving from? Game which I'm a fan of.

The same old that we love and enjoy or the same old that doesnt innovate, take your pick.

Besides, I'm not here to please anyone but to replay to Rakatsu's GoW3 trash talking post.

Well, I'm tired. Have fun.

[Nikuma]

I'm really looking forward to both Bayonetta and GOW3, but honestly as far as gameplay, Bayonetta looks to have GOW3 trumped. Some of the gameplay vids I've seen look insane. GOW3 I think will have Bayonetta trumped in most other categories, graphics, sound, story.

I honestly can't wait to play both. I have NGS2 from gamefly to hold me over until Bayonetta. Among many other games I have backlogged...

[cyberwaffles]

well the only problem i really had with the DMC games was that the levels felt repetitive and the story was kind of boring. bayonetta is definitely a fun beat 'em up, but it reminds me of DMC in which its devoid of a good story. of course i can't judge until i play the game, but so far it seems to retain the same story structure.

also, someone mentioned bayonetta having excellent level design and ragging on GOW's; well i think you guys should play the first two god of war games because they both had some awesome set pieces and puzzles. everything transitioned perfectly into each segment of the game to not detract you from the story and had a very immersed story.

GOW3 will no doubt be the same way but even better. i'm sure the cinematics and set pieces will be even better just like how MGS4 and UC2 were such a huge improvement from their predecessors.

[ikkokucrisis]

This game looks like a nice step up from Devil May Cry, can't wait to play it!

[creatchee]

Yeah - the setpieces are my favorite part of God of War. Since the first one with the Hydra battle, they set the bar high with the craziness of the bosses/sub bosses and the creative ways to take them down. I mean, the gameplay itself is great as well, but that "XL-ish" nature of the game makes it so awesome.

[Tex117]

Please article, do not put Demon's Souls anywhere close to a discussion of Bayontta.

Its insulting for Demon's Souls.

Instead compare it to Ninja Gaiden and Devil May Cry. Much better for comparisons.

[Ashriel]

Well, one is an RPG and the other one is an Action game, lol

[TheBand1t]

Technically I'd consider Demon's Souls an action RPG. But yea, they're very different.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

As if Demon's Souls is the best game in the world. Listen...it's good, but it's nowhere CLOSE to as fun as Bayonetta.

It's like Bioshock vs. Wario Ware. I love them both...but I'd rather play Wario Ware right now. It's FUN!

[Homicide]

Demon's Souls is boring and the combat is bland.

[TheBand1t]

And I consider Demon's Souls more fun than Bayonetta...simply because that's my preference.

Much like I prefer Battlefield to Call of Rehash.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

You DON'T think Demon's Souls is more fun than Bayonetta.

Unreal Tournament at a LAN party vs. Command & Conquer at a LAN party.

The difference is THAT big.

Also...don't knock Call of Duty just because it's popular. You're a freaking tool. Battlefield 2, 1943, and Heroes are all rehashes of Battlefield 1942. Don't even THINK that they're not.

I love BF2, by the way. MW2 is a better game though...all-around.

[Tex117]

Preference my friend.

But you can't compare the two games other than the fact that they are games.

And Im sure you are the authority on this because you have played the full version of Bayonetta.

[TheBand1t]

Don't quite get what you're saying. C&C LAN matches were always more fun.

You apparently don't get it. IMy PREFERENCE is for Demons Souls, as I found it MORE FUN than Bayonetta.

And insulting peeps is liable to get you banned.

[koehler83]

Pandering for free games.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

Why do you guys not want to play Bayonetta?

This guy CREATED the modern action game with Devil May Cry, perfected gaming as a literal art style with Okami, and did a little something I like to call the best platformer ever created: Viewtiful Joe.

Bayonetta is going to OWN!

[Rikitatsu]

Well said. ;)

[Marceles]

I think N4G has twisted people's minds into hating it because of all of the Sega porting controversy, so mostly 360 owners are going to like it because they have the better version while PS3 owners will write it off and wait for another game to come out. It's a good game on both systems and I've personally beaten the PS3 version.

http://ps3trophycard.com/pr...

Everything gets exaggerated at N4G and people will miss out on a good action game with DMC/Viewtiful Joe elements with great combos you can put together yourself and a great soundtrack.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

I doubt anyone thought a song that sounds like this would be on the game.

People that bash the game need to play the actual game first before bashing it, and no...not just the demo, the demo is bread crumbs compared to what more you can do in the game.

[TheBand1t]

Sorry, but a game came out about a year before Okami that solidified games as art. It was called Shadow of the Colossus.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

I said "literal", moron.

If you want to get technical, Ico was out shortly after the PS2's launch. SotC just sold the idea a bit more.

[ikkokucrisis]

Game of pure genius 2-D bliss
Hope they make a sequel for the next gen consoles!

[toaster]

One of the hottest video game chicks I have ever seen.

I mean, her clothes is made of HAIR.
Baddass. And she wears glasses and shoots demons in the face. And she looks like Sarah Palin.

[ipe]

u never touched gow on titan diff.so that casual crap take with ur self.

In the end win for ps3 owners.

[ultimolu]

Lol, I'll be playing both.

[Ashriel]

me too ;3,

EDIT: saying Bayonetta is an "easy non-brainer game" is very much like trashing it :( sorry for posting in this comment, but I'm out of bubbles D:

[-Alpha]

Gotta love the PS3 fans feeling insecure about God of War for absolutely no reason so they have to bash this game. How silly.

Bayonetta sounds great, may pick this one up eventually but too much to do and play atm.

[ultimolu]

Gotta love how you generalized.

I'm getting both so whatever.

[nycredude]

Gotta love how your comment makes absolutely no sense. Ps3 owners get to enjoy both if they choose. Doesn't anyone on N4g think before commenting anymore? Sheesh.

Fact is I haven't even finished DMC4 adn Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. And with GOW3 and Dantes inferno dropping around the same time it looks like this will have to wait until it hits about $30.

[SkolarVisari]

Having played both versions of the Bayonetta demo I would still have to give the edge to Ninja Gaiden. I do not like how Bayonetta is one of the smallest things on the screen, you don't really get to see her in action since everything is much larger than her she easily gets drowned out if you will. I wish Kamiya had decided to go with a camera angle more like Ninja Gaiden's so that players could really get a good look at Bayonetta during the action.

I also think it is really stupid to compare a loot hoarding RPG to a game like this.

[divideby0]

havent played either GOW3 or Bay..
those thinking and posting above that this game will approach GOW....please pass the pipe...you are clueless....ever think about story, musical score ?
Bay. looks good, but its another Dante type game... and you probably forgot how Heavenly Sword got bashed for an arena style fighting game....reading the story, it said the same

[Rmagnus]

if you did play Heavenly sword you would have known that the fighting was not the weak point of the game, HS was getting flanks for being too short, didn't mind the game myself thought it was very well made and Kai was awesome, I am hoping for a HS2

[Troll_Police]

can play both Bayonetta and GOW3. :)

[Figboy]

that was a 100% TRUTHFUL statement.

PS3 owners CAN play both Bayonetta and GoW3.

*shrugs* just another day at N4G.

[XDF]

PS3 owners can play GOW3 and Bayonetta..

PS360 owners can play GOW3 and the superior version of Bayonetta.

[Gobot]

when this game comes stateside i hope it sells well. not because i llke the game but because everyone has been d*ck riding the fu*k out of this game. and if it flops people are going to be saying "ITS A NICHE TITLE PEOPLE DONT UNDERSTAND DA GAME JUUST LLIKE FIGHTERS" this game is devil may cry 4 with a girl skin thats it lol

[Dacapn]

So true. This is the Nightshade of the DMC series: slightly more refined version of the original with female skin. What bugs me is that it's another storyless beat em up where at the end of the game you ask yourself, "What did I just do?"

It'll be good mindless fun, but I prefer games with substance.

[baum]

DMC got old after the first. DMC5 is no different

[Gago]

9/10 from eurogamer = 10/10 in reality