Bayonetta runs the risk of falling into just about every cliché in the book. On the surface it could be considered a style over substance button masher; targeted at sex starved teenagers with players taking control of a busty femme fatale who dispatches her enemies with an almost unequaled panache. However for anyone who actually takes the time to play the game they will discover that not only is it fantastic but that it manages to avoid the trappings of cliché and actually sets the standard by which every other action game that follows will be measured.
From the outset it’s clear to see that the developers, Sega, are in love with their main protagonist. Bayonetta is crafted with such meticulous detail that I think those involved with her creation would find it hard to argue against accusations of obsession. Looking like a cross between the hottest goth on the planet and every males concept of a sexy secretary, she flaunts her stuff with seemingly only male gratification in mind. She engages foes in a ballet of carnage, ripping through enemies with grace and circumnavigating her surroundings with the deftest of movement. Her impossibly long and perfectly formed legs accentuate her actions, the skin tight body suit, actually her hair, shaping every curve to represent the absolute pinnacle of the female form. Throw in a saucy British accent laced with charm and you pretty much have an almost impossible to resist fatal attraction, I best move on here this is getting embarrassing.
If objective obsession was all that Bayonetta had to offer it would surmise to little more than an empty one dimensional farce. Thankfully however Bayonetta is a multifaceted and complex creation offering not only a character to fall in love with but perhaps what constitutes the best action game of all time. From the outset Bayonetta roars video game, in no other medium would you have this level of polish and over the top immersion, the first seconds of the game will render many a jaw on the floor with experienced gamers getting a glimmer in their eye with the little tingling they get when they start to consider what they are playing as something of great significance. We can all remember those games from years past that helped form our love of the medium, special experiences that are rare but worth waiting for when they arrive; Bayonetta is one such experience. Further testament to the game’s entry into this select listing are it’s references to gems from years gone; Sonic the Hedgehog, Resident Evil 4 and Space Harrier are all referenced here. Moreover the game is a refreshing insight into the mind of creative genius, I can image brainstorming sessions punctuated with many WTF moments, yet each flamboyant and utterly insane idea works perfectly, a true shining example to support the argument that creativity should never be stifled. Whether it be levels that form out of falling debris coupled with a changing perspective camera or gigantic and imaginative level bosses that span entire levels in themselves, Bayonetta never fails to deliver.
Originating from the same mind of the creative talent behind the Devil May Cry franchise – Hideki Kamiya – the core game mechanic of Bayonetta is the combat system. While it is probably fair to say that it owes something to lessons learned from the Devil May Cry series; that alone does not begin to explain the intricacy and level of near perfection on show here. Without doubt this is best fighting system I have experienced; it looks visually stunning, works terrifically and makes the player truly feel bad ass and in complete control of how fights evolve. To begin with there are normal combos achieved with presses of the “B” and “Y” buttons to correspond to kick and punch attacks, there are dozens of possibilities here alone and each resonates with impact and stylish sexy flow. From there you can hold down the regular end button of a normal combo to “shoot out” racking up your multiplier, looking insanely cool and allowing for progression into a link to another wave of attack. The true visual wonder of these moves has to be seen to be believed I really cannot do them justice here, but they are only the beginning, Bayonetta can attach a myriad of weapons to each of her limbs; both hands and the backs of stilettos – switching between these can be achieved at the press of a button so a whole new level of combos and chaining opens up.
Getting to grips with these fundamentals takes time in itself but true mastery can only be achieved by studying enemy movements and learning to respond appropriately to their attacks, a press of the right trigger will make Bayonetta cartwheel dodge to avoid incoming attacks. Perfect timing of this so that you begin to dodge just before an enemy connects triggers witch time, a slow mo period where Bayonetta’s damage output goes through the roof as more attacks can be strung together in a shorter period of time. An already complex and intricate system has two further components that form the top end of the lady witch’s arsenal; first are the torture moves, special combo enders which summon forth various devices of torture to finish enemies. These take the form of S&M themed devices and are perverse and satisfying all at once. Finally there are the devil weave attacks, the most powerful of Bayonetta’s move set. As mentioned earlier Bayonetta’s clothing is actually no more than her hair which weaves around her body, using her magic abilities she can unwrap this from her body leaving her somewhat naked and forming a magical projection which at the lower levels can be a giant stiletto and at higher ones gigantic monstrosities such as spiders and demonic dragons. It all works marvelously well and the combined layering of each component forms an unparalleled and masterful whole.
Bayonetta is a very unique experience – the camera angles used throughout, the flowing of combat from one staged arena to another with almost seamless progression and the fluidity of the combat are all sights to behold. Thankfully I am playing on the Xbox 360 which deals with all the on screen action splendidly; the PS3 version however does not. There are extensive reports of frame rate issues, washed out colour palates and general issues of performance, if you have a choice, there really is only one option. Bayonetta is game meant to be played by anyone who considers themselves a gamer, and play it you will, the built in scoring system and online leader boards just beg for repeated play. You will not settle for your performance in any given battle, thinking up different ways to approach a given situation and knowledgeable that you are getting better with the combat system with each and every passing minute.
I think it should be clear at this stage that I consider Bayonetta an exceptional experience and one which I urge anyone with an Xbox 360 and a love for the medium to experience first hand. You may not even like this type of game normally, but you must surely be somewhat emotionally stunted not to fall in love with this mistress of the dark arts. I have used the word perfect more than once throughout this review and there is a reason for that, every facet of the game virtually is, Bayonetta is a textbook example of what the video game medium can achieve and yet is anything but textbook in it’s approach. It is refreshing, definitive and has set the bar by which every other action adventure game will be judged from here on in. It’s every bit important as Super Mario 64, Resident Evil 4, Zelda The Ocarina of Time, Contra III and every other video gaming point of reference. I could go on forever talking about the splendor of Bayonetta but I think my infatuation would become way too obvious. Yes I’m in love with a witch!!
Check out the official UK launch trailer below – then go out and buy it.
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