Okay -
finally, after almost 2 weeks with the game [
I should say games, since I have both the XBOX 360 version and the PS3 version] I am here to give you my honest opinions about the game and the amazing OST that completes the experience.
First of all, the XBOX 360 version is
DEFINITELY the Bayonetta experience to have - it is hands-down the better version; so here is my review of the XBOX 360 Bayonetta:
It is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
By far, the best action game I have ever played - and I doubt it will be topped even by Kamiya-san himself.
1).
Does it live up to the hype?
Answer: Yes,
yes and
YES! This game is
non-stop intense from start to finish! The different modes are a blast to play and the difficulty settings are
incredibly accurate -
Normal is what I defaulted to and I had a
megaton blast playing through it. It was difficult, but I didn't ever feel as though the game was "
cheating" me at any point.
Hard was next on my list and it was
far tougher than
Normal - It will truly test your reflexes and gaming skills! What is beyond that is spoiler territory and take my word for it - it makes hard look like
Easy mode!
2).
Is this game truly "Climax Action" meaning that it is literally non-stop action and reflex-based gaming"
Answer: YES! It begins with fast-paced gameplay and
literally doesn't let up. I mean
LITERALLY. The later stages get a bit frustrating due to the precision and reflexes needed to navigate through them - but perseverance will reward you with the knowledge that you have completed
the best action game ever made. I guarantee it.
3).
Boss fights? Are there a lot?
Answer: OH YES! There is a
metric-ton of boss fights in Bayonetta. There are
a lot more bosses than we have been shown, I will tell you at least that. They are both awe-inspiring and creative along with difficult and strategic. They are the best boss fights I have ever had the pleasure of participating in. The final boss battle is
INSANE!
4).
Is there a lot of replay value?
Answer: Yes. More than any other action game I have ever played and I have played them all. You have the standard unlockable modes you would expect and a lot of other things you wouldn't expect - but will love!
5).
Gameplay - is it what you had hoped or is it even better?
Answer: A bit of both. From the videos we have all seen, the gameplay is what I expected - except that it is
FAR deeper than anything a video can show you - You need to play Bayonetta to see what I mean and the demo is
merely a taste of what the final game has to offer [
think Devil May Cry's skill upgrades and style, but taken to a whole new level - but with more panache and you will get the idea]. There is so much depth to the combat in Bayonetta - so much in fact, that games like Ninja Gaiden and GOW will fail to impress
anyone that plays Bayonetta. This, I am
100% sure of. I was
THRILLED at the shooting mechanics - being able to shoot "
Equilibrium" style with both my hand and feet guns was
a blast! That's all the reason I need to play through Bayonetta
again and again!
6).
Should I import the game or wait?
Answer: Wait.
The North American and other territories' version will be better [
not that the game needs anything more, but just because Kamiya-san loves us so much]. I can guarantee you it will have new modes, new unlockable items and new things to do. I will be buying the NA version of
both the XBOX 360 and PS3 version, just to show my support for such an inspired game.
The Bottom Line:
Graphics: 10/10
Amazing and awe-inspiring. The texture work alone is excellent - let alone the frame-rate [
I am of course referring to the XBOX 360 version here]. The bump-mapping and reflective textures make the game come alive [
especially during the boss fights - they will make your jaw hit the floor and there are a TON of them, so be prepared to have a very sore jaw when you reach the end of Bayonetta!].
Gameplay: 10/10
Fast-paced-twitch gameplay at it's finest. Treasure [
creators of Ikaruga, Gradius V, etc.] couldn't have done this better. The harder difficulties will blow your mind - but I love it and that is exactly what this kind of game should offer. The controls are ultra-responsive and slick while keeping you in
COMPLETE control of Bayonetta over the course of her mission. It is a joy to play and I can't see how it could have been done any better. Great job Platinum Games!
Sound Design: 10/10
Exemplary. The sound effects are spot-on and the soundtrack is one of the best I have
EVER heard [
read on after the game review to see why]. Everything blends together perfectly.
Replay Value: 10/10
Lots to do, discover, unlock and replay. Multiple difficulty modes assure that repeat play-throughs will be totally different and there are
tons of unlockables that will keep you gunning for the best play-through so you can achieve them!
Total: 10/10
Now, for my soundtrack review.
Here are some pictures of it:
By far, the
BEST action game soundtrack ever composed.
The music fits the action superbly and after you play the game [
for those of you that have the OST but have yet to play the game] you will see just how aptly fitting the music truly is.
Anyone that knows video games has heard or thinks that "
One-Winged Angel" from Final Fantasy VII is the best boss theme ever written; or one of them at least. Well, I am here to tell you that
ANY of the boss themes in Bayonetta blow that song
out of the water. Bayonetta has the best boss themes
I have ever heard - the production values on most of these songs is
staggering - full orchestra, real choirs, heart and soul and deep thought went into these tracks -
all of them.
There are also plenty of homage's in here to boot. Kamiya-san is most definitely a classic gamer; as is evident by the game and the accompanying songs in some of the stages [
I won't spoil them here, but rest assured you will be smiling when you hear them and see what game situations they accompany]. There are even NES-style remixes of the Bayonetta main themes [
"chip-tune" like on the Okami soundtrack] on Disc 5. Great stuff!
Most people wouldn't get this, but track 15 on Disc 3 is an
absolute homage to the end titles from the movie "
Blade Runner". I was floored while playing the game when I heard it and I was
floored again when I got the OST and was able to hear it without all the game sounds - a
truly remarkable track that
literally made my jaw drop.
Yes,
some of the themes are reminiscent of
MGS3 - another game in which Norihiko Hibino crafted some of his amazing audio bliss for the gameplay and cut-scene music - but that only made me love it
more, since I love his work on the audio side of the Metal Gear series. Bass tones are matched evenly with perfect melodies, guitar riffs and choir/vocals - I was amazed. Bayonetta's soundtrack tops the entire Devil May Cry series in one fell-swoop.
Overall: 11/10
When you play the game, you will love this soundtrack
even more than you do if you own it already. Seeing where the music falls into place during the game only heightens the experience. A truly remarkable audio feat. A must-have for any Bayonetta or action game fan.
The bottom line is that Bayonetta is
far more intense and stylish than Dante and the Devil May Cry games -
far more difficult and rewarding than Ninja Gaiden 1&2 or all the GOW games
and on par with only itself.
I don't want a sequel to Bayonetta and I only wish that this game stands on it's own against time as
the best action game ever created. It doesn't need a sequel - you will understand that after you have completed your first play-through of the game. Greatness and perfection don't need another attempt or a sequel.
To sum all this up - Bayonetta is so awesome, that even Chuck Norris would sweat while playing it - and then wear Bayonetta pajamas to bed afterward.
My Bayonetta game & Soundtrack review [spoiler free]
Linear Mode
