My review
I heard of Bayonetta by looking at it's first teaser trailer and sincerely was not impressed because it just looked like a carbon copy of Devil May Cry but with a female protagonist. After the first gameplay trailers were released I still was not convienced that this is supposed to be somewhat revigorating, but just plain old DMC stuff. The comparison stigma is obvious because Bayonetta is directed by none other than Hideki Kamiya, the creator of Devil May Cry, Viewtful Joe and Okami, so I was sure that the game had at least his presentational trademark.
After more info started popping in, the gameplay mechanics started to intrigue me and I must say that all of the sudden I was interested to see if this game will flop or will be a success.
With some time before the Japanese release, I've played the demo too and even tho I knew what to expect from a game like this (and having previously finished NGS2 which was a nice smooth experience) the demo literally blew me away, and I was eager to put my hands on this game. I must confess that never had I been so impressed by demo or drastically changed my opinion after looking in the matter.
Which finally brings us to the matter at hand: the game itself. I'll try to review the experience as closely as possible without spoiling stuff away. Also keep in mind that I never went into the hype train for this one so if I use a lot of big words, I mean it.
Graphics:
The game comes on both 360 and PS3. Word around the village is that the 360 is the version to have since Platinum Games developed the game on that platform and I sincerely believe that version is better regarding framerate, textures and the rest. Since I only have the PS3 and the fps and textures are minor issues IN MY OPINION, I bought that version.
The framerate is indeed choppy in the beggining sequence aka falling clock tower but after that the experience is really great only with minor slowdowns during the end. It's indeed not as smooth as NGS2 running at that cool 60fps but it's not a slouch either with so much stuff going on screen.
Ok, with that ******** out of the way the imagery and look of the game is staggering and mindblowing.
Pretty often, action games are not really the type of game that change scenery a lot during the experience, but Bayonetta is so diverse in this aspect that it needs to be played multiple times to precisely remember all the areas and places.
The architecture, setting, designs and details are all top notch and fit the game perfectly along with it's vibrant colors and effects.
There is not much left to say here without spoiling beside the fact that it has to be seen to be believed.
Sound:
If you don't know me by now, I'm a pretty selective dude and I can skip games with weak voicework. One thing I can't stand is dubs and the omission of original VA's and also cheesy typical american voiceovers. Well, another aspect I was impressed with this one was the really solid voice acting, and especially Bayonetta's voicework suits her character perfectly, not to say the others don't get the same amount of brilliant VA's.
But what catches your ears in this game is the music which like the scenery is as diverse as it can get. I've yet to play an action game with pop music. GoW has those orchestral anthems, DMC has those rocking tunes and NGS is a mix between orchestral and techno but nothing suits the battle athmosphere better than those catchy pop songs. It's pure genious how well they blend into the overall experience. Not to say the game doesn't also include orchestral tracks that put past boss battle themes to shame and all sorts of melanges between genres. It's a total bouquet of sounds.
Presentation and Story:
Just because it's a Kamiya game this section needs to exist. First of all the theme of the game is really outsanding. The religious tones are there but in such a subtle manner that it possibly cannot offend anyone at all. I must confess that what I like most in Hideki's games is the way it introduces each character. It's futile to explain this aspect if one hasn't already played his games.
The level designs are out of this world and I seriously haven't played a game so different. When you seriously thought the game had one of those WOW moments and it's time to get back to normal it amazes you again with something else. It's full of neat surprises and really awesome mechanics.
For an action game, this one does a pretty good job of handling a story and only GoW games could top it but those are greek myths so you can't count those. The story starts strong, balances thru the experience and let's the action do the rest, dive down and finishes beautifully.
Another aspect is the sexuality of the game. What at first seemed like a fanservice and comercial purpose that made me skeptical about it prooved to be concentrated wits and pure sexyness.
I would advise all the nuns all over the internet which are constatly oooh-ing about this or that to not buy the game at all since it's not for them. I simply don't get how characters like Ivy (which is dressed like the ultra whore) among others get away with it and a character like Bayo is considered too much just because she hints at sexuality by spreading her legs. I seriously love it that she does, and I also have a fiancee, and guess what... she loves that too. I'm getting really tired of seeing these shy or chaste (I dunno the exact word for english) cybernuns complaining that this is too much and then get off on Tifa.
Gameplay:
While the gameplay looks stellar in trailers, streams, youtube vids, it's nothing compared to how it really feels in-game. I would like to say that this is where the game really shines, but every aspect shines for itself.
The amount of moves and combos is unbelievable and it even tops some fighting games. Plenty of weapons, 4 limbs to put them on, 2 sets for those 4 limbs = non-stop climax action. The combat in the game is so hectic and FUN that after you're over, you want more with the same weapons and when you grow tired of those.. you want to change and get at it again, and it's really something for an action game to keep you hooked for so long. Only Ninja Gaiden games have so much depth but can't compete in the fun aspect of it. The game literally makes the rest feel matusalemic.
But don't expect the game to be easy. Well the game is on Very easy automatic and Easy automatic (hence the automatic which randomly does combos and moves for you) but leaving those aside the game is meant to be played from normal above. Normal is not too much but no cake walk either, but after that it gets tricky without the gamer feeling the game is cheating in some way. The balance is perfect and every new difficulty ads something to the experience.
Beside the meat of combat are the torture attacks which are pretty great if you ask me and also the demonic summons climaxes which are also fun.
But the game is not all about combat. Some platforming here and there and some really nice surprises along the way make the experience even better.
What is a real inconvenience are the loading times present in the PS3 JP version because the lack of install but hopefully they will fix this in the worldwide release and patch the existing version.
There is no need for complicated conclusions. Bayonetta is the ultimate action game and it does so much good to the genre and pushes the limits so far that it's a new milestone in the history of games and like so many said before me, this game is not intense or stylish action but a new genre in itself: Climax action.
For me it's just one of the best, if not the best, experience I've had this generation.
Edit: I hope BC doesn't mind posting my review in his topic since it's not ok to make a whole new topic just for my opinions on the game.
Last edited by Booboo; 11-20-2009 at 08:32 AM.
|
Linear Mode
