Japanese game developers do really have a very different mentality from the rest of other developers. From the moment you start playing a game made by Japanese developers, the game gives you the feel that you are going to experience something different from western made videogames. Bayonetta is no different, in fact, if there is only one game -other than Japanese Role Playing games- that can showcase the mentality of Japanese videogames developers, Bayonetta would be that game.
 

Over the top action, Japanese pop music, and sexual themes are some of the things you are going to see in Bayonetta. Ok, we might have seen this before, so what is unique about Bayonetta then, you ask? The fact that Bayonetta has mixed these elements so brilliantly is a feat in its self, nothing feels forced, it’s all done naturally within the game. But this isn’t the full story here, playing Bayonetta makes you remember the fact that you are playing a videogame; it isn’t trying to be an epic movie, nor to be melodramatic.
 
 

The game’s story revolves around an amnesiac witch, who awoke after a 500 year sleep and found herself with no memories of who or what she is. As the story of the game progresses, she will start to get her memories piece by piece. The story in this game has some depth, and it will keep you interested until you see it through to the end. Some of the plot details in the game won’t be explained through the game cut scenes, so if you want to have a better explanation of Bayonetta’s world and story, you have to read the notes (Antonio notes) which are scattered within the game’s levels. Though, the game doesn’t take its self too seriously, the cut scenes are over the top and most of the time comical.

The gameplay in Bayonetta is what makes this game so enjoyable. As it features one of the best combat systems in the genre. Bayonetta, the game heroine can perform lots of devastating attacks. The list of moves in this game is impressive. With lots of combos and variations. “Witch Time” which activates when the player makes a well-timed dodge to an attack is a very great gameplay mechanism. This temporarily slows time to allow Bayonetta to inflict massive amounts of counter damage before the enemies can react. The game also has some very well animated finishing moves (Torture Moves) that can be triggered whenever the magic bar is filled. The game keeps things fresh by introducing new enemies and giving the player new tools to kill them. While the emphasis of the game is on the combat, there are some platforming and puzzle solving to be done. Puzzle solving in Bayonetta isn’t too complex, as they revolves around evading a bolt of lightning to activate “witch time” in order to reach some areas, or stepping on platforms to open doors. There are some segments in the game that resembles some of Sega classic games; one of these segments plays exactly like Yu Suzuki classic game, Space Harrier. Another segment puts Bayonetta to ride a motorcycle, which also resemble another cult classic, Hang On. these segments are fun to play, as they also provide a throwback to the golden age of Sega.
 

Now lets talk about the incredible boss fights in this game. The size of the boss enemies in this game are some of the biggest you are going to encounter in an action game. They are big, ugly, and a lot of fun to kill. One of my favorites boss fights in the game is the fight with the tentacled monster. In order to kill him, you have to get on one of his many heads and keep running until you arrive at his weak point (reminded me a bit of Shadow of the Colossus). Killing the Boss enemies isn’t a walk in the park in Bayonetta, as the bosses will give you some hard time, but at the same time these fights never feel cheap or unfair. The final blow to a monster boss won’t be a normal attack, as Bayonetta will summon one of her many monsters from her hair to kill the enemy for once and for all.
 
 

 
 

Killing the game’s enemies will make them drop some loots, the most important are Halos (Sonic precious rings anyone?). Halos are the game’s currency which can be used to purchase new items, moves and more. To do so, you have to visit Rodin, the owner of the Gates of Hell bar. Do you remember the freaky person who sells you items and upgrades for weapons in Resident Evil 4? Rodin acts like him in Bayonetta, in fact he drops a joke about this by saying “Whadya buyin? Heard it once in a game.” Another way to gain some halos is by finishing the game missions, the better you play, the more halos you will gain. It’s all depends on your performance. Between missions, you will play a shooting mini game. If you manage to win enough points, you can exchange these points with items or with more Halos.
 

Graphically, the game looks great with some cool environments to play in. The Character models are well detailed and enemies design are unique. Rain, heavy blowing wind, and incredible visual effects keep the game environments fresh and alive. The action in Bayonetta moves at a staggering speed and the game runs at a steady frame rate, but sometimes when the action get hectic, the frame rate dips a bit which results into some slowdown. Another annoying issue in the game’s visuals is the presence of screen tearing. Though these issues are there to stay, they don’t ruin the experience by any means. The game’s soundtrack is catchy and sometimes very epic.
 

It took me 13 hours to finish the game for the first time on Normal difficulty and that without finishing most of the side challenges in the game. There are 21 side challenges (Alfheim missions) and if you manage to do them all, you will unlock a Survival Mode (Lost Chapter – Angel Slayer) just like the Bloody Palace in Devil May Cry games. I have spent over 25 hours playing the game, and I still not getting tired of it. Bayonetta has tons of replay value.

Bayonetta is a great achievement. Kamiya and the folks at Platinum games have had created an amazing game with lots of action and great set pieces. Bayonetta is a breath of fresh air to the industry that gives more hope for what to come in the future. Action beat em up fans behold the new king of the genre, Bayonetta.
 

Update: The score has been updated. After playing the game multiple times, we felt that this game deserves a higher score because of the high replay value of the game. The original score was 9.4, now it’s 9.5.
 

Score: (9.5/10)