Contender for best action game... ever
Dishing massive combo, triggering witch time (slow-mo, inflicting so much pain simply with classic remix of "Fly Me to The Moon" as bgm). Sold. That's just the tip of the iceberg. If you played DMC, you will be familiar with the style.
The graphic is simply beautiful. Character design is very detailed, good facial expression even supporting cast and enemy has distinct style. The background seems pulled out from some modern fantasy Victorian painting. I remind me of God of War, or DMC4 without the backtracking. Yes it has almost no backtracking, even when the same set piece is used for the second time, it'll deform or seen from another perspective, keeping the novelty intact. The framerate is very steady considering the fast action, there are some loading when changing room but instead of looking on loading screen, there is practice menu while the game load, simple thing but keep the pace along.
The game emphasis heavily on cinematic flair, the cutscene is long, while it'll probably hold the pace but it's stylish and so ridiculously waaay over-the-top is amazing. There is also film-roll style cutscene like infamous comic scene, but in rendered 3D so the hair and cloth still move while the characters stand still. Certainly interesting and original.
But unfortunately the story is mediocre, it's not gonna win any Oscar that's for sure. Most of the boss you encounter, big as they maybe, will have diarrhea of mouth, before you put them out of their misery Shadow of Colossus style. There are many repetitive flashback and some character appear out of nowhere, like they are camping there waiting for you.
The gem of this game is the combat. Tapping punch and kick in various orders will result in combo ending with Wicked Weave, it's that giant arm or leg. You can also pause in mid combo to perform different attack or hold the button for additional damage. There's also some technique like Dante famous thrust or lift, continue with air combo. Bayonetta can equip different weapons to her arms and legs, each weapon will deal different combo, with dozens of weapon combination the gameplay is quiet deep. You can also steal enemies weapon, use an axe like a boomerang, a trumpet like bazooka or a lance like striptease pole.
Unlike DMC, this game put high priority to defense. You still rush the enemy to gain points but dodging will trigger Witch Time, slow-mo for an instant making the enemy open to your attack, you will also gain magic gauge to perform torture attack. Dodging isn't your only defense move; later on you can purchase accessory that let you block enemy attack or technique that turn you to swarm of bat when hit. For masochist out there, you'll like torture attack, when you have one magic gauge filled, you can summon assortment of medieval executioner tool like iron maiden or guillotine and shove your enemy in them. More over the top is Climax attack when facing bigger foes or boss; Bayonetta strips and summon unholy creature then reducing the enemies to bloody pulp. Definitely not for children.
Bayonetta is broken into 19 chapters, each chapter is broken into verse, it's how many encounter piece in one chapter, usually each chapter is 10-12 verse. You get various medal on each verse depends on how much combo you raked, time taken and damage taken. Some verse are in form of Alfheim stage, challenge stage with various objective like limited attack, using only Wicked Weave, etc in limited time. The rewards for Alfheim are broken witch heart or moon pearl to increase your max health or mana, respectively.
The sound department is not bad either. The sound effect is spot on, sword clash, gun blazing are believable. I don't know how angels or demons sound like but probably like this. The dubbing is great, Bayonetta sounds like arrogant European lady, Rodin sounds like Morpheus on crack, Luka sounds like.. some dude and the bosses sound like they choke on some food. They give this game some life of their own, granted the writing is cheesy and silly at times but you'll chuckle when Rodin imitate the merchant from RE4 "Whaddya buyin'". Soundtrack is great, mix of jazz, pop, opera, classic and some rock. It will get you pumping for the fight.
Now the bad thing. The camera sometime can't keep with the fast pace action, especially in fights with big guys, ranged or aerial foes it's hard to keep track where your enemies are. Also when using torture attack on one of the enemy, the camera zooms in for cinematic feel but take your view from the enemy. It's not deal breaking but sometime it's annoying to get hit from blind side.
There are also some game segments that awkward, like the motorcycle chase or the missile raid. Imagine SEGA old arcade aeroplane shoot'em up. Motor isn't so bad but missile part will make you queasy, the thing is when you press dodge button the missile and the camera rotate 360 degree. Do that 5 times and i wish it wasn't on the game.
Bayonetta is one of the best games in current generation. It's fun, addictive and lenghty. This game can take 12-15 hours to finish normal, then you unlock hard and gallery consist of character 3D model, jukebox, concept art and Bayonetta dancing video. There a bunch of collectible and costumes, that will keep you entertain. Replay and production value is high. This game is not perfect but it certainly stands among title like Batman Arkham Asylum or, dare i say God of War. This game definitely worth your time and money