Bayonetta Updated Impressions

We saw more of Bayonetta's story, characters, and weapons in an all-new demo at GamesCom.

When we last saw Bayonetta, the titular demon witch with the killer hairstyle was being played on the E3 show floor. PlatinumGames' Hideki Kamiya had a brand new demo in store for us at GamesCom 2009.

What's New: Before we got to see Bayonetta in action again, we were presented with a lengthy new cutscene that answered some questions but asked many more. From what we know, Bayonetta had been sleeping for 500 years and was suddenly awoken in order to battle for forces of good. We're introduced to a new character, Luka, a debonair human who briefly met Bayonetta as a kid and has grown into a man and possible love interest for the seemingly ageless witch. Unfortunately for him, Luka and Bayonetta both exist in different dimensions, and while he can smell and hear her, he can't reach out and touch the alluring witch. Some of the cutscenes we saw used the in-game engine, while others were prerendered and had a cinematic look complete with sepia and film roll effects.

What's Different: While Bayonetta usually equips pistols on her ankles, this time around she was sporting two rocket launchers attached to her lower legs. While slow, the rockets pack a hell of a punch and can take out certain enemies with just a single round. You can also perform an ultracool handstand move where she fires both rockets at once. From what we saw, it looks like you can also lift any weapons your victims leave behind, as well as objects. At one point, we saw Bayonetta raise a car and effortlessly fling it at an enemy.

The demo ended with Bayonetta, doing battle with a monstrously large angel in midair. The menacing celestial being had a huge, faced tongue (think Aliens) and spiked tendrils. After attacking the tongue for a moment, Bayonetta was able to run up to the head and cut off the tongue in a satisfyingly bloody and brutal animation--something we've come to expect from this promising gorefest.

What's the Same: We got a chance to play the same demo that we first saw at E3 2008 and got hands-on with at E3 2009. We also saw some more witch time moments, a slow-mo mode executed by dodging attacks at the right time. From what we can tell, the ability looks like it will play an important part in the fast-paced combat.

What Impression the Game Made This Time: Bayonetta is looking great and seems to manage making ultraviolent action both rewarding and humorous. The game packs plenty of action, drama, and sass together, and while we haven't seen a lot of the story, the combat looks and feels both intuitive and fun. We look forward to getting more time with Bayonetta before its launch in early 2010.

57 Comments

  • coldsauce09

    Posted Oct 17, 2009 4:05 pm PT

    demo now availbe at japan's PSN

  • restocker

    Posted Oct 2, 2009 7:09 pm PT

    Ye, seems very DMCish...except in DMC you get ur ass handed to you if you just button mash...hopefully this is the same

  • Abaleena

    Posted Sep 4, 2009 5:01 am PT

    i think this will be alot like DMC tbh
    theyre really good games but theyre never exactly tht long
    i think this game will be worth a play but not if its too expensive
    theres only so many things u can do on these games and alot of button bashin is normally involved which is a bit borin
    im gonna keep track on this though

  • famguyfan2685

    Posted Sep 3, 2009 3:47 pm PT

    I'll have to wait and play the actual demo for this one.. I haven't downloaded it yet..

  • messtimeteacher

    Posted Aug 31, 2009 5:30 pm PT

    Besides that it seems there's little magic attacks involved in this witch game, the sexual suggestions turn me off. Rocket shooting, hmm, half naked, hmm. No thanks.
    Graphics look great though, so I keep tracking this game.

  • MERGATROYDER

    Posted Aug 29, 2009 10:56 pm PT

    Hmmm, visualy it's nice, but I don't know what to think about, when concidering what I will get for $60.

  • EvanDeWickeD

    Posted Aug 28, 2009 11:44 pm PT

    I dunno bout this 1................

  • corkyhookahking

    Posted Aug 27, 2009 10:31 pm PT

    gostrider373 i totally agree lol

  • gostrider373

    Posted Aug 27, 2009 5:41 pm PT

    it looks good so far. i hope its good in actual play aswell. aint nothin wrong playin with half naked women.? huh

  • MayMosh

    Posted Aug 27, 2009 10:46 am PT

    I expect so much from this game

  • richioso

    Posted Aug 27, 2009 8:27 am PT

    Another retard game like DMC, no thanks.

  • T_C_W

    Posted Aug 27, 2009 4:49 am PT

    i agree with some that the use of guns and or guns may just mean serious amount of button mashing

  • Jacoora

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 2:30 pm PT

    tons of potential. this is something you can work with and make huge, if you know how to carry the ball. can't wait to see what it's like

  • Dualmask

    Posted Aug 26, 2009 8:31 am PT

    @Kyuubi_Vegetto, well, I loved Royal Guard, personally. The perfect timing of the just guard and just release techniques required a lot of skill, and when mastered, it made most boss fights a cinch. I preferred Trickster for all out fun, but Royal Guard was what I used on bosses the most.

  • earl_of_nathan

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 7:36 pm PT

    people talking about dmc styles:
    i definately use gunslinger more than anything.

    anyway looks like it could be quite fun, but they should probably start looking at spells and such too along with the guns.

  • legosora73

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 4:22 pm PT

    I think this game could turn out really, really good or really, really bad.

  • Heavenly_King

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 10:04 am PT

    This game looks sweet!!

  • SillySkeleton

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 4:58 am PT

    Still hate the main character, but the Devil May Cry influence is enough to make me keep an eye on the game.

  • CARTchamp

    Posted Aug 24, 2009 11:48 pm PT

    It's Xblades without the nice ass

  • jeffv541

    Posted Aug 24, 2009 11:43 pm PT

    Generic action platforming garbage. It will sell like hotcakes.

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