Lets get the negativeness out of the way first. I cannot recommend this game to those who do not enjoy beat em ups in its most hardcore form. Although the difficulty is way too perfect for any type of player, it is best enjoyed in its upper difficulties. Secondly, this game is just that. A high-profile beat em up. There is no particularly remarkable trait to it that will set it completely apart from its brethren, just small tweaks and ideas which will make you remember the gameplay long after it is over. If you are not a big fan of this genre, you might tire out after failing in the successive levels and there is no pristine redeeming quality that will make you come back to it after you have seen the first few hours.
Now for the ones who are like me, who enjoy a hack and slash with oomph, glaze and balls of the size of a town hall, you have found the game that will solidify your love for this genre. Bayonetta knows itself and knows itself well. It polishes and evens out any creases that games like Devil May Cry might have left behind by further rewarding fast and stylish fighting. The story is very much likable for anyone, a typical Japanese afternoon drama involving children, lost parents, demons, angels, huge monsters - you know the type. Yet despite your (apparent) maturity, you will still enjoy the progression of the story as it plays out wonderfully with the game, and you will certainly enjoy the development of the main character, as later on in the game you will feel like the complete badass you are entitled to feel after going through hordes of enemies. But even for newbies, the combat system is simple enough to learn a few combos, get the snow rolling and then learn the rest to accentuate your style further, without taking bumps and bruises along the way due to the difficulty (are you listening to me, Devil May Cry 3?). Buttering up the basic combat is Bayonetta's attitude which never takes a back seat, even mid combat, where she boasts her skills using sexual innuendos and downright funny gestures which will keep your eyes glued to the screen despite anything that goes on. The fighting is less of a brawl and more like a dance, as each of her attacks look impeccably strung together gracefully at the same time inflicting generous damage to the enemies, the Lumen Sages who are angels. Thats right, you fight angels as a witch youself (an outcast of the order of Umbran Witches) - not the typical twist you were expecting right ?
The boss battles serve as the cherry on the cake that is the many levels which are filled with fast paced fighting , puzzle solving, freezing time as each boss battle will take time to scout and take advantage of weak points on the otherwise apparently invincible behemoths who will take up 80% of your screen.
After spending time leveling up your character in the typical fashion, pummeling angels to the dust you will feel in control of the dynamics of the game and will be eager to finish the story to see the ending. That is the biggest compliment I can give to a typical beat em up, that even after grinding through the otherwise spotless artistic style of gameplay you will actually be entertained enough to see off the story just to see how Bayonetta rides off into the sunset.