After eight long years, PlatinumGames has delivered a sequel to the popular series that successfully celebrates the original while also addressing some of the critiques leveled against it. Though there are still some issues with pacing and focus, this is a great addition to the series.
Pros and Cons
Pros
+Combat really sings
+Smart narrative frame
+Solid performance on Switch
Cons
-Mission pacing is uneven
-Suffers when focus shifts away from Bayonetta
It’s been eight years since the release of the last Bayonetta game, and during that time, fans have been teased with the possibility of a sequel. The anticipation and excitement for Bayonetta 3 has been building for almost a decade. But when I finally had the chance to play the game on Switch, it was like a spell had been cast, transporting me back to the world of Bayonetta and making it feel like no time had passed at all.
For fans of the series who have been eagerly awaiting the return of Bayonetta, this should come as a huge relief. The game lives up to the expectations and delivers an experience that feels familiar and comfortable, yet also fresh and exciting. However, it’s important to remember that, as with any dealings involving the dark arts, this return to the world of Bayonetta does come with its own cost. The game deals with themes of magic and the supernatural, and there may be some intense or disturbing moments. Nonetheless, for fans of the series who have been eagerly anticipating the release of Bayonetta 3, the wait was definitely worth it.
Bayonetta 3 performs exceptionally well on the Switch, much to the relief of Switch owners. The fast-paced combat featuring the agile witch feels smooth and responsive on the system. Although there were a few minor issues, they were infrequent and did not detract from the overall gameplay experience, which has been enhanced with additional features and demons to fight. While some graphical concessions have been made, particularly in certain, crowded sequences, the visual direction of the game is still captivating and in line with the previous Bayonetta games released on the Switch.
Bayonetta 3 is a truly sensory experience, thanks in part to its innovative narrative conceit. When a new and strange threat attacks Earth, Bayonetta must step up to save not only her world but as many others as she can. known as homunculi, these evil creatures put the entire multiverse in peril, which means Bayonetta must travel through dimensions to kick their butts.
One of the aspects of the Bayonetta games that I have always enjoyed is the diverse range of environments in which the action takes place. Bayonetta 3 continues this tradition by introducing multiple worlds beyond the main character’s own, which can be accessed through a linear, mission-based structure. These worlds include a Tokyo under attack by giant Homunculi monsters, sandy Egyptian ruins, and an Ancient China-themed world filled with lava. In addition to the multiple worlds, there are also multiple versions of Bayonetta present in the game. Despite being the third entry in the series, Bayonetta 3 manages to capture the magic and excitement of the franchise, much like the movie Into the Spiderverse, and feels like a celebration of everything that has come before it.
Jeanne makes a return in Bayonetta 3, and players will be able to take control of her in new side-scrolling stealth missions. While this may seem like an odd choice for the game, the missions are arcadey and fun enough. However, there are a few annoying sequences that can set players back a few minutes. These missions are still enjoyable, but they can get in the way of the best part of Bayonetta 3. This is a flaw that occurs multiple times throughout the game and slightly takes away from the otherwise great experience.
Bayonetta 3 is a great example of how to take a established genre and put a unique spin on it. The game’s director, Hideki Kamiya, also worked on the very first Devil May Cry game. While there are many similarities between the two series, such as individually ranked fights and missions, two-button attack combos, and buying core upgrades with an earnable currency. There are also key differences. For instance, Bayonetta’s dodge move allows her to activate Witch Time which temporarily slows enemies down. Additionally, the huge combo menu gives players a lot of expressive power.
While Bayonetta 3 has a lot of great features, there are some pacing issues that can kill the fun. Missions tend to feel longer than they actually are, and some levels have large open areas that act as hubs for collectible puzzles. These areas can be tough to traverse, thanks to the Demon Masquerade that allows Bayonetta to fuse with whichever demon is powering her equipped weapon. This gives her some zippy movement powers, but it doesn’t make the platforming challenges any easier. Pacing issues aside, Bayonetta 3 is a great game.
Missions in this game often have sections that are tedious to replay, whether it’s a platforming challenge or a slower-paced puzzle. Checkpoints exist when replaying missions, but this does not completely solve the problem for a genre whose appeal has always been the ability to hop back in and blast through sequences of fights again. In comparison to other games like Assassin Creed Vallhala, where almost every level is a blast to play through, this often left me feeling disappointed and uninterested.
Bayonetta’s new Demon Slaves technique has been getting a lot of attention recently. Some people might think that these huge, slow-moving creatures would make fights more tedious. However, they actually complement Bayonetta’s fast-paced moves quite well. Since the Homunculi are not angels, Bayonetta has more direct control over them. She possesses a unique form of magic that allows her to use dance as a weapon. By performing specific dance moves, she is able to cast spells that can root her enemies in place, preventing them from moving or attacking. She can also use this magic to summon creatures or other beings onto the battlefield to fight alongside her. This dance-magic is a formidable and powerful ability that gives her an edge in combat. They have their own skill trees and unique moves, and can be directed to attack while she sets up her next move. This way, two rhythms become one.
In the game Bayonetta, the player can equip three demons, which can be switched between during combat using the D-pad. They all have different uses. For example, Gomorrah and Madama Butterfly are quite basic, but they quickly get more advanced. Malphas can deliver tornado-like gusts, Baal can bank a sequence of four operatic melodies to rain down acid that hits all enemies, and Gouon slows down time while you can also draw ethereal train tracks on the screen, marking the points for your summoned demon’s powerful attacks.
The weapons in Bayonetta 3 are less creative than in the previous games. Instead of being able to equip different weapons to her hands and feet, each of the two gear sets has only one unified weapon. However, this does not take away from the fun of the game. The Demon Masquerade moves are still there, and they provide plenty to learn.
Although the larger-than-life demons and Homunculi can be overwhelming, they don’t quite match up to the first two games angels. Sometimes it can be difficult to respond to all the different attacks because of the visual and auditory variation.Angels appear as bonus enemies in some fights, and they’re still satisfying to battle by dodging and weaving at the right time.
You don’t just play as Bayonetta in fights here–newcomer Viola also gets her own chapters. Viola, who hails from another dimension and serves as a kind of guide, is a foil to Bayonetta in both appearance and combat style. While Bayonetta has a more traditional, dark witch aesthetic, Viola boasts a pop-punk look. In terms of fighting, Viola uses a demon sword called Mabu-Dachi to execute combos that can be charged up into powerful attacks by holding down the attack button. This combines swipes with hurls of the weapon or well-aimed darts. She can also summon a Demon Slave, but instead of being rooted to the spot, it’s the grinning, patchwork cat Cheshire who becomes leashed to wherever the demon sword lands. This leaves Viola free to run around and fight with her fists.
Viola’s use of Witch Time is one of the biggest differences between her and Bayonetta. With Bayonetta, you can still dodge enemy attacks. However, Viola has to time her taps on the R button perfectly to deflect a strike. The amount of slow-down you get depends on how well-timed your button presses are. This can be difficult for Viola, as parrying is harder to execute than dodging and she has a slower fighting style than Bayonetta. Additionally, some of the enemies Viola fights are better suited to be dodged rather than locked in battle with. This makes it hard to get into a combat rhythm as Viola, especially considering she has fewer missions than Bayonetta. Another issue is that going from tapping ZR to activate Witch Time to R can be confusing for your muscle memory. This can mean that when you switch from one character to the other, you can feel all thumbs for a few minutes.
The implementation of this parry is a bit odd, as Bayonetta already has a parry system in place with the optional accessory, the Moon of Mahaa-Kalaa. With this accessory, you can counterattack and activate Witch Time by pressing the left-stick in the direction of the incoming attack. Though it’s riskier to pull off, the accessory is still available in Bayonetta 3. I found it just as viable to use with Viola, and ended up using it for her final missions. Although Viola’s combat brings some refreshing changes, ultimately the highly fluid and dynamic gameplay of Bayonetta proves to be more enjoyable.
Bayonetta is still the star of the show, which is great. She is a joy to play and watch as always. Jennifer Hale does a good job voicing her, but it’s disappointing that Hellena Taylor has been recast. Having the original voice actor would have made the celebratory narrative much more impactful.
Bayonetta is more fun than ever to play with in combat, thanks to some smart changes to her role as a summoner. However, some of the same issues that plagued earlier games in the series are still present here. Bayonetta is at her best when she is allowed to just do her own thing, and she can be quite fun to watch even if she isn’t always nice. Thanks for everything, Bayonetta!
FAQ:
Q: What is Bayonetta 3?
A: Bayonetta 3 is the latest installment in the popular action game series developed by PlatinumGames. It features fast-paced combat and a variety of environments for players to explore.
Q: When was Bayonetta 3 released?
A: Bayonetta 3 was released on the Nintendo Switch on February 11, 2021.
Q: What are the gameplay mechanics of Bayonetta 3?
A: Bayonetta 3 features fast-paced combat that allows players to execute combos and use magic abilities to defeat enemies. It also includes multiple worlds to explore and side-scrolling stealth missions.
Q: Is Bayonetta 3 suitable for all ages?
A: Bayonetta 3 is rated M for Mature due to its themes of magic and the supernatural, as well as intense or disturbing moments. It may not be suitable for all ages.
Q: Is Bayonetta 3 only available on the Nintendo Switch?
A: Yes, Bayonetta 3 is currently only available on the Nintendo Switch.
