Bayonetta Review for Xbox 360

System: X360, PS3	Review Rating Legend
Dev: platinumgames	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: SEGA	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Jan. 5, 2010	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Mature	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Suprisingly, the only area I wasn't completely enamored with in Bayonetta was the story. It seems like the effort was made to make Bayonetta a film-noir-meets-supernatural-whodunit, but it just doesn't work all that well. In a nutshell, Bayonetta is the last of a super clan of witches who were eradicated centuries ago. She, herself, was a victim of the witch hunts, and was sealed inside a coffin for hundreds of years at the bottom of a lake. But, now she has reawakened (taking some poor kid's dad down in the process), and though most of her memory is gone, she knows she needs to find the "Eyes of the World," and she's willing to fight Heaven, Earth, and Hell to do so.

Bayonetta screenshot

In between intense playable action sequences filled with screeching angels, explosions, and lava flows, I just couldn't find myself caring too much about Bayonetta's personal battles or her relationship with the boy who's father she inadvertently murdered (oops!). It may sound insensitive, but the story here just seems like an afterthought to the action, and I found myself impatient for the cutscenes to end so I could get back to kicking some angelic (and demonic) butt.

As far as the audio is concerned, Bayonetta is a mixed bag. The voiceover is great, and the sound effects are quite lifelike. However, the music is mediocre and forgettable. While some of the characters do have their own catchy theme music, nothing really stands out as "epic" in the sound department.

Bayonetta is an action-packed game, and if you consider yourself a fan of games like Devil May Cry or God of War, you owe it to yourself to check this one out. The gameplay really is excellent, and though the story leaves much to be desired, the excellent combat more than makes up for this shortcoming. Between epic boss battles, beautiful environments, and one badass heroine, Bayonetta is definitely the first knock-out action game of the new year and is a great title to shake off those winter blues.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.9

Graphics
Visually stunning in every aspect from the character designs to the animation.

4.1

Control
Controls are simple to learn, and though combos can be difficult to master, the game provides plenty of opportunity for practice.

3.9

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Sound effects and voice over are great, but the music is a little on the forgettable side

3.5

Play Value
The game is a little on the short side, and even though you can collect new weapons and unlock new difficulty levels, for most, one playthrough will be enough.

4.2

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

String together deadly combos and special attacks to bring down angelic enemies, including small minions and gigantic behemoths.

Rely on Scarborough Fair, a collection of four enchanted guns, plus shotguns, bazookas, and fiery claws.

Retrieve a variety of other weapons from fallen enemies.

Fill up the Magic gauge and unleash your powers to banish enemies to hell.

Use linked combo attacks and Bayonetta's hair to call demonic forces to your aid in battle.