Bayonetta Review (Xbox 360, PS3)
Alice Fisher | Staff Writer
Issue date: 1/6/10 Section: Lifestyles
Have you ever watched an in-game cutscene and wished that your character could pull off those ridiculously awesome moves? Bayonetta, developed by Platinum Games and created by Hideki Kamiya (the Devil May Cry series) for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, is the answer to those desires and plans to begin 2010 on a very explosive note.
You play as the beautiful-yet-sassy Umbran witch, Bayonetta, who has been asleep in a coffin for 500 years. Awakening with no memory of her former life, she goes on a journey to seek out a stone known as the Right Eye and to find some answers to her mysterious past. Bayonetta is calm, collected and never second guesses herself. Although there has been some controversy about Bayonetta's sexuality, most female players probably won't be offended by it, as it never comes off as degrading and Bayonetta is never objectified. There are a few scenes that may suggest otherwise, but Bayonetta is reminiscent of a time period of awakened sexuality.
Although Bayonetta is a great character, the story told in the game doesn't do her justice. It makes about as much sense as reading the entire collection of Shakespeare in another language. There are some very humorous moments, but this is a game that's not here to change the world, more like be entertainment for entertainment's sake.
But, of course, most players don't play a game for the story and instead are more concerned about the action, which there is plenty of. Bayonetta can pull off her standard punch and kick, but it's her Wicked Weave finishers that will have you coming back for more. With these moves the heroine morphs her hair into some spectacularly oversized creature to eat the bosses. Yes, her hair eats them. It can also morph into a fist or a stiletto heel as a finishing move. Additionally, Bayonetta has weapons on her hands and feet. There's one move in which Bayonetta is doing a handstand and firing enemies in a complete 360-degree rotation. Players will probably abuse this move often if only to keep asking, "How does that work?"
You play as the beautiful-yet-sassy Umbran witch, Bayonetta, who has been asleep in a coffin for 500 years. Awakening with no memory of her former life, she goes on a journey to seek out a stone known as the Right Eye and to find some answers to her mysterious past. Bayonetta is calm, collected and never second guesses herself. Although there has been some controversy about Bayonetta's sexuality, most female players probably won't be offended by it, as it never comes off as degrading and Bayonetta is never objectified. There are a few scenes that may suggest otherwise, but Bayonetta is reminiscent of a time period of awakened sexuality.
Although Bayonetta is a great character, the story told in the game doesn't do her justice. It makes about as much sense as reading the entire collection of Shakespeare in another language. There are some very humorous moments, but this is a game that's not here to change the world, more like be entertainment for entertainment's sake.
But, of course, most players don't play a game for the story and instead are more concerned about the action, which there is plenty of. Bayonetta can pull off her standard punch and kick, but it's her Wicked Weave finishers that will have you coming back for more. With these moves the heroine morphs her hair into some spectacularly oversized creature to eat the bosses. Yes, her hair eats them. It can also morph into a fist or a stiletto heel as a finishing move. Additionally, Bayonetta has weapons on her hands and feet. There's one move in which Bayonetta is doing a handstand and firing enemies in a complete 360-degree rotation. Players will probably abuse this move often if only to keep asking, "How does that work?"
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