If you told me 10 years ago that a game called Bayonetta would be in my top 10 games I’ve ever played list and top 5 musical soundtracks list, I would have called you a liar or a mad man. Now 10 years later, Bayonetta still holds a special place in my heart.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, I want to share how I was first introduced to Bayonetta. Rewind to 2011. During the summer of my sophomore year in college, my friends and I were looking for lewd but shocking games. Previously, we had recently completed Star Wars the Force Unleashed and Dead or Alive Xtreme 2.
With those two titles complete, we took a trip to our local Gamestop. The employee at the time asked us what we had recently played so we informed him of those two afformentioned titles. The employee proceeded to recommend Catherine, L.A. Noire, and Death Smiles II (the only reason I remember that is due to writing them down on the receipt). Although all three titles sounded interesting, we did not want to buy a brand new game. So we then proceeded to ask what pre-owned games were similar to the previous two titles. His response was simple; he recommended Bayonetta. His selling line was this, if you take the hack and slash style of Force Unleashed and add a sexy woman in a tight outfit then you have Bayonetta.
We were sold! To this day, I do not regret that purchase.
Bayonetta 10 Year Anniversary Review
For those who have missed out, Bayonetta is an action-adventure hack and slash game developed by Platinum Games; the game was created as a female lead alternative to Devil May Cry. Bayonetta is the story of an Umbra Witch who is suffering from memory loss. As the game unfolds, Bayonetta is treated to glimpses of her past while fighting off a heavenly onslaught. She is chased by a curious reporter called Luka and another witch. Throughout the levels, a voice guides our angel killing witch, pushing her forward. The overall plot of the game seems rather chaotic as new characters get introduced frequently. The most outlandish part of the game comes when a little girl calls Bayonetta her mother.
For those who have not played through the first Bayonetta, we will not spoil the different plot twists.
Gameplay
The game is predominantly a hack and slash style with the exception of a mini-game called Angel Attack. Angel Attack occurs after the player completes a level. The player is tasked with shooting different angels to earn points, similar to a shooting gallery. Depending on how the player performs, the player can choose a variety of items to aid them through the story. Most notably a Blue Witch’s Heart can be purchased to extend the player’s health bar (40).
The overall combat of Bayonetta is rather simple. Use your guns or other weapons to kill attacking angels and dodge at the last minute to trigger Witch Time; Witch Time, slows time during combat, allowing the player to unload a series of devastating attacks on their enemies. The duration of Witch Time is determined based on stored magical energy. Magical energy is gained by either picking up items or dodging at the last second; it is lost when Bayonetta is hit during combat. Stored magical energy can be used to unleash Torture Attacks. Torture Attacks will damage one specific angel for a certain amount of damage; said damage is determined by how fast you can pound a button. An alternate version called Climax is used to damage or finish boss fights.
At the end of each level, the player is awarded Halos and a score based on their performance. Deaths, items used, combos, clear time, and battles completed determine that score. Players will be granted a trophy ranging from stone to pure platinum. As you play through, you will notice that a few circles will be blank. These blanks are due to the Alfheim portals, which are challenges that test the player’s abilities. Overall the core gameplay of Bayonetta is still rather enjoyable ten years after the game’s release.
Controls
Bayonetta’s controls are rather unique compared to most games. Although, the player does not have the option to remap the controller which can be rather frustrating. Lock-on is controlled by the right bumper while resetting the camera is controlled by pushing in the right stick. Players have the opportunity to rotate between two weapon slots and taunt enemies. Oddly, shooting during combat uses the X button instead of the common right trigger, which is used to evade. Combos are decided based on how the player weaves their weapon 1 and weapon 2 attacks.
Typically, we put camera controls and angling into the gameplay section; however; Bayonetta‘s camera affects the controls drastically. When you are trying to fight enemies, the camera pulls you in awkward directions which makes combat more difficult. We wish that Platinum Games had updated the graphics to be more user-friendly within the last ten years, sadly it was not meant to be. Once you get used to the controller’s layout, the game throws you a curveball by introducing new abilities. Most Boss fights within the game are massive, taking up the full screen. Sadly, the awkward camera angles can make these large boss battles rather difficult.
Music and Sound
Bayonetta’s soundtrack is the key ingredient that has me coming back for more. It’s addictive how catchy these songs can be. Although the combat sound effects could be updated slightly, the cutscene’s sound effects are still decent quality with only a few eyebrow raises during this playthrough. Attempting to put all biases aside, Helena Noguerra’s adaptation of Fly Me to the Moon brings a modern rendition of Frank Sinatra’s song to the modern era. For players who enjoy the soundtrack, a Sound Jukebox is available in the extras section of the title screen. For those who are a fan of music videos, a Let’s Dance Boys video has been re-rendered.
Graphics
Bayonetta’s Graphics are satisfactory but not amazing. When playing throughout a level, the game feels more like an HD upscaling rather than a graphics overall. The shadows in the game are a bit of an obstacle to maneuver around. The shading in levels can make it difficult to dodge attacks in a timely manner and can even have effects overlap. At multiple points in the game, the player is required to drive a vehicle through the level. All the visual effects that occur can be overwhelming and for those who have an issue with strobing lights or blurring from rapid pixel changes, these sequences can be a nightmare.
As I was playing through the game, there were multiple fights where I screamed, “Did that really just hit me or how did I get hit by that?” After rewatching the gameplay I recorded I still questioned how certain things managed to connect, which at times became infuriating. Agitated by my failures, I decided to boot up Bayonetta on the 360 and was able to clear the level as if I was walking through an open meadow. It is sad that an older rendition of the game is easier to play in comparison to the modern adaptation.
Replay Value
The ten year anniversary of Bayonetta definitely brings back nostalgic times; however, that’s all it really does. It gives the player the opportunity to replay a game that they previously loved with updated graphics. The player can choose between very easy to normal at first to complete the story, but Hard and Infinite Climax mode are locked behind game completions. If you are a completionist, the game does offer a decent amount of replayability. If you are a casual player who is just looking to experience a story with unique ways to play, Bayonetta provides minimal opportunity.
Conclusion
Overall, it was great playing the ten-year anniversary edition of Bayonetta; it felt like catching up with an old friend. An old friend you promise to keep in touch with but remember fondly until the next reunion. The story and voice acting for the game allows the audience to be immersed in the universe while preparing them for the wild ride that is about to take place. If you are considering picking up the 10 Year Anniversary of Bayonetta and Vanquish, you should contemplate how much you loved these two titles. If you are not a devout follower or even on great terms than the bundle might not be an immediate pickup.
The story of Bayonetta is impactful where it leaves the player guessing. It is not until the end that players fully understand what all has transpired and they will likely question if they could have seen this all coming? The characters are well portrayed and each voice actor gives a stellar performance. The end of the first game leaves open the opportunity for more but makes you wonder, who’s next?
What do you think of Bayonetta? Are you eagerly awaiting the release of Bayonetta 3? Let us know in the comments below or on our social media channels.
A copy of The 10th Anniversary Edition of Bayonetta was provided by SEGA for review purposes. For additional information on Vanquish check out Alex’s review by clicking here. If you like puzzles and dramatic stories, you can also check out my review of Catherine: Full Body.
