Originally published at: A Riveting Review of Bayonetta 3's Epic Battles - People of Con
Author: Greg Lozano
How do you rejuvenate one of the most celebrated action games? That’s a question Hideki Kamiya and the team at Platinum Games tackled with gusto, taking the renowned Bayonetta franchise to new heights. Known for its extraordinary cinematics and explosive gameplay, Bayonetta 3 remains true to its roots while providing an original twist: high-octane Kaiju battles, adding thrill to the usual fast-paced action.
Like its predecessors, Bayonetta 3 maintains intuitive combos and demands highly responsive reflexes. However, combo modifications encourage players to experiment with new weapons rather than relying on the strongest. As ever, nimble and combo-intensive players are rewarded with medals based on speed, evasion, and combo counts per verse. Anyone familiar with Platinum Games will recognize and appreciate this mechanic. Additionally, hidden challenges are sprinkled throughout, incentivizing replayability.
The Bayonetta franchise has always kept gameplay fresh by diversifying levels. Bayonetta 3 stays true to this approach, introducing the ability to play as three characters: Bayonetta, Jeanne, and Violet. Bayonetta, armed with powerful weapons and summons, shines in the Kaiju battles. Jeanne offers fun side-scrolling action segments that contrast with the other characters. Meanwhile, Violet’s combat style, reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid: Revengence, will feel familiar to fans of that game due to her parry-style gameplay.
In summary, Bayonetta 3 celebrates its identity as an over-the-top, exhilarating action game that stands apart from the crowd. I was engrossed throughout and eagerly anticipated more fresh and exciting installments.
My rating? 4.5 / 5. Few games captivate me, as this franchise consistently does.