Bayonetta 3 Review

Introduction

Hack-and-slash action games are great for passing the time, and Bayonetta games are a staple of this genre. The series developed by a Japanese game studio has all the things you usually expect from a Japanese game. It is fast-paced action-adventure game series with stunning visuals and unique characters. Bayonetta 3 is the latest entry in the series, and after being released is getting strong hype.

If you are a Bayonetta series fan and want to know more about Bayonetta 3, here is the game’s detailed review.

• Game Details
• What is New
• Story
• Visuals
• Game Play

Part 1: Bayonetta 3: Game Details

The newly released Bayonetta 3 is the third entry into the Bayonetta series. It was announced in 2017 during The Games Awards 2017 and was released in late 2022. The full game details are given below:

Part 2: Bayonetta 3: What is New

The last Bayonetta game was released in 2014, so the expectations from this long-awaited sequel were high. Luckily Bayonetta 3, for the most part, delivers on these expectations. It contains many new details in the game and improves many things. There is now a new playable character named Viola, and the storyline is quite different from the previous two games.

The combat system has been improved by adding two new mechanics, Demon Slave and Demon Masquerade. It also introduces a new “Naive Angel Mode,” in which game nudity is censored. Maps in the game are bigger and offer more exploration options. The new game has many side games, collectibles, trials, and challenges.

Part 3: Bayonetta 3: Story

Nowadays, the concept of a multiverse seems popular in games and movies, and Bayonetta 3 has also adopted it. Unlike the previous two editions, there are no angel/demon attacks, and the main story concern fighting man-made monsters called Homunculi and an entity named “Singularity.” While the new players might enjoy the new story, it is pretty disappointing for die-hard fans of the series.

The story and lore developed in Bayonetta and Bayonetta 2 regarding Umbra Witches, Angels, and Demons, and their conflict seems to be gone. It is replaced by a new confusing lore where many things are not explained, like who created Homunculi? Bayonetta 3’s story revolves around Viola, who is from an alternate universe after her universe is destroyed.

Story progress after she transports to this universe and, along with Bayonetta, start the fight to defeat Singularity and save the multi-universe. The player needs to collect all of Chaos Gears before Singularity can get hold of them and use them to defeat Singularity.

Part 4: Bayonetta 3: Visuals

Like other popular Japanese games, the Bayonetta series has always been known for its stunning visuals. Bayonetta 3 continues to be a visually fantastic game with excellent scenes and views that feels like perhaps Nintendo Switch isn’t the proper platform for it. The titular character Bayonetta and her partners, Jeanne and Viola, provides stunning battle visuals for you to enjoy.

With the addition of the multiverse in the game, you get to meet each universe’s Bayonetta, each with her unique presence. Although the enemies in the game, Homunculi, seem boring and linear initially, the enemy visuals and battles grow more breathtaking as the game progresses. Despite being visually a great game, it is lacking in some departments.

Camera controls are one of the main weaknesses in the game. With the addition of new battle mechanics, camera performance seems to have taken a major hit. In many battle scenes, it is hard to see Bayonetta as she seems to blend in with everything happening on the screen. Demons, when summoned, rarely appear full in the camera, and when they do, it seems more like they are blocking the screen.

Part 5: Bayonetta 3: Gameplay

Gameplay is the strongest point of the new Bayonetta 3, and it is good enough to overshadow the game’s weaknesses easily. The best part of the new gameplay is the introduction of a new playable character Viola. She brings a refreshing change to the gameplay. While not as comprehensive as Bayonetta, she has her own unique strength.

She is an Umbra witch-in-training, and her witch time can be triggered by parrying the enemy attacks rather than dogging them, as for Bayonetta. Her main weapon is a sword that can deploy ferocious combos of sword attacks. Her demon slave is a big cat named Cheshire, and when it is summoned, Viola shifts to fist-style combat from sword-style.

The game also introduces two new game mechanics in the combat system. First one is Demon Slave, which allows you to summon demons and use them in your battles freely. You can also control them, and they have their own skill trees. However, when controlling summoned demons, your character becomes immobile and defenseless.

Many steps have been taken to stop this feature from becoming overpowered. A rage meter shows the demon’s anger at being summoned, which, if exceeded, will make it your enemy. If a monster is killed, there is a long cool-down period, and the resummoning cost is also more significant.

Demon Masquerade is the ability that allows Bayonetta to fuse directly with summoned monsters. It allows her to gain certain magic-based abilities and new attack moves. Depending on the demon you choose to fuse with, this ability could allow you to land devastating attacks on enemies.

Conclusion

Bayonetta 3, after playing and testing all its new features and gimmicks, can be called the best game in the Bayonetta series. Though it lacks a bit in story and camera controls, its gameplay makes up for it. The overall game is a delightful and fast-paced hack-and-slash like the previous two installments in this series.