{"id":129609,"date":"2022-11-16T16:03:17","date_gmt":"2022-11-16T08:03:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/d27fq2mgp64qlg.cloudfront.net\/en\/?p=129609"},"modified":"2022-11-16T16:03:21","modified_gmt":"2022-11-16T08:03:21","slug":"bayonetta-3-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d27fq2mgp64qlg.cloudfront.net\/en\/post\/129609\/bayonetta-3-review","title":{"rendered":"Bayonetta 3 Review – A Smooth and Stylish Beat \u2018Em Up with Surprises in Store"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Years of waiting have finally ended for fans of the Bayonetta<\/a><\/strong> franchise, who can dust off preorders made after 2018\u2019s Bayonetta 2. The franchise\u2019s infamously fast and flashy beat-\u2019em-up combat, mixing swords, guns, and hair-based witchcraft, is executed flawlessly in the follow-up title and turned into a true spectacle with new weapon movesets offering tantalizing demonic attacks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compared to its predecessors, the story in this entry can drag, and the visuals will not impress, but an innovative gameplay design creates an experience polished and impossible to predict. For newcomers and veterans alike, Bayonetta 3 is not only a fast-paced, responsive, and deep action-adventure entry, but also gaming\u2019s greatest demon water skiing experience, with many other genre-bending surprises in store. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u258d<\/span>A Lackluster Story to Include All Familiar Faces<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Bayonetta 3, the titular witch returns for a dimension-crossing romp with characters new and old. Bioweapons called Homunculi to arrive from other worlds, led by a creature called Singularity, with the goal of collapsing all timelines and dimensions together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the premise sounds cliche, that\u2019s because the game\u2019s story is essentially an excuse to include visual setpieces and characters across alternate dimensions. Characters fight the Homunculi and traverse worlds without clear narrative justification or character development. A newcomer to the franchise is likely to feel lost among the familiar faces, while veterans will be disappointed in the minimal character development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u258d<\/strong><\/span>Stunning Visual Style, Subpar Graphics, and Character Models<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Visually, the game is choppy. Character models are rigid, too glossy, and not expressive enough. Various levels will have a player glancing back, wondering whether they have seen a building model used fifty times before. With the Switch\u2019s Handheld mode, the graphics are even less clear and defined, though the title runs fine, performance-wise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In spite of these shortcomings, the game has style. Cutscenes offer gorgeous, cinematic views of the titular witch and wild and explosive fight choreography. The music suits the game\u2019s aesthetic, pairing a sexed-up hell with memorable jazzy tunes recalling Persona 5, though more somber and explosive songs elevate story beats and battles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, there is a fair bit of Bayonetta fanservice, particularly with the sacrifice of clothes needed for the Demon Slave mechanic. There is also the humorous option for a censored playthrough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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