Does Bayonetta 3 make lightning strike thrice?
Updated: Nov 4, 2022 5:46 pm
Bayonetta 3 is the same breed of hack-and-slash action RPG for which Platinum Games, and Hideki Kamiya especially, are known. Take a sardonic, nearly invincible protagonist, add some larger-than-life enemies, and then make the combat about as stylish as you can, and you’ve basically got the game right there.
If you’re unfamiliar with the series, Bayonetta is a trilogy of games about the titular witch. Developed by Platinum Games and published by Nintendo since the second entry, the series has long been popular with fans of stylish action games worldwide.
The Zany Plot of Bayonetta 3
Bayonetta 3 tells the story of, well, Bayonetta. In this case, she is minding her own business after the events of the previous game when a giant monster and its friends start attacking her. With a new mysterious foe nipping at your heels, you have to figure out what is going on and stop it.
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There’s more to the story than that, of course, but like many Bayonetta games, it’s completely bonkers. There’s a lot of stuff to do with alternate dimensions, homunculi, and a seemingly infinite number of weapons and demons that keep showing up in your life for poorly explained reasons.
So, the plot is a bit all over the place, but if you’re a long-time series fan, then you should probably have been expecting that. On the plus side, the gameplay is absolutely astounding in more ways than one.
Bayonetta 3 – Slick Combat for Days
So, Bayonetta 3 brings us some of the slickest combat we’ve seen from the series in a while. On top of that, there’s a wild variety of new weapons to unlock and upgrade and at least three different characters to play as the original Bayonetta, her friend Jeanne, and the newcomer, Viola.
Bayonetta controls much the same way she always has done. She has a huge array of combos to choose from and typically relies on dodging at the last moment to activate Witch Time, a slow-mo mechanic that basically lets you whale on your enemies while they stand around scratching themselves.
The big addition for her this time comes in the form of being able to summon your demonic patron in their gigantic form straight to the battlefield. You might expect this to come in the form of a powerful finisher, but it doesn’t. Instead, you can have a giant Kaiju battle with bosses and large enemies just because it’s fun.
Bayonetta 3 – A Few Problems
All of these elements blend together very well, making this easily one of the smoothest Bayonetta titles so far. That said, there are a few problems here and there that could bring down the experience for you a tiny bit.
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For instance, Viola’s block-timing is extremely precise, and you don’t have a choice whether or not you play her stages. They’re part of the main story. Similarly, Jeane has her own side-scrolling stealth levels, which you’re also required to beat if you want to progress.
Depending on how you feel about both additional gameplay styles could dramatically change how much fun you have.
Mini-Games Galore!
In general, the huge number of mini-game-style challenges or different gameplay types can be a bit jarring in a way. While it’s great for stopping the gameplay from being boring, most of the players are probably here to enjoy the awesome combat.
Having a break to do a rhythm mini-game or a kaiju tournament fighter only works if you happen to enjoy tournament fighters in the first place. In the end, Bayonetta 3 feels somewhat closer to something that SUDA 51 would have done in his early career at times.
This even extends to the storyline, which has always been a little out there but goes completely off the rails this time. Without giving away the ending, it’s tough to discuss why the story feels wrong but sufficed to say it messes with some previously-established canon in a way that might be hard to swallow for fans.
Variety in Map Design
Moving onto more positive qualities, the level design is at least interesting. You move between a vastly different array of locales, from forests and otherworldly floating landscapes to destroyed cities and even deserts.
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There are a few maps that are just a bit too similar, though. For instance, there are at least 3 different variations on ‘a destroyed urban environment’, which is a bit dull at times. Still, there’s plenty to keep you going, and it’s not like the cities aren’t broken up by other maps.
Collectibles & Unlockables in Bayonetta 3
There are also a ton of collectibles to find in Bayonetta 3. You get a bit of everything, from collectible models and backstory archives to upgrades that increase your health or magic when you have enough.
Going back into old levels to find everything adds a lot of hours to the game, taking it from between 8-10, upwards of 20, depending on your skill level. The added bonus here is that you can go back and play the great combat as much as you want, ignoring levels you didn’t enjoy.
You even get a few extra modes at the end, like the endless combat challenge and a few secret levels that you can only find once you’ve got the right collectibles to unlock it. There’s a lot to keep going back for, even if you didn’t enjoy a specific style of combat or gameplay.
On Character Design
One final point that bears talking about is the design of the characters in Bayonetta 3. As is traditional, Bayo herself sports a new look this time, but it doesn’t manage to appeal in the same way her first two designs did.
Fortunately, that’s not much of an issue because you also have a wealth of different costumes available to you, including some classic ones at the end. The possible variety is huge, so if you don’t like the original design, you can pick whichever one you prefer.
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Viola is the obligatory new character, and she is great both in terms of characterization, and visual design. She has a punk aesthetic with leather and spikes all over the place, but they avoided making her the ‘angry punk’ stereotype. Instead, she’s very human, clumsy, and becomes frustrated easily. It’s all very endearing.
Wrapping Up Bayonetta 3
When all is said and done, if you’ve enjoyed previous games, you’re likely to enjoy Bayonetta 3, though the ending probably won’t excite you. While it can be annoying to be forced into gameplay modes you don’t like, it’s also a necessary evil to allow for some much-needed variety.
The new character designs are fun, the combat is still smooth and buttery, and when you let everything else fall away, it’s just a fun experience. While it might not be the fan-favorite anytime soon, casual fans will find a great game hiding here, assuming they like Kaiju, anyway.
