Bayonetta

 PlayStation 3
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 466 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 324 out of 466
  2. Mixed: 89 out of 466
  3. Negative: 53 out of 466
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  1. mose14
    Feb 21, 2013
    7
    Bayonetta is a over the top action game, and puts the emphasis in "over the top." The graphics feel like there is a foggy texture over everything and are out date. The Xbox 360 version is much better graphically, but nothing else is drastically different between the consoles. The loading times are also a drag, the game loads for everything. Saving, opening up the menu, and even picking upBayonetta is a over the top action game, and puts the emphasis in "over the top." The graphics feel like there is a foggy texture over everything and are out date. The Xbox 360 version is much better graphically, but nothing else is drastically different between the consoles. The loading times are also a drag, the game loads for everything. Saving, opening up the menu, and even picking up items all require a loading screen. The gameplay makes up the whole game, and I am glad it is so good. The gameplay is innovative, just when you think it is getting stale it throws something new at you. The gameplay is at its best when the screen is filled with enemies and you have to take them all out. The bosses are also fun to fight as they tower over you. The story is sometimes a little too crazy and over the top, but it is original in a unique universe. In the first few minuets of Bayonetta you will see how crazy this game is. If you like the first few minuets, you will enjoy the rest of the game. If you do not like it, I would suggest another game.… Expand
  2. HowlPendragon
    Aug 4, 2014
    5
    First off this game is fantastic.....when played on an Xbox 360 (and soon also on Wii U).
    That said, Platinum made an extremely stupid decision not caring how the PS3 version of this great games turned out.
    To be fair, Nex Entertainment were the team who ported this to PS3, but for Platinum and Sega to have allowed this to be released in the state that it was in is ridiculous.    First off this game is fantastic.....when played on an Xbox 360 (and soon also on Wii U).
    That said, Platinum made an extremely stupid decision not caring how the PS3 version of this great games turned out.

    To be fair, Nex Entertainment were the team who ported this to PS3, but for Platinum and Sega to have allowed this to be released in the state that it was in is ridiculous.

    Thankfully they seem to have learned from this stupid mistake with Vanquish and MGS Rising    … Expand
  3. AndyClimax
    Aug 12, 2014
    7
    Enjoyable but not to my personal taste. Baffling story and eroticism with plain weird characters/enemies littered throughout the game. It's completely over the top, but sometimes those liberties are taken too far.
  4. Caestus
    Mar 8, 2013
    7
    Altough not that bad, there are better action games to play.
  5. mrnice
    Feb 10, 2014
    7
    Varied and focused play was not sufficiently rewarded by the combat system, rather I ended up using the same simple combo (punch, kick, punch) for much of the game. It's too bad since the dodge function adds a lot to the gameplay, and it is a reminder of how similar all the attack combos are in effect. I also didn't get enough game currency to buy most weapon and technique upgrades,Varied and focused play was not sufficiently rewarded by the combat system, rather I ended up using the same simple combo (punch, kick, punch) for much of the game. It's too bad since the dodge function adds a lot to the gameplay, and it is a reminder of how similar all the attack combos are in effect. I also didn't get enough game currency to buy most weapon and technique upgrades, instead I barely had enough to buy potions and bigger health bar. So after one 12-hour playthrough, the game still seems a bit out of my grasp, and yet the gameplay is largely so repetitive I don't have the appetite for a replay. But the 3d models and concept work stand out compared to other games, and the campaign is filled with creativity and original inspirations. The puzzles and mini-games deserve special mention, as they are of extraordinary quality for what is usually seen in action games. After completion on normal, a gallery of 3d models unlocked and I took a few minutes to study the work, which was impressive. Also, although I didn't like the main character much, the supporting characters were surprisingly memorable and entertaining to follow.… Expand
  6. TheRebel
    May 16, 2014
    7
    Gameplay:
    Bayonetta is a fast-paced hack and slash game. It is very reminiscent of the Devil May Cry series, but has more visual flair when it comes to weapons and combos. There are a few similarities to other games in the genre, such as roaming around to search for items, collecting treasure, using finishing executions, etc. However, the "Witch Time" gameplay mechanic is what truly makes    Gameplay:
    Bayonetta is a fast-paced hack and slash game. It is very reminiscent of the Devil May Cry series, but has more visual flair when it comes to weapons and combos. There are a few similarities to other games in the genre, such as roaming around to search for items, collecting treasure, using finishing executions, etc. However, the "Witch Time" gameplay mechanic is what truly makes this game standout from most titles. It is performed by dodging enemy attacks right before they connect. While in "Witch Time," time slows down and you are able to inflict more damage than usual. It adds some complexity to the gameplay, while implementing a fresh mechanic to the hack and slash genre.

    Story:
    In Bayonetta, you play as the title character, who is an Umbran Witch. She has been awake for 20 years, but is unable to remember her past after a 500-year slumber. She has "one half of the eye" in her possession, a pendant that is vital to witches. Her informant, Enzo, learns that the other "half" is located somewhere in Europe. She arrives in the fictional city of Vigrid, where she fights many enemies, including the Cardinal Virtues. Bayonetta's story is decent, however, the presentation is horrendous. Every character, other than Bayonetta, has little to no character development. The cutscenes do not add to the game, but merely serve as a way to confuse the player even more. By the end of the game, you will probably be asking more questions, rather than know all of the answers.

    Graphics/Appearance
    Graphically, Bayonetta is an average game. The game runs poorly on the PS3, with constant frame rate drops, screen tearing, and excessive loading screens. However, the developer offered a solution post-release. At the the menu screen, there is an "install" option, which will install the game onto your hard drive. Unfortunately, the install is 4GB in size. If you don't have enough memory, you will be stuck playing a terrible port. It is Absolutely Unacceptable to release a game in this kind of condition! The game is not unplayable, but the issues WILL be noticed. I know I've been harsh thus far; but I would be lying if I said the game didn't have amazing art direction. Bayonetta's style is impeccable! From Bayonetta's combo animations to extravagant boss designs, creativity was not spared throughout the development process! Bayonetta is very unique in comparison to most video games.

    Pros:
    -Challenging Game
    -Fluid Gameplay
    -Unique Art Direction
    -Creative Special Executions

    Cons:
    -4GB Install. If you don't have enough memory, you will be playing a game filled with constant screen tearing, frame rate drops, and loading screens
    -Horrendous Storytelling. Little to no character development, bad cutscenes, and confusing storyline

    Verdict:
    Bayonetta is a good game, unfortunately, it has many glaring issues on the PS3. Buy the 360 version if possible. Casual gamers should stay away from Bayonetta since it is a very challenging game. Fans of the Devil May Cry series should definitely buy this game! If you are looking for a difficult hack and slash game, Bayonetta is your best option!    … Expand
  7. kairock
    Sep 30, 2013
    6
    great game. on the xbox 360 that is. on the ps3, its still a great game. with bad framerates, long loading times. just a bad port overall.

    6 on the ps3.
    8 on the xbox 360.

    nope i'm not a microsoft fan.
  8. TimC.
    Jan 6, 2010
    5
    This game was so hyped and for what? If i want to see women objectified i have the internet, and do not think that is not what is going on. It seems the game expects you to ogle and leer at her every chance you get and you are practically begged to actively position her into sexually suggestive poses. The voice acting is horrible and the music will make your ears bleed. The story is This game was so hyped and for what? If i want to see women objectified i have the internet, and do not think that is not what is going on. It seems the game expects you to ogle and leer at her every chance you get and you are practically begged to actively position her into sexually suggestive poses. The voice acting is horrible and the music will make your ears bleed. The story is horrible and the bipolar nature of the characters is rather idiotic as they go from serious to cheesy before your eyes. I will admit however that the combat is very good but this is hampered at times by the camera, when Bayonetta is hidden from view by a large enemy and you have to fight blind.All in all a dissapointing game and if you really want to play it, hire it, don't buy it.… Expand
  9. MarkMont
    Jun 5, 2011
    5
    If you're like me and hate games with time limits, you will not like this game. That's even more annoying than the pure button-mashing that is the crux of the game. Very disappointing game.
  10. Isaac
    Dec 15, 2011
    7
    How can I review a game which is so solid, gameplay wise, but is so unbalanced that it just becomes frustrating?. This is the craziest game I'v ever played, though apperantly since I never had the chance to play Killer 7 I suppose that's not saying much. But for anyone that had been playing way too many cliched action games, this one is completly cooky by all standards. Bayonetta has theHow can I review a game which is so solid, gameplay wise, but is so unbalanced that it just becomes frustrating?. This is the craziest game I'v ever played, though apperantly since I never had the chance to play Killer 7 I suppose that's not saying much. But for anyone that had been playing way too many cliched action games, this one is completly cooky by all standards. Bayonetta has the best control shceme I'v ever seen in a game, I'm not joking. You can control Bayonetta's character whichever way you wish. It's sad to see then that the balance issues and overdone concept bring this game down. The game is hard, very hard, to the point that it becomes cheap. The game shows bayonetta as an awsome invincible character, but when you start playing you realise that it was all lies. The enemies are very tough and you are required to have perfect instincts if you desire to pass a stage without getting the "you suck" award. The characters are in a universe of their own, and the dialog shows it very well. The story develops slowly and getting better near the middle. underneath the flashy cutscenes and odd presentation, you get a solid action "Devil may cry" game that has perfect controls and, most importantly, fun. But the game never gives you the time to enjoy it because as you continue it will become more and more frustrating. I loved Demon's souls, but this game is hard in a stupidly annoying way. If this seems like your cup of tea you should try it, you might find it to be much better then what I'm describing.… Expand
  11. che_don_john
    Oct 6, 2010
    6
    I did enjoy this game overall, ie. I don't regret playing it. But, for me, it has to be the most over-rated game of the current generation.

    It is quirky and has some very good levels and sequences, particularly towards the end of the game (I loved the Afterburner-style 'shoot 'em-up' level), so in this regard I at least respect the game, and I can understand why people love it. But I    I did enjoy this game overall, ie. I don't regret playing it. But, for me, it has to be the most over-rated game of the current generation.

    It is quirky and has some very good levels and sequences, particularly towards the end of the game (I loved the Afterburner-style 'shoot 'em-up' level), so in this regard I at least respect the game, and I can understand why people love it. But I just found it, on the whole, rather tedious.

    Firstly, there's the music: I swear that the same song gets played over and over and over and over...to the point where it gets stuck in my head, and haunts me to this day. Music is a useful tool in games for immersing the player and indicating progress and development, both story-wise and gameplay-wise. Having teh same music on repeat makes you feel like you're stuck in some pseudo-disco time vortex that not even Bayonetta's command of space-time can help you escape from.

    Secondly, there are the supporting characters, all of whom are either boring, weird, annoying or a combination of all three. I couldn't work out where they really fitted in, or why they were there. They just seemed like unnecessary extras. The worst of them was the 'New Yoik' Italian-American stereotype who, at the end of each level, you can hear exclaim 'Oh whadda day!' as a sort of ornament/trophy spins on the screen. You have to hear it yourself, because I can't find the words to explain how weird it sounds, and I certainly can't offer any explanations as to what it all means.

    And thirdly - extending from my previous gripe about the characters - there is no story. Well, there is, but I sure as Hell can't tell you what it is. Sometimes, no story is not a problem, if the game is purely gameplay-driven. But Bayonetta clearly thinks story is important given the amount or cutscenes there are. As another user-reviewer has said, they shouldn't have bothered.

    Strip all these away and all you are left with is your standard Hideki Kamiya hack 'n' slash and, save for few exceptional sequences and levels, very repetitive gameplay. Maybe I'm a philistine when it comes to Kamiya's work, but I when stripped down to her bare essentials (pun very much intended) Bayonetta isn't anything special. It's just Devil May Cry with an injection of estrogen.    … Expand
  12. MichaelH.
    Jan 12, 2010
    5
    Why a 5 out of 10? because it's a sloppy Ps3 port. Hey SAGA it's 2010 do something right or don't do it at all.
  13. nmaxw63
    Aug 20, 2011
    5
    I so wanted to like this game. Sadly though, this was the most disappointed Iâ
  14. Hieroine
    Jun 13, 2014
    7
    A very good hack and slash game, the story is alright, but tends to get abit akward at times, the characters are however good and i felt that Bayonetta was a real bad ass lead, and that Luka was a really good supporting character.
    The game holds a really cool combo system which and im sure any hack and slash fan will find it interesting.
    I however felt that the game had to many endings.    A very good hack and slash game, the story is alright, but tends to get abit akward at times, the characters are however good and i felt that Bayonetta was a real bad ass lead, and that Luka was a really good supporting character.
    The game holds a really cool combo system which and im sure any hack and slash fan will find it interesting.
    I however felt that the game had to many endings. Don't get me wrong, there is just one ending, but there where at least 3-4 four times i believed that the game was over and that i've finally beaten it, just to show that there is another boss awaiting just after the cut scene, the game can be quiet unforgiving even at the "Normal" setting, but anyone who likes a challenge should be up for it.    … Expand
  15. DronScan
    Nov 25, 2012
    5
    A button-smash game with a pathetic story and character development.
    It sucked.
    Only horny teenagers will like this piece of crap.
    Play other games because this one doesn't deserve your attention.
  16. wesker2012
    Sep 26, 2012
    6
    Solid combat and very stylish but just couldn't get into it.
  17. BARDEM_
    Jan 23, 2010
    5
    This game gets a solid 5, its been done before, we are not getting anything new. Okay I have just played the demo but that was enough for me, its to cliche with no substance and for all you sonic lovers **the rings** are back, Sega you disappoint me, let the**sonic rings** go.
  18. crimsondoor
    Jul 20, 2016
    7
    My favourite game designer Hideki Kamiya made another stylish action game masterpiece after Devil May Cry and Okami!

    Shame, I would have given this game a 9 if the PS3 version wasn't such a lame port thanks to Sega. You got worse graphics, massive load times, frame rate issues. Stick with the X360 version if you want to enjoy this game.
  19. tsakiym
    May 15, 2015
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I do not have to say anything more. But i need to write one hundred and fifty characters. i think my score can describe it............................… Expand
  20. AnthonyC.
    Jan 9, 2010
    5
    I do not know who is paying the "professional reviewers" but this game does not deserve anything above a 5 out of 10. The plot is pathetic which is saying something given that it being such a fantasy game i had no expectations of it being realistic (and just because it is Japanese does not excuse the ridiculous dialogue, plot and development). It is also not fun to play. Avoid it like the plague.
  21. Maxplank
    Jan 10, 2010
    5
    It looks like the game was designed by a horny 14 year old teenager. The character design the color usage is crazy, the screen always seems to be cluttered with random sh*t (flowers, butterflies etc.) and those stilettos i don't think its easy to walk in those let alone fight. The game is outright Stupid.
  22. Shakeel
    Jan 12, 2010
    5
    Bought this becaues i love devil may cry series but this game just sucks. It looks like this game was made by a horny teenager and the gameplay is just shite to much stuff going on and i cant even keep track of the character. not worth 40 quid only worth 20 instead buy darksiders which has a better story and pacing and blows bayonetta out of the water.
  23. KostasI.
    Feb 25, 2010
    7
    Ok for the record i gave this game on X360 a full 10. This game is just a sloppy port over the X360 version. It runs in half the framerate, it has insanely long loading time and it loads for even the most basic of things and the game can become quite fuzzy with its downgraded visuals. I am overly forgiving because this game is just a skilled hardcore gamers wet dream and despite the Ok for the record i gave this game on X360 a full 10. This game is just a sloppy port over the X360 version. It runs in half the framerate, it has insanely long loading time and it loads for even the most basic of things and the game can become quite fuzzy with its downgraded visuals. I am overly forgiving because this game is just a skilled hardcore gamers wet dream and despite the severe problems plaguing the PS3 version its still quite fun. A patch update can fix almost all of these problems but such a patch is not coming except the one patch that allows install on your hard drive. If you have both systems then pick the X360 one, eyes closed. If not then try before you buy.… Expand
  24. Freddo222
    Dec 23, 2014
    7
    This game just let a big WTF? It looks fantastic, controls and feels well but the "story" is just one mess. Most of the cutscenes I was like "what? who? how? when?". I seriously didn´t understand a thing. Another big minus point is that even the levels don´t look the same they play the same, you clear a area of enemies and destroy the barrier with a kiss only to go to the next area thatThis game just let a big WTF? It looks fantastic, controls and feels well but the "story" is just one mess. Most of the cutscenes I was like "what? who? how? when?". I seriously didn´t understand a thing. Another big minus point is that even the levels don´t look the same they play the same, you clear a area of enemies and destroy the barrier with a kiss only to go to the next area that is blocked by a barrier...… Expand
  25. IreneGR
    Feb 22, 2015
    6
    Personally, I disliked the too much cinematic content. Cinematics is the 60% of the game and I had to wait everytime to fight... on the other hand, its a good game to relax and play. Nothing more
  26. vgm
    Oct 9, 2017
    7
    Despite the poor job they did with this port, which is full of graphic glitches like screen tearing and frame rate drops, I found this game quite enjoyable. I am not a big fan of hack and slash games but Devil May Cry is one of my favourite games ever, so I thought this game would be something similar. What I found instead is a much more crazy and challenging button masher which I wasDespite the poor job they did with this port, which is full of graphic glitches like screen tearing and frame rate drops, I found this game quite enjoyable. I am not a big fan of hack and slash games but Devil May Cry is one of my favourite games ever, so I thought this game would be something similar. What I found instead is a much more crazy and challenging button masher which I was about to rage quit several times (I played it in Normal difficulty...). However, the story and the charisma of the character together with some pleasant fight moments (specially against the normal enemies) made me finish the game. I would recommend it if you are into challenging hack and slash games.… Expand
  27. Onask
    Oct 6, 2018
    7
    Bayonetta es un juego que jamás llamó mi atención. Jamás.

    Lo acabo de terminar hace escasas horas y como me temía, no soy ahora ningún fan de esta saga ni nunca lo seré, aunque comprendo su calidad, pero lo tildaría de sobrevalorado también. El diseño me parece bastante horrible, pero esos son temas personales. No me gusta nada que salga la señora Bayonetta, que por proporciones mida    Bayonetta es un juego que jamás llamó mi atención. Jamás.

    Lo acabo de terminar hace escasas horas y como me temía, no soy ahora ningún fan de esta saga ni nunca lo seré, aunque comprendo su calidad, pero lo tildaría de sobrevalorado también.

    El diseño me parece bastante horrible, pero esos son temas personales. No me gusta nada que salga la señora Bayonetta, que por proporciones mida 2,20m, aparezca luego Luka, le saque dos cabezas por lo que puede rondar los 2,70m en proporciones y de pronto te pongan a Cereza que comparada con Bayonetta es un bebé recién nacido cuando realmente es una niña de unos 6 o 7 años.

    La trama, pues bueno, ni fu ni fa. Mera excusa para todo lo que sucede en el juego, para justificar las mecánicas jugables y poco más. En algunos momentos es introducido algo de intriga, sobre todo acerca del pasado de la propia Bayonetta, lo cual refresca un poco el asunto. Funciona, pero no me fascina.

    Aquí llega el punto fuerte de Bayonetta. Lo primero, he jugado el juego en el nivel de dificultad Normal, que es el máximo permitido en la primera partida.

    Veamos, el sistema de combate está muy bien, pero desde que he obtenido la katana, me he tirado desde el segundo capítulo o por ahí spameando todo el rato el triángulo a cascoporro y así hasta los créditos finales, que queréis que os diga. Quizás en dificultades más elevadas y voy advirtiendo de que así es necesités mucha más habilidad y paciencia. El tiempo brujo funciona realmente bien, una gran recompensa por un esquive en el momento exacto, que hace que el universo se mueva en un super slow-mo mientras tu sigues a tu ritmo normal durante unos breves segundos.

    Aquí vienen las pegas: Todos los bosses, son presentados en una cutscene, la cual acaba con el primer ataque de estos. Bien; este primer ataque, te lo zampas si o sí, y en algunos momentos me ha llegado a quitar 3/4 de mi vida máxima, lo cual me parece bastante injusto. Un boss en particular, mientras yo me encontraba haciéndole mi famoso spam de triángulo en medio del combo simplemente me bloqueaba y contraatacaba, sin darme opción a esquivar hasta que le apetecía que ya era suficiente la paliza que me había soltado. Pequeños grandes detalles.

    Los objetos quizás están demasiado desbalanceados, sobre todo los chupachups amarillos. Un mega chupachups amarillo te proporciona invulnerabilidad a cualquier ataque durante por lo menos 30 segundos, a cambio de 15 fragmentos amarillos de alquimia u 8.000 aros en la tienda del juego: bastante asequible en ambos casos, si además recuerdas que con ese ítem le bajas la mitad de vida a un boss.

    Realmente creo que es un buen juego a pesar de esos puntos negativos. Pero me parece que la gente siempre ha sobrevalorado este juego incluso a día de hoy diciendo barbaridades como: "El mejor hack & slash de la historia", "El mejor hack & slash jamás creado". Y no. De hecho, la propia Platinum Games ha desarrollado obras posteriores como Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, NieR: Autómata o la propia secuela, Bayonetta 2 (la cual no he jugado pero digo yo que será mejor), que en cuanto a gameplay y espectacularidad le dan mil vueltas.

    Juego muy decente, recomendado, pero no es la gran obra maestra como muchos afirman, o al menos, en mi humilde opinión.    … Expand
  28. okayokay
    Oct 10, 2018
    6
    rrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaadddddddddddiiiiiiiiiiicccccccccccaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllll
  29. LucasBalda
    Apr 7, 2021
    7
    E sim um jogo bom,com uma história atraente,com gráficos ótimos para a sua época, e com um bom desenvolvimento da personagem, mas a jogabilidade para portátil para ps3 e um pouco ruim.

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best PS3 Game of 2010
14
#14 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2010
20
#20 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 54 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 54
  3. Negative: 0 out of 54
  1. ZTGD
    90
    Bayonetta is the kind of game that makes me appreciate why I love videogames. It really defines a time when things were not taken too seriously and the focus was more on style and gameplay than anything else.
    Read full review
  2. GameSpot
    80
    Bayonetta on the PlayStation 3 is simultaneously gratuitous, ludicrous, and great, but it's unfortunately held back from its potential by a number of technical issues.
    Read full review
  3. Gameplanet
    85
    Bayonetta is a refreshing and somewhat surprising addition to an already extensive catalogue of action games. A must-buy for any anime gaming fan, and an excellent representation of the genre.
    Read full review
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