When the first 20 minutes of a game feature a badass punk rocker traveling across the multiverse, a pizza delivery van surfing a tidal wave, and an epic battle between a giant dragon demon and a four-armed monster, you know what’s in store for you. something. special. Over-the-top action, spectacular settings, and absurd characters have always been a trademark of the Bayonetta series, but with the third game, developer Platinum takes it all to outrageous (and entertaining) new extremes.
Without getting too deep into spoiler territory, Bayonetta 3 sees the titular Umbran Witch take on a new interdimensional threat. The global adventure takes place in locations as diverse as New York, Tokyo, China, and Paris, and features a cast of old favorites and new characters, including the aforementioned punk rocker Viola.
It’s just as goofy as previous Bayonetta games, with the same youthful humor and over-the-top cinematics fans have come to expect. It’s for this very reason that when the game tries to tug on your heartstrings, it falls flatter than a plate full of piss.
A series that revels in excess, Bayonetta games are at their best when they try to dazzle players with sheer spectacle, something Bayonetta 3 mostly pulls off with aplomb. Everything gets bigger, bolder, and crazier as you go, most notably the nearly flawless combat system, which somehow exceeds the high standards set by its predecessors.
Initially, things feel very similar to previous games, with players hacking, slashing, shooting, and kicking their way through hordes of enemies large and small. If you manage to dodge an enemy attack at the last second, you’ll enter Witch Time, where everything except Bayonetta slows to a crawl.
With many variations of combos, weapons, new moves, and gadgets to discover, the core combat system is deep, complex, and elegant, going toe-to-toe with genre heavyweights such as Devil May Cry.
However, Bayonetta 3 takes things even further by introducing Demon Slaves that can be summoned at the press of a button. From giant spiders to actual choo-choo trains, these summons are particularly useful in tricky battles against the biggest bosses, but just as fun to use against the lowliest of thugs, as long as you have the space.
Rather than detract from a combat system that is already as strict as one of Bayonetta’s hair-based jumpsuits, the Infernal Demons add a fun and visually stunning new layer to the game, further increasing variety and contributing positively to the show.
It’s a perfectly executed system that becomes second nature after just a few minutes of practice. However, since each Demon has its own set of moves and abilities, it’s a system you’ll be experimenting with for a long time in your second game.
In fact, with a streamlined weapon system that lends itself to experimentation, plus plenty of unlockables, challenges, and secrets to discover, even two playthroughs won’t be enough to fully experience everything Bayonetta 3 has to offer.
Unfortunately, while the combat system is sublime, developer Platinum’s obsession with raising the stakes has its drawbacks.
As much as I love the Nintendo Switch (it really is one of my favorite consoles), I can’t help but feel that Bayonetta 3 would benefit from an injection of raw power. It’s almost like he deserved better.
After playing silky-smooth games like Devil May Cry 5, or stunningly beautiful releases like Horizon Forbidden West and God of War, Bayonetta 3’s frame rate and resolution drops left me wondering if the game would be better suited for a more powerful console like the PS5 or Xbox Series X.
For all its outrageous, flashy scenes and wacky settings, it’s the quietest moments when you notice the muddy textures, plain environments, and general lack of detail.
Some of the locations are just plain ugly, the usual enemies are nondescript, and there are times when the camera zooms out so far you don’t know what’s happening.
Bayonetta 3 was going to be one of the few Switch games I played exclusively on the TV, but this only magnified the blemishes and further highlighted the limitations of the Nintendo Switch.
Still, it’s hard to be too harsh on a game that’s as fun to play as Bayonetta 3. Even the parts where you don’t play as Bayonetta are surprisingly enjoyable, providing a welcome period of rest for your thumbs, while also helping with the overall pace of the game.
Viola’s stages retain that frenetic hack-and-slash feel, just with a new moveset and emphasis on blocking, while as Jeanne you’ll play through side-scrolling stealth stages that are completely unlike anything you’ve ever seen. before in Bayonetta.
It’s amazing moments like these that really make Bayonetta 3 such a joy to play. You always wonder what’s around the corner and are almost always pleasantly surprised when you find out.
It’s another absolute must-play game for Nintendo Switch owners, even if part of me thinks Bayonetta 3 would be better suited elsewhere.
VERDICT – 4/5
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