685: Bayonetta 3

[JaySevenZero]

Here's where you can contribute your thoughts and opinions for Bayonetta 3 for potential inclusion in the forthcoming podcast.

A friendly reminder that where the feedback for the podcast is concerned, we love it - but keeping it brief is appreciated. We do want to include a breadth of opinions where appropriate, but no-one wants a discussion podcast that’s mostly reading out essays. Better to save yourself time and cut to the chase if you can.

[caponeadam]

I loved Bayonetta 1+2 and completed them both but for me the third game was one of those rare games that I quickly regretted paying full price on. I played about 3 hours and just wasn't enjoying anything about it, for whatever reason it lacked the depth of the previous games and it mostly felt like I was just mashing buttons hoping for the best. Even the usual wacky antics of the story and characters seemed to be dialed down.

All in all, just an odd experience that left me numb. I have heard many people praise this game so I'm curious to hear the full discussion in this episode to see if I should perhaps give it another chance.

[seansthomas]

I'm honestly not sure at all what I thought of this game. I liked the original a ton, adored the sequel and have no idea where I'd place this one. The 9/10 rave reviews baffle me somewhat; but equally I've not heard it discussed on any of the gaming podcasts I listen to, and that seems a disservice too.

It's all over the shop. Sometimes the game is gorgeous; stunning art direction, gorgeous cut scenes, imagination oozing out of crazy locations everywhere... sometimes it looks like a ropey Xbox 360 game and slightly barren.

Sometimes the new, gigantic monster summons segue way into the combat seamlessly and take the series to new epic heights. Sometimes they slow everything down, ruin your combo and leave you wishing they'd go away.

Sometimes the humour, colour, breathless action, variety of setting, boss battles and sheer inventiveness of the thinking on display is mesmerising. The multiverse concept allows Platinum to have a ridiculous amount of fun with alternate takes on Bayonetta, her respective weaponry and demon pals; there is a run of levels in the midgame which are enormous fun.

Equally at times, it feels like the designers and artists weren't aware of the script, so whilst they're off being creative and generally brilliant, the writers were slowing things down to a halt with the most laboured, serious and drawn out cut scenes in the series, when you just want to press on. The tone feels a bit off and different too...

The biggest issue for me was the new playable character, Viola. Firstly, her levels seem so much worse than Bayonettas; bad mid level tasks (one where you have to find water is maddening) and parrying timing that's so jarring to Bayonettas that it becomes very hard to complete a level. She feels and plays like a less interesting Dante from DMC. Secondly, she's a bit annoying. Like the kid from 2, her character doesn't really develop or get better narratively nor mechanically. And she plays a big role in the game.

I'm left though utterly fascinated by this game. I wonder if, on repeat playthroughs where you can skip cut scenes and try out the alternate weapon sets, the game goes to another level. Because when it clicks, it REALLY clicks. And there is certainly plenty to do post credits to encourage that.

Also the ending is really interesting. I can see multiple reasons why it's upset and perplexed different groups of long term fans for varying reasons, but equally it's really brave. No matter what you can criticise about Bayonetta 3, being more of the same is not one such qualm.

It tries a new summons system, introduces new characters, changes how weapons work, raises the stakes, moves the story on and sets the series up to go in a new direction. I'm not sure it's 100% successful or personally as good as the leaner focus of 1 and 2, but I'm glad that it exists and that Platinum tried to do something different.

I think it'll be a cult classic and one of those games that in a few years time, people will likely reassess; some fondly, some viciously. But the world's a better place for developers trying stuff like this in my eyes than just repeating themselves, even if the results are mixed.

[Ollie_NL]

To this day, I still can't quite fathom how Bayonetta 3 garnered so much critical acclaim upon release. Truthfully, I think many were blinded by the sheer ambition on display, the fan-service cameos, and the constant bombastic set pieces. I can't fault it for that, but I can fault it for its shallow gameplay, poor visuals, and lacklustre story.

Frankly, it looks terrible in the Switch's handheld mode, and although I commend PlatinumGames for striving to hit that 60fps sweet spot, too many visual compromises were made in the process. A lot of the encounters can be beaten by simple button mashing, and don't get me started on those sinfully boring kaiju fights.

All style, no substance.

TWR: Multiverse of Mediocrity