Bayonetta Review

After leaving Capcom following over 10 years of service, Hideki Kamiya, director of Resident Evil 2, Devil May Cry and Okami, decided to start up a new company, Platinum Games. His new game, Bayonetta, is a collaboration with Sega and is a game in a similar ilk to Devil May Cry, but with a few notable differences. One, the main character is a sultry female and not a man with white hair. Two, the main character can perform 'Torture Attacks', which allow the players to execute opponents in rather painful ways, like using iron maidens. It all makes for a frantic, action-packed ride, full of angels, witches and lollipops.

After waking up following 500 years of slumber, Bayonetta has lost her memory. All she remembers is that she's a witch, and because of this she hires Enzo, an informant, to help her find out some information about her past. Her search focuses around a red gem that was in her possession upon her awakening, which leads her to seeking out the "Eyes of the World". All the while though, the forces of Heaven are attempting to defeat her and end her existance.

It's a story that doesn't take itself too seriously on the surface, but does have some more serious undertones. Luka, a rogue journalist, plays a very bit-part role in proceedings, but he is also the second most frequent character behind Bayonetta, so it does make the story a bit narrow. It shows too, as rarely narration generally focuses on Bayonetta's quick tongue, rather than anything of real substance. Cutscenes that help to explain proceedings do becomes a lot more frequent as the game progresses though, which is certainly very welcome. The story is told in a nice way though, with a mixture of full motion video and still models, which still have voices playing over the top.