Graduate Games Blog

I beat Bayonetta over the weekend.  I got it because there were a ton of reviews calling it one of the best action games in a long while, but was shocked at how good it was (and how similar it was to Devil May Cry).  Let me start off by saying that Bayonetta’s story starts off really off-the-wall and bad….but it improves after you get past the prologue.  There’s a ton of oversexed and wacky moments that I could’ve done without, but all of these complaints have nothing to do with the gameplay.  The game is damn fun, challenging, and is far better than the let down that was DMC4 (It’s not Devil May Cry when Dante makes up less than half the game – what were you thinking Capcom!).  How is Bayonetta like DMC?  Here are some of the similarities:

• Bayonetta is a half-breed similar to Dante
• Hideki Kamiya directed Bayonetta and the original Devil May Cry
• Bayonetta uses a combination of close quarters and handgun attacks
• Similar controls/moves (hold back and hit Y to hit enemies in the air – upgrade to familiar dash attacks)
• In Devil May Cry you fight demons, in Bayonetta you fight angels
• Gothic Architecture and environments rampant in both
• Similar Themes: Heaven, Hell, Demons, Angels

I realize that this list could go on for awhile, so I’ll stop and assume you get the point.  Devil May Cry 4 made a huge mistake by introducing Nero and making fans wade through 2/3 of the game before having access to Dante and the different styles that were setup in DMC3: Dante’s Awakening (still the best DMC imo).  Nero wasn’t all bad, but he’s no Dante and his Demon Arm not nearly as varied as Dante’s styles.  Bayonetta’s world never comes together as clearly as Devil May Cry, but it does offer some incredible over-the-top action scenes.  Sometimes it’s too much, but it allows for some truly awesome boss battles.  If you’re a DMC fan, Bayonetta is a must-try.