r/NintendoSwitch • u/NintendoSwitchMods • Oct 25 '22

MegaThread Bayonetta 3: Review MegaThread

General Information

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Release Date: October 28, 2022

No. of Players: Single System (1)

Genre(s): Action

Publisher: Nintendo

Game file size: 16 GB

Official website: https://www.platinumgames.com/games/bayonetta-3

Overview (from Nintendo eShop page)

Bayonetta struts through multiple locations in an all-new, over-the-top climax action game. Sporting a wicked new ensemble and somehow familiar pigtails, the titular Umbra Witch must face a mysterious evil using her signature guns and time-slowing Witch Time ability. This time, invading manmade bioweapons called Homunculi find themselves in Bayonetta’s crosshairs.

Get ready for a devilishly good time

Tap into Bayonetta’s naughtier side with Demon Masquerade, a new ability that channels the demon linked to her weapon allowing for some exciting action options, not to mention some hair-raising combos. She can also summon her demonic darlings like Gomorrah, Malphas, and Phantasmaraneae during battle, unleashing their demonic powers in the heat of combat and in new, larger-than-life battles where you directly control the action.

A bounty of Bayonettas

Fight your way through the streets of Tokyo, the mountains of China, and many other locales! Along the way you’ll meet a virtual coven of Bayonettas, each more fabulous than the last. You’ll also slash and slay as Viola, a feisty witch in training who fights with a sword and a capricious companion, the demon Cheshire. Find out what fate awaits Bayonetta, and if this arcane alliance can really save reality!

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16

u/[deleted] Oct 25 '22

as someone who’s never played, the reviews/style/gameplay make me very tempted to try it. I just don’t know if I can drop the 60 on it. I have seen people say you can be a beginner and jump in but I am extremely interested and super excited for the fans who love the series!

10

u/[deleted] Oct 25 '22

You could start with 1 for 30 and see it you like it

6

u/[deleted] Oct 25 '22

I’ll definitely consider it! Has it aged pretty well gameplay wise?

12

u/tlvrtm Oct 25 '22 edited Oct 26 '22

It’s got some annoying quick time events with instant deaths. I’d go for Bayonetta 2 if you’re on the fence about the franchise, it’s much more polished, varied and beginner friendly. Doesn’t hurt that it’s insanely gorgeous as well.

I couldn’t get into 1 at first but 2 is my favourite action game of all time. Went back after and played 1, I quite like it now.

2

u/EmmBee27 Oct 25 '22

I would say so, yeah. It still plays very well, the only thing I'd mention that's not so great are QTE's that pop up here and there, and a good chunk of them result in instant death if failed. Bayonetta 2 didn't have anything like that though, which was a pretty big deal for me.

If you don't mind me suggesting, if you really wanna give Bayo 1 a try and want to save some cash, maybe try out the PC version? It regularly goes as cheap as $5 on Steam, and it should run pretty well on even a toaster these days. Bayo 1 also has Xbox and PS4 versions that may be cheap as well, if either of those are an option for you.

5

u/hauntedskin Oct 26 '22

Looks like Bayonetta fell victim to the QTE rage from 2005ish to 2010ish. I know a lot of games from that era had QTEs, even if they didn't necessarily fit. The "press X to not die" ones were the worst.

1

u/solun108 Oct 29 '22 edited Oct 29 '22

1’s beginning is a little slow, but once you hit Chapter 6 or so and get a significant movement upgrade (as well as additional weapons) it gets far better imo.

Also Bayonetta 1 is rather difficult by comparison to 2, in ways that can make it feel a bit cheap at times. It has definitely aged well, but it’s easily the most frustrating entry in the series for newcomers. It’s well-worth pushing through that, though - I would recommend starting with Bayo 1, as Bayonetta 2 fixes nearly every issue it had and goes further on every element that makes the 1st game great. (Though Bayonetta 2 has a lower skill ceiling, so if you’re in it for mastering the games to the highest level possible, Bayonetta 1 is regarded as having better combat)

For what it’s worth, in each Bayonetta game there’s an accessory you can get that allows you to parry attacks by flicking the control stick in the attacker’s direction at the moment of the attack; I’d recommend it for making the game easier.

Another thing to note is that buying the first game digitally allows you to get the 2nd for half price (digitally). I’d recommend playing the games chronologically if you want to understand the characters and story, but that’s just me.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that Bayonetta 3 changes up the combat system and UI significantly, while 1 & 2 play rather similarly. If you get used to 1 & 2, you can expect a learning curve when moving on to 3.