Bayonetta

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » November 28, 2009, 1:51 am

Looks like, once again, the 360 version is the one to get if you're considering this game:

http://www.eurogamer.net/videos/digital ... sis-part-2

Check the frame rates.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » November 28, 2009, 1:14 pm

There is no way in hell that is final release for PS3. No way in hell.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » December 3, 2009, 1:04 pm

Demo is up on XBL.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » December 3, 2009, 3:56 pm

This is the single most ADHD, Japeneesie, ludicrus, and whacked out action game I have ever played. It makes Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden feel like Mario Brothers.

It's good.

Gonzoie - Luclin · Post by **Gonzoie - Luclin** » December 3, 2009, 6:51 pm

I downloaded the demo when i saw it was available today. Holy combos batman! This game is seriously fast paced and combo intensive. After I beat the demo, the videos they show had me laughing at the ridiculous combos.

miir · Post by **miir** » December 4, 2009, 9:48 am

What a ridiculous game.
I gotta get it!

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » December 4, 2009, 11:24 pm

Tried the demo (PS3). I'm not really a fighter type person in general and this didn't really do anything to change my mind. Button mashy supreme.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » December 5, 2009, 1:33 pm

I did a second playthrough of the demo because my wife wanted to see it. Since I knew what to expect, I made an effort to play it in a more structured and deliberate way. It was like playing a whole other game. Bayonetta really rewards those that attempt to string their combos and mix variety in their attacks with even more outragous deaths and animations. Hell, I used one of the angelic spears as a stripper pole, swinging around in circles shooting bad guys with my foot guns! It's just sheer madness wrapped with generous amounts of tits and ass.

Day 1.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » December 12, 2009, 7:34 pm

Some of the mostly Euro reviews:

EDGE: 10/10
Pixelverdict: 5/5
play.tm: 9.5/10
Nowgamer: 9.3/10
4players (biggest german mag) : 9.3/10
gamers.de : 9.2/10
Gamezone.de: 9.2/10
Eurogamer: 9/10
OPM: 9/10
OXM: 9/10
Gamepro Magazine: 8.8/10 (8.7/10 PS3 version)
Gamekult : 8/10 (PS3 version)
Gameblog : 4 out 5 stars (PS3 version)
Objectif-Sega : 8/10 (PS3 version)

Grabbing the full game off the newsgroups. Will check it out later. Jan 5th release. 360 getting slightly higher reviews, mostly due to PS3's inferior frame rate (what's new!)

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » December 12, 2009, 11:21 pm

k

This game is pretty entertaining, especially if you like over the top sexy main characters.

Bayonetta is pure adult. Without ruining anything, it starts out with one of the characters pissing on a grave, then he's late for a birthday party and calls his kids "cute little fucks". No way this game gets played around parents, with the sound up at least.

In all of the action animated scenes, it seems like the camera view is focused on Bayonetta's crotch. The game makes no bones about being all about tits and ass but it's entertaining.

There are three modes so far that I can play. Normal, Easy, and Very Easy. I'm playing very easy mode and for once, it feels like maybe I should bump myself up to easy at least. Not sure why they have "very easy" as this shouldn't be played by kids anyway and if it's too easy for me as an adult then something's wrong! I think you can unlock Hard.

"Over the top" is what I keep thinking when playing the game. It's fun. It feels like an extremely pimped out Laura Croft game. They put a lot of effort into the style of the game. It's also smooth (well 360 is!) and while Assassins Creed 2 felt sluggish, this doesn't at all.

As someone said, you will be rewarded for combos etc. I seems like I can button smash my way though anything atm. You get awarded metals for the different smalls parts of the game you get through. My first was silver, then got a gold, and last one was a platinum so I guess I'm getting better. It's based on time and how well you kill stuff etc I guess.

Bayonetta sucks on lolipops to heal and regain various stats.

There's mini game you can play between chapters to gain stuff and also you accumulate halos and I'm guessing can buy stuff.

The presentation is great and there are smooth transitions between action and cut scenes.

You can invert either access. I like to push right to look right so changed that part. Japanese games tend to have this reversed.

The atmosphere and look of the game is outstanding. Even looking out windows into places you can't go shows nicely done 3D backgrounds.

There is a lot of roaming around between puzzles and fights. I'm thinking a guide will probably be desired by those trying to get all of the achievements and find stuff.

Like other games, pots, plants, etc can be smashed for halos or other stuff. Seems like there is breakable stuff all over the place in excess. I'm destroying park benches and getting halos.

Doesn't look like any kind of ammo limitation, can shoot all day.

Has an RPG feel to it, running around the areas, clicking on stuff for clues. Sort of a Laura Croft/RPG/Fighting Game combination which is kinda neat. It has an open feel to it while at the same time guiding you along. Can't really get lost but lots of space to explore and find things on your way. With Bayonetta's double jump/fly ability, you can get to a lot of places and the game seems forgiving on your jumps, etc. It pays to look around and not be in a rush. I just spent 10 minutes running around an area that you could easily have run through in about 10 seconds ignoring everything while I ended up smashing probably 20-30 things for halos/stuff.

This game is beautiful. I'm in a above ground city and if a Final Fantasy game looked this good I'd be in Awe. No camera issues. It has a free roaming 360 camera with very liberal vertical movement as well.

Edit: Just faced my first "boss". I'm definitely on too easy a setting but this game is a lot of fun to watch. You don't just bump into enemies and start fighting. This game a fancy intro and at the end of battles, there's a fancy exit to them with cut scenes or finishing moves. Bayonetta seems to lose her clothes a lot on these moves and also uses her hair to summon demon type thingies to kill stuff. I saw an oversized demon angel thing and thought it was the boss, but the real boss was a "Colossus" or "Demon Souls" sized mob. I got some outlandishly huge Axe

In summary, it's a Laura Croft/RPG/Fighting Game with over the top combo/finishing moves/cut scenes alone with some adult/funny dialog/story to go with it.

"Fighting Games" are at the bottom of my list for games that I enjoy but this doesn't have a pure fighting game feel to it. I'd play this one on easy just to watch it like a movie.

It's a no brainer for fighting fans and worthy of serious consideration for those that aren't into fighters. (This kicks the shit out of the hour I played of Devil May Cry in all aspects of the game)

There is a concocting/compound part to this game that I have no clue how to use yet. It also looks like lots of weapon/accessories to make things interesting as well.

Kwonryu DragonFist · Post by **Kwonryu DragonFist** » January 6, 2010, 8:56 am

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » January 7, 2010, 11:34 am

Dodge Offset
Hi everyone. BAYONETTA director Hideki Kamiya here once again. Has everyone reading this blog gotten a chance to play the BAYONETTA demo? Action games live and die on how they feel to play, so I really implore you to pick up a controller for yourself and see what it actually feels like to play BAYONETTA.

So back to the BAYONETTA demo, we wanted to give you a chance to get to grips with the world of the game; however, what you can play is the beginning of BAYONETTA and merely a glimpse of what is to come. We’ve got tons more exciting situations for you to experience, but you will have to look forward to the retail release to see what I mean...

Even though the number of stages you can play in the demo is limited, it is rich in content when it comes to the actual playability. You’ve got access to your basic punch and kick attacks that can be combo-ed together, selectable guns and sword weapons, the ability to dodge and activate Witch Time, and the rating system that graces the end of each stage, etc. While BAYONETTA may be a clear cut action game, to get to the level of play where character behaves like she actually was an extension of your own limbs, there are plenty of things to learn. We received feedback from Japanese players who thought they had expended everything there was to do in the demo only to learn that it was only about 10% of Bayonetta’s true abilities. So keep that in mind while you play the demo, and I really hope that you enjoy the little taste of the full meal to come.

What I really wanted to introduce you to with this blog entry is one of the more advanced techniques you can use to master BAYONETTA. Mastering BAYONETTA may bring thoughts of the Witch Time feature I just mentioned to mind; however, I am thinking of something slightly different. Sure, Witch Time, with its high risk/high reward system of dodging at the last minute to create counter-attack opportunities, is an important system to discuss when describing BAYONETTA, but it is still the most basic of basic techniques. There is something even more important to learn beyond that.

The key to BAYONETTA’s combat system is stringing together “flowing attacks”. Flowing attacks are one of the reasons that we opted for a dodge technique instead of blocking. We made the game this way because we want players to keep attacking enemies – no resting, no stopping, just non-stop attacks. That is the core of what makes BAYONETTA great. One of the ways you pull this off is using the Dodge Offset technique that I’d like to explain to you now.

In BAYONETTA, we’ve created a combo system based on mixing up punch (P) and kick (K) attacks, chaining them together to expand your combo. For instance, if you used the attack combo P-P-P-P-K, the final K would trigger a Wicked Weave (a demon summoned through a magical portal) kick finisher. Since these Wicked Weave attacks are very powerful, it is crucial to not give up on your combo and see it through to the end. However, how do you do this when an enemy attacks you in the middle of a combo?

If you input the P-P-P-P portion of the combo and then dodge, it stands to reason that your combo would be stopped mid-stream, and you would have to start it all over again. To get to the Wicked Weave finisher, you would have to input the P-P-P... sequence once more. This is where Dodge Offset comes into play.

Dodge Offset is a technique that allows you to continue a combo after you have dodged an enemy attack. It is very simple to execute. When you execute your dodge, you continue to hold down the attack button (punch of kick) that you pressed immediately prior to the dodge. Here’s an example: If you are attacked while inputting the P-P-P-P string, hold down the P attack on the fourth press and then dodge while holding. After the dodge has been completed, pressing K will summon the Wicked Weaver finisher that ends the combo.

I guess it is kind of hard to pick up from just a written explanation... It might even be hard when you try it for yourself on the controller. However, once you get out of the demo and play the full game, packed with powerful enemies, you will realize how useful a technique Dodge Offset really is. So take this opportunity to practice up, and make sure you have Dodge Offset down pat. You will definitely start seeing things in a different light.

Which brings me to my next point... Even though we are taking replay value, and the ability to play our game over and over again, very seriously in the final retail version, I think you can also keep replaying the demo in search of your personal high score. You might also get a little taste of the fun to be had in finding things hidden in the game. So have fun playing the demo to death, and get yourself ready for the full version, all right?

Dodge Offset is really the key to this game for virtually unlimited free flow combat.

Hesten · Post by **Hesten** » January 7, 2010, 2:40 pm

I tried the demo yesterday, and it seem pretty fun, i have to get this, i just need to finish GTA4 and Assassins Creed 1 first, and then i need to get Brutal Legend and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 too

miir · Post by **miir** » January 8, 2010, 10:36 am

I was laying down some fucking outrageous combo chains using that dodge offset trick last night.

This game is insanely fun.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 8, 2010, 12:24 pm

This game has six hours of cut scenes and a 20 minute end game victory dance at the end along with four separate endings during the credits.

People bitch about lame, uneventful endings a lot in games. Bayonetta comes through!

Hesten · Post by **Hesten** » January 8, 2010, 1:24 pm

Winnow wrote:This game has six hours of cut scenes and a 20 minute end game victory dance at the end along with four separate endings during the credits.

People bitch about lame, uneventful endings a lot in games. Bayonetta comes through!

Cool...after BoringLands, i miss a game that actually got a story and ending

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 8, 2010, 1:35 pm

Hesten wrote:
Cool...after BoringLands, i miss a game that actually got a story and ending

Agreed. Borderlands was awesome but the ending was lame. It would have have been better if Bayonetta popped out of the Vault for the final fight!

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » January 8, 2010, 1:38 pm

There is a longist of reasons to play Bayonetta. The "story" is not one of them.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 8, 2010, 1:40 pm

Fairweather Pure wrote:There is a longist of reasons to play Bayonetta. The "story" is not one of them.

I hope you're kidding with six hours of cut scenes. If you're not entertained by them, I'd suggest another game. There doesn't have to be a complex storyline for the game to be entertaining during the non interactive scenes.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » January 8, 2010, 2:22 pm

You can skip them. Consider the cutscenes as bonus material. They make almost no sense at all, so they're not a reason to get the game.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » January 8, 2010, 3:22 pm

Fairweather Pure wrote:You can skip them. Consider the cutscenes as bonus material. They make almost no sense at all, so they're not a reason to get the game.

You should always be able to skip cut scenes in games, it drives me nuts when you can't. I mean, I don't as a rule just skip past cut scenes, but there are some games where they stretch on too long or I'm just not interested enough.

Unrelated side note - it's also really annoying when you can't skip past the logos for the 25 different companies involved in making a game as the game is loading.. This seems to happen with almost every game on the PS3. Or for that matter when they make you wait until after the credits to do things/unlock achievements/etc.. Quit trying to force me into acknowledging your work, if I care to I will!

miir · Post by **miir** » January 8, 2010, 3:38 pm

Winnow would probably complain about the cutscenes in MGS4

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » January 8, 2010, 3:58 pm

I don't mind watching cut-scenes the first time through a game.. But some games still force them on you during a replay as well which is torture.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 8, 2010, 4:21 pm

Fairweather Pure wrote:You can skip them. Consider the cutscenes as bonus material. They make almost no sense at all, so they're not a reason to get the game.

In your opinon. They make perfect sense to me. Anyone into JPOP and Japanese culture will bond with this game!

miir · Post by **miir** » January 8, 2010, 4:30 pm

No kidding.
I just love the cut scenes.
The whole game just oozes style.

miir · Post by **miir** » January 13, 2010, 9:13 pm

What a terrific trailer/commerical.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7PZ1i992kc&

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » January 13, 2010, 9:18 pm

The trailer is better on the 360.

j/k

Gonzoie - Luclin · Post by **Gonzoie - Luclin** » January 14, 2010, 7:49 pm

Its rare when I play a game where the only time I stop playing is when my thumbs hurt too much to pull off efficient combos. I can't wait to try to beat this on the harder difficulties.

Kwonryu DragonFist · Post by **Kwonryu DragonFist** » January 15, 2010, 6:57 am

What Bayonetta has that Darksiders don't?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3urDtk8P88

miir · Post by **miir** » January 15, 2010, 9:50 am

Bayonetta doesn't fucking have sticky bomb puzzles.
Which makes it TEN MILLION times better than Darksiders.

Kwonryu DragonFist · January 18, 2010, 12:20 am

So you're saying that Darksiders Puzzles and Zelda-Elements are ruining the game?

miir · Post by **miir** » January 18, 2010, 12:57 pm

I have nothing against puzzles.
I just detest the sheer quantity of stupid fucking sticky bomb puzzles in the first half of Darksiders.

Avestan · Post by **Avestan** » January 18, 2010, 1:46 pm

I prefer Darksiders despite the sticky bombs.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » January 27, 2010, 8:28 pm

Just ordered. Hooray for Visa rewards card! I am always happy to shave $25 off of a game.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » January 27, 2010, 8:33 pm

Rumor has it a patch is in the works for the PS3 version!

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » January 27, 2010, 8:38 pm

Uh patch? What is wrong with PS3 version? Guess I did not read reviews so much. ><

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » January 27, 2010, 8:45 pm

Canelek wrote:Uh patch? What is wrong with PS3 version? Guess I did not read reviews so much. ><

If you ordered the PS3 version, you may not want to! Hopefully the patch rumor is true, so
the issues will be moot in a short amount of time.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » January 27, 2010, 9:02 pm

Yeah, it looks like there will be a patch tomorrow or sometime soon that allows it to be installed to local drive to alleviate load times.

Nice QA! er, no

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » January 27, 2010, 9:09 pm

A partial install or full? All PS3 games should start to implement installing to HD. It's a handy feature!

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » January 27, 2010, 9:14 pm

Not sure. Most of those sites are blocked via WebNazi here at work and I am too lazy to add the sites to my round robin proxy file.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » January 27, 2010, 9:16 pm

I don't miss the feature on my PS3 because it's pretty quiet. If I run a game from the disc on my 360, it sounds like a jet is taking off. I then have to crank the volume up on the TV to compensate. It's crazy loud. I consider HD installs a requirement for my 360s.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » January 27, 2010, 9:21 pm

I miss the feature. No clue why Sony doesn't implement it. If people have the hard drive space to dedicate to it why shouldn't they be able to.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » January 28, 2010, 12:43 pm

No joke. Then again, maybe the media takes up a great deal of space though. That would suck a bit for those of us with a decent to large sized library.

As for the 360 noise...yes, mine is loud as fuck too, but I have a 1st generation, so maybe they have corrected the mechanical noise in newer versions.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » January 28, 2010, 12:58 pm

Canelek wrote:No joke. Then again, maybe the media takes up a great deal of space though. That would suck a bit for those of us with a decent to large sized library.

Well it would be optional as it is on the 360 so I don't see a problem there. If it sucks too much there is always the option of buying a bigger hard drive!

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » January 28, 2010, 2:02 pm

I am fine with the optional route. I think that is what this Bayonetta patch is supposed to give us upon install.

miir · Post by **miir** » January 28, 2010, 2:29 pm

Aslanna wrote: Well it would be optional as it is on the 360 so I don't see a problem there. If it sucks too much there is always the option of buying a bigger hard drive!

2.5" drives are really cheap now too.
You get get a 500 gig drive for about half what MS charges for a 120 dive for the 360.

I really want to get a SSD for my PS3 but the prices are still too high.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » January 28, 2010, 2:51 pm

I'll probably go this route for PS3 HD upgrade:

$90 for a 500GB 5400RPM SATA 2.5" drive seems reasonable. Hell, I may even get an extra to upgrade my notebook.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822136314

SSD would be cool, but I'd make sure the firmware can handle access/transfer speeds (if that is relevant at all).

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » January 28, 2010, 3:15 pm

I got the 640GB version of that WD drive during Newegg's Black Friday sale for $89. Haven't gotten around to putting it in yet just because I still have lots of space free. I probably didn't even need to buy it but it seemed like a good price at the time.

So yeah.. it would be nice if developers start adding an install to HD option so I can take advantage of that drive space!

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » January 28, 2010, 3:19 pm

Haha, that is totally something I would do. I need to stay away from Woot.com!

The large HD combined with a portable USB device seems like a good way of loading the PS3/360 up with media though. Granted, I do not usually DL movies...at least not high quality ones. I like the "potential" though!

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » January 29, 2010, 3:44 am

This just came in today. Fun game! I have no idea wtf the plot is all about, but it is rather entertaining. Interesting kareoke-ized Sinatra at least...