Having submitted my Sega Pass info to hopefully snag a code for the one of the 40,000 advance demo codes for Sega's Bayonetta, I was pleasantly surprised to find the "Congratulations!" email in my inbox on Monday evening. After playing through the demo a couple of times, I can safely say that my anticipation for this crazy game has not diminished in the slightest. I'm also considering strapping handguns to my sneakers.

The demo menu gives you the option of a training mode where you can practice various combos and techniques before jumping into the game. I tried this several times, as Bayonetta's attacks are so varied and flashy that you may miss some of the details while in the heat of combat. Anyone familiar with the Devil May Cry series and combo system will understand the importance of delaying button presses to activate particularly damaging combo's. Also, the black background of the training mode gives you the chance to get a good look at Bayonetta's character design, which I must say is very, um, detailed (fine, she has an ass that would make Vida Guerra cry into her thong).

Once I was familiar enough with the combo system, I jumped into the demo. The demo starts off with a retro film stock intro showing some static images of a couple that seems to be on trial for some kind of transgression, as an ominous voice over lays the accusations against them. That is about all you're given as far as backstory is concerned. Once that's over, a cut scene has Bayonetta sitting in a train car with what appear to be shimmery apparitions(ghosts?). Upon disembarking, I was instantly drawn to how Bayonetta moves. Her "walk" (read: runway model strut) would put most supermodels to shame. Her hip-swaying sashayemphasizes the long lines of her character design and adds to the over the top character model. The similarities to Devil May Cry don't begin and end with the combat system. The game environments include the same type of destructible pieces (i.e. benches, flower pots) that yield additional Halos, which are the in-game currency. Also, the heavy gothic and church design influences abound most likely due to the angelic overtones.

Your first encounter with Bayonetta's primary antagonists, the Applaud class Angels, occurs in an open courtyard. This is where Bayonetta starts to leave Devil May Cry in the dust. Bayonetta's combo's incorporate her handguns as well as her heel mounted pistols to full effect. As enemies can approach from any angle, attack direction can be adjusted on the fly. Bayonetta also has a dodge mechanic that must be utilized to its fullest in order to activate "Witch Time", a bullet-time mode that slows down enemy movement and allows you to avoid attacks and execute devastating combo's.

Speaking of combos, holy crap does this lady have some. Many of the more devastating one's culminate in Bayonetta's costume dissappearing (yeah, you heard me) and reforming in the shape of a giant, heeled foot or manicured fist slamming into your target. Also part of the combo system are Bayonetta's Torture Moves. These are utilized once the meter under your health gauge is full and you press the "Y" and B" buttons simultaneously. This will launch into a quick scene in which Bayonetta will thrust an enemy into a spike filled Iron Maiden, or massive guillotine (when using standard weapons). I'm sure there are more, but these seemed to be the most common and they also seem to vary based on your position in relation to the enemy and the enemy type. There was also a Torture move I was able to use that incorporated a massive spiked ball and chain weapon I picked up from an enemy that wrapped around the enemy and then yanked them into a pulley and left a little puddle of goo where they used to be standing. The picking up and effective use of enemy weapons also figures heavily into combat but don't unbalance it as all pickups have a limited number of uses before breaking. An item system is in full effect, including healing items, items for refilling your magic meter and buffs and can be used with a quick press of the directional pad.

Afer the initial confrontation you're faced with a mini boss of sorts, a massive Angelic enemy with a baby-face and a massive axe. Once I wittled down his health enough I was able to launch into one of the more impressive finishing moves in which Bayonetta's costume flows off of her (did I mention her costume is made of her own hair and disappears when you do this? I did? Yummy.) and reforms into a massive dragon that chomps down on the bad guy and proceeds to chew him up in time to your button presses, culminating in a massive downpour of blood and guts. AWE-SOME!

The demo concludes as your are thrust into a battle with a massive boss that rips up the portion of bridge you are standing on and proceeds to wind up for a throw as your wail away on his arm. You're then shown some quick scenes of combat and stills of other game characters you will meet throughout the game.

My only complaints with the demo is that there is next to none of the sultry voice of Bayonetta, which is featured so prominently in many of the game trailers, and the camera angles. As is the issue with many games of this type, the camera can take drawn out angle that puts the enemy between you and the camera, obsuring the view that is vital to timing your dodges correctly. Other than that, the game seems to be top notch in the design and combat department. Here's to hoping some of the camera work is fixed.

Bayonetta is set to release January 5, 2010.

Written by :

Hispanic At The Disco

 

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Necrovex

Instant Impressions: Bayonetta Demo Nov 20 2009 16:27:50 This game is perfect! Famistu gave it a 40, so the game is flawless. Wait, FFXII was given a 40 as well.........I hope this game doesn't suck, I can't trust Famistu anymore. :'-(

#14065

U2NUMB

Instant Impressions: Bayonetta Demo Nov 20 2009 16:32:26 Edge gave it a 10 which is nearly impossible from them.

#14066