Do you have what it takes to get a review published right here on Kotaku? Steven does, as he flies to the moon and sings among the stars.
Yes, that’s right, we’re now publishing reader reviews here on Kotaku. This is your chance to deliver sensible game purchasing advice to the rest of the Kotaku community.
And thanks to the very kind chaps at Madman Entertainment, purveyor of all kinds of cool, indie and esoteric film, the best reader review we publish each month will win a prize pack containing ten of the latest Madman DVD or Blu-ray releases.
This review was submitted by Steven McKenzie. If you’ve played Bayonetta, or just want to ask Steven more about it, leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Bayonetta (Xbox 360)
Bayonetta is an action game from Platinum Studios helmed by Hideki Kamiya, notably the director of the original Devil May Cry. Starring a buxom heroine who fights angels by conjuring demons and giant boots with her hair, Bayonetta certainly has style, but is there any substance?
Loved
Over The Top Action: Combat in Bayonetta may look out of control when viewed without a controller in your hand, but fear not, the combo system is deep and handles exceptionally well.
Easy On The Eyes: Bayonetta is a gorgeous game and, from a design standpoint, wildly inventive. With unique enemy designs and level design full of jaw-dropping vistas, this is a visual delight.
Aural Sex: From the jazz and funk of most standard encounters to the sweeping orchestral and choral scores that underpin the game’s epic boss battles, the soundtrack to Bayonetta’s angel-slaying is the perfect compliment to the visuals.
Worthy Opponents: Ridiculous, impeccably well designed and a whole lot of fun, the boss battles are some of the best in recent memory.
“Heard that in a game once”: There’s more to fanservice than T&A, and Platinum knows that. Bayonetta is full of classic gaming references and in-jokes that should provide most gamers with at least a few chuckles.
Hated
Undeveloped negatives: A large chunk of Bayonetta’s many cutscenes are presented in a static film-strip style that serves only to take you out of the moment and, occasionally, cause confusion in the otherwise easy to follow plot.
Presentation issues aside, Bayonetta’s often bizarre decidedly Japanese stylings are underpinned by near-flawless gameplay foundations that live up to the developer’s impressive pedigree and then some. It won’t be to everyone’s liking, but those with a taste for Bayonetta’s style will find a lot of substance to fall in love with too.
Reviewed by: Steven McKenzie
You can have your Reader Review published on Kotaku. Send your review to us at the usual address. Make sure it’s written in the same format as above and in under 300 words – yes, we’ve upped the word limit. We’ll publish the best ones we get and the best of the month will win a Madman DVD prize pack.
Leave a Reply