Bayonetta

"Bayonetta on PC is without a doubt the definitive way to play this game. Most gaming PCs will run it with great performance, and whether it's your first foray into this world or your tenth, it's an adventure worth taking again."

92%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

stability, grinding

92% User Score Based on 10,802 reviews

Critic Score 90%Based on 15 reviews

Platforms

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About

Bayonetta is an action-packed game featuring the witch Bayonetta who battles against numerous enormous angelic enemies. The game is known for its intense combat, over-the-top finishing moves, and stunning stages that serve as a backdrop for its thrilling climax battles. With a perfect blend of balletic grace and non-stop action, Bayonetta offers an unforgettable gaming experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,802 reviews

story712 positive mentions

stability56 negative mentions

story
1,985 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
55%
9%
The story of Bayonetta is often described as wacky, over-the-top, and filled with absurdity, featuring a sassy and charismatic protagonist. While many players find the narrative convoluted and sometimes difficult to follow, it is generally seen as a fun backdrop to the engaging gameplay, with humorous and campy elements that enhance the overall experience. Despite its shortcomings, the story is appreciated for its unique charm and character interactions, making it a memorable part of the game.
- “Bayonetta is sassy, sexy, and charming, and all the characters within the storyline are unique and individual.”
- “The story is wacky and over-the-top, making it a fun experience.”
- “The story is engaging and filled with plot twists, keeping players guessing until the end.”
- “The story is rather bad; it's mainly an excuse for all the crazy set pieces in the game.”
- “The story is a bit confusing but you will enjoy it at every time.”
- “The story is complete nonsense and very hard to follow, but at least it's self-aware enough to know how ridiculous it is.”
gameplay
1,748 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
54%
5%
The gameplay of Bayonetta is widely praised for its fluidity, depth, and engaging mechanics, particularly the dodge and combo systems that allow for a high skill ceiling. Players appreciate the fast-paced, hack-and-slash action, with many noting the satisfaction of mastering its intricate combat mechanics, such as the "Witch Time" feature that slows down time for strategic attacks. However, some criticisms arise regarding the frequent cutscenes that interrupt gameplay, quick time events that can lead to frustration, and a perceived reliance on button-mashing, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “Bayonetta is one of the greatest action games of all time; the story and characters are really good, and the gameplay is phenomenal and very fun, a very unique game full of charm.”
- “The gameplay is super fun, and Bayonetta is amazing. The combat mechanics are fluid and precise, allowing players to execute a wide variety of devastating combos, unleash powerful special attacks, and engage in exhilarating boss battles.”
- “The gameplay is fast-paced and impeccable, as to be expected from Platinum Games. The combat mechanics are incredibly satisfying, allowing players to string together elaborate combos and effortlessly transition between various weapons and techniques.”
- “While the novelty is quite exciting the first time you play them, the returning playthroughs reveal just how shallow the gameplay mechanics for each of them are.”
- “The gameplay is pure beat'em up action, it's pretty fun, combos feel good to execute; however, it can get repetitive (especially with the enemy variety, you will fight the same mini-bosses many times).”
- “The gameplay is terribly repetitive.”
graphics
784 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
55%
4%
The graphics of Bayonetta have received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique art style and vibrant visuals that still hold up well for a game released in 2009. While some players noted that the graphics can appear dated, particularly in environments that lean towards a desaturated color palette, others highlighted the impressive character designs and fluid animations. Overall, the game is recognized for its stylish presentation and engaging aesthetic, despite some technical limitations and occasional graphical glitches.
- “The graphics are stunning, with detailed environments and character models that truly bring the game to life.”
- “Visually, Bayonetta is a visual feast, boasting stunning graphics and imaginative art design.”
- “The graphics still look marvelous, the characters and enemies design is superb, plenty of different enemies.”
- “It looks like a PS2 game graphically.”
- “The only graphics haven't aged well; it's very desaturated, environments are near-exclusively shades of grey and brown, with a pee-colored filter over it.”
- “I don't think the graphics have aged well, and the cutscenes were done in this odd sort-of-still-frame-but-not-quite-still-frame style that instead of being uniquely stylish just look like a lazy way to save on the animation budget.”
music
778 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
45%
1%
The music in Bayonetta is widely praised for its exceptional quality, featuring a mix of catchy jazz, orchestral pieces, and memorable tracks like the iconic "Fly Me to the Moon." Reviewers highlight how the soundtrack enhances the game's over-the-top action and complements the gameplay, creating an immersive experience. While some note the repetition of certain tracks, the overall consensus is that the music is a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's charm and appeal.
- “The soundtrack is amazing as well, as usual for Sega games.”
- “The music, story, gameplay, and more!”
- “The music is absolutely fantastic.”
- “The music, voice acting, and boss fights all come together to make a memorable experience of slaying angels.”
- “The soundtrack really didn't catch on to me; there is just a certain number of times you hear a 'fly me to the moon' remix until it gets old and it plays nearly on every chapter including the tutorial.”
- “The music is well-done, but the variety of tracks is low, which makes the sound seem stale after a while.”
humor
366 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Bayonetta" is widely praised for its over-the-top, campy style, blending absurdity with clever dialogue and sexual innuendo. Players appreciate the charismatic lead's witty one-liners and the game's ability to balance serious moments with comedic relief, making it a memorable and entertaining experience. However, some find the humor's reliance on sexual themes and quirky Japanese sensibilities may not appeal to everyone, leading to mixed reactions.
- “The dialogue is hilarious; I always find myself laughing or shocked.”
- “Insane action, hilarious dialogue, and overflowing with style.”
- “The writing strikes a balance between humor, absurdity, and moments of genuine depth, creating an engaging and memorable experience.”
- “It's not funny to me; it just seems to be trying too hard to be edgy.”
- “The rest of the jokes are just tiresome or completely insane, making it not funny and sad that you can't be this badass in the game.”
optimization
256 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
45%
23%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant stuttering and frame rate drops, particularly on certain hardware configurations, making it nearly unplayable for them. However, others report smooth performance and solid frame rates, especially on higher-end systems, indicating that the game's optimization can vary widely depending on the user's setup. Overall, while some players praise the port for its graphical options and performance, many express frustration over persistent performance issues that detract from the gameplay experience.
- “The optimization for this platform is exceptional, ensuring smooth gameplay.”
- “It's really well optimized, so you can play Bayonetta on almost every average PC without worrying too much about performance.”
- “The game is so well optimized that even my Intel HD runs this at 60 fps.”
- “Would love to keep playing the game, but when an action game can't keep a steady frame rate due to the stuttering, it's basically unplayable.”
- “This game is amazing but the optimization for PC is so bad that the game is not playable for me.”
- “The stuttering is so bad it makes it borderline unplayable.”
replayability
164 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
52%
2%
Bayonetta is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, offering a wealth of content including higher difficulty levels, unlockable weapons, and a ranking system that encourages players to improve their scores. Many reviewers highlight the game's challenging combat mechanics and the variety of modes and collectibles, making it a must-play for those who enjoy mastering gameplay and achieving completionist goals. Despite some criticisms regarding its length and difficulty spikes, the overall consensus is that Bayonetta provides an engaging experience that invites multiple playthroughs.
- “Bayonetta is made to be very replayable; the game does not stop at the credits—there's lots of content hidden away and weapons you can unlock even after 100 hours.”
- “The replayability is really good as it encourages you to pass all the levels with the best scores in the difficulties you've already beaten or replay the game with a harder difficulty.”
- “The game has plenty to offer in replay value, with its challenging gameplay and replayability making it a must-play for action game enthusiasts who appreciate style and substance.”
- “My thoughts on Bayonetta are very conflicted; on one hand, I know I've just barely scratched the surface of a game chock full of replayability and tech to master, on the other hand, many of its choices made for the time of its release are very frustrating and old-fashioned.”
- “The game is also slow in unlocking new stuff, thus kind of forcing you to replay from the beginning for unlocking stuff, and no, that's not called increasing replay value.”
- “Unless you love playing the same segments over and over again to achieve some higher score, the game has no replay value.”
stability
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
2%
67%
The stability of the PC version of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant bugs and glitches that can hinder gameplay, particularly during cutscenes and battles. While some players have experienced smooth performance without major issues, a substantial number have encountered crashes, rendering problems, and other technical difficulties, leading to a general consensus that the port is quite unstable and in need of fixes. Overall, while the game is praised for its content, the stability issues are a major drawback for many players.
- “User friendly, runs great on my Aspire 5 laptop with integrated graphics.”
- “Game runs great in 1080p with everything maxed on my older i5 760 + GTX 970 and runs flawlessly at 4K on my Ryzen 5 1600 + 1080 Ti.”
- “No glitches or crashes in my playthrough whatsoever.”
- “However, the PC version is buggy as hell.”
- “The game itself is wonderful, I like the characters and the story, but it's insanely buggy.”
- “This port is a buggy mess.”
grinding
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
14%
82%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting it can be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort to achieve 100% completion or unlock all upgrades. While some enjoy the challenge and replayability it offers, others find the repetitive nature of grinding for currency and collectibles detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration during certain gameplay sections. Overall, players suggest that while the combat is engaging, the grinding can feel like a chore, especially when compounded by tedious level design and frequent backtracking.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Overall you're in for quite a ride but, like your sexuality, unless you're pushing yourself to experiment you might end up stuck in tedious repetition with nothing encouraging you to try anything else.”
- “Wile the combat system is absolutely phenomenal and easily rivals some of the best mechanics in the Devil May Cry series, the game seems intent on hiding that amazing combat behind long boring cut scenes, scripted quick time set pieces, tedious escort quests, and generally uninspired and monotonous level design.”
- “Bayonetta is, of course, not a perfect game: the overabundance of mashing can wear out your input device, some secrets need insane grinding, the dialogues often repeat the same few plot elements, and it can take too many hours to get used to the camera.”
character development
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
40%
4%
Character development in the game is often described as compelling, particularly for the main character, Bayonetta, and her supporting cast, who exhibit unique personalities and engaging arcs. While the character designs are widely praised for their creativity and visual appeal, some players note that emotional depth and significant character growth are lacking, making the experience more about style and action than profound storytelling. Overall, the game's character design is celebrated as a standout feature, contributing to its over-the-top narrative and gameplay.
- “Luca, Jeanne, and even the main character all show compelling character development, but even before they undergo changes, their over-the-top performances are a joy to watch.”
- “The narrative unfolds with a perfect balance of intrigue, character development, and surprising twists, keeping players engaged and invested in Bayonetta's journey.”
- “The story and character development was simple enough to quickly get the hang of but complex enough to keep the player intrigued and questioning what is going on.”
- “Every character, other than Bayonetta, has little to no character development.”
- “If you want to play something with some character to it, give this game a chance and you won’t be disappointed, but don’t expect there to be some emotional character development or life message.”
- “I don't mind the character design much, Bayonetta is what she is and can wear what she likes, but the way the camera is addicted to showing off her physique is problematic and, to my mind, excessive.”
emotional
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' deep connections to its characters and story, often evoking feelings of nostalgia, attachment, and even heartbreak. Many reviews mention a mix of humor and genuine emotional moments, with some players expressing that the narrative left a lasting impact, making them feel both exhilarated and vulnerable. Overall, the game successfully balances fun gameplay with heartfelt storytelling, creating an emotional rollercoaster experience for players.
- “The story is well written, thoughtful, and emotionally driven.”
- “The story is beautiful and surprisingly heart-touching at the end of the game.”
- “The game made me worry about the fates of the characters and become emotionally attached to them, to the point where the ending almost made me cry.”
atmosphere
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
58%
9%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant visuals, dynamic lighting, and engaging music, which together create a captivating and immersive experience. Reviewers note the unique character designs and the blend of humor and intensity that contribute to a charming yet chaotic ambiance. While some find the over-the-top elements and tonal shifts jarring, the overall consensus is that the game's atmosphere enhances its enjoyable gameplay and storytelling.
- “The game's use of color and lighting is excellent, with vibrant colors and dynamic lighting effects that add depth and atmosphere to each level.”
- “The atmospheric, calm tunes at the start of the game were a joy to listen to, and the action-packed songs of the mid-to-late game were adrenaline-pumping and intense, as you'd expect.”
- “The character and monster designs are unique, and the atmosphere is pretty solid, which adds to how stylish they present the protagonist, Bayonetta, in the game.”
- “In terms of the general atmosphere of the game, there is a heavy lean on feminine wiles, with many in-game lines centered around characters having 'been a bad boy' or angel... or whatever. Can I also just say it appears to be a guaranteed qualification for witches to be a seductress and possess supermodel-like bodies as you aren’t the only one.”
- “The over-the-top characters and atmosphere are less interesting and more annoying than anything.”
- “Despite the game's bewitching atmosphere, this 3D brawler is one of the most fine-tuned and enjoyable beat'em-ups on PC.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The game's monetization model is praised for its lack of microtransactions and loot boxes, allowing players to unlock additional content, such as costumes and characters, through gameplay rather than spending extra money. This approach enhances replayability and overall enjoyment, contrasting with the negative experiences associated with other games' monetization strategies.
- “Combat's amazing, and with all the weapons, accessories, and characters you can unlock (no loot boxes or microtransactions!), there's high replayability.”
- “The PC version adds more messed up controls to the already messed up original ones.”
- “That American who made Sega the most known developer in the Nintendo era knows how to make Sega better, but too bad they're using a bad way.... remember Sega Genesis ads?”
- “You don't even have to spend money on microtransactions to get the extra costumes.”