My initial thoughts when looking at pictures and videos of Bayonetta were that this was going to be Devil May Cry… with a woman. I couldn't be more wrong.
After downloading the demo from Japan's XBL Marketplace (which the demo is completely in English if you're interested), my preconceptions were shattered by just how well this game plays.
Yes, the environments look amazing, the lighting is wonderful, but more than that: the combat is fluid. You can nail out combos with the X and Y buttons, but by holding down the final button (instead of tapping it) it will end the combo with Bayonetta firing her guns. Which can be from either her foot or hand, depending if the combo ended with a kick or punch. Also, if you have enough magic stored up from fighting, you can hold that last button then roll the right thumbstick to take out multiple targets. It looks stylish.
Also, there is Witch Time, what this entails is dodging an attack the moment before it impacts. The screen warps a dark shade of violet and time crawls for a little while. Allowing you to mash out some damage easier. In the heat of battle, it is a welcome addition, as it allows you to thin through all the chaotic enemies that are out for your blood.
At certain points in a fight, if you manage to dodge attacks and take no damage, you accumulate magic. When this gets to a certain point your combos can have additional effects or Torture Moves, as they are called. They are different depending on what weapon or combo you use, but always involve mashing a certain button to increase damage. Believe me, throwing an opponent into a guillotine, charging it and then slicing his head off, is just as visceral as it sounds.
Of course, using any extended or supercharged combo takes away more and more of Bayonetta's clothing, as her outfit is made of her own hair. Weird? Certainly. But it's a good indication of how well you're combos and attacks are doing.
Also, with the boss fights, once you get their health down low enough you will be given a moment to exact what's called a “Climax.” This involves Bayonetta using all her hair to launch an over-the-top finishing move. The one I was treated to in the demo involved a huge demon tearing out of the ground and crushing the boss in it's jaws. It's very satisfying to pull off and my reward for killing the beast was his celestial weapon. As during fights you can pick up weapons off certain enemies after they're slain and all have different combos and attacks for you to mess around with.
In my opinion, Hideki Kamiya has outdone his previous series of Devil May Cry and stepped it up to a new level of action bliss!
If you're an action fan, this one will be worth your money!