Bayonetta 3

Bayonetta 3 cranks up the chaos, improves the combat, polishes the level design, and adds a ton of new mechanics to the mix, making for the very best entry in this storied series to date. PlatinumGames has absolutely nailed it this time around, carefully layering on more ways to engage enemies, piling on the OTT gameplay sequences, and giving us multiple protagonists without upsetting the balance ...

After eight long years of waiting, Bayonetta is back with all her flash and pomp intact. And while I expect this entry to hold my interest for quite a while, I hope we don’t have to wait another eight years before we see one of the biggest names in gaming return.

Bayonetta 3 is a show-stopping spectacle that feels familiar in all the right ways while also adding mechanics that are sure to delight old and new fans alike.

Bayonetta 3 isn’t perfect, but it’s everything I wanted. Absolute nonsense with sexy demons, some dope ladies, and dynamic combat is what makes Bayonetta 3 absolutely stellar.

While Bayonetta 3 has a few pain points when it comes to its overall graphical presentation, PlatinumGames delivers an absolutely bombastic, high-octane, over-the-top knockout of an action game.

“You'll be hard-pressed to find an action game that's having as much fun as Bayonetta 3.”

Fans of the series, or of the genre, are in for arguably the best outing this genre has had in years. Bayonetta 3 fumbles more than I wish it would, but when it is at the top of its game, it is an incredible exercise in joyous, glorious, utter lack of restraint and incredibly fulfilling mechanical versatility.

When the witch takes charge, this demonic fighter is better than ever. After eight long years, PlatinumGames has delivered a sequel which successfully celebrates the series, although it does have problems with pacing and a split-focus.

Bayonetta 3 takes what worked about the first two games and continues to refine it, from the balletic combat, to the diverse assortment of wacky characters, to the snarky sense of humor. Aging Switch hardware means that the performance is uneven, however, and the difficulty curve can sometimes swing a little too far toward “punishing.” Still, if you’ve been eager to join the titular witch on her l...

Bayonetta 3 is an excellent action game held back from being a great one.

Ultimately, we’re left a little conflicted with Bayonetta 3. This is the worst looking and performing Bayonetta yet, with a grander scale that both detracts and adds to the gameplay. We love the fact that we can finally take control of fearsome demons, for example, but we don’t like the fact that the camera struggles when fighting other gargantuan enemies. Add in some other frustrations, and you h...

Bayonetta goes big for the series' most stupendous adventure yet, but also its scrappiest.