With the rest of the world outside of Japan gearing up for climax driven, twitchy-Witchy mayhem next week, I thought now would be a good time to make an official thread.  In truth, I'm gobsmacked that the game has gotten so much across-the board praise.  I've grown weary of the Devil May Cry/God of War/Ninja Gaiden genre of action, but apparently, Bayonetta's doing things differently, and with an incredibly high level of polish.

Amazingu and, I believe Pellasos, have already given their seals of approval.  And really..... any game that features musical homages to Space Harrier, After Burner, and Outrun can't be all bad.  I really can't wait to see how those play out in context.

I think I'm more or less just tired of the praise series like Devil May Cry and God of War get. The former is really nothing special, while the latter only has a half-decent story going for it. That's just by my reckoning, though.

Bayonetta looks slick, I suppose, but your comments about the music have me intrigued the most. I'll give it a rent.

Well, I finally got an xbox 360, but man...the PS3 version gets duped again:

(From Gamefaqs review)

"What about the PS3 version?!

Now, the PS3 version... you've been waiting to read about this part, right? With the PS3 version, it's always a hot topic up for debate. PlatinumGames didn't develop the PS3 version themselves; instead, the code was handled by Sega and converted. This resulted in a not-so-properly optimized game, and a game with a few glaring issues. While the Xbox 360 version is at a constant 50+ frames-per-second, the PS3 only manages to do 30-35 frames-per-seconds, but can go as high as 45 frames-per-second. It seems like the PS3 version isn't properly v-synced as there's minor screen tearing at certain parts, but hardly noticeable unless you look for it. There are also some bad textures in a lot of areas, but the character models themselves are detailed quite nicely. The major issue here has to be the excessive load times, especially when picking up items from the field. The menu is also rather clunky since you can't navigate as quickly as you'd really want to. If there's a game that could have used a mandatory install, it's Bayonetta on PS3. If you completely ignore the 360 version, then you're still in for an amazing experience that's perfectly playable.
"

The only DMC I ever enjoyed was the first one.
The only God of War I ever enjoyed was the second one.
I hate Ninja Gaiden with a passion.

Yet Bayonetta is absolutely awesome and addictive as all Hell.
They just managed to get things so right this time round.

I probably don't have any just reason to state an opinion considering I've never touched any of the new NG games, but to me, NJ will always be the first two side-scrollers on the NES. Notice the third one (and the SNES Trilogy) are absent from that statement.

The PS3 port issues are unfortunate.  Also says IGN:

"Bayonetta could have been the best action game on the PS3. After all, this over-the-top affair from Hideki Kamiya and his team at Platinum Games not only delivers some of the coolest combat mechanics around but it coats the experience in an eccentric, hyper-stylish shell. Unfortunately, the PS3 port of Bayonetta is a very disappointing piece of software. I love Bayonetta -- just look at my review of the 360 version for proof. But Bayonetta on the PS3 is a whole different beast.

The PS3 version has a lot of problems, primary among them being the excessive slowdown and loading. During certain scenes of high action, Bayonetta can slow down dramatically, enough to affect the gameplay experience. I can usually tolerate that sort of issue to an extent, but the loading problems are simply unacceptable.  This game loads all the time. When the player pauses the game during combat or a cutscene, there's noticeable loading before the pause menu is displayed. There's loading when you pick up an item and there's loading as you scroll through menus. There's even an obnoxious load time just to view a list of save files. For a game that's supposed to emphasize quick action and style, these loads are almost deal-breakers.

Although Bayonetta has more than a few similarities to Devil May Cry, I believe that this game is worth playing... but it's hard to recommend the PS3 version when the 360 version is so much better. Even when you consider the fantastic combat system, the slowdown and load times really do spoil the fun.  ...... With that said, Bayonetta is still stylish, entertaining and unique. If you have no other choice but to purchase the PS3 version, you'll still get a kick out of it. Just be ready to be exorbitantly patient."

Is the PS3 version exceptionally bad?

In many multi-platform games, the PS3 versions have traditionally ended up the lesser ones, and I thought Bayonetta was just yet another.

In my experience, most games that have had multi-platform releases in mind have been reasonably close to one another.  Street Fighter IV and BlazBlue, for instance, have little to no performance differences whatsoever between their 360 and PS3 counterparts.  GTA IV's load times are slightly longer on PS3 (not taking into account the 360's ability to do full HDD installs), and Resident Evil 5 and Modern Warfare 2's graphics and framerate only take minor dips in quality. 

Bayonetta appears to be the major exception, undoubtedly because it's not being directly handled by the original development team.

I agree, games that have a multi-platform release in mind - from the get go - are generally close to one another. However, once you try to "port" the game to another system after the fact the project/conversion team is usually a B team, not the A team that made the game.

I'd really like to try out Bayonetta but since I don't have an 360, I think I'm gonna have to pass on this one, the shortcomings of the PS3 version really make it sound unpalatable.

I don't know about this one.

I've enjoyed every DMC besides the second one, and was pleasantly surprised with the first Ninja Gaiden reboot (haven't played the second), and I completely despised God of War. A large part of my distaste for the latter is the character himself, a completely unsympathetic, unappealing, flatout-despicable creature who almost single-handedly drains out all the enjoyment.

Which brings me to Bayonetta. I don't know what's up PG's tailpipe these days but between MadWorld and the clips I've seen of this, it seems to me that they've completely lost the ability to make fun characters anymore. Where's the guys who had a hand in making Viewtiful Joe, the Mad Midget Five, Dante, Susano and a host of others so damned memorable? Now they just make charmless foul-mouths and violent Baywatch models.

I know gameplay is the most important thing, and most player-characters are ciphers at best, but if I actively hate the person I'm playing as, I'm not going to bother playing it for long.

For all my ranting, I'll probably still buy it, since I usually get into games of this type, and I'll admit curiosity about what people are seeing that I'm not (admittedly it also raises a red flag that Amazingu seems to love this while expressing disdain for many of the games I like). But this is the last time I'm giving these guys the benefit of the doubt. They need to prove that Platinum isn't simply a poor man's Clover working blue.

i'm almost finished with my first playthrough on normal on PS3. oviously, there are some problems with loading and unstable framerate in some sections, other than that, i think bayonetta is playable on a satisfying level. so if you prefer to play on PS3 over 360, or just don't have a 360, there is absolutely no reason to skip on this game. there is so many sega and classic capcom love in here, it's literally blowing my mind. seriously, go and get it as soon as possible.

I can see Sega love being in there, but Capcom?  Really?  Didn't think Kamiya or Platinum Games had the license to put anything even remotely Capcom in there.

I'm slowly making my way through the Original Soundtrack.  I really didn't want to get too far into it until I've actually played the game (the tracklisting looks to have some pretty serious spoilers in it), but I've just come across the song "Let's Dance, Boys!"  And damn, is it fun and addicting as all heck.

Not to spoil anything, but there's some funny quotes in the game taken from several Capcom games.
I'm sure quotes are acceptable, especially considering Kamiya's history at Capcom, I don't see them being fussy about something like that.

But then, I've always had the impression Capcom is much less protective of people being creative with their IPs.

To be fair, the only company I've ever seen bitch about people using their IPs is Square-Enix. Anyone remember that Chrono Trigger update that was in the works?

Look hard enough, and you'll find "cease and desist" on all kinds of stuff from all kinds of game companies. Sega tried to bring a lawsuit against ytmnd.com once because of the Sonic the Hedgehog "molestation" talk thing (y'know, Jaleele White's PSA?)

Squenix is definitely one of the worst, but Nintendo is pretty bad too.
Remember that 2D remake of OoT that was in the works?

i think you'll notice the most obvious capcom easter egg by just watching a trailer of the game, but there are lots more hidden inside, like from okami or others i won't spoil.

i've finished my normal playthrough now, so next up will be hard mode. this game will easily end up in my top ten list for this generation, it's just awesome. i don't think you can pass on this game as an action fan or a fan in gaming culture in general.

Picked up the 360 version today.  I've only just started on Normal, but already I'm loving the fact that the game places defense as much in the forefront as it does offense.  What's it say when the very first technique I decide to purchase is the Air Dodge, as opposed to something more attack-oriented, like I'd normally do for games like these?

It may sound like a strange comparison, but so far, I'm likening this dodge and counter reward system to the Mario & Luigi RPGs.  The successful activation of Witch Time makes one want to study each and every enemy's specific attack pattern, in order to perform those perfect evasives.  It's really a lot of fun.

The story so far is pretty bollocks from a sensical perspective, yet strangely compelling as told in its lengthy, self-absorbed, talky, stylized sort of way.  It's like a slow burn on acid.  The still film reel method of storytelling is absolutely dope, and I actually prefer it to the standard cutscenes.  Also, playing the flashback encounters in real-time is awesome.

Another new favorite track: "Battle For The Umbra Throne."  I definitely want to see more fights with Jeanne.

Played the PS3 demo and loved it.  Didn't love it enough to spend $60, but will definitely pick this one up once the price gets more reasonable.

Tried a little bit of it last night (360 version, since my PS3 still hasn't been repaired), and I can safely say it's a mile-and-a-half beyond MadWorld, but I don't see it as a Dante-killer yet. On the good side of things, combat is smooth as advertised (I might change some of the button placements though, as locking on and evading at the same time is uncomfortable with my relative unfamiliarity with the 360 controller), the Sega/Capcom fanservice is amusing (certain achievement titles, Dante's guns in the prologue, and the music in Enzo's car radio), and I like Enzo - he sounds like someone I've heard do cartoons but I can put my finger on who.

On the other hand, Bayonetta herself is still pretty annoying. Her accent sounds irritatingly fake, the 'sexy' cutscene shots are ridiculous, and the "bust a cap in yo' ass" line was just embarassing. Still, it's seems solid and interesting so far, and I'm curious to see how it escalates as it proceeds. Again, MUCH better than MadWorld.

What about game soundtrack?

I liked the demo, but not enough to want to buy this game at full price.

Reportedly, the voice actors aren't credited, even during the credit roll - so no one knows for certain who voices who.  Kamiya posted in his Platinum Games blog a few weeks back that they'd be introducing the cast, but they haven't done so yet.

It's been speculated that Yuri Lowenthal voices Luka, while Khary Payton does Rodin.

QTEs can suck it in this game.

yea, they ruin my scores on a regular basis.thank god there's not that many of them.

i'm on infinite climax difficulty now and enjoying the game as much as my first day playing it.

How much of the soundtrack release is actually gameplay music, either dungeon or battle music?

I look at the tracklisting for it, and there's all these short tracks; I can only conclude that 4/5 will be cinematic music?

How much of it is the actual gameplay music?

I may or may not get the game, but I'm hearing a lot of critical acclaim for the soundtrack...

That's a Sega OST for ya.

I'd say that's a Kamiya OST for ya.  Viewtiful Joe, Okami, and Devil May Cry also followed the same "feature practically every song mentality" for their soundtracks, which includes in-game (GM) music, event/cinematics (EV), short ditty pieces, and promotional trailer songs.

I'd wager roughly half of the Bayonetta OST consists of gameplay stuff.  As a result, you still end up with a generous two and a half hours of music.

Luka: ...... "Claire, Trish, Silvia.... Ammy."  Ha, love it.

It took me a second to get Claire, but then I remembered that Kamiya directed Resident Evil 2.

Just beat the game.  The final battle sequences.... what in god's name did I just experience?  My mind's just going to have to remain blown for a couple more days yet.

In light of her pure, unbridled awesomeness, me thinks an avatar change is in order.

PS3 version is getting a patch on Jan. 28.

they'll add an optional installation.

i see you like to change your avatar alot

Yeah, Bayonetta and Jeanne didn't last long.  As purported in this thread, I keep to avatars of the games I'm currently playing.  Bayonetta was a fun ride, but it isn't the type of game I see myself coming back to.

Still, it must be emphasized: Jeanne is AWESOME personified.  It's gotta be the motorbike.

I decided to pick up the inferior PS3 version since Kmart had it on sale for $30 and I didn't feel like having to wait until whenever I get a 360 to play it.  Separately, I've been working my way through the soundtrack recently, and I noticed that Disc 5 has lots of classic Sega themes on it.  Anyone want to clue me in as to why?