Finished Bayonetta
Another platinum games that i bought recently, lets just say im not totally impressed with the games. People it supposed to be the top notch for action over the top hack n slash games, but there are too many issues with that games that im not happy with. Thus my playthrough on normal was kinda a struggle not just for the difficulty but combinations of several those issues. The story is kinda weird, combat is top notch, boss fights is superb, cut scenes have a lot of absurd stuff and lastly turn off your brain when you playing this game. Lets just say, if you like games about mastering combat and repetitive training, then this is game to you. But I will say a lot of negative things that affected me a lot on my enjoyment.
First issue is the inability to config your control. I dont care if you say this is old games that i need to just get used to the control, but i think this is terrible port compared to Vanquish, which have all more option. Second is, there is auto lock-on and camera movement that cant be turned off, which sometimes work well, but it was horrible in close quarter area. Third is the graphic, something about bayonetta art design that add way too many noises to game that make it hurt my eyes to play it, combined with frantic combat, i feel like i can get seizures on severals case (battle with jeanne on missile is the one i can remember). Fourth is the emphasize on QTEs, specifically the one after unit introduction and several boss fights. You are given way too small window that miss pressing it sometimes will lead to your death. Fifth, advance technique that is required to play this games, which is the ability to keep your combo while dodging. Because of the awkward control scheme, i cant get used to it. Thus it lead to button mashing to start your combo and most of the time, it tend to lead combat to more slower than supposed to be, especially if u have small frame windows of time to do combo on bosses. Lastly is the lack of proper progression in game, mostly on weapon choices and skill you can unlock, I feel like the game lack of choice and you are quite limited to buy several item especially in the beginning unless u grind certain chapter over and over again.
Overall, Bayonetta is a game that I just had enough by finishing the main story. I just cant put myself over again to play other difficulty. Again, it is a good game but have too many issues that lower my enjoyment with it. If you think you dont mind the issues i mention above, then i suggest you to try the game.
Alternative : DMC series obviously but if u want small scale indie japanese budget title, then i recommend Mitsurugi Kamui Hikae, which is pretty cheap. This also remind me so much of Killer is Dead games, although it is kinda slower pace games.
EDITED : Forgot to add that some part of the games have atrocious checkpoint that required you to clear enemy again or watching same cutscenes over and over again if you not good with the game. You can skip most of the cutscenes though.
EDITED no 2 : I also forgot to mention about certain enemy seem like able to break from your combo despite the animation showing they taking dmg. It lacked of communication for enemy parry / trying to counter so i just instinct use dodge after 1 or 2 hits. Specifically the 2 claw enemy and jeanne final fight.