Bayonetta

Bayonetta is Platinum Games’ answer to the masculine, gore-obsessed action game. Its eponymous character is a charismatic, reluctant mother sporting a tight, leather body suit with guns attached to her heels. She strikes provocative poses after slicing a room full of demons in half, but she refuses to be objectified. In fact, she’s the only worthy opponent to the game’s endless onslaught of creepy, baby-faced demons. After all, the men in Bayonetta are incompetent wimps.

The game itself is a refinement of combo-based action games (Devil May Cry [デビル メイ クライ], God of War) filtered through the most ridiculous scenarios and boss fights I’ve ever seen. You fight gigantic demigods that make the enemies of Shadow of the Colossus look like pet hamsters, and you get to guide a defeated boss across the solar system and into the sun. This wouldn’t be so impressive if it weren’t for the amazing visuals, fluid animation, and addictive combat that compliment these set pieces.

It’s refreshing to find a Japanese game so willfully silly, starring a heroine that doesn’t feel like a brainless sex doll or stand-in for a male. While some might find Bayonetta more ridiculous than post-modern, regardless it’s a very well designed and paced game that will appeal to any action junkie.