3.5/5 ★ – trudes's review of Bayonetta 3.

Spoilers - Mixed feelings on this, mostly due to the vague and at times incoherent narrative — a staple in this franchise. A lack of exposition and quality beat by beat storytelling detract from its risks, romance, and twists. Hated the Luka romance and honestly everything to do with him in this — I like the character but his destiny and the romance felt totally unearned and the former out of left field. Enjoyed Viola, but again the development is too little to utilise her fully. The turns of the story were fun, I did predict who Viola was rather quickly, but the reveal that the Bayo we're playing as is in a different universe from 1 & 2 was genius. Didn't call that, and that whole climax was incredible and nostalgic. Jeanne's death was bullshit. Didn't really see the storytelling point of that, especially considering how the game ends Bayo's journey. The game also doesn't fix the clunky issues 1 and 2 often had with segments. Costume design, music, and the weapons etc all absolutely incredible. There were little details in this that was fabulous and much appreciated. I also like a game willing to take a swing, I just think this put all the emotional eggs in the Luka basket when there were much more interesting things going on (her centuries old relationship with Jeanne and Viola's entry)