I went into Bayonetta with much enthusiasm, but still approached it with caution. Was this another Japanese action game that relies on a sexy female protagonist and forgoes gameplay (see Onechanbara)? No, Bayonetta proved itself to be so much more.

Bayonetta is a witch trying to remember her past and stop the resurrection of Jubileus The Creator.  She fights angels and other angelic beings from Paradiso. She fights with a variety of melee weapons while dual wielding pistols in her hands as well as another pair attached to her heels. Her costume is composed of her own hair and can be used at times to take down enemies.

The game is very heavily influenced by Japanese culture. Bayonetta is a very sexualized character, whether it is in how she talks or the poses she makes. The game is filled with ecchi* moments and even incorporates J-Pop style music during battle sequences. There are also many references of older Sega properties, regardless of the obscurity of the reference. The game even has levels that pay homage to Sega classics such as Hang-On and Space Harrier.

The action in Bayonetta is intense, quick and very violent. You can quickly dispatch enemies with your normal attacks, but the joy comes when you can unleash your special attacks. As you battle enemies, it is not enough to hack and slash.  Being graceful and untouched in battle is rewarded by filling your Magic gauge.  Once your Magic gauge is full, you have the option to commit Torture Attacks. These attacks are specialized finishing moves that use various torture and execution devices against your enemies. They vary in style, from a guillotine to a riding horse to a spiked sarcophagus and more.

Boss battles are epic in scale with many of the bosses later in the game towering over Bayonetta. Being able to fight and take down these bosses is very invigorating and let's you feel like a complete bad ass once they have been defeated. When it is time to finish off a boss, you unleash a Climax Attack, in which your hair leaves your body and transforms into a huge monster that disposes your defeated foe. The hair conveniently covers key areas of Bayonetta's body, but there is the occasional glance at her bare posterior.

Throughout the game you have access to a weapons shop known as Gates of Hell. Within the shop you can purchase new weapons, items, accessories, techniques and more. If you are able to locate golden LPs (vinyl records) in some chapters, you can employ Rodin to create custom weapons, including shotguns and a whip.

The voice acting is top notch and Bayonetta's British accent suits her perfectly. It really helps the image they were looking for in her character. Though it is little Cereza that steals the show during the cut scenes where she is present. She is absolutely adorable and I couldn't help but "Aww" every time she said "Mummy".

Bayonetta is not without its faults. The camera can sometimes inhibit the action on screen and you may find yourself lost during some of the large scale boss battles. While it is not a huge hindrance, it can be very frustrating. A lack of direction tends to occur a few times during your progress. Many times you are left wandering around a level trying to find the next path. I was especially troubled when I found myself left aimlessly running around a couple bosses simply buying time while I figured out what to do next.

The last issue I really had with the game is the inconsistent scoring system. While it is a good idea, it is poorly implemented in the game. Every battle you partake in gives you a score based on your performance. The scoring gives you medals or trophies ranging from Stone to Pure Platinum. Seemingly in one battle you may have taken a bit of damage and end with a Platinum, but the next you take nary a hint of damage and end up with a silver or gold. The second part of this issue is the scoring screen itself. Although you can move while the scoring screen is present, it always felt like it impeded my momentum or excitement after a battle.

Platinum Games designed Bayonetta without a doubt of what the game was meant to be. It oozes with Japanese flair, sexuality and violence. It is also just pure fun. It is a game that should not be taken seriously and be embraced for its over-the-top antics and excellent gameplay. Bayonetta is the new queen of action games and she will be a tough one to dethrone.

Notes: Bayonetta was purchased by Michael and played on the Xbox 360 for this review.

* - Editor's note: Even I had to look up what this means.  I left it in because based on what I've read - especially in wikipedia - the word accurately describes the author's position.