Bayonetta 3

Bayonetta 3 (2022) is the latest fighting game in the Bayonetta franchise, where you use fantastical guns and outlandish attacks to defeat monsters and hordes of enemies in fast-paced combat. As you move through the stages, you attack enemies with your wide array of out-sized peculiar weapons and supernatural powers. Colourful characters, demonic abilities and hyper-stylised fights combine with a joy in precise shooting and tough combat.

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You play a witch called Bayonetta who, along with her demons, fights off invading robotic monsters. You have a wide array of attacks you can string together to deal higher damage. Against tougher enemies, you can channel your sword-demon to gain further abilities (and yet more outlandish costumes). You can also summon huge, bizarre monster mash-ups (like the giant spider scorpion) to ally with you when you are in a particular bind.

Some may be put off by the sheer strangeness (and guns and nudity) but it's this peculiar joy in the bizarre that makes Bayonetta games so much fun. It's a strangely intoxicating mix of quirky humour and over-the-top battles that work surprisingly well with the requirement for expert timing, high skill, and experimentation with the attacks and abilities on offer.

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Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Bayonetta 3 21 months ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 8 months ago.