I've been excited for Bayonetta since the first time I saw it. The art style, the music, the insane over-the-top action... everything just clicked. It was love at first sight. However, there's this gnawing worry that's constantly been there, in the back of my head. What if the game wasn't as good as it looked? What if it was just all flash and no substance? What if the game was shite? Now, don't get me wrong. I never expected the game to be horrible --  after all, this is a Kamiya game we're talking about --  but still, what if it was? 
 
Today, I downloaded the Japanese demo on my 360. The gnawing worry is now gone. In its place is more excitement, which is impressive, considering how excited I already was. That's right folks, the game's good. Damn good. 
 
Try and imagine a game that takes the best aspects(and only the best aspects) from God of War and Devil May Cry, and seamlessly merges them into one experience. Now try and imagine that, except better, and with a whole slew of originality. That's Bayonetta.
 
So, what makes the game so good? For starters, it's beautiful. Like, really beautiful. The art design is as colorful as it is intricate, and the crisp graphics and the rock-solid framerate do it more than justice. Small details like Bayonetta's butterfly-shaped shadow and the lip-shaped lock-on reticule give the game tons of character, and spectacular special effects never cease to amaze. Simply put, Bayonetta is a visual feast. The music if good, too -- the R&B(I think -- I'm not exactly the most knowledgeable dude in the world when it comes to music) soundtrack sounds really nice, and aside from being a perfect fit for the feminine-yet-wild feel the game is going for, it's also a breath of fresh air after Devil May Cry's brain-dead butt-rock. 
 
But if you've watched the trailers, you already know all that. What the trailers can't tell you, however, is what the game plays like. I'll tell you what the game plays like. It plays better than any action game on the market. It has the combos of Devil May Cry, except better. It has the freedom(in that you don't need to lock onto enemies) of God of War, except better. It's fast-paced, it's exhilarating, it's deep -- Christ, I'm telling you. So smooth. So polished. So much fun.
 
Forget about Devil May Cry, forget about God of War, and forget about those games with the boobs and the crazy ninja who dies all the time. Bayonetta's demo was more fun than all those games combined. I, for one, can't wait for January. Now if you excuse me, I'm gonna go replay the demo for the umpteenth time.

Thanks.  I wish I could play the falling Clock Tower, if only to see the 360 pushed to it's limits.
 
Famitsu gave it 40/40 
 
The music is an eclectic mix of all styles, it's not all one thing,  
 
Cannot wait.  
 
Q1 is looking crazy - Bayonetta, Dark Void, MH3, Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom, Lost Planet 2...and a few others.

" Thanks.  I wish I could play the falling Clock Tower, if only to see the 360 pushed to it's limits."

Yea, and it doesn't seem to last long...I'm sure the game offers a lot more to blow players minds. The flashes at the end of the demo show glimpses of what we can expect. 
 
Oh yea, you should avoid the official music video, who ever created that is one seriously dumb idiot. I don't think I have ever, nearly seen, that many spoliers in a YT video before...

 I agree entirely. My little brother's going to a midnight launch next Thursday, I may post some pics...  
 
Here's some of the advertisements Sega are putting up all over Tokyo right now. I may actually be able to get the third on next Friday, I've asked my local import store for a copy which they have in their window.  
 

Gallery

Thanks for your impressions, sounds just as awesome as it looks! 2010 is definitely going to start out as a good year gaming wise. :D

@Icemael: Thanks for the impressions. I'm really looking forward to this game. It looks like action gaming has had the action-quotient kicked up a few notches. And I am all for hot female leads in video-games. 
A few Questions: How's the difficulty level? Compared to DMC, GoW, and NG, I mean.
   Does she have Dante's awesome gravity-defying jump? 
Is the voice acting as cheesy and hilarious as DMC? I sort of liked that.

I've talked some shit about Bayonetta, but the more I see and here of that game, the more I want to play it, even though I have no love for DMC.

yea i had this demo from my japanese acount on my 360 as well and i have to say this game is the best in its genre.

• The Normal difficulty is pretty easy. Think God of War.
• Bayonetta jumps in exactly the same way as Dante.
• The writing is indeed super-cheesy. If you liked Devil May Cry's writing you'll definitely like Bayonetta's -- me, I just find it embarrassing.

" Thanks. I've always found DMC's writing adding to the game's charm. Bayonetta's British accent makes me cringe. In a good way. "

" Thanks. I've always found DMC's bad writing adding to the game's charm. Bayonetta's British accent makes me cringe. In a good way. "

"I hope Sega advertise like this in the West.  I want the first poster."