I've always been pretty interested in this game for various reasons, but I didn't really look at much on it. I think often times we look into games far too much and it kills the freshness of the experience when we finally get the game in our own hands. I've been trying to do this a lot more lately. 
 
When I started the game, however, I had a predetermined opinion on what the game was going to be. I was thinking... straight up Devil May Cry clone with a sexy woman that was only used to sell copies to unsuspecting guys. I was expecting it to be like most games of this type, where I initially think it's awesome, but then the levels start getting bland and boring, and I lose interest long before the end, forcing myself to try and finish just to salvage my purchase. It was not a case such as that.  
 
Bayonetta is quite possibly the most epic game ever made. 
 
That might sound like an exaggeration, but I truly believe it to be so. Each chapter you'll be telling yourself there's no way the game could ramp up in epicness and must ramp down soon, then the game gives you a high-heeled boot to the face and grabs you by the balls (assuming you have balls). Like boss fights? How about multiple bosses a chapter? How about chapters that ARE boss fights? I couldn't go into epic-proving detail without spoiling some of the games best moments, so you're just going to have to play the game. You won't be disappointed. 
 
The game has a nice challenge to it too. It's not insanely difficult (to me anyway), but it gets your adrenaline pumping and it's an absolute rush when you just scrape by an intense battle, praying for a health power-up or a chance to visit the shop. The game isn't completely ruthless in that reguard though, as the game has many invisible checkpoints along the way, and if you die, you can continue infinitely with a full bar of life. Your score will be affected dramatically because of this, but if you just want to make it through the game, it's a nice addition. 
 
One of my favorite things about the weapons in this game is the fact you never have to upgrade them. You find these pieces of music discs hidden throughout the level, and when you find all the pieces to a certain one, you take it to the shop and are straight up given the weapon in the strongest form that you can get it in. I hate how in other games like Ninja Gaiden, you may get the weapon, but you need to upgrade it about 5 times before you get any of it's good combos or before it does optimal damage to where you'll want to use it. 
 
Combat in general is a blast, however, as it is very fluid and doesn't require an epic amount of memorization for you to string together lengthy and beautiful combo strings. You can set two seperate weapon schemes to switch from on the fly during battle, which consists of a type of gun and a melee weapon, or a combo of two guns. Each set of weapons has many different types of attacks, and you can string together moves from different weapon sets to give the enemy the ultimate smack down. If you're like me, you most likely won't discover a good chunk of the game's weapons on your first run, but that's ok, because you'll welcome extra playthroughs if but to feel the rush you had the first time through all over again. 
 
You'll be marveling at the cutscenes in the game, housing gorgeously choreographed fights and laying down the game's deep lore, but your head will probably spin from the craziness that is the games storyline. It's absolutely awesome, but is also a major head-trip. Something about heaven and hell at each others throats and the left eye and the right eye..... eyes of the world. See, I still don't really have a clue. There's enough there, however, to make the events and conclusion feel satisfying and worthwhile.
 
Basically, it all comes down to this. If you like action games at all, and have an average level of skill at video games, you must own this game. 
 
Score: 9.7/10

Not going to go through any of that nominee crap, so here the winners are: 
 
Best Graphics:  

      

-*-*-*-GAME OF THE YEAR-*-*-*- 
 

Yeah, forgot to post that I beat Shadow Complex thursday night / friday morning. Took a picture of the end game screen: 
 

1. Rage