Feeling Bayonetta on PS3

Though the Japanese demo was released quite a while ago, the Bayonetta demo released in other parts of the world last week on both the Xbox Live Marketplace and Playstation Network. I've already been through the 360 version about five times, so I figured I'd give the PS3 version a whirl. Ignoring the technical problems for a short minute, the PS3 version's demo is pretty different from the 360 version, and also sports a much bigger file size (1.6GB instead of around 770MB).

The greatest aspect of the PS3 demo is that it actually eases you into the game a little more. The 360 version started with you in a very chaotic environment, during which it was difficult to see where you were supposed to be going and where exactly an enemy was waiting to strike, since you couldn't control the camera. It's a situation that anyone well-versed in the genre can adapt to after a few tries, but I could imagine it frustrating anyone who isn't familiar with the territory; the worst thing you want is to turn someone off from this, especially for a game that seems destined for niche territory. The PS3 demo contains an extended battle with the second boss, and a battle with one of the game's primary antagonists. The thing is, I don't think the PS3 demo lacks the aforementioned section because of those.

And that's because it's undeniably below par from a technical perspective. For the last few months, there have been numerous reports about performance issues with the PS3 version, and everything you've heard thus far is true. The PS3 version generally doesn't look as good, has more screen tearing, and runs at a lower framerate. It's not unplayable by any means, but it's pretty clear that this game was designed from the ground up with 360 in mind. Platinum Games handed the game to Sega for the port job, and it's pretty clear the team that handled it wasn't up to the task. There have been rumors going around saying that the problems will be fixed by the time it releases in America and Europe in early January, but nothing about that is really concrete.

Now, I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from purchasing the PS3 version if they don't own a 360. I liken it to comparing the Gamecube version of Resident Evil 4 to the PS2 version. In their comparisons, the PS2 version was clearly inferior, containing less environmental geometry, lower quality sound, less precise controls, longer loading times, and generally lower graphical quality. However, it was still playable. The only comparison that's moot in comparing the two situations is that RE4's port was logical; the PS2 was weaker than the Gamecube, but that's not the case with Bayonetta. So yeah, Sega has some questions to answer.

But it's the core game that really shines here, and the fact that I've already played the PS3 demo three times is a testament to its inherently addictive qualities. If you like action games, I don't know why you wouldn't be all over this in a month's time. If you don't, here's your chance to find out whether you'll like it or not.