So by now most of you hack and slash fans have played the Bayonetta, and Dante's Inferno. And if you have a PS3 God of War 3 as well. For those of you who haven't here's a quick overview of each game.
Bayonetta
The Good
Bayonetta is Devil May Cry on steroids. The game runs at 60fps, and is packed with fast action and combat. This is what DMC 4 should have been. The combat system in Bayonetta is arguably the best (and based of previews from other sites the demo only gives you a taste of what you can do). After killing enemies you can pick up and use the weapon left behind the fallen angel thingy. The only power you get to try out is Witch time which slows everything, but Bayonetta allowing her to slay enemies even faster. In the demo Bayonetta come equipped with a sword and 4 guns (2 in hand, 2 on heels). The gun combat is extremely thought out for a hack and slash and but Devil May Cry to shame since you can actually kill enemies with guns unlike DMC. The Sword wasn't as impressive as the hand to hand combat to me, but it was nice to play around with. The fight with the other Witch, was nice as well, being able to run along the wall and ceiling using Witch Walk (full moon has to be out or something).
The Bad
Bayonetta could practically be DMC 5 if you add Nero and Dante to the cast. It looks like DMC, plays similar to DMC, shares the same stylish gameplay as DMC, and feels like DMC which you can argue is the style of the games director since he is the creator of DMC. Graphically the game isn't wooing anyone, it's a good looking game, but nothing on par with the best of the best on either console. One other thing that is sure to get annoying is the sluttishness (I made a new word) of Bayonetta. At first it's like smile you know this is going to be throughout the entire game, then 15 minutes later it's like I can't believe this is throughout the entire game. It's just to over the top. The camera pans around slower than an old lady with a broken hip, forcing you to keep moving so you can get enemies into view.
Overalll
Overall I was really impressed with Bayonetta and it practically knocked Devil May Cry from the number 3 spot of my favorite Hack and Slash franchises, and possibly Ninja Gaiden which is number 2. One thing about Bayonetta you should be warned about is to expect a sub par story. Even though there aren't any story details in the demo you can be sure it's going to be on par with a cheesy B anime.
B+
Dante's Inferno
The Good
The cut scenes in this game look absolutely amazing some of the best I've seen. They are on par with full CG movies. This game also runs at 60fps, and the combat is lightning fast. Dante's and the boss characters designs look great they are detailed, and very creative (I loved the look of Death). Upgrading abilities looks like it will be enjoyable since there's a nice list of moves you can upgrade (Holy moves upgarde your cross, Unholy upgrades your scythe). Using holy moves to make the flame spirit thing vulnerable to unholy moves was a nice touch.
The Bad
A straight God fo War rip off, but not quite as good. Dante's Inferno could be replaced with a Kratos skin, and you'd think you were playing God of War 2.5. Almost Everything about this game is identical to God of War which isn't flattery, it's stealing (Controls, Riding Beast, Health and Magic Bar, everything's a complete rip off). The in-game graphics aren't nearly as impressive as the cut scenes, and look a little stale sometimes. The game seems like it's built upon the principles of Trail and Error, you will die simply because, you didn't move to another point fast enough, or while you're trying to fight tons of enviormental hazards beat you down like their the enemy. The cut scenes are great, but animated cut scenes are just weird and out of place. Oh and the animations in this game could use some work as well.
Overall
Dante's Inferno isn't on the level of God of War 3 and argualy God of War 2 for that matter. It's not a bad game, but it's not a good one either. Get Dante's to hold you over until God of War 3 comes out to show you the difference between cashing in and a masterpiece.
B-
God of War 3
The Good
As I said GOW3 is a masterpiece. The gameplay is better than ever, the game looks better than ever, everything about this game just read AAA Blockbuster. If you loved the first 3 games (including PSP's Chains of Olympus) then without a doubt you'll fall head over heels for the final installment of this epic trilogy.
The Bad
If you didn't enjoy the first 3 games there's nothing here to change your mind.
Overall
As I said God of War 3 is a gaming masterpiece. You really don't need to know more than that.
A
Darksiders
Umh. No demo and you come out in less than a month. Not looking good for this game nor do the gameplay videos. I'll hold judgment until I actually play the game.
Microsoft announced its financial results for Q3 of fiscal year 2026, including an update on its gaming Xbox business and more.
Not looking good. Hopefully Asha Sharma is able to turn Phil’s disaster around.
To me it's still quite remarkable how they can cash-in 5.3bn in revenue in a single quarter, since their hardware is basically dead.
The stock mark is what makes Microsoft remarkable, They have convinced every institutional and retail investor to just keep piling money into them. Like many big tech giants they are just a big growing pyramid scheme. As long as people keep dropping money into ETF's that cover the market Microsoft will always be liquid. At the same time it is completely stifling innovation and competition. People need to start being more discreet in how they invest their money as it's killing the system.
Riiiiight because people will just flock back to them for one or two games per year.
15+ years of bad performance is what they call irreparable in business. It is time for them to sell off the assets and get out of entertainment.
These declines are on the back of extra revenue received from releasing games like Forza horizon 5 on PlayStation. So I’m being sarcastic here when I said they should go back to exclusives. Killing off a revenue stream from Ps5 sales will only make things worse
The charity event will be streamed live from Gamescom in August.
Thanks to the slip-up of an artist working on the title, we now have more evidence that a new Injustice game is in the works.
I've played it (see http://www.n4g.com/up/22205... ), all I can say is that there is a great hellish ambiance, the game is very polished but it's a God of War-like that brings nothing new and use horrible clichés of gaming. Great but not original, and as the game is not called Modern Warfare 2, critics probably wont be kind with that side.
What about Metroid: Other M?.... well that might not technically be a hack and slasher...
It looks awesome though
So I would give all 3 of those games an A. I was blown away by all those demos. I haven't played Darksiders yet but I'll probably pick that one up too. Castlevania is my most anticipated. Great year for hack and slash fans.
Exacly in order.
GOW3,Bayonetta,Dantes Inferno.
I mean just cause the game isnt better than GOW, doesnt mean its bad, it takes a hell of alot to know GOW off its throne and these games arent the ones to do it.
@2
Metroid Other M does look great, but like you said it's not a hack and slash.
@3
I'm looking forward to Castlevania as well, but it's not coming out until fall at the earliest so I didn't include it. I love Action/Adventure games (GOW and Uncharted's) and as awriter myself a great story will keep me hooked, add great gameplay and graphics and boom it's pretty much a 9/10 for me multiplayer or not. Which is why GOW is suited to my taste.
@4
I agree Dante's Inferno isn't a bad game, but compared to the other 2 it's the weaker of the bunch.
Dante's Inferno has the presentation part down, but there's just something about it that doesn't compare to the other games (the look of the game is one, but there's something more to it than that).