Bayonetta 3 is just around the corner and is one of the most anticipated games for the rest of 2022. First unveiled at The Game Awards in 2017, fans have been patiently awaiting the upcoming third installment. It’s been a long time coming, but the game will finally be out on October 28th exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
Playing the first two Bayonetta games is a great way to prepare for the third title. However, let’s say you need a few more games to hold you up before the launch date. In that case, there are plenty of other titles that Bayonetta fans will enjoy.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is a 2013 action game developed by Platinum Games and a spin-off of the Metal Gear series. Focus on raiding, slicing and dicing and meticulously slicing through tons of enemies along with a rogue gallery of villains.
While Metal Gear Rising is short and the controls can be difficult to get used to at first, the game has a spectacular combat system and some of the best bosses in any game. Metal Gear Rising is still available from online retailers like Steam and the Microsoft Store and is worth a quick playthrough while waiting for Bayonetta 3.
9 God of War Ascension
God of War: Ascension was the last game in the series to feature traditional hack-and-slash gameplay before transitioning to a third-person camera perspective with God of War 2018. The battle was a remastered and expanded version of what was seen in God of War III, making it the best battle of the PlayStation 3 entries.
Unfortunately, Ascension remains one of the most forgotten entries in the series. Ascension hasn’t been ported to the PlayStation 4 either, meaning you’ll need to cloud-stream the title from PS Plus Premium or play the game on a PlayStation 3 to experience this gem.
8th The killer is dead
Killer Is Dead was developed by Grasshopper Manufacture and Suda51, the developers of No More Heroes. While the combat isn’t anything deep or rich, the game, with its noir style, is more of a return to Suda51’s roots. The dark tone and noir style make the title much more interesting than the last couple of Grasshopper games released before.
If you’re into games that prioritize style over content, then Killer Is Dead is a game as long as you can get past those embarrassing dating missions.
7 Ninja Gaiden II
Ninja Gaiden II is an Xbox platform exclusive, only available on Xbox 360 and via backwards compatibility. In the genre of action games, this title is unique. NG2 features some of the most frantic, fast-paced, and enemy-heavy combat in action gaming.
Keep in mind that if you are used to games like Bayonetta, it may take some time to get used to the way the game is played. While NG2 launched on the Xbox 360, you should not play this game on that device due to the poor frame rate and noticeable screen tearing. Playing Ninja Gaiden II on an Xbox Series X offers a locked 60 fps at a near 4K resolution all the time. Even last-gen Xbox consoles offer solid performance.
6 Devil May Cry 5
Devil May Cry 5 is the latest entry in Capcom’s acclaimed action game franchise. The game sees the return of Nero and Dante as well as some other familiar faces and introduces the new character V.
DMC5’s combat is by far the best in the series, with the most tools and mechanics to play with. The story is compelling and satisfying for longtime fans of the series. While the level design is incredibly linear, Devil May Cry 5, especially on the next-gen consoles, is worth a playthrough while waiting for Bayonetta 3.
5 God’s hand
God Hand is the last game developed by Clover Studio and directed by Resident Evil co-creator Shinji Mikami. The game is unique in that it’s a third-person brawler with quasi-tank controls, but it all works together. The enemies and levels are designed around the control scheme, so the game rarely feels cheap.
However, God Hand is a difficult game and will test your skills. The humor in the game is pretty dated and the length is a bit too short, but God Hand is still worth a quick playthrough. However, what might not be worth it is the price, which is well over $100 for a physical PlayStation 2 copy.
4 Defeat
Vanquish is a third-person shooter from Platinum Games and was Shinji Mikami’s first and only title at the studio. You play as Sam Gideon, a former star college football player who must use his weapons, powers and advanced suit to defeat hordes of enemies and huge robotic bosses.
Movement and gunplay are satisfying, and the game actively discourages the standard cover shooter playstyle. You will be rewarded by breaking cover and attacking enemies head-on. The change in gameplay can confuse you at first, but as you venture into the grove it becomes all the more rewarding. Often found for sale at online retailers, Vanquish is worth purchasing while waiting for Bayonetta 3.
3 Ninja Gaiden Black
Ninja Gaiden Black is the definitive version of the genre-changing 2004 reboot of the series and is another Xbox platform exclusive. NGB combines the 2004 base game and the two downloadable Hurricane packs to create the final version of the game, and adds even more content.
The game is refreshing compared to most other Japanese action games as it has a soul-like interconnected world instead of linear levels. Combat is meticulous in how you have to be careful about what attacks you use as you can’t cancel moves. There is perhaps no other game that handles difficulty better than NGB, with its well-executed easy mode and higher difficulty options sure to test even the toughest of players.
2 God of War II
God of War II is a late PlayStation 2 title coming out shortly after the PlayStation 3 launch. Despite the poor timing, God of War II is the pinnacle of the series’ classic era. The game features a powerful single player campaign and delivers the richest and most rewarding battles in the classic God of War era.
God of War II also has one of the most effective cliffhanger endings in any game, which got players hyped for the third entry. Unfortunately, only God of War III and the 2018 title are natively playable on a PlayStation 4 or 5. If you want to play through the entire series, you’ll need a PlayStation 3 for the best experience.
1 Devil May Cry 3
Devil May Cry 3 is chronologically the earliest game in the series. It shows Dante in his youth caught up in a conflict with his brother Virgil that could have disastrous consequences for the world. While DMC3 doesn’t have the best combat in the series, it delivers the best overall package.
The combat is solid, the bosses are diverse, and the level design is more complicated. You’ll want to explore these levels more than the linear hallways of something like DMC5. The story is very well executed in an anime style that will make you feel all the emotions you want. The best version you can get is the Nintendo Switch port, which offers quick weapon and style switching alongside local co-op.