Bayonetta 3 is just around the corner and is one of the most anticipated games for the rest of 2022. First revealed at The Game Awards in 2017, fans have been patiently waiting for the upcoming third installment. It’s been a long time coming, but the game is finally launching on October 28, exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
Playing the first two Bayonetta games is a great way to prepare for the third title. However, suppose you need some more games to hold you back 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 is a spin-off of the Metal Gear series. By focusing on Raiden, you’ll slice ‘n’ dice and carefully slice through tons of enemies, along with a gallery of Rouges’ villains.
Although 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 all games. Metal Gear Rising is still available from online retailers such as Steam and the Microsoft Store and is worth a short playthrough while waiting for Bayonetta 3.
9 God Of War: Ascension
God of War: Ascension was the last game in the series to feature the traditional hack-and-slash gameplay before moving to a third-person camera perspective with 2018’s God of War. Combat was a revised and expanded version of what became seen in God of War III, making it the best fight of the PlayStation 3 entries.
Unfortunately, Ascension remains one of the most forgotten entries in the series. Ascension wasn’t ported to the PlayStation 4 either, meaning you’ll need to play the title via cloud streaming from PS Plus Premium or play the game on a PlayStation 3 to experience this gem.
8 killer is dead
Killer Is Dead was created by Grasshopper Manufacture and Suda51, the developers of No More Heroes. While the combat isn’t deep or rich, the game is more of a return to Suda51’s roots with its noir style. The dark tone and noir style make the title much more interesting than the last few Grasshopper games released before.
If you like games that put style over substance 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 exclusive platform only available on Xbox 360 and through backwards compatibility. In the action game genre, this title is one of a kind. NG2 offers some of the most frenetic and fast-paced combat with a high number of enemies in the action game space.
Keep in mind that if you’re used to games like Bayonetta, it may take a while to get used to how the game plays. While NG2 launched on the Xbox 360, you shouldn’t be playing this game on that device due to the poor frame rate and noticeable screen cracks. Playing Ninja Gaiden II on an Xbox Series X offers a locked down 60fps with nearly 4K resolution all the time. Even the latest generation of Xbox consoles offer solid performance.
6 Devil May Cry 5
Devil May Cry 5 is the latest entry in Capcom’s celebrated action game franchise. The game features the return of Nero and Dante, along with 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 gripping and satisfying for longtime fans of the series. While the level design is incredibly linear, Devil May Cry 5, especially on next-gen consoles, is worth a playthrough while waiting for Bayonetta 3.
5 god 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 is 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. Humor in the game is pretty dated and the length is a bit too short, but God Hand is still worth a short playthrough. What may not be worth it is the price, which is over $100 for a physical PlayStation 2 copy.
4 Vanquish
Vanquish is a third-person shooter from Platinum Games and was Shinji Mikami’s first and only title in the studio. You play as Sam Gideon, a former top soccer player who must use his weapons, powers and advanced suit to defeat hordes of enemies and big robot bosses.
The movement and gunplay are satisfying, and the game actively discourages the standard cover shooter playstyle. You will be rewarded by taking cover and defeating enemies. The shift in gameplay may puzzle you at first, but once you get into it, it becomes all the more rewarding. Vanquish often goes on sale at online retailers and is worth a purchase while waiting for Bayonetta 3.
3 Ninja Gaiden Black
Ninja Gaiden Black is the ultimate version of the 2004 genre-changing 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 to it.
The game is refreshing compared to most other Japanese action games as it has a Souls-like interconnected world instead of linear levels. The combat is meticulous in how you have to be careful about which attacks you make as you can’t cancel moves. There may be no other game that handles the difficulty better than NGB, with its well-executed easy mode and higher levels of difficulty that will test even the most hardcore gamers.
2 God Of War II
God of War II is a late PlayStation 2 title that will be released shortly after the PlayStation 3 launch. Despite the bad timing, God of War II is the culmination of the series’ classic era. The game offers a powerful single-player campaign, delivering 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 all the games that got players excited 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 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 is about Dante in his youth who is embroiled in a conflict with his brother Virgil, which could have disastrous consequences for the world. While DMC3 doesn’t have the best combat in the series, it does deliver the best overall package.
The battles are solid, the bosses are varied and the level design is more complicated. You’ll want to explore these levels more than the linear corridors of something like DMC5. The story is very well executed in an anime style that makes you feel all the emotions it wants. The best version to get is the Nintendo Switch port which offers on-the-fly weapon and style switching along with local co-op.
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