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How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 86 | 21 |
| Creator reviews (4 tracked) | – | 83 | 4 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 82 | 442 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 73 | 750 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (124)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 90
“Bayonetta 3 is truly eye candy for your senses and is what all sequels should aspire to be. Fans are sure to eat it all up, and newcomers will be left hungry for the next one.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Bayonetta 3 is a good time when it allows itself to be. It consists of an excellent core experience buried under superfluous bilge, an otherwise quality experience interrupting itself to such a degree as to drag down the entire experience. The high notes are high enough to ensure a genuinely quality game, but the incessant sidetracking into mediocre stealth gameplay, mundane alternate characters, and half a dozen other deviations holds it back from being truly great. Thank god for trainsaws and spider women though, because they do a heck of a lot to keep this game entertaining. ”
read full review ↗ - 65
“When it’s firing on all cylinders, Bayonetta 3 serves as a confident reminder of why we’ve been looking forward to its release for so long. Unfortunately, the number of misfires can’t be overlooked, making this easily the least enjoyable game in the series.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The only real objective problem this time around is that Queen Bay may be a little too much woman for the Switch.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Bayonetta 3 cranks up the chaos, improves the combat, polishes the level design, and adds a ton of new mechanics to the mix, making for the very best entry in this storied series to date. PlatinumGames has absolutely nailed it this time around, carefully layering on more ways to engage enemies, piling on the OTT gameplay sequences, and giving us multiple protagonists without upsetting the balance of what makes these games amongst the very best examples of their genre. With excellent performance in docked and handheld modes, incredible visuals, non-stop action, and a hugely replayable campaign that's a joy from start to finish, this really is a huge celebration of everything we love about Bayonetta, an action all-timer and one of the biggest highlights of 2022, on Switch or any platform.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Bayonetta 3 once again manages to amaze new and returning players alike with its fast pace and new wild combat options. If you are here for some spectacular action, you have come to the right place.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Bayonetta 3 is a good game and the best genre representative since Devil May Cry 5. The developers really strove to breathe some fresh air into the series. At the same time, however, it's disappointing as a sequel, as it plays it too safe.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Bayonetta 3 may not reinvent the wheel, but its lightning-fast action and engaging gameplay push the Switch to its limits. ”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Taking risks and daring to be better, Platinum Games has created one of the best games in its history with Bayonetta 3. The witch returns stronger and better accompanied than ever, proving why it is a Hack&Slash icon.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Despite featuring what's arguably the best combat system in the series, Bayonetta 3 is nothing short of disappointing. Bayonetta's core gameplay is outstanding, weaving fluid controls together with incredible weapon variety and tons of fun mechanics to play around with. The combo potential is high and battles just feel great to play… as Bayonetta. An unforgiveable amount of playtime is dedicated to newcomer Viola, stealth segments that make poor use of Jeanne, and relentless gimmick stages that wear out their welcome immediately. Tossing in mediocre level design, lacklustre performance, and a flavourless story that panders towards the current multiverse craze, it's clear PlatinumGames has lost its magic touch when it comes to the Umbran Witch. Bayonetta 3 is simply mediocre, at best.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Bayonetta 3 excels in its combat, music, voice acting, and scale making it essential for fans of the series, but it has a few technical issues holding it back. This is definitely PlatinumGames' most ambitious game yet, and an excellent exclusive for Nintendo Switch.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Full of sensuality and with the best hack and slash action around, Bayonetta 3 is easily the best in the trilogy. It's a celebration that pushes the power of Nintendo's console to the limit.”
read full review ↗
Gamepressure
The Jimquisition
Pure Nintendo
Slant Magazine
Nintendo Life
PLAY Zine
GRYOnline.pl
Gfinity
Cubed3
LevelUp…and 112 more tracked reviews.