Bayonetta (PS3)

Bayonetta: trademark of SEGA Corporation. Developed by PlatinumGames Inc. 

One of the most ancient game types is the today called “hack-and-slash”. In the beginning, it was called “beat ‘em up”, and it was one of the most addictive in the videogames history. The basic structure is the same in every title: find a new area, defeat all the enemies and upgrade your abilities. And keep this up until the end of the game.

With this simple structure, this type of game must have other elements to become really enjoyable. Things as smart puzzles, great songs, and good game mechanics are essential, besides the absolutely necessary good story and remarkable characters. Few games were able to fulfill these needs, but one of them is the spectacular Bayonetta.

The Umbra Witch Bayonetta

Developed by PlatinumGames and directed/written by Hideki Kamiya, the game tells the story of the witch Bayonetta, which uses firearms, spell attacks, combat skills and a shape-shifting magical hair (it sounds weird, but actually it’s awesome) to fight against angels and other divine creatures. Yes, in this game, the divine beings aren’t necessarily the good ones.

Shooting some devil... I mean, angels

The main story is focused in the relation of the witches with the sages, each one with its respective element: darkness and light. Bayonetta’s past is connected with the complicated relationship between these two groups, and as she doesn’t remember her previous years, the gamer discovers everything along with the character.

The graphics of the game are amazing, especially the work with the lights: they are really convincing, and create an immersive universe of brilliant and dark creatures, scenarios and characters.  The sound effects are also very enjoyable, as well the soundtrack during the fights and the quick-time events.

There are a plenty number of different moves, weapons and items for Bayonetta, allowing the player to adapt its style easily. Each combination has different combos, requiring new play methods. And more than fight, you must learn how to dodge enemy attacks. This ability is the key for a more competitive (and healthier) gameplay, as special moves are unlocked when you evade attacks, besides the witch’s life save.

Si, muchos armas... yes, many weapons

Besides the main character, there are other interesting people in the game story: Cereza, a lovely and loudly girl; Jeanne, a mysterious and powerful witch; Luka, a young and skillful man. All three are connected to Bayonetta’s past, and play an important part of the game plot. The relationship between the characters is a good relief on the frenetic gameplay, in great animation sequences.

Sometimes, the game can get very difficult and challenging (mostly if you don’t master the dodge system, or miss some fast quick time events), almost leading you to throw you controller away. Another thing that may be considered a problem is the soundtrack: as I said before, it’s good, but can get boring in the final of the game, after you heard it thousands of times (or maybe you can get more addictive as you listen, just as me).

Remember to complete all the combos

Bayonetta is an exciting (for many, in many ways) and funny game, that will deliver you a lot of challenging fights, customization's, an interesting narrative and… more challenging fights. Everything is brightly (or darkly) designed and structured, making this title one of the best of the hack-and-slash game type.

WarioWare: Touched! (DS)

WarioWare: Touched!: copyright Nintendo

Always looking for new ways for game industry, Nintendo games are references in two key aspects: innovation and fun. Among the many games that fit these two features, “WarioWare: Touched!” stands out for being one of the best games that use the features of the Nintendo DS.

WarioWare Touched! Game Box

Family Tradition

Despite not having a lot of famous games such as Mario, Zelda and Pokemon, for example, the WarioWare family has become tradition on Nintendo consoles. And all the games share the same concept: they are full of mini fun and innovative micro games, which use the maximum power of the systems for which they are released.

The series began with WarioWare, Inc .: Mega Microgame$!, released for the Game Boy Advance late in 2003. But the newest member of the family game is Game & Wario, released for the Wii U in 2013. Both games have the well-known unusual gameplay, challenging the player in each mini game.

WarioWare: Touched!, released in 2005, masterfully takes the Nintendo DS through funny mini games that make use of the touch screen and the microphone.

A great game made of small games

The purpose of the game, as said before, is to offer a large range of mini and micro games, which have easy gameplay and simple goals. But those who think this game is just a bunch of small games. Everything is perfectly embedded with the quality that only Nintendo knows how to offer.

The mini games are categorized according to their operation. Each category corresponds to a character in the WarioWare series, which has a story between the mini games. At the end, all stories converge towards one end. Nothing too elaborated, but it's cool to see how they fit into the same way.

Let's dance everybody

The game consists of 14 categories and 7 "mixes" of the other categories. And you don’t need to worry thinking about how you will be able to learn all this game styles. WarioWare: Touched! always offers short tutorials for you to adapt to different modes of play. There are 180 different games, and each new game released can be revisited when you want, adding an extra-large life to the game, as its “story mode” can be completed in about 6 hours.

The categories that have a mix of different styles of play are the most difficult, because you never know if you'll have to draw, blow or scratch. The sequences change every time, avoiding you to get used to the correct movements.

The category 9-Volt & 18 Volt is remarkable, because all the mini games are based on old Nintendo games, like Super Mario Bros., Metroid, Duck Hunt and Game & Watch. For me they are the best mini games (although it may be because all the Classic Big N games are present).

Have you seen this scene before?

Enjoy your time

Most of the mini games consist of challenges that must be completed within a certain time. But the most addictive ones are the little games with score, which lead you to play without stopping, aiming to break your own records (or your friend’s records). Do you have any application or Android game that is simple, fun and addictive, which challenges you to increasingly want to break the record, like Doodle Jump or Flappy Bird? After WarioWare: Touched!, you will find them all expendable, and will want to carry the DS everywhere.

As you play the mini games, you release the so-called "toys". They are (again) small games with simple play, but addictive. They do not have proper challenges, but are just as fun as the other mini games, allowing matches with "unlimited" time.

In my opinion, the best of them is the "Play by Ear", which lets you use the microphone of the Nintendo DS to play a funny harmonica. Another very interesting mini game is the "Ping Pong", which as the name says, is a ping pong game for two players on the same device!

In fact, I think the only negative point of this game is the lack of a multiplayer to have fun with friends. The way is to divide the game with your friends (or not, if you are like Wario), and challenge them to see who can have the best records.

A classic for the Nintendo DS

If you have the Nintendo DS and does not have the WarioWare: Touched !, run behind this game that worth’s every penny. If you have the Nintendo DS and already have the game, congratulations on your choice.

Wario also appreciates your choice...

Now if you don’t have the game or even a DS, and want to try it, visit the link below:

http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/wariowaretouched/enGB/touchingisgood.html

Made by Nintendo Europe at the release, this site offers some mini games for you to try on your computer, besides a lot of stuff on the WarioWare series. It is worthwhile to understand the mechanics, and enjoy a little more of the characters of the craziest "franchise" Nintendo.