Bayonetta on Playstation 3 Hands-On Impressions.

Perhaps this was the agenda of the press all along. By instilling the harshest of negativity into the consumer's mindset, the game can't realistically ever look as bad as they claim. Can it? The answer is: no. Bayonetta on PS3 looks fine. The frame-rate's slightly choppy, and the image is a little blurred, but that's really all. Yes, it's true the game looks better on XBOX 360, but, there's no reason Playstation-only owners should overlook the game. The fact is this: unless you intend to play both versions of the game simultaneously side-by-side, you're going to be pleased with Bayonetta.

Our demo opened with a rather nonsensical film-grain cutscene. Plot-wise, we sustained a non-plussed approach throughout. Perhaps things will be explained better when we experience the full game, but, here's the thing: Bayonetta is a game about a witch whose cat-suit consists entirely of her hair. How do you explain that?

Gameplay wise, this is button-bash all the way. Sure, Devil May Cry purists will be crying into their keyboards right now, explaining the intricacies of combo and stringed combat gameplay but honestly, Bayonetta is flashy button-bashing. You hit the face keys and fun things happen. Spinning the analogue stick whilst holding the Triangle button causes Bayonetta to hand-stand, firing the guns that are attached to her feet (obviously!) in a circular motion. Bayonetta is bonkers.

A showdown against a giant walking stone thing, caused us to finish the beast off with a 150 Gigaton special move, that caused Bayonetta's costume (remember: entirely made from hair) to turn into a gigantic lion-thing and eat the opponent. In the foreground, stands a naked Bayonetta, with her modesty covered by two conveniently placed lines of hair.

The game oozes style. From the way Bayonetta walks, to the crisp jazz music that spins in the background. It's one set-piece to another also, with a show-down on a collapsing bridge being our next objective.

It was recently announced that SEGA and Platinum Games had enlisted on help from the folks of Sony to fix up their game. Like we said earlier, from the demo we played the game seems fine. We'd welcome a steadied frame-rate and improved visuals - and kudos to Sony if they can deliver it. Alas, the game's just a month away from release and we doubt it's going to happen.

But you really should rest easy in the knowledge that Bayonetta is playable, and most importantly, enjoyable on the Playstation 3. If you want to play it, you should. And we recommend you do.