• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Bayonetta 2 demo available on the Nintendo eShop (NA & EU)

Finished the demo. I've seen the demo quite a few times before so nothing new, but getting to finally play it was great. It controls well, and it's definitely quite spectacular.

The framerate is really rough though (whoever said it was running at a locked 60 is crazy), especially coming off playing RE4 HD and Dark Souls 2 both running at an actually locked 60fps framerate on PC. At some points it almost felt like fighting Sapientia for the second time or fighting Iustitia in Bayonetta 1. And according to Digital Foundry the final game doesn't really run better :( I kinda wish PlatinumGames would put a bigger emphasis on solid framerates.
 
random25 said:
B-b-but EA...
and MGS5 :p
.




Usage limit in demo software is quite common. In games, maybe it's only Nintendo, but let's not pretend it's something only one company does. At least it's actually a whole prologue of the final game, and not something different just to say it's a demo.



It's free. And there's a workaround for the limit.




Yes it's a form of a luxury. Not everybody gives a demo these days, and not everybody with a gaming system gets an access to a demo. At least this one is open for everybody with a EU/NA Wii U and an internet connection, and you do not need to buy another game just to get a demo.
Click to expand...

Normally in those cases we are talking about software with the full functionality, which is clearly not the case here. But is still a moot point, we are talking about games and demos don't have usage restrictions anywhere except on Nintendo systems.

Not everybody gives a demo, but everybody that does, dosn't do it with restrictions. Which makes Nintendo decision silly and I don't undertand why people defend it.
 
JCX said:
Bayonetta feels like an HD PS2 action game. Reminds me of a lot of those types of games we don't see as often anymore.
Click to expand...

My goodness, that's an excellent way of describing what I'm feeling after playing this demo. It's like seeing an old friend for the first time in years. I did okay with the Wii U gamepad, but when I switched to the Pro controller things really clicked.

I still have to get used to the insane amounts of screen obscuring stuff on-screen.
 
Anyone have a video of getting platinum or even gold combo score from the first verse? I'd like to know what I'm wrong.
Fantastical said:
I have to say... lots of people made fun of those complaining about jaggies in the trailers... they are very apparent. There are jaggies fucking everywhere. Biggest complaint about Wii U games visually is lack of AA.
Click to expand...

Jaggies didn't bother me one bit playing this, too much stuff going on. While in Mario Kart 8, for example, they're very obvious.
 
Relaxed Muscle said:
They still probably beat Nintendo to a pulp in that regard, being newer systems and all.
Click to expand...

Yeah like that Thief demo on psn that no one wants to play? Or a couple of indie or yearly sports titles?

This is a great demo and 15 sessions is plenty. The only reason people would even think to complain is because it is sooo good and includes a practice mode, which itself would only matter if you were going to buy the game, which comes out in two weeks. Then you know, you can just buy it and play it as much as you want!
 
I was taunting everyone and it gets hard really fast :(
Can't get platinum! :( I miss combo points. Need more practice, the night is long though.
 
Hm didn't notice any slowdowns during the demo. So if the framerate actually fluctuated it can't be too much. Maybe not locked 60fps, but to me it certainly felt like it was.
 
Did not expect that.

What a fun freaking demo, man I am actually super intrigued by this game now!

So much fun and very simple, exactly what a demo should be. Granted I've never played through the first game but I'm really tempted to buy this game at launch now. I really didn't have much hype for this until tonight, what a cool game.
 
I liked the game, will buy.
Had to sit only 3 meters away from my 42" until the jaggies were gone.
This is a beautiful game for sure. The colors pop from the screen.
 
KHlover said:
Hm didn't notice any slowdowns during the demo. So if the framerate actually fluctuated it can't be too much. Maybe not locked 60fps, but to me it certainly felt like it was.
Click to expand...

I'm usually pretty sensitive to framerate, but I honestly don't notice the drops so much in this demo. I'm trying to throw out combos, drill Dodge Offsetting into my thumbs and watch all the enemies, which I guess doesn't leave much brain power devoted to monitoring the framerate. In a shooter or something I notice framerate drops pretty much every time, but it just doesn't happen for me in these kinds of games (even with W101 I only notice it when it really chugs).
 
Ysiadmihi said:
Can't really comment on the gameplay since I have no clue how I'm supposed to play a Bayonetta game, but the aliasing, frame dips and 30fps cutscenes were pretty awful. I know Platinum really aren't technical wizards, but goddamn.

Still buying for the Daisy costume.
Click to expand...
I'm getting mixed messages compared to other posts -- most people seem to say it's pretty smooth aside from the cutscenes. How bad are the frame dips in the demo?

Hypron said:
Finished the demo. I've seen the demo quite a few times before so nothing new, but getting to finally play it was great. It controls well, and it's definitely quite spectacular.

The framerate is really rough though (whoever said it was running at a locked 60 is crazy), especially coming off playing RE4 HD and Dark Souls 2 both running at an actually locked 60fps framerate on PC. At some points it almosta felt like fighting Sapientia for the second time or fighting Iustitia in Bayonetta 1. And according to Digital Foundry the final game doesn't really run better :( I kinda wish PlatinumGames would put a bigger emphasis on solid framerates.
Click to expand...
Ah, just saw this post. Maybe 40-50 fps as suggested by Digital Foundry, for the demo. As long as it doesn't vary a lot hopefully it won't be too bad. I didn't get it downloaded today but hope to tomorrow.
 
New to Bayonetta, played the demo thrice: two silvers and a gold. It wasn't until the third run that I started to play around with taunts and weapon switching, and I'm still getting accustomed to the dodge offset. My combo score is escalating rapidly, but I'm still short of a platinum medal for the chapter on account of damage.

I love how the intensity of the spectacle goads you towards button-mashing in desperation, but you are rewarded for maintaining your composure and patiently timing your attacks and dodges around the animations. You could say the same about The Wonderful 101, but I spent most of my first run through it trying to stay alive and not worrying too much about combos, so it didn't leave me with the same sense of crispness and precision as the Bayonetta demo, which rewarded a button-to-button perfectionism the likes of which I've sorely missed since Viewtiful Joe. I was already set on buying the game on the strength of the Platinum label alone, but the demo left me convinced that booking time aside to play through both games multiple times will probably be a necessity.
 
QuixoticNeutral said:
I love how the intensity of the spectacle goads you towards button-mashing in desperation, but you are rewarded for maintaining your composure and patiently timing your attacks and dodges around the animations.
Click to expand...
So true. In the tutorial section, I first tried to input the combos like in a fighting game but soon figured out that it doesn't work that way. Keeping your calm doing the same while they're after you is a serious challenge. I'd spend a lot of time in the tutorial in any case, just to listen to the eargasmic theme, though.

BTW great to see a strong reaction in a GAF thread on positive news for a change. Not all hope is lost.
 
So is there no way to stop the Gamepad from mirroring the game? I'm often distracted by it and simply want to focus on the TV. I'd prefer if the Gamepad just had other things like menus.
 
Relaxed Muscle said:
Demos are free in all systems.

Shocking I know.
Click to expand...

Have you heard of MGS5 by chance?

Relaxed Muscle said:
I love how people think demos are a luxury and we should be grateful....I guess they are on Nintendo systems....
Click to expand...

They ARE a luxury, and we SHOULD be grateful for them, as we get them FOR FREE!
...especially considering demos are now very rare for "big budget" games, even on *gasp* non-Nintendo systems! Shocking, I know.

Less entitlement and more appreciation makes for a better world.
 
Sub Boss said:
I meant, graphically, of course it looks better it has better animation, textures, and effects, but its still similar to that game, it just doesnt look "next gen" compared to it, thats ok.
Click to expand...

You're speaking in extremely relative terms. Of course everyone is confused.
 
Relaxed Muscle said:
Normally in those cases we are talking about software with the full functionality, which is clearly not the case here. But is still a moot point, we are talking about games and demos don't have usage restrictions anywhere except on Nintendo systems.

Not everybody gives a demo, but everybody that does, dosn't do it with restrictions. Which makes Nintendo decision silly and I don't undertand why people defend it.
Click to expand...

I'm not really defending it. I just don't see the reason for raising pitchforks over this. It's pegged as GOTY contender as early, and has a potential for critical acclaim that we're even surprised to get a freakin' demo of this game. And it's no-strings-attached, literally free for Wii U owners demo. When's the last time we got a demo of a high-caliber game such as Bayonetta 2 without begging or paying for access? If people aren't bothered by those, then all the more reasons not to be bothered by a free trial with limited use.

KyleCross said:
So is there no way to stop the Gamepad from mirroring the game? I'm often distracted by it and simply want to focus on the TV. I'd prefer if the Gamepad just had other things like menus.
Click to expand...

You can turn off the gamepad screen by going to home menu and controller settings.
 
At least we didn't have to pre-order at GameStop for it!

I'd rather have a free limited demo than fork down $5 at GameStop to have a demo that I'll delete later anyway.
 
I played this for several hours last night, and when I woke up this morning I just wanted to sit down and my couch and fire it back up - it's one of those games.
 
KyleCross said:
Neat, did not know this. Owned a Wii-U for a bit, but it has gone largely untouched.
Click to expand...

If you are using the GamePad to play the screen can't be kept off though - it will switch back on when you press a button on the GamePad.

You could turn the GamePad brightness setting all the way down though (press HOME, tap 'Controller Settings'), which should make it less distracting for you.
 
The Bayonetta 2 demo is so much smoother compared to the PS3 version of Bayonetta 1. Its unbelievable how this game feels compared to the previous one.
 
imae said:
If you are using the GamePad to play the screen can't be kept off though - it will switch back on when you press a button on the GamePad.

You could turn the GamePad brightness setting all the way down though (press HOME, tap 'Controller Settings'), which should make it less distracting for you.
Click to expand...

Ouch. I guess I really shoulda bought a Pro Controller when they were on sale for $30 like a month ago at Best Buy.
 
imae said:
If you are using the GamePad to play the screen can't be kept off though - it will switch back on when you press a button on the GamePad.

You could turn the GamePad brightness setting all the way down though (press HOME, tap 'Controller Settings'), which should make it less distracting for you.
Click to expand...

Yeah...sorry Kyle for a little misleading info...I'm just used to playing with the pro controller :p
 
for those esxcited, let me just say this: the game delivers until the very end. every level feels like a "final game boss" encounter in terms of new situations, adrenaline and "feeling".
 
Blizzard said:
I'm getting mixed messages compared to other posts -- most people seem to say it's pretty smooth aside from the cutscenes. How bad are the frame dips in the demo?
Click to expand...

I'll never claim to be a expert but I have become more sensitive to fps over the years and I found it hard to spot any atleast significant drops in the demo, it felt pretty smooth, which it should, its the area they chosed to show off the most afterall
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth demo available now on Switch 2 and Xbox
2 3 4
152
517
Shin-Ra replied
[Steam] Darkhaven Demo Now Available
38
774
Soodanim replied
Saints Row 3&4 is $2 on the eShop
22
310
RPS37 replied
Nintendo to launch Switch 2 revision with replaceable battery for the EU market
Business Game Dev Hardware  2
58
745
Werewolf Jones replied
Pragmata Demo Releasing on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2 today!
2 3 4 5 6
253
3K
Cyberpunkd replied
Top Bottom