Comparison attack! Everybody loves it when two versions of the same game are pitted against each other in yet another grueling battle of the console wars, but at least this time there's a valid reason for the contrast. There has been much talk of Bayonetta having a lesser PS3 version, first noticed in Japan and then intensified when developer Platinum revealed that the game shipping on Blu-ray will be a port carried out by Sega.
With the demo hitting both Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network in Japan, we took the time to download both samples and put them through their paces. I have played through the demo multiple times, and can now put all the cards on the table and answer the question that PS3 fans want to know: Does Bayonetta suck on the PS3?
Let's see how the two demos stack up!
When the demos were first announced, it was revealed that the Xbox 360 would be getting two levels while the PS3 would only be getting one. While at first that looks like the Sony fans are getting a raw deal, don't worry. The PS3 gets more of that one level, including two boss battles missing from the 360 version. Hence, both systems get the same amount of content, more or less. The content is just different.
Let's first talk a little bit about the game itself. Bayonetta is fun. Ludicrously fun. The combat has a beautiful flow to it, with a focus on dodging and countering that is surprisingly simple, intuitive and satisfying. Unlike Ninja Gaiden, where players are overwhelmed and punished with cheap shots and unblockable attacks, Bayonetta instead encourages and entices the gamer. It's challenging, but very fair, and players will feel like a badass simply through pressing a few buttons.
The combo system is, in a word, amazing. The game has been designed so that every single combo leads to something cool. You can button mash and Bayonetta will still do unbelievable and crazy things, like summon giant boots made out of hair, or pistol whip an enemy while shouting "Naughty" at him. In short, Bayonetta is a brilliant, sexy, unpredictable game that and I'm beyond excited to get to the full version.
Now for the messy stuff. I'm going to get this out of the way right now: Bayonetta is clearly inferior on the PS3. Right from the outset, somebody who has played both demos will notice the difference. The colors are more faded and the contrast less defined on the PS3, with graphics that lack the vivid sheen that the 360 version has. It's certainly no dealbreaker, but the color is quite noticeably drained and it's hard to go from the 360 to the PS3 without it poking you in the eyes.
Furthermore, despite the claims that the PS3 version is running smoothly, I almost instantly noticed a janky framerate when I started playing on Sony's system, especially while jumping. Any quick movement of the camera will make the environment stutter, and it's not something that lets up during combat either. The contrast between the two versions is clear. On the 360, everything runs consistent and smooth, remaining bright, clear and gorgeous throughout. The PS3 version, by comparison, is slightly stuttered and comparatively dreary.
One can easily tell that this game was designed entirely around the Xbox 360. Even the controls don't feel quite as comfortable on the PS3, with the R2 button making a worse dodge button than the 360's right trigger. Inexplicably, the manual camera control is also painfully slow on the PlayStation 3. Moving the right stick causes the camera to rotate around the titular heroine at a snail's pace, and no reason at all is given for it.
The issues with the PS3 version are obviously far more noticeable to somebody who has played through both demos multiple times, but even a first-time PS3 player should be able to spot the framerate problems and muddy graphics. Of course, those in the dark will simply believe that this what Bayonetta is supposed to be like, when playing the superior version clearly demonstrates otherwise.
It looks as if the PS3 version of Bayonetta has been shortchanged with a painfully second-class port. Both in terms of look and feel, the Xbox 360 alternative stands out. It's a real shame for PS3 loyalists, because it truly is a fantastic title. It's just incredibly clear where the better game will be had.
If you own both a 360 and PS3, there is no question as to which version you should go for. We already knew that the 360 was the lead platform, and that Platinum Games was putting all its care and attention there. We already knew that the PS3 was having the game ported by Sega after the fact. Now we know what the result has been.
The PlayStation 3 has been given a good spanking this time.
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Yeah, I just tried the demo out, and while it's still fun, the controls feel kind of uncomfortable :/ I'm hoping that they find a fix, either by remapping them or letting us do it's ourselves.
Strange that the colors are more faded on PS3. That's usually the one area that PS3 performs better even when developers don't have the skills or resources to keep the framerate and/or resolution competitive.
Hopefully this sort of lazy outsourced porting will be surprising sometime before the next generation rolls around, it's pathetic.
Due in no part to the PS3 version's performance, I have no interest in this game. With all that's coming out over the next six months I don't see this as being something I'd ever put any time into.
Bum rap for those that are getting it on PS3 though. Hopefully this will provide some good material for Fanboy Friday.
Well all we can do is say "tsk, tsk" at Platinum Games. For a new company they really are having trouble getting stable footing in the business. Mad World barely got it's name out there, and was clearly made for the wrong console due to Nintendo's intended audience. Bayonetta is only getting Major Hype on this site. And I haven't even heard of Infinite Space until I looked up Platinum games. For such a new company with Shinji Mikami at the top, I would've thought that they'd try their best. Especially after the downfall of Mikami's Clover Studios.
Bummer, I was actually considering buying this game, but if the PS3 version is inferior I may have to reconsider. Kind of a dumb move on Platinum's part given the predicted rise of PS3 sales over the holiday. Their loss I guess.
Anything to differentiate this game from the DMCs or Ninja Gaidens or any of those other similar action games I could give two tugs of a dead dogs dick about?
@Tarvu; Oh yeah, while the orange box had, like, rubbish textures, models, lighting, and framerate, it was still half life 2, tf2, and portal. You can't go wrong with that stuff.
I can't get enough of this demo. but I do feel bad for the PS3 people. This is something, Like DMC, i'd rather enjoy on the PS3 at full max rather than a few graphic tonedowns and framerate drops.
While I see that the ps3 version is somewhat inferior I would still rather play the ps3 version even though I own a 360 . I just prefer the dual shock to the 360 controller .
also, I hope they release a demo for the US versions so I can play them for myself. Its nice to get a written preview with video but personal hands on time is so much better.
This hardly looks like a dealbreaker, just get it on the system you own, and if you happen to own both, get it on the 360.
Woo, easy.
That being said, I still haven't gotten the demo from my Japanese account, so I really should get on that since pretty much all my friends are drooling over it.
Not that big of a deal to me. I don't notice the difference that much, and either way, the graphics look fairly good. I just wish Platinum Games did work on the PS3 "port" themselves, instead of handing it over to Sega.
Jim, the camera speed can be changed under the options menu. If the colors are too dark you can increase the brightness as well, but I see no point in that, as it looked fine as is.
Also, seeing as how this game has default English voices, and an option to put on english subs, I don't see why people would wait for the US release. I may just spend the extra $20 to import.
Their next "mature" game will feature a penis, who is a main character and must have sex with as much vaginas and assholes as it can while it kills as much vaginas and assholes as it can. There will be a mode in which the controller vibration is always on so you can rub it against anyhting you'd like. PlayStation 3 gamers with that non-rumbling controller will get the short stick and will groan and moan all over the internet. Bessides, the processing teraflops of bit-allocation on the 360 will be better. It will be black, white, red, yellow and brown. SOme will say it's ahead of its time, some will say it's childish. I'll play it and miss the NES days. It will fall into oblivion and appear in exactly 26 internet Top Tens. Chad will have a Memory Card moment about it envolving feces, Quick-Time-Events and Carmina Burana. A Greatest Hits edition will be release, but no one will really care, for the next generation will be dawning upon us. Years from now, someone will remember how much he used to love it, play it again and hate it with every inch of his soul. Also, the framerate will float on the PS3 and the DLC will be overpriced. I called it.
On Platinum games, shame on you. Then again, any other solution would be way more complicated than it should be. Was it bad planning and the more difficult PS3 design be the priority? Yeah, but at this point, it's moot. I didn't really get the game, though.
As someone who has played the demo twice on my PS3 and twice on my 360, I can say the frame rate issue is absolutely true and real. It makes me sad that Sega would put out a port without a solid frame rate. However, the places that the frame rate suffers aren't told in the above article, it all happens in the cut scenes using the in-game engine. Also, there literally is no stutter aside from these instances and the game is quite playable on the PS3.
Jim's issue with the PS3 control really just has to do with his preference of controller. I understand that most people don't like the convex L2/R2 buttons but they're there whether people like them or not.
The 360 version is superior, however, and it is the one you should buy. It is very sad that Sega is being so lazy about the port and they've earned my contempt and I'm not purchasing the game for either console because of this.
The fre rate is absolutely low on the PS3 and I truely hope that fixes up. Or not, I'll be getting it on my 360 anyway.
For those worried about their PS3 versions keep in mind that this demo is likely based off an earlier build. I would expect(hope) that the more completed builds ran smoother.
Still, first impressions(climaxes) are often important...
I'll be buying this for my 360. Why bother at all with an apples and pears comparison, especially these days? Will you do the same for Brutal Legend, Borderlands etc?
You people have to remember, Platinum are still pretty new, so they may not have the vast resources they once enjoyed at Capcom. Don't feel down PS3 owners, as I doubt it you'll notice any of it, once you have the game in your hands. Looks fun to me.
Obviously this is a big game for Platinum to push, and I hope it does well for them. Problem is, its been delayed til next year, and may get drowned in the Feb 2010 game tsunami. After DMC4, its nice to get something new.
I resent the phrase "Ps3 loyalist" Loyalty had nothing to do with my purchase of the ps3 over the 360 and everything to do with practicality, I don't have the time or money to play THAT many games. When the occasional worthwhile Wii game comes out I barely have time to deal with it. It took me a year to beat No more heroes for christs sake! A year! I spoke to a friend today who downloaded the demo and said it looked fine and had a solid framerate, and this is a man who thinks the Bioshock ps3 port looks like shit, so I don't know who to trust here. I'd download it but I'm far too lazy to get a japanese account.
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Contest:
4:20 PM on 10.09.2009
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Also, paddles are not triggers. Controllers should be mapped to take that into account.
I've played the demo on the PS3, and it was a lot of fun, though I would prefer it on the 360. But if you only have a PS3, still, go for it.
Hopefully this sort of lazy outsourced porting will be surprising sometime before the next generation rolls around, it's pathetic.
Bum rap for those that are getting it on PS3 though. Hopefully this will provide some good material for Fanboy Friday.
Good Eye there.
The Orange Box was a crappy PS3 port, and I would think that was a worthwhile purchase for a PS3 owner. But then Bayonetta doesn't come with Portal.
STILL, worth the buy.
Is there no chance it can be improved before it goes live in the US in January?!
You said it! Why would you pay for the inferior port when you can have the painstakingly crafted "as intended" version of the game?
Woo, easy.
That being said, I still haven't gotten the demo from my Japanese account, so I really should get on that since pretty much all my friends are drooling over it.
Somehow I was equating this game with Devil May Cry in my mind and that was a perfect port between the systems.
If the final release stays this bad I may end up skipping this one, or at least waiting until it's down to $20.
You'd think developers would have PS3 porting down by now.
just do the japanese account thing. don't need gold to download the demo.
ZOMG DON'T KILL ME; I DIDN'T MEAN IT! BLU-RAY FTW! AH!
I am so sick of all this comparision bullshit.
why would you do that
This was going to be a bargain bin purchase for me anyways (PS3) so unlike Ron Burgendy, it's not a huge deal at all.
Lazy ports are lazy?
Also, seeing as how this game has default English voices, and an option to put on english subs, I don't see why people would wait for the US release. I may just spend the extra $20 to import.
On Platinum games, shame on you. Then again, any other solution would be way more complicated than it should be. Was it bad planning and the more difficult PS3 design be the priority? Yeah, but at this point, it's moot. I didn't really get the game, though.
Jim's issue with the PS3 control really just has to do with his preference of controller. I understand that most people don't like the convex L2/R2 buttons but they're there whether people like them or not.
The 360 version is superior, however, and it is the one you should buy. It is very sad that Sega is being so lazy about the port and they've earned my contempt and I'm not purchasing the game for either console because of this.
For those worried about their PS3 versions keep in mind that this demo is likely based off an earlier build. I would expect(hope) that the more completed builds ran smoother.
Still, first impressions(climaxes) are often important...
If he gives this game a good review than it's 100% certain, i'm getting this.
You people have to remember, Platinum are still pretty new, so they may not have the vast resources they once enjoyed at Capcom. Don't feel down PS3 owners, as I doubt it you'll notice any of it, once you have the game in your hands. Looks fun to me.
Obviously this is a big game for Platinum to push, and I hope it does well for them. Problem is, its been delayed til next year, and may get drowned in the Feb 2010 game tsunami. After DMC4, its nice to get something new.