Bayonetta & Vanquish Bundle Xbox One review: Amazing gameplay but dated visuals (update)

Updated Feb xx, 2022: According to Digital Foundry, the bundle runs at 1440p on Xbox 1 X.

Bayonetta is an incredible action game that originally launched on the Xbox 360 a decade ago. The title was regarded as a refreshing accept on the activeness genre with a quirky story and intriguing master character. While Xbox I owners could always play the backward compatible version, the game lacked native support for the console.

Vanquish follows a like story. It launched in 2022 and was considered ane of the all-time action games ever made. The focus on slide-based gainsay was a new concept that hasn't been adopted by many other games to that extent even to this day.

Both of these titles are available in the "Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Ceremony Bundle." The parcel costs $40 and features the Xbox 1 10 Enhanced versions of the games. While they're a joy to play in 4K resolution and 60 frames per second (FPS), the overall visual quality is quite dated. A lot of work is needed if PlatinumGames and Sega want to attract more than players.

Shoot some enemies

Bayonetta Vanquish Box Art

Bayonetta & Crush 10th Anniversary Bundle

$forty

Lesser line: The Bayonetta & Vanquish Package contains two amazing games, but the visuals are quite dated.

Pros:

Intriguing stories
Splendid shooting mechanics
Accessible for new and seasoned players
Polish functioning and resolution boost

Cons:

Poor lighting
Satisfactory textures
Slight camera problems
More than visual upgrades needed

Bayonetta & Vanquish Packet background and gameplay

Bayonetta is about the last survivor of an ancient witch order who must proceed the balance betwixt the forces of light and darkness. The titular character, Bayonetta, is revived after 500 years and her presence sparks a chain reaction that threatens the world. It's up to the player to make information technology right.

Gameplay revolves around tertiary-person gunplay and melee combat. It'due south a lot like Devil May Weep where y'all go from one area to the next, fighting enemies, solving puzzles, and slowly making your manner to the boss. However, the plot takes a number of twists and turns, and gets crazier every bit the hours go past.

Crush is 1 of the most stylish third-person shooters e'er made. Everything from the way your main character – in an advanced Iron Human-similar suit – moves to the boring-move shooting feels incredible and very polished. When you endeavor out Crush, you'll want to slide everywhere and shoot enemies while constantly on the move.

Yet, it's not a surprise that Vanquish is one of the all-time action games of all time because it's made past Shinji Mikami who's known for the Resident Evil serial. While the story may exist a little foreign considering you have to salve the American regime from a mysterious force known every bit "The Order," I think, yous set up in an "Augmented Reaction Suit" and kill countless enemies and towering machines along the way. The gameplay is definitely the highlight of the feel.

Bayonetta and Vanquish Bundle performance and visuals

Bayonetta is still just every bit fun as it was all those years ago, but the camera controls are still a little "wonky" to say the least. Since it'due south originally an Xbox 360-generation game, the lighting is very dated. Everything looks grey and pales in comparison to Bayonetta 2 even on the Nintendo Wii U.

I would've liked to see some improvements to the lighting because it can be quite jarring to witness a game that looks this "old." Vanquish is plagued by the same problem. Both games maintain 4K and 60 FPS, but look done out. The colors aren't vibrant and the lighting is mediocre is say the to the lowest degree. While it's precipitous on a 4K display, information technology's non an overall visual treat anymore.

I realize that both games are rereleases, but it would've been nice to see more than work put into the native Xbox One versions, especially on Xbox One X. It feels like a wasted opportunity. I'm not certain if the Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle volition be adopted past new fans because it does zippo to bring newcomers in. Visuals are merely every bit important on gameplay nowadays, specially in an age where panel manufacturers are talking about supporting 8K displays.

Bayonetta & Vanquish Bundle last thoughts

If you haven't played both games, then you should pick upward this drove since information technology's the all-time mode to play Bayonetta and Vanquish. Goose egg beats the clarity of 4K with smooth performance at 60 FPS. However, know that y'all'll be picking them up for the superb gameplay – despite some minor camera issues – rather than the overall visual quality of in-game assets and lighting. If you've already played them, then go them for the improved performance.

Even to this day, Bayonetta and Beat are amidst the top of the activeness game genre. I merely wish some greater changes were implemented to brand them shine on Xbox I X. Correct now, the bundle seems like it simply appeals to existing fans, and that might be its biggest trouble considering it lacks any noticeable refinements aside from the boost to resolution and performance.

The rumors were true

Bayonetta Vanquish Box Art

Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Parcel

Cult classics

Commemorate the tenth anniversary of PlatinumGames' two most historic titles with the Bayonetta and Vanquish remastered dual-pack. 4K sixty FPS graphics are available on Xbox One Ten.

Fifty-fifty more games

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

It'll last you a couple of months

Xbox Game Pass gives you admission to over 200 games for one monthly fee. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also adds Xbox Live Gold to the package and then y'all can play online with your friends.

The game was reviewed on Xbox One Ten with a code provided past the publisher.

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