Free Step Dodge

Haha, yeah easily. Bayonetta 1 vs. DMC3 would be a fairer comparison.

Bayonetta plays decently but its aesthetics make it difficult for me to get into. Music is trash. Character designs are atrocious, and combat is too cluttered with obscuring effects to be satisfying.

Whatcha talkin' 'bout? The music is godlike dude: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul1SZFBOc4s . The graphics & visual design are also very solid. Platinum does great 60FPS visuals.

I think it has to do with what you're looking to get from an action title. Slower battle tracks really only work when the emotion is well-earned, and that's not something most action games do well. In general I want tracks that match the speed and aggression of the gameplay. Bayonetta usually feels like some dude is randomly playing a piano with you're off doing something completely un-synced.

NG:Black and DMC 3:SE is a better fight.

Fighting games are actually similar to me. For example, I really like Ayane's DOA2 theme, but I don't really like it as an in-game battle track. It's too calming and serene. I prefer the faster, more intense tracks as a result.

Agreed, ill take Bayo 1 over DMC4 anyday, hell I'll take Bayo 1 over 99% of most character action games period