I have a question out there for any reader who works at BradyGames or knows someone who does. What is the word on the Bayonetta strategy guide?

Gamestop has no information about it, Best Buy has it listed as backordered, and Amazon says it will take a week to just ship it. Even more strangely, there is no mention of this guide on BradyGames’ site. I left a message on the publisher’s facebook page, but I’m not sure I’ll receive a response.

I just want to know if it’s been canceled. If it has, I won’t wait for the guide to come in before playing. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I’ve heard the buzz about Bayonetta for some time now, but I haven’t given it much thought. I know it stars a hot chick with some weird hair powers, and that should have ensnared me, but the fact that she totes a gun is what turned me off. I brushed off the game without a second thought.

Then last week, I decided to do the incredibly stupid thing of going to Gamestop the day before Christmas Eve to pick up a case for my PSPgo. I never bought one before, because I wanted to wait for options, blah blah blah, and then I suddenly had a need to transport it, so options shmoptions. I need that thing, unfortunately, now. So I had to wait in a very long line at Gamestop, filled with people who were positively shocked that the store was out of PS3s and Xboxes the day before Christmas Eve (seriously??), and while I waited, the store had a video running of tons of game trailers and promos.

And there it was, my very first Bayonetta trailer.

HOLY CRAP.

This game is gorgeous. I love the graphics. I love the action gameplay. So she uses a gun instead of a sword…it doesn’t look like I’d have to aim well. I am intrigued.

Then I made an even bigger mistake. I mentioned this fact to my friend Eric. He said he thought there might be a demo available, and dammit if he wasn’t right. I downloaded it and played it when Gabe went to bed and OMG I WANT THIS GAME. I know that demos have failed me in the past, both in what is good and bad, but I can’t help myself. Then I found out it has a strategy guide in the works. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is how I stumbled into Uncharted 2.

I placed my preorder for Bayonetta today, once again for the PS3. I was planning on having nothing but Dragon Age and Uncharted 2 until Heavy Rain and now that plan is completely out the window. Now I have to force myself to crank out both DA and UC2 as quickly as possible so I don’t start Bayonetta too late after its release.

I solidly blame Eric and Gamestop both for this, even though I’m well aware that no court would ever rule in my favor. I need new non-gaming friends who aren’t horrible influences.

I know I had Uncharted 2 on my list next, but after playing Assassin’s Creed 2 and inFamous before that, I’ve been dying for a good RPG experience. And if you dare insinuate that Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days counts, I may have to find where you are and throttle you. Okay fine, so I was playing Final Fantasy X as well, and that does count.

I admit it! I just didn’t want to play another action game so quickly! Stop with the scrutiny and third-degree questioning! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!

This will be one of my first experiences with a Western RPG, and since a good friend of mine is in the process of writing a piece about Western RPGs, I feel like I’m doing my own research to understand his upcoming editorial. I’ve been told that WRPGs and JRPGs are vastly different, and since I’ve never really played a Western game, I never could agree or disagree. I played Mass Effect for five minutes and I played the original Baldur’s Gate on PC years ago until my third disc broke, and I don’t think that’s enough to say I know the difference between the RPG styles.

I’ve only played Dragon Age for only three hours, so I haven’t gotten past my chosen origins story (I’ve been taking my time, I admit) but I can see the differences already. I’m not used to defining my character by what I say or do. Final Fantasy X had some dabble with that, but I don’t think anything you said altered too much of what people thought of your character. I mean, come on, it’s Tidus. He’s whiny, quite emo, and everyone already has their own perception of him and there are destined paths for him to go. For example, in Guado Salam, Tidus talks to Lulu about Yuna marrying for love, and she warns him to not fall in love with Yuna. You have the option there to say, “Too late,” “I like Rikku,” or “I’m in love with you,” or something similar to those. I seriously doubt that by saying Tidus is in love with Lulu would alter the huge cut scene that happened after Tidus reunites with Yuna after her wedding.

Awww, did I spoil a game that is seven years old? Hee.

But I think I’ve made my point. But despite this weird tangent I’ve walked down, I have really enjoyed DA so far. I’m already planning on when I can download the DLC and when I can try out the other origin stories. I’m a mage right now, but I’m curious what a warrior would be like.

But after DA will be Uncharted 2. Yes, it will.

Maybe.