Backlog 2025 - February: A Journey Down the American McGee Rabbit Hole
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Games Mentioned:
Bayonetta
Bayonetta 2
Alice: Madness Returns
American McGee's Alice
1. Bayonetta - Xbox 360
Completed 4th February
I could have bought Bayonetta anniversary edition on the PS4. Bayonetta on PS4 is also bundled with another well received game called Vanquish. Instead of buying the bundle I bought the Xbox 360 original versions individually - it was cheaper this way. I already attempted Vanquish a while ago and did not enjoy it enough and decided to retire it, but I am more hopeful about Bayonetta.
Bayonetta seemed like a combination of DMC and classic PS2 era God of War hack en slash games with some added in Japanese bonkers anime like over the top sequences. I enjoyed my time with Bayonetta, but I did not think it was quite as fun as the classic God of War games. I did at times feel that the amount of cutscenes interrupting the action a little irritating at times. Also, at times, I felt that there was too much happing on the screen and became more of a distracting hazard to gameplay.
Overall, despite some little annoyances I did enjoy my time and had a good amount of fun.
8/10
2. Bayonetta 2 - Wii U
Completed 8th February
After my time with Bayonetta I was ready and excited to jump onto the sequel which I had bought on the Wii - U.
I own a Nintendo Switch and Bayonetta 2 (and the first game) were rereleased on the Switch console, but for both games I decided to buy the original releases instead (again its cheaper that way).
Bayonetta 2 feels pretty much like the first game, but with a little bit of a graphical update over the Xbox 360, although I did enjoy it slightly more than the first game.
Some of the Nintendo themed costumes
Bayonetta 2 (as with some other 3rd party games on the Wii U) allows Bayonetta to wear Nintendo themed costumes based on Mario, Zelda, Starfox and Metroid. Some of them are more than just cosmetic changes as they do have unique gameplay additions. My favourite of the Nintendo themed costume is the Samus costume, which is based on the Metroid series - here you can use Samus's Cannon as a weapon and Bayonetta can transform into a ball and roll around the levels in 3D just like Samus can in the Metroid Prime games.
Overall, I enjoyed my time with Bayonetta 2 and I am glad that I played it back to back with the first Bayonetta game to experience as a two part story. I now want to play the 3rd game which is available on the Switch, but before I buy the 3rd game I want to play a good chunk of my backlog - currently I have around 17 physical games in my backlog and handful of digital games to play.
8.5/10
3. Alice: Madness Returns - Xbox 360
Completed 18th February
Alice: Madness Returns is set in the world of Alice in Wonderland (a rather dark version) and is the sequel to American McGee's Alice.
I actually started to play Madness Returns a few years ago on the PC and I remember buying it for cheap in a sale on EA's digital storefront, but other things were happening in the real world and I stopped playing it.
Recently, I attempted to run the game on my current Windows 10 PC, but after many attempts and configurations I was just not able to run the game (when I originally bought the game I had a PC with Windows 7).
I decided to buy the physical game for the Xbox 360 and added it to my backlog. The gameplay is a fun platformer style with some excellent combat. The weapons that you can use in the game are quite creative as they include a pepper grinder, (which can be used on floating pig snouts that sneeze and open hidden areas - because of course that happens) a hobby horse and a teapot.
There is a varied amount of gameplay to break up the 3D platforming including special levels ... to not spoil too much.
Alice Madness Returns is definitely a contender for my favourite games I have played in 2025 - I would even say it is one of the best games I have ever played.
9/10
What Could Have Been: A Third Alice Game
Apparently, the creator of the Alice games was pitching the possibility of a third game to the rights holders (EA), but sadly it was never greenlit. Having just completed Madness Returns I would have loved to play the third game. I have looked at the game document that can be downloaded from the creator's Patreon and it showed great promise as a worthy sequel.
Maybe the original creator can one day gain the rights to the IP and find a company that will let him design the game in his vision. It is a real shame what happened.
Twin Peaks: The Return is a great example of an artist being allowed to follow their vision without studio interference.
Alice: Asylum Patreon Teaser Trailer
EA Killed Alice Asylum
Asylum: Final Word
American McGee's (the creator of the Alice games) final statement on Alice Asylum.
4. American McGee's Alice - Xbox 360
Retired 21st February
The prequel to Alice: Madness Returns is actually included as an extra with the game. If you play the 360 game disc (as I did) you can download it as a free DLC on the Xbox One. I played the Alice Madness Returns Xbox 360 disc on my Xbox One so I claimed the first game through the free DLC.
I actually attempted Alice before playing the sequel, but I did not enjoy my time and I felt that the game had aged rather badly. After completing the second game I decided to give Alice one more chance.
Maybe because I was used to the mechanics of Madness Returns I actually felt that my second attempt at the first game proved to be more enjoyable. While not as fun to play as the sequel there actually is something to be enjoyed with the first game.
Alice does feel like an early 2000 PC game (in fact during the game's start up Quake III Arena is mentioned) and it does feel like the movement of the character was designed to be controlled by a mouse as the character does have a rather quick movement which makes platforming with a controller rather frustrating, but if you take things slow (and the fact you can save where you want) platforming becomes less frustrating, but it does not match the quick platforming that the second game excels at.
UPDATE
Well, it seems that I reached around the half way point of the game and I decided it would be best to retire the first Alice title. I was at a certain boss battle and having looked online it would appear that a certain ice weapon would have been handy for the fight, but I did not pick it up and I do not have a save point near enough to pick up the weapon - so I decided to stop.
It was an interesting game while it lasted, but I do feel compelled to play the rest of the game. I am curious as to see where the story goes, so I will watch a walkthrough for the second half of the title to see what happens. On one hand I am happy to not have to deal with some of the frustrating gameplay, but on the other hand I did enjoy the gameplay despite the frustration and I am quite disappointed to not continue the rest of the experience.
Overall, despite retiring the game I am glad I did play a good chunk of the original game after enjoying the second title immensely. Usually, when I retire a game it means that I did not enjoy it, but this retirement was more like a reluctant retirement.
