The recent PlayStation showcase on September 9 brought with it a bevy of trailers, for both new titles and previously advertised games. Sony squeezed in a healthy preview for just about every genre, from first-person shooters to racing games and big budget comic book adaptations. One of the most eye-catching trailers at PlayStation Showcase 2021 came early on in the event with a dazzling look at Project Eve, a hack-and-slash action game in development for years with clear inspirations from anime and similar games like Devil May Cry.
The game has no confirmed release date, but based on the trailer, Project Eve already looks to have a considerable amount of progress. The combat mechanics look flashy, fun, and polished, while the visual style is immediately striking. In fact, Project Eve bears a striking resemblance to the Bayonetta series, another flashy, over-the-top action game starring a female lead. This comparison may work to Project Eve's advantage, as fans of Bayonetta have been anticipating the third game in that series since its announcement nearly four years ago. With no concrete updates on Bayonetta 3's production, Project Eve has an opportunity to fill the position for fans eagerly awaiting a game like this.
The Silence Around Bayonetta 3
During the Game Awards 2017, Nintendo of America's then-president Reggie Fils-Aime took to the stage to formally announce Bayonetta 3. A brief teaser was shown off to the audience, confirming development had begun, hitting at it being a Nintendo Switch-exclusive title sometime in the future. It is now 2021, and with that initial teaser being the last trailer for the game, there isn't much for fans to go off of. Couple this with Bayonetta 2 having released in 2014, and it has been quite some time since the industry has been bewitched by Bayonetta.
Aside from series producer Hideki Kamiya confirming that Bayonetta 3 is still in development in brief interview snippets, there hasn't been much else to go on. It's not like PlatinumGames haven't been hard at work either, as the company released the Nintendo Switch-exclusive Astral Chain in 2019, two years after Bayonetta 3's announcement. PlatinumGames continues to assure fans that the game is progressing smoothly, but without visual proof gamers are understandably growing restless.
Project Eve Could Appease Bayonetta Fans
Many would be forgiven if, in the first few moments of the Project Eve trailer, they believed it to be Bayonetta 3. The main female character's acrobatic style, long legs, and black hair could have all been mistaken for the same physical appearance of Bayonetta herself. As the trailer progresses, it is clear this is a different game entirely, but the comparisons still linger, which is a positive thing for Project Eve. Players that enjoy high-octane action games, or more specifically fans anticipating Bayonetta 3, will likely have eyes locked onto this title in the coming months.
The lengthy trailer made a great effort to demonstrate all of the unique enemies the player will fight against, as well as the intricate combat system. Deftly blending these two elements, all with the same sense of style seen in Devil May Cry and Bayonetta, make this a game to watch. The wait for Bayonetta 3 has been a long road, but Project Eve has positioned itself in a comfortable spot to fill the shoes of Bayonetta 3 in its continued absence from the gaming scene.
Project Eve is currently in development.