I think this game is underrated, and that it's flaws are overblown! It's really good, and it's honestly not THAT much sillier than the rest of the franchise.
I like the open world stuff and thinks it gets a bad rap. But also this game has the same art direction problem as Asylum, and the script employs the word "bitch" like the writers just paid $1400 for it at the store and need to use it as much as possible to justify the purchase.
This occupies a similar placee in my head to RE4. Are there fair criticisms you can make about it? Probably, yeah. But also fuck you it's Bayonetta baby!
I haven't tried playing this game in a long time but I feel like the last time I did I didn't have quite as much fun as I remembered having the first time around.