Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon review

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon for Switch

When it comes to games, I’m usually a bit picky about what I play. When I see something that looks colourful, whimsical, or healthy, I probably grab it right away. On the other hand, I generally stay away from games that seem too combat-heavy or too dark and difficult. Because of this admittedly terrible tendency to judge a game by its cover, I’ve missed out on some key franchises that many other gamers swear by. One of these is the Bayonetta series itself, despite my inner desire to give it a real chance. When I first heard about Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, I was surprised that I was quickly interested in it, knowing that the other games under the Bayonetta umbrella had never drawn me in. However, the colors and setting of Origins called to me. I figured, This could be the perfect opportunity for me to finally get into this series. Well I was right.

As soon as I launched the game, I was immediately enchanted by its fairytale qualities. From page turning to accomplished storytelling, Bayonetta Origins has given me one of the best story experiences I’ve had playing a Nintendo game. Personally, I had Japanese set as the language, but I’ve also heard English and both are holding up well. The writing itself was fantastic, from the introductory parts of the story where you learn about Cereza’s backstory as a witch born to parents in a forbidden relationship, to the final parts of the story taking place between enigmatic levels.

I always felt like I was playing for the story in Bayonetta Origins. The story never felt like it depended on me, which was unique to me as a player of many decision-based games. It felt more like I was relying on the story instead. When I briefly struggled with the controls on puzzles, I wasn’t frustrated because it was difficult, but because I wanted to know what to do next. To me, this is a strong sign of a well-written story within a game – my own desire to keep going so I can listen and read even more.

Getting to know Cereza or Bayonetta itself in this accessible, immersive format made me fall in love with a character I’d never given a real chance before. From her backstory to the in-game developments, I feel I understand Bayonetta as a character much better than if I had picked up another title in the series first. In that sense, Bayonetta Origins truly plays as the perfect introduction to introduce new fans to the franchise, while also being a new experience for older fans who will only love Bayonetta more by learning about her beginnings in such an intimate way.

Other characters like Cheshire and Morgana, regardless of their role in the game, are also well written and serve a unique purpose in Cereza’s origin story. Has this game made me want to have a Cheshire of my own that I can carry around in a compact form, only to release when needed? yes it did The fact that his character had a double meaning made me love him even more as he was a demon summoned by Cereza herself but he inhabited a stuffed animal her mother gave her. I could feel Cereza’s fear of Cheshire quickly fading as she navigated the mysteries of the world not just with a strange new demon, but with her familiar soft friend.

The puzzles themselves are also unique, as they depend on you using not only Cereza herself but also her companion, Cheshire. I found this a bit difficult when starting my journey with the two as I had just completed the introductory area with Cereza and Morgana, the Umbra witch who raised them, which only taught me how to control the one character. That’s also where I learned to use Cereza’s powers, which means I’ve had a little more time to get used to hers than Cheshire’s.

However, once I understood how to control the two simultaneously, it was a lot of fun. It only took me a few puzzle areas to really get the hang of it anyway, and I have a feeling that players unfamiliar with similar mechanics in other games will find Bayonetta Origins well-acquainted. Luckily, the game allows players to simplify their experience if needed (e.g. you can set Cereza’s magic to be automatic). I loved pulling Cheshire out when the need arose, throwing him onto ledges, making Cereza traverse areas he couldn’t, etc. The two characters are perfectly balanced in my opinion and really complement each other.

The art and world of Bayonetta Origins also got me hooked. Up to this point, I haven’t really had the opportunity to experience a game that draws heavily on lesser-known mythologies like that of Ireland. I definitely haven’t had the opportunity to witness such mythology in a colorful, vibrant setting. As a girl who is still very obsessed with fairies and magic, my heart was immediately filled when I stepped into the forest with Cereza and saw all sorts of creatures that I had previously spent so much time reading and writing about.

References to fairy tales and other storybook stories are also prevalent in the game, such as: B. Alice in Wonderland. From Cheshire’s name to other creatures you later encounter, these little nods to other magical worlds make Bayonetta Origins feel like every beautiful piece of your childhood was stitched together into a colorful, crystalline blanket that envelops you and enchants you into one World moves with fairies, forests and witches. At times it felt almost surreal to think that I was actually playing a Bayonetta game, as I became so immersed in Cereza’s origin story that I forgot about her future self in the other games in the series.

If I had to sum up my verdict on Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon in one compact sentence, it would be this: This new prequel offers players the perfect introduction to a beloved character and series. This game respects absolutely no player boundaries when it comes to genres – you’ll fall deep into its whimsical embrace whether you’re usually a fan of action-packed games or more of a leisurely gamer. What seems like a wholesome tale of two companions traveling together to different destinations quickly evolves into a deep, heartwarming story about the origins of one of the game’s most beloved female protagonists.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon

Reviewer: Anna Koselke | Forgive: The Editor’s Choice | Copy provided by the publisher.

Advantages

• Well written and told story with familiar fairy tale aesthetic.
• Perfect introductory game in an established series.
• Enchanting world with beautiful design.
• Unique levels and puzzles.

Disadvantages

• The controls are confusing at first when controlling two characters.

release date
March 17, 2023

developer
Platinum Games Inc.

editor
Nintendo

consoles
Nintendo Switch