When you think of Bayonetta, the last thing on your mind would be an artistic storybook game but yet here we are in 2023 with one having been released by Platinum Games. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is an action-adventure puzzle-solving game with a gorgeous art style that tells the tale of Cereza and her freshly summoned demon.
Players in Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon will take on the role of Bayonetta once again. However this time around, it will be during her childhood. As such, a lot of her backstory is explored and developed in the game which ultimately leads you to appreciate her as a character far more than ever before.
Demonic Control
Players in Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon will control Cereza with the left JoyCon and the mysterious demon that she summons early on in the game with the right JoyCon. Before we get into the gameplay though, let’s get some story elements out of the way.
Right at the start of the game players will be treated to a rather lengthy segment explaining some of the backstory involving the Witches and the Sages. Cereza’s mother is lost and Cereza is being taken care of by Morgana, an Umbral witch. Morgana trains Cereza up and one day gives her a bracelet that enhances her summoning powers. Cereza conjures up a demon but it evaporates in front of her and this disappoints Morgana.
Being annoyed at both herself and Morgana, Cereza sets forth into a dark mysterious forest in search of her mother by herself. Upon facing some danger though, her stuffed cat, “Cheshire” comes to her rescue. What happened though is that the demon that Cereza summoned previously has now possessed her stuffed cat.
Players will control Cheshire with the right JoyCon and Cereza with the left JoyCon. While this might seem confusing, it works extremely well throughout the game and you’ll eventually acclimate to controlling both characters simultaneously. Players can also make use of “Hug Mode” in the game which allows you to shrink Cheshire down to a fraction of his size and carry him around. This helps with traversing areas and alleviates some of the burdens of controlling two characters at once.
Teamwork saves the day!
While the control scheme does take some getting used to, when it does click with you and you get the hang of it, it’s incredibly fun to use. Players will get into the rhythm of controlling both Cereza and Cheshire at the same time and swapping over to Hug Mode when exploring. Hug Mode also lets you extend Cheshire out and this helps with collecting things.
Attacking enemies involves summoning Cheshire in “Unleashed Mode” and using him to slash away at foes. Cereza herself can also perform a rhythmic dance which can be used to stun enemies or hold them in place while Cheshire slashes away. Working together, you will adventure forth through the dark forest and progress the story.
The story of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is narrated to you throughout the game. Thankfully, the game is segmented into easy-to-digest chapters and there are save points located at just the right time throughout the game. Platinum Games have outdone themselves here with their level design since it works so well with having two playable characters available at once.
As you progress through Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, players will gain access to different abilities and will be able to perform some flashy actions. It’s a visual feast for the eyes and the art style is so beautiful throughout the entirety of the game.
The soundtrack of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is excellent too with the music and sound effects being perfectly suited to the game. The voice acting is the true star of the show though with the English voice-acting cast delivering a fantastic performance. Cereza’s voice actor in particular has done an excellent job and the Narrator herself sells you on the whole storybook vibe the game has going on.
Final Verdict
While some aspects of the game such as traversing the environment and attacking foes can get a tad challenging in the later parts of the game, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is an incredibly fun and engaging game throughout. The game does feel like it’s meant for a younger audience but this doesn’t hinder or hamper it in any way. In fact, it feels incredibly refreshing to play such a story-driven game with an emphasis on gameplay that blends teamwork, combat and adventuring so seamlessly.
If you’re in the market for a game that will captivate you, and keep you coming back for more right until the very end, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a title you should consider picking up on Nintendo Switch. The game runs flawlessly in Handheld Mode and is perfect for bite-sized chunks of gameplay thanks to the chapter-based story. Platinum Games delivered the goods here even though it’s not a traditional Bayonetta action-fest, it’s great. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is highly recommended if you’re a fan of action-adventure games with some light puzzle-solving and platforming elements.
Grab your copy here https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-games/Bayonetta-Origins-Cereza-and-the-Lost-Demon-2311253.html
Enjoy the review? want to read more of our reviews? then click right here to be whisked away to the realm of our opinions.
You must be logged in to post a comment.