Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon Preview – A Storybook Witch

Those who were as obsessed with Bayonetta 3 as I was have probably found the hidden chapter of the game.

Through very obscure means, you were able to collect three keys and use them to unlock an additional story that featured a young Cereza walking through a fairytale forest.

1

The chapter was short, but as we now know, this was the first look at Bayonetta Origins.

It’s not just the fairytale style and introductions that set Origins apart from your usual bayonetta game.

It tells the story of a young Cereza before she gains the powers her hair bestows. In fact, she has very few magical powers.

She can pull thorns out of the ground to temporarily trap enemies, and she can dance to make the plants grow around her.

She can only fight her way through the dark world with the help of Cheshire.

Those who played Bayonetta 3 will know Cheshire well. He is Viola’s only demonic companion in the form of a stuffed cat.

Both in exploring the world and in combat, you can control both characters at the same time; Cereza on the left and Cheshire on the right.

This takes a bit of getting used to, but leads to very innovative combat challenges and unique exploration.

It works a bit like Ico, except you’re constantly in control. The two characters can never go far apart, otherwise you are helpless.

Sections where you’re apart give you that sense of dread, but by controlling both parties, if anything goes wrong, it’s entirely your fault.

You can merge the two for easier navigation, but you’ll often have to separate again to help each other through platforms or gather resources.

At the root of this, the couple needs each other. Bayonetta can invade smaller spaces and transform the environment with her magic, and Cheshire can climb high obstacles and break through blockages.

As is typical of Bayonetta, there are potions for you to craft and a skill tree for you to level up.

You will receive many blessings such as B. more bag space, faster walking speed and additional attacks in combat, and you will want to do this often.

There are separate trees for Bayo and Cheshire, each with separate resources.

The common thread of separate yet common runs through every part of the game, from arguments between the two parties to their celebrations of victory.

Bayonetta Origins, like the main series, is all about exploration, and there are witch trial-like stages that unlock more of the map.

These can be combat oriented with certain limits or difficult puzzle platforming sections that will test you more than the overworld.

And there’s a pretty robust world. Completely unlike any Bayonetta before it, this is a Metroidvania that encourages you to return to previous realms once you gain new abilities.

A lot of effort has clearly gone into the art style, and while the world is beautiful, I feel like the game suffers as a result.

There are some pacing issues as the game slows down for indulgent cutscenes of the world and enemies and lengthy animations for each dialogue or action.

Bayonetta has never been afraid to drag out a cutscene and these aren’t that lengthy but have a frequency that limits you in such an open game.

All in all, Bayonetta Origins isn’t like any other Bayonetta game, and you’ll enjoy it less if you’re expecting it.

The enchanting world and unique control system must be judged on its own merits, and from what we’ve seen so far, it holds a lot of promise.

Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN.

All the latest gaming tips and tricks

Looking for tips and tricks for your favorite consoles and games? We’ve got you covered…

Get all the news about PS5, Xbox and other video games here