Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon Hands on Impressions

Initial Release Date: March 17, 2023

Developer: PlatinumGames Inc.

Genres: Adventure, Fighting

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Series: Bayonetta

Publishers: Nintendo, Nintendo of America Inc.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is really really good after three chapters in. It’s a bit of The Last Guardian with Cereza and Cheshire’s main mechanic. It’s a little bit of El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron due to similar visuals.

Bayonetta Origins could be the best looking Nintendo Switch game available. Just sayin. It’s also got a little ICO in it’s environmental gameplay mechanics because you have to help both Cereza and Cheshire over obstacles in combat and whatnot.

And last but not least it has a little Bayonetta in it..very little Bayonetta but nonetheless Bayonetta. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is about young Bayonetta who’s actual name is Cereza.

The story starts out with Cereza’s birth of being a Sage and a Witch. Her mother Rosa (Witch) is imprisoned. So Young Cereza decides to enter the dangerous Avalon Forest to follow The White Wolf and boy in her dreams. The Avalon Forest is a fairytale of Irish mythology thats really impressive in visual design and it’s great music.

What’s special to me about Bayonetta’s gameplay is how you control both Cereza and Cheshire (her doll with a demon trapped in it). Each character is controlled separately yet both must be within a certain distance whether in combat or exploration puzzling.

They are linked spiritually. So solving puzzles in the enviroment includes you using them separately or together. For instance Cheshire must avoid Rosemarry bushes.

You have to use Cereza’s hug ability and throw or jump abilities to get Cheshire in position within the environment then you can independently control and move Cheshire where needed on his own.

Combat involves using Cheshire’s claws attacks and Cereza binding magic. Enemies early on range from giant plants to faeries of different types. Remember this is a video game geared towards children.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is not crude or gory like the mainline Bayonetta games. Presentation is solid from a technical aspect. I didn’t experience any bugs or glitches. I do like the fairytale book design of the in-game cutscenes also.

Chapters are linear with puzzle solving and combat sequences. You can find Sanctuary camps where you can save and upgrade Cereza and Cheshire. Exploring the map nets you special exploration areas called Tir na nOg. Tir na nOg are combat and puzzle trials that net you special items and loot.

After three chapters into Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a great game. It doesn’t take long for me to know this game is of high quality. Gameplay is great and interesting since you are playing with two characters at the same time (when not in hug mode).

Hug mode is when Cereza holds Cheshire. When she doesn’t he can attack enemies etc. Anyways, the story is a straightforward rescue mission so far. The music and voice work is pretty good which adds to the game’s quality. The visuals are some of the best on the Switch period.

Once again just know Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is more of a children’s game not the mature mainline Bayonetta games. Well that’s about it for now. Thank you for reading – Jason