Bayonetta 3 kicked the ball out of the park last year, and from the first looks of it, the series spin-off, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, is about to do the same thing. It’s a step away from the usual high-octane action of the Bayonetta series, instead taking a more whimsical approach to what looks like a more kid-friendly version of the series.
Pa jwenn mwen mal, Bayonetta Orijin: Cereza ak Demon an pèdi se anpil Bayonetta, with the spin-off shining light on Cereza’s first steps to becoming the feminine force of power we’ve come to love. Similar aesthetics are present, too, except the new game takes a more kid-friendly, endearing approach, elevated by cute storybook illustrations welcoming us to this part of the multiverse. Additionally, the combat is much simpler and less gun-filled, with users needing to simultaneously control a young Cereza and the delightful lost demon by her side.
Bayonetta Orijin: Cereza ak Demon an pèdi is a prequel that fans of the Bayonetta series wouldn’t want to miss, or, rather, anyone drawn to action adventures. But don’t just take my word for it. Here’s a deep-dive Bayonetta Orijin: Cereza ak Demon an pèdi review sculpted to give you a bird's eye view of whether it’s worth the buy and what you can expect from PlatinumGames’ newest title.
Another Bedtime Story
Bayonetta Orijin: Cereza ak Demon an pèdi quickly makes itself known as a narrative-driven game, thanks to an adorable, vibrant environment that is much cozier than its predecessors' more mature visuals. It’s less gun-filled and kinky, with bloodshed pretty much non-existent.
We meet young Cereza, who wanders into an enchanted forest lurking with all sorts of gnarly fairies. She must adhere to her teacher Morgana’s rules, which state that even though she’s an Umbra Witch, her demon-summoning powers are nowhere near fruition. And so staying clear of Avalon Forest would be her safest bet for staying alive.
But Cereza’s mother is in prison for violating Umbran law. And Cereza feels the only way to free her is to search for a strange power hidden in the so-called dangerous, enchanted forest. Fortunately, she can summon a demon and fuse him with her stuffed animal, giving her the extra motivation she needs to forge into the forbidden forest.
The story is a replica of fairy tales. We meet a pint-sized Cereza, previously sheepish and timid, then slowly growing into the fearsome action heroine we know as Bayonetta. Not that I’m complaining since the narrative comes out pretty solid. It’s simple yet intriguing, with a visual that feels as heartwarming as one taken straight from a children’s book.
Fresh Breath of Air
Bayonetta Orijin: Cereza ak Demon an pèdi is, above all things, cutesy and whimsical. The game’s visual art presents itself through a kid-friendly lens. None of the sex appeal or guns from the predecessors make it to the spin-off. However, it is still great to see PlatinumGames dabble in something new.
Here, you’ll find all sorts of adorable elements, like cuddly toys and fairies. In essence, it feels like a spin-off solely designed with the aim of welcoming the younger generation of players to the genre, and therein lies one of its faults.
One-Sided Play
It’s no secret that the game’s visual art style is splendidly good. Each line sketch feels exactly where it’s meant to be, and the color paint feels largely the same. As you travel, you come across the most idyllic environments, whether it’s endearing floating dimensions or vibrant-looking waterfalls.
Coming from a more kinky predecessor filled with guns and bloodshed, you may feel an out-of-place vibe here. Perhaps a softer tone doesn’t quite match your taste? Or, high-octane action is a must-have for you. In which case, you may easily get bored by Bayonetta Orijin: Cereza ak Demon an pèdi.
Granted, the game doesn’t look or feel like it’s made for fans of the Bayonetta series but rather for newcomers of a younger age. PlatinumGames has also taken the extra step to compensate for the missing femme Bayonetta action. Take, for example, the integration of platform and action gameplay.
Cereza and the Lost Demon
Without making it too strict, the game simultaneously pushes you to control Cereza and the Lost Demon, called Chesire. While controlling two characters can easily get out of hand, the game finds a nice balance between the two, one that feels quite fun using the left joystick to control Cereza and the right to control Chesire.
On the one hand, Bayonetta fans might see it as a takeaway from Bayonetta’s typically unrestrained moves, as she now has to rely on the protection of Chesire. However, before dismissing the huge change, you might want to embark on the new venture with an open mind.
On the left joystick, players evade enemy attacks and dangerous paths. They may also channel their inner witch, and cast spells that bind enemies in their tracks. On the right, players tear into enemies with Chesire’s claws and fangs, with the option to upgrade Chesire’s abilities farther down the line.
Cereza and Chesire must always stick together. The leeway is when Chesire deals damage on his own in “unleashed mode” before returning to your arms in “hug mode” in his cuddly toy form. With time, you start to learn the ropes of how to combine two halves to make a whole. At that point, everything goes well together, and you get sucked into a world of beauty and various puzzles to solve.
Hump and Dump
With all the hype the game builds right off the bat, you begin to expect that it will continue to deliver the same calibre of gameplay throughout your playthrough. Sadly, Bayonetta Orijin: Cereza ak Demon an pèdi fails to build momentum to the end, thus feeling somewhat like a lost opportunity.
At the start, you get soaked in the beauty of the environments, the dedication and inspiration behind creating a whimsical Bayonetta entry, and even the simultaneous control over two vastly different characters. With time, though, the gameplay becomes lacklustre, thanks to a lack of variety in the enemies you encounter.
Learning the ropes of the game is the most exciting part of combat. Once you do, though, and sink deeper into Avalon Forest, challenges become easier to overcome, despite their more powerful nature. Now, some bosses live up to their potential, introducing surprising attacks here and there to keep you engaged. For the most part, though, combat feels repetitive, with the usual attack sequences often getting you out of trouble much easier than the last.
On the upside, the game does upgrade Chesire’s abilities along the way, introducing some interesting elemental powers and physical forms to play around with. Also, the delightful wrap-up to the story is a noteworthy “save the best for last” moment and certainly one you can choose to hold out on across the relatively lacklustre points of the game.
Vèdik
From the moment you first set eyes on Bayonetta Orijin: Cereza ak Demon an pèdi, you immediately decide it’s curated for a younger audience. And while this is true, given that the game deviates from its predecessors' more kinky, gun-filled vibe, Bayonetta Orijin: Cereza ak Demon an pèdi strives to prove first impressions wrong by delivering a pretty heartwarming, whimsical tale about Bayonetta’s roots.
The visual art style speaks to perfection in its intended goal: to create a high-quality, illustrated world filled with magic and wonder. Following along with the story feels effortless, even as young Cereza’s dark fairy tale unfolds. By her side is her cuddly toy, transformed into a protective demon with sharp claws and fangs.
Controlling two characters at once can easily turn on its head. However, the game masters the art of simultaneous action so well that it feels like an absolute blast. A few hours later, though, combat starts to feel repetitive. Enemies don’t feel like a challenge, even though they grow more powerful as you progress.
To counteract this, the game upgrades Chesire’s abilities and designs into interesting counterparts to play around with. And when you add that to the charming story at its core, Bayonetta Orijin: Cereza ak Demon an pèdi becomes a must-try for anyone drawn to action adventures and fans of Bayonetta.
