Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon -Switch- 8

March 31, 2023

I just beat Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon. This was very different from the mainline trilogy. Besides the storybook art style, the gameplay is less about varied combat and more about solving puzzles with Cereza and the Cheshire working in tandem. There is combat, but it’s not as deep as the mainline games, and not so much about dodging and witch time. It’s more about trapping the enemies with Cereza’s spell and pummeling them with the Cheshire. There is witch time in the very final battle, which plays more like the mainline games, but the rest of the game before that is different. At first, the combat felt a little shallow, but it gets deeper as you get the four elemental powers. I didn’t realize until very late in the game that you can press the thumbstick in to dodge, but you will still be more focused on trapping instead of dodging. The exploration and puzzles are also really good, and they reminded me a little bit of Lost Vikings, but with two people instead of three. The story also got good towards the end, with a very touching bond developing with Cereza and her demon. And the last couple boss fights were truly epic and challenging. While not quite as great or ambitious as the mainline trilogy (which are some of the best 3D action games ever made), this was still a very good, imaginative treat. I’m giving Bayonetta Origins an 8 out of ten.