Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon Reviews
I wanted to love Bayonetta Origins. And I do, sort of. This is a beautiful game set in an enchanting world. You get a deeper look at the troubled past of a fascinating character. Everything is fed through this fairytale lens, one that cranks up the charm and wonder. The writing is whimsical, the art design is impeccable, and the mechanics are terribly clever. But the game loses something in its execution. Repetitive design and breezy challenges kept me curious, but not compelled. Still, this is a unique, unusual experience. If it’s fairytale wonder and whimsy you’re looking for, then Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is what you need.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon’s restrained tone and quirky dual-character mechanics won’t immediately connect with everyone, but you owe it to yourself to give the game a chance. Bayonetta Origins eventually comes into its own in a big way, delivering escalating action, compelling character development, and expertly-executed fan-pleasing moments en route to a satisfying finale. This tale of friendship is the perfect companion for Bayonetta 3 and may even win over those who haven’t been bewitched by the franchise in the past.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a totally different take on the Bayonetta formula, eschewing the series’ kinetic action for a story-driven game that’s part action adventure and dungeon puzzler. Fans expecting good, old Bayonetta action might feel disappointed with it. Folks who aren’t married to classic Bayonetta, however, will find a great experience with a compelling story and surprisingly solid tandem action between Cereza and her rambunctious demon summon Cheshire. It’s certainly one of the best gaming surprises of 2023.
Is a game about a tween Bayonetta who can't attack enemies worth playing? Well, as a huge fan of the series, we adored this trip back to her childhood, thanks to its beautiful aesthetic, a killer soundtrack, and surprisingly deep and unique combat.
A few months after the success of Bayonetta 3, PlatinumGames strikes again, bringing us back to the shoes of Cereza and making us live an action adventure certainly simpler than what was seen in the main series in terms of combat dynamics, but no less interesting and significant.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a delightfully stylish origin tale that sees young Bayo take her first steps on the road to becoming the badass Umbra witch we all know and love. This is a graphically stunning fairy tale with plenty in the way of atmosphere and charm. However, long-term Bayo fans beware, it's also a game that's aimed squarely at a young/casual audience, introducing plenty of fun puzzle and combat mechanics but never really evolving them to a point where they become in any way challenging. Repetition creeps in later in the game and, although it ends with some bombastic sequences and a few nice shoutouts to the main series, it feels like a little more challenge and experimentation in puzzles and combat could have made this one absolutely essential for all ages.
Even with some tricky controls, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon offers a charming adventure with surprisingly satisfying solo co-op combat.
If you're a fan of the Bayonetta franchise, you're definitely going to enjoy it for being a breath of fresh air in terms of gameplay and exploring the origins of our favorite witch a bit more. On the other hand, if you have never read the series, I also recommend it, since spoilers regarding other games are kept as simple references.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Bayonetta Origins ditches ridiculous spectacle for a puzzle-filled, combat-packed storybook adventure starring the young witch.
What seems to be a wholesome tale of two companions journeying together toward different goals quickly blooms into a deep, heart-warming story about the origins of one of gaming’s most loved female protagonists.
While it does have flaws, and totally looks/plays differently from the original trilogy, Bayonetta Origins shines as a worthy prequel to our favorite Umbra Witch. You'll root for Cereza throughout her journey, and be thrilled when you see her come into her own.
Unique, very pretty graphics and a way to choose separate difficulty levels for various parts of the game are very strong features of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon. But are they worth a fairly high premiere price?
Review in Polish | Read full review
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a fun and unexpectedly fleshed-out experience that seeks to only better illustrate the potential of what Bayonetta can be beyond action games. Its combination of engaging puzzles, simple but enjoyable combat and inviting exploration more than outdoes its slow start and simple combat. While it's a story that didn't need to be told, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a bewitching experience overall.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza & the Lost Demon is a charming action/puzzle game. Hardcore Bayonetta fans may not have much interest in seeing their heroine during her formative early years, but their loss is the gain of anyone seeking a wonderfully presented and consistently clever adventure.
I did not know what to expect going into Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon. Was this going to be a small title or a fleshed-out release? The latter is the truth, with the game offering a good 13+ hours, and that is without finding every collectable scattered around Avalon Forest. Platinum Games have given the Bayonetta IP a nice spinoff with Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon. It is an entry that comes with its own unique charm against its big sister’s action releases. This is a refreshing diversion for Bayonetta. Such a pleasure to experience its picture book-inspired visuals and presentation that never puts a foot wrong with its wonderful and charming art that makes the whole thing such an atmospheric experience, a joyful playtime with Cereza and her stuffed demon Cheshire.
If you have some younger gamers who want a bit of a puzzle game with a magical touch then this could be a good choice, especially if you don't mind playing the game with them.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demons ignores everything that fans are looking for in a Bayonetta game to deliver a charming and deeply-emotional experience.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon showed us a new way to tell the tales of the most beloved witch in videogames, with a brave gameplay formula that aims to satisfy even inexperienced players.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Bayonetta Origins is a sub-par experience marred by sloppy combat and only somewhat redeemed by an incredible visual style.