Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon Reviews
"The first steps of young witch."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a big departure from the mainline Bayonetta games usual formula. Instead of leaning on fast paced combat, scantily clad lead, a loud soundtrack and a story with a lot of killing and revenge. Instead, this is a family-friendly story, one that is told like a grand storybook and even has themes of love and friendship throughout. Quite the change of pace for our Umbra witch but quite the welcome one if you have your eyes open as to the type of game this really is; Cereza and the Lost Demon is a delightful adventure that thoroughly surprised me.
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.
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.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is an absolutely magnificent spin-off that creates its own world of puzzles, action-adventure experiences, two-character control and new boss battles, while keeping the Bayonetta legacy alive and present throughout the entire game. This fantastic addition to the Bayonetta story is nothing short of fundamental to any fan of the original trilogy and action games in general.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is, despite a few small issues, a pleasant title that tries to introduce the reach of the series to a brand new audience.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Bayonetta Origins is a bold move for the larger Bayonetta series, but it's one I think really paid off. It's a slower and more methodical tale of a more timid witch finding her feet, and it's a tale magnificently told. With a free demo available on the eShop, it's a game I encourage you to check out.
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.
While the gameplay develops at a satisfying pace, some fans of the mainline series might find it lacking in some complexity. But with a chance to delve deeper into the Bayonetta world and follow along this coming-of-age tale, it’s hard not to recommend this game to fans of the series and newcomers alike.
This cute, thematically dark twin-stick Action RPG is a fun, engaging tale you can enjoy whether you're an established Bayonetta fan or not.
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 Demon" commits to a very different experience than its predecessors, but effortlessly pulls it off.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon comes recommended to anyone who likes Bayonetta as a character or is interested in adventure games with unique combat and puzzles. The adventure does have a slow start, but the wait is worth it for the game opens up and lets players take full advantage of what Cereza and Cheshire can do.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a fantastic and unexpected entry in the Bayonetta series. It has all the hallmarks of an experimental title from Platinum Games but sadly lacks the over-the-top action they have become synonymous with alongside their genre mixing. What is on offer is a charming tale with a unique art style, an addictive world to explore, and acceptable combat. It may feel initially daunting to series fans, but will soon warm to those willing to take a gamble on a Bayonetta title that feels more like a different title, wrapped in Bayonetta lore and namesake.
A thoroughly fun and endearing game that is highly recommendable to all Nintendo Switch owners.
Visually it is spectacular and a beautiful story to meet Cereza, although its combat system could be better, especially in the control of both characters at the same time.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
As much as I enjoyed Bayonetta 3, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon feels like the game that the team wanted to make. There's a level of raw love and care in this game that I associate with Platinum's best, and it made me smile as much as Wonderful 101 and Okami did. It's good enough that I can recommend it to people who aren't fans of the Bayonetta franchise. While it has a lot of story and gameplay callbacks, it stands well enough on its own merits that it can easily be enjoyed by those who couldn't get into Bayonetta.
For fans of the Bayonetta franchise, there's a lot to love here, even if it's not the type of game you're used to playing. But it's the newcomers and fresh faces to the world of Cereza/Bayonetta, witches, demons and magical powers that Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is primed to impress the most.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a really fun metroidvania and a possible new franchise in the making but dragged down by an awful map system that does more harm than good.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review