REVIEW: ‘Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon’ Delivers A Charming Adventure (Switch)

Cereza is an aspiring Umbral Witch that hopes to one day have the power to save her mother from unjust captivity. When a recurring dream seems to point her in the direction she needs to go in order to make this wish a possibility, Cereza cannot resist. The only catch is that it requires her to venture deep into the heart of the Avalon Forest, a wood filled with hostile faires and other dangers. But it seems she won’t be making the trip alone. When her fate becomes intertwined with a newly summoned demon named Cheshire, the two are soon on a charmingly dark storybook adventure in Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon by developer Platinum Games and publisher Nintendo.

While the Bayonetta series has always been known for stylish combat and over-the-top characters, Platinum Games shifts gears in the series’ newest entry. High-speed combos and sleek graphic design are set aside for a storybook aesthetic that is elegantly implemented and wonderfully enchanting. With many cut scenes presented as still images on a page and a narrator that could easily be anyone’s grandma telling them a fireside tale, Bayonetta Origins creates an atmospheric energy that is the game’s strongest feature.

This storybook quality expands beyond the presentation of the narrative to the world itself. Platinum Games does an amazing job of creating a look for its world that feels like a classic fairy tale gone horribly wrong. While giant mushrooms serve as springboards and ethereal wisps roam the woods, everywhere you go, you are reminded that this is not a world of “happily ever after”. The faires that serve as the game’s primary antagonists are cruel and torturous to the other denizens of the woods. This perfect mixture of storybook and light horror elements gives Bayonetta Origins’ world a unique presence that is not soon forgotten.

Through this enchanted visual style, Bayonetta Origins draws players into a story that sees Cereza grow as she struggles to overcome her fears and face the dangers of the Avalon Forest. Cereza is a likable protagonist whose development generally feels natural throughout the story. Her interactions with Chesire and how the two impact each other’s personalities are the high point of the game’s excellently crafted narrative. Their squabbles, bickering, and eventual concern for each other are a warm spotlight against the cold threats of the game’s world.

Discovering all this fantasy world has hidden within it alongside Cereza and Chesire delivers some enjoyable, light exploration mechanics. As the story progresses, both characters unlock new abilities that continuously enhance how the player can interact with the world. Even offering some light, Metroidvania elements as some secrets are locked behind obstacles the duo will not have access to the first time around. By the time many of the key abilities for Cereza and Chesire have been unlocked, a handy, fast travel system comes online, making it possible for the player to retread previous areas with only moderate backtracking. Simple puzzle-like elements dot the land, allowing the duo plenty of reasons to go off the beaten trail to find extra materials for potions to use in combat, as well as currency they can use to level up.

The leveling system in Bayonetta Origins is simple to grasp and rewards players with game-enhancing abilities that bring extra enjoyment to the proceedings while rarely feeling required to complete the journey. This makes it, so players who have little to no desire to explore beyond the golden path of the story will never feel underpowered. While most of the upgrades revolve around combat, a few, like being able to speed up Cereza’s movement, are more utility in nature.

While seeing how their adventures come to change and shape, the game’s pair of protagonists is its greatest achievement, actually fighting against the threats the enchanted woods pits against them is easily its lowest point. Players are tasked with controlling both Cereza and Chesire simultaneously for much of the game. Controlling these characters from a wide-angle fixed camera with each character being directed via a thumbstick and the bumper and trigger buttons on each side serving as their primary action commands, the game’s combat can struggle to find its footing.

Platinum Games seemed to be aware of the awkwardness of its controls as combat is fairly forgiving and several actions can be streamlined for a simpler play experience. But while these approaches kept the awkwardness of running both characters from being frustrating, I can’t say that I ever found these moments fun. Rather than being something I looked forward to, combat became something I had to do to get to the game’s true strengths, its story, and its characters. This was a big disappointment to me, especially as Platinum Games has employed dual-character combat in their previous work, Astral Chain, with far greater success.

The less-than-fun combat manages to drag down the ending of Bayonetta Origins‘ story as well. As seems to be often the case, this game doesn’t seem to know when to let the credits roll. There are just one too many boss battles, that have one too many transformations that come to greatly hamper the emotional impact of the final moments of Cereza’s journey. As battle follows battle, I came to just want it to be over with, which is never the last impression you want to have of a gaming experience.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon brings with it a mixed bag of elements. While I enjoyed my time with the game overall, it does have some sizable shortcomings. Any player more interested in gameplay than the story should probably think twice about picking it up. At the same time, those who wish to experience a well-executed tale about friendship and overcoming one’s fear set in a unique, dark fairytale world may want to pick it up, as long as they can accept a few bumps in the road.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is available now on Nintendo Switch.