Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a fantastic spinoff depicting an early adventure of a beloved character. Controlling both Cereza and Cheshire to solve puzzles and defeat faeries is a ton of fun, with a lot still left to discover even after the lengthy main story. This is a delightful start to what will hopefully be a fantastic sub-series.

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 exquisite action-adventure spin-off from the Bayonetta trilogy that brings a series of new elements regarding its gameplay, boss battles and art style while reminding the player of everything that makes the Bayonetta series such a landmark of modern gaming. An absolutely indispensable addition to the Nintendo Switch catalogue that any fan of actions games should get their hands on.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon from PlatinumGames is a game I almost skipped thanks to the demo. Thankfully, I gave it another shot and ended up loving almost everything it has to offer from sublime music, gorgeous art, excellent voice acting, and the interesting gameplay. Everything comes together brilliantly in a storybook-inspired action adventure that is yet another win for the Nintendo Switch and a contender for the best game of 2023.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a brave spin-off that reaches surprising heights. The combat is great, so are the puzzles and the environments, the visual doesn’t lag behind, neither does the music, the storytelling… It’s really tough to find anything wrong! The only slight drawback is the controls which feel rather weird, but you can certainly get used to them.

This game blows all expectations out of the water. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a phenomenal experience with its interesting character control mechanics, beautiful world, superb voice acting, and music. If you are a fan of the main Bayonetta series, you need to add this game to your collection.

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.

Bayonetta Origins : Cereza and the Lost Demon is a magnificent initiation tale which brings us back to childhood, and so does its heroine. It's a Switch real gem : its artistic direction amazes us and its well mastered gameplay seduces us.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a perfect case of a confident and fun game that can be enjoyed by a wide variety of players, including younger audience. But even if you are a dark and gloomy adult there is still lots to find in this magical fairy tale.

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.

While it can’t match the mechanical highs of Bayonetta’s fast action gameplay, that comparison is frankly unfair to make to begin with. It isn’t trying to reach those goals, it strives to reach different heights altogether. I didn’t think a Bayonetta story would ever get me emotional, and Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon managed to pull that off several times. The ways in which it shifts the focus away from Bayonetta proper have led to what I believe is a more consistent experience of the series yet, that never dips into the series’ most frustrating low points. While I don’t think this game will be for everyone, I think you’ll find it a hard game to hate. If you do fall for it, you’ll find it to be an incredibly easy game to fall in love with. I want more spin-off games to strive to do what Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon does, and if this team is involved in Bayonetta’s future I have to say I’m completely back in.

The adventures of mini-Bayonetta and her demon are a surprisingly well made and highly stylized puzzle-platformer with everything you'd never anticipate from the sexy-witch series. This title, exclusive to Nintendo Switch, is a very good starting point for gamers of all ages, but also a real treat for old-school fans.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon takes Bayonetta into Wonderland with 'Burtonesque' tones to tell the origins and formative years of the most badass witch of today. Judging the book by its cover, this prequel spinoff might seem like a cute game. And it's true that the poorly filled narrative and a combat system that's afraid of being challenging are flaws that interrupt the experience and may push away the franchise's most demanding fans. However, it's very rewarding to see the little Cereza take on the personality traits that are familiar to us and shape her adult version, something provided by the exploration of the beautiful Avalon Forest, by the interactions and growth of her relationship with Cheshire, and by the challenges and fights they overcome.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a pleasant surprise that Bayonetta fans will enjoy. Its game mechanics are entertaining and fresh, and the witch of Umbra origin story is charming and emotional. Cereza's voice acting is outstanding. PlatinumGames went above and beyond in creating a new experience in a universe that we thought had ended but now has many narrative doors to explore.

Bayonetta Origins shows you the umbra witch in a whole new way, and while you may feel skeptical about her going from heavy action to puzzles, Platinum Games nailed the transition flawlessly. While different to the trilogy, the gameplay is engaging, the world is stunning, and the story of Cereza and Cheshire is precious. I can’t recommend this game enough.

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.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is an unexpected contender for Game of the Year. Already established Bayonetta fans are sure to be more than satisfied with its unique storytelling, tight controls, engaging combat, vast exploration, and fantastic visuals, while also being a great entry point for series newcomers. It even opens the door to those that may not have enjoyed the explicit sensuality of the mainline games, as its overall tone is more wholesome and inviting. As someone who really loved Bayonetta 3, I thoroughly enjoyed Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon equally as much, if not more, but for entirely different reasons.

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.

Those gripes are minor indeed. Bayonetta Origins is a far more brilliant addition to the Bayonetta character and mythos than I would have ever guessed it could be. It’s by turns sensitive, charming, exciting and dramatic. The game gives Bayonetta a depth of character that adds so meaningfully to the world and story of this incredible character. This is essential. It’s not a “spinoff.” It’s a critical addition to the franchise. PlatinumGames has truly delivered something both surprising and special with this effort.

Bayonetta Origins is PlatinumGames bringing its A-game to the table, delivering a beautiful adventure with some wild ideas, unique combat, and a superb game from start to finish.

You know you’ve just played something special when you’re left with a bittersweet feeling while the credits roll. As I closed the book on Bayonetta Origins, I kept thinking about how it was an absolute joy through and through.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and The Lost Demon is a testament to thinking outside the box. While I don't suspect Platinum Games will pivot to this new style of gameplay and storytelling in future Bayonetta games in the same way Breath of the Wild or God of War (2018) shifted the direction of their respective franchises, I cannot help but be thankful that the studio trusted the vision of its team enough to create this experience. Though with how fantastic every aspect of the game is, I understand why the developer did.

It might not be what anyone was expecting, but those that do give Bayonetta Origins a chance will be rewarded with an unforgettable journey.

The transition from saucy, mature action game to a family-friendly puzzle platformer is pulled off with surprising style and sincerity. 'Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon' is the perfect sweet treat to convince lapsed fans the series can still be something special.

Bayonetta Origins manages to stray from some elements of its core franchise to create a beautiful adventure in the form of a macabre but captivating fairy tale. With diverse puzzles and gorgeous visuals, Cereza and Chesire have made their way into our hearts with an unforgettable story full of nods to the legacy of the Umbra Witch.

Bayonetta Origins is a gorgeous look at another side of one of PlatinumGames’ most beloved characters. It’s a game that, at a glance, you might think wouldn’t work due to the unconventional control scheme. But it does, thanks to clever design decisions.

This game absolutely does not respect player boundaries when it comes to genre—you will fall deep into its whimsical embrace whether you are usually a fan of action-packed games or more of a cozy gamer. 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.

Bayonetta Origins stands out as a very interesting metroidvania that, without reinventing the wheel, does quite well everything it puts on the table, with a technical showcase that sometimes will make you doubt if you're playing it on a Switch, even with a few hiccups on the road. If you like this subgenre, you'll enjoy it from start to finish.

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.

Much like Cereza herself, Bayonetta Origins doesn’t look like much on the surface, but I smiled more and more as its potential bubbled up to the surface. This is an exceptional and refreshing change of pace for the franchise, and you don’t even need to be a fan of the series or the action genre to enjoy it. Don’t underestimate what this pint-sized spellcaster and her demonic partner have to offer.

I really wasn't expecting it to be that good, but here we are: Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is one of this year's most surprising games, with a wonderful story, excellent visuals and music and a smart combat and traversal system that manages to carve its own identity - separate from its Character Action genre roots - and for the better.

Cereza and the Lost Demon is a charming title that sticks with you throughout its 15 or so hour runtime. It may not have the mature flashiness of its main series counterparts, but it doesn’t need it to impress anyone. Its inventive level designs are a treat to behold, and when you need to use both Cereza and Cheshire to solve a unique puzzle, the game shines. Sure, it could be more difficult and offer more varied combat elements, but fans and newcomers alike are sure to be lulled by its magic.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon it’s a great prequel and a fantastic spinoff. It takes some of the charm from the previous games to make something new, interesting, fresh and fun.

My hope is that a potential sequel to this would alleviate some of these issues, and I really hope it gets one. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a tremendous surprise that, while imperfect, beautifully blends Platinum design with light Zelda and Metroid trappings. The game’s quiet release (and cumbersome title), to me, betrays Cereza and the Lost Demon’s status as perhaps Platinum’s best Switch game yet.

Cereza and the Lost Demo is a fun spin-off that feels unique and special for fans and non-fans of Bayonetta alike.

A truly unforgettable adventure.

Abebe Tinari's work is a gem that demonstrates how Platinum was not fiddling around in recent years, and was instead cultivating new talents. But this is not a perfect job, due to some structural ingenuity and the team's tendency to push a little too much on the "action element" in the final stretch of their work. Even considering that, Origins remains a beautiful videogame that we hope won't be underestimated , since in some ways it represents a return of PlatinumGames to the multifaceted creativity of Clover Studio.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is not quite a Bayonetta game, but it certainly does not lack quality either. It is pretty, satisfactory and it will move you. There are many ways to describe this game, but a good one is saying that it will appeal to most Nintendo Switch players, whether they are Bayonneta fans or not.

Bayonetta isn't just about non-stop action, and she has shown that in Cereza and the Lost Demon with an adventure that puzzle-loving, story-driven, and exploration-seeking fans will absolutely adore.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is different from all previous Bayonetta games and exceeds expectations. It takes the form of a fairy tale book for children and has a similar story. While there is still action, it is more focused on the story and the friendship that forms between the two central characters. Additionally, the game surpasses expectations by offering a surprisingly long story campaign with an expansive world.

The story is told as if it were a small interactive fairy tale and the gameplay itself, with puzzles and fights, proves to be convincing, despite being characterized by a practically total absence of challenge from start to finish. Considering that Bayonetta is known to be a challenging saga, this is an aspect that could inevitably disappoint historical fans, but if they are willing to relax and enjoy an adventure unlike any other, here they will discover a narrative capable of delving even into the main plot. of the trilogy – and an adorably successful experiment.

There is a lot to like here, but expectations can be a double-edged sword. If you’re expecting fluid combat and myriad enemies, this is not that game. If you want to see how Bayonetta came about, and to learn some more lore about the games then this is the right game for you.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a very fun puzzle-platform game. It may not please all Bayonetta fans, but it's a great choice for newcomers to the series and fans of the genre.

A totally different Bayonetta than usual, told like a storybook but not without intense phases both from a narrative and a playful point of view. Cereza and her demonic companion Cheshire embark on a dangerous mission, as improvised adventure companions they will discover affinities that go far beyond their imagination. PlatinumGames proves once again that they have a talent for storytelling.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is an enjoyable experience thanks to its mix of puzzles and combat. While not inventing anything new, it exploits the cooperative element of the two protagonists in an intriguing way.

In the end, what seemed like a fairly average, slow-paced indie metroidvania ends up charming you by combining a creepy fairy tale with some unique ideas, all under a beautiful visual finish. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon may not be the most user-friendly for a 100% playthrough, but it definitely is a tale worth playing on its own merits.

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.

Unique and beautiful, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon isn’t afraid to mix elements from different genres to explore the somewhat unique concept of a ‘co-op game that you play alone’. The best part being that it executes that idea in an almost flawless manner.

While the puzzles are not challenging for most, and the combat is never as demanding as the mainline series, they are a refreshing redesign that brings its own puzzle elements into the combat for a genre that could easily have gone without any action to be successful.

Bayonetta Origins is a charming spin-off adventure with unique mechanics, beautiful visuals and an engrossing soundtrack that always suits the mood. It's a triumph on its own merits. 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.

All in all, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a curious beast. It's got the quality animation and aesthetic you'd expect from Platinum Games, but little of its baroque, intense action. But it does succeed at making you feel like you're playing a team slowly learning to work together — whether you're doing that by yourself, or with a friend.

The fairytale trappings, characterful music and wonderful story make Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon an absolute joy to behold. It is an odd partner to its more mature main series but it's very welcome. Its painterly world is a wonderful place to explore. A thoroughly fun and endearing game that is highly recommendable to all Nintendo Switch owners.

Bayonetta Origins is a charming and colorful journey that replaces intense action with puzzles and wonder.

From its charming storybook aesthetic to the beautiful presentation, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon culminated into a phenomenal experience that anyone, be they a series veteran of the Bayonetta series, or someone who has never touched the games as I did, can enjoy to its fullest. Perhaps its only sin can be attributed to its brevity. Still, I strongly feel that in this case, we’re talking quality over quantity as you learn about Cereza’s past, making for a great entry point for those who are ever so slightly interested in the series, as well as a narrative that manages to patch some of the questions fans might have in regards to some characters of the trilogy.

Despite a disorienting control scheme and level difficulty that takes time to pick up, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon succeeds in being a memorable and adorable interactive storybook. The game also surprises by being a rare example of good representation of girlhood in gaming, offering a melancholy and deep origin story for Cereza that is reminiscent of Child of Light.

Despite the combat being a bit repetitive, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a highly enjoyable experience on the whole. The presentation is distinct and fantastically-realized, the story is well-written and genuinely interesting, and the moment-to-moment gameplay is solid. Action-heads looking for their next challenge aren’t going to get what they’re after here, but both fans of adventure games and the Bayonetta characters and world should be more than satisfied.

As an origin story, the game dares to walk an unexplored action-adventure path, a first for the series, offering an overall gameplay experience that is different, but equally mesmerizing. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a fairy tale through and through, with some of the most stunning visuals ever encountered in the genre. The lack of a co-op implementation deprives the game of a potentially excellent status, but somehow it manages to offer a magical experience, leaving us dreaming of what could come next.

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?

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a great spin-off with a different gameplay from the original. Being able to manage our hero simultaneously and overcome challenges is just as successful as eliminating demons with our hair. Its story that tells us the origins of Bayonetta, not to mention its attractive artistic section worthy of a Tim Burton work.

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. Players who are only interested in the traditional Bayonetta experience might want to skip this, but those who are willing to see the familiar character in a completely different context will be rewarded for their open mindedness. The puzzle solving and joint combat from controlling Cereza and Cheshire together ends up leading to enjoyable and satisfying combat even if the challenge is on the lower end. The beautiful watercolor-inspired design and storybook presentation does a perfect job of setting the stage for the emotional tale of Cereza’s origins. It might not be what fans were hoping for, but sometimes great games are created by taking things in a completely new direction.

While not as challenging as its predecessors, the newest addition to the Bayonetta canon establishes itself as a playful and worthy entry.

Fairy tale book to play yourself with an original game idea and a fantastic presentation, which enchants the inexperienced and the pros alike, but never demands too much.

I was surprised how different Bayonetta Origins is from the main series, with strong gameplay and a nice atmosphere. It's clear that PlatinumGames knows very well what it wants to do with the franchise.

Overall, a lovely little game. Not what we were expecting at all, and that’s a good thing. It’s wonderful to look at, tricky with its puzzles and helps to build out the Bayonetta franchise.

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.

A visually stunning storybook adventure that relies on atmosphere and varied features to balance occasional unimaginative plot and strenuous characters.

Bayonetta Origins is a lovely adventure puzzle game that’s perfect for snuggling up on the sofa with your Nintendo Switch in handheld mode. It might not have the show-stopping set pieces and over-the-top drama that the main Bayonetta trilogy has, but it’s still capable of inspiring awe with its unique control scheme, a captivating coming-of-age story, and one of the best visual identities the Switch has ever seen.

With Bayonetta Origins, Platinum Games is stepping out of its comfort zone to offer a more relaxed experience, and it's succeeded. Thanks to its sublime colorful art direction, Cereza's first adventure draws inspiration from storybooks to deliver a visual rendering that retains its charm until the end. Controller in hand, the title takes up elements of Bayonetta 3 by making us control two characters simultaneously for an approach as original as it is confusing at first glance. Finally, it is especially by its well-paced progression that the experience captivates the player, alternating fights and puzzles with great fluidity, even if we tend to see the structure repeating itself at the end of the game. For all these reasons, Bayonetta Origins is a friendly and charming adventure that takes pride of place among the Nintendo Switch exclusives.

I was genuinely surprised to find myself enjoying Cereza and the Lost Demon even more than I did Bayonetta 3. The laid-back exploration, the beautiful visuals, the unique control and combat scheme, and the fact that this is a fresh take on the franchise make it an altogether different experience, and one that furthers the series’ lore while ensuring it opens itself up to an all-new audience.

Bayonetta Origins ditches ridiculous spectacle for a puzzle-filled, combat-packed storybook adventure starring the young witch.

Overall, I highly recommend Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, so long as you approach it as it is. Not a mainline Bayonetta game, but as a largely optional (yet still incredibly delightful) spin-off, standalone title.

Not at all what any Bayonetta fan might have expected, but when freed from the expectations of the franchise, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon stands on its own two feet as a charming, worthwhile, indie-inspired puzzle adventure game.

Bayonetta Origins is a really breezy game to play if you're enamored by the storybook look and feel, which does some of the heavy lifting.

At the end of the day what seemed to me like a slow, average indie metroidvania at first, ended up putting a spell on me by combining a creepy fairytale with some fresh ideas under a gorgeous visual finish.

A very interesting addition to the Bayonetta universe that, far from what it seemed and in its own right, has ended up becoming a great video game.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is quite good - great, even, when it's firing on all cylinders. It's definitely one to check out for fans of the franchise even with the dramatic shift in gameplay style.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is one of the most visually impressive games that I've ever played. It may not offer much of a challenge but its undemanding gameplay will allow you to more easily appreciate its gorgeous storybook world.

Mind you, if you’re not a fan of its art style, then Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a much harder sell, with the gorgeous visuals covering up gameplay that’s only rarely very fun. I still maintain that it’s great to see an established series take risks like this – and it’ll be interesting to see where the series evolves from here – but as of now, there’s still much room for improvement.

This game that serves as a spin-off of the Bayonetta series dishes out a fun story dressed up with a charming and colorful visual style. In terms of gameplay, there is plenty to explore, were it not for the fact that the game is on the easy side and therefore not really challenging. Also, the camera can be annoying at times and so no and then it looks a bit blurry. Points to consider, but for the rest a solid title.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon bears little resemblance to a Bayonetta game. So don't get the game for the battles, which are quite one-dimensional compared to other PlatinumGames games. Origins excels rather with its puzzle-like platform elements and beautiful graphic style, which makes the game look like an homage to Okami at times.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a quirky little diversion from the main series. Replacing swift combat with slow-paced exploration and puzzles, it’s quite a different attraction. I love the storybook illustrations and narration, and exploring the atmospheric Avalon Forest with Cheshire’s various abilities was great fun. Issues with the forest’s discouraging mazelike map and the simplistic combat are easily trumped by the oodles of character and charm offered by this whimsical spin-off.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a nice prequel that mixes storybook with elements of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and suggestively parallels the Metroidvania genre, including a high focus on combat, by being much more linear than this. But there are many things providing the game to be a must-have. The main reason for that is the low aspiration for being at least half-way tough, especially in terms of fighting.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a well-made metroidvania spinoff, with solid - if not particularly imaginative or complex - gameplay. Targeting a younger audience through easy gameplay and a fairy tale aesthetic places it in an awkward spot within the rest of the franchise.

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 is great in terms of ideas, but it gets lost during the execution. A sequel may improve all the aspects that didn't quite work in this first game.

The art style is beautiful, and the gameplay is in a form I have never encountered before.

A game of pleasant surprises. [Issue#383, p.112]

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 a fresh dawn for the franchise, spinning expectations on their head to great effect. It's a bright and charming storybook blast.

Bayonetta Origins initially feels like a twisted fairytale (faerie tale?) from Cerezas childhood. By the end, it also feels like a companion piece to Bayonetta 3. Origins changes up the familiar Bayonetta hack-and-slash with an action adventure in a similar vein to the Legend of Zelda series whilst still keeping the spirit of its predecessors. While I have my issues with the game, Cereza and Cheshire’s adventure is endearing and it is fun to see how they grow closer in a world where Witches don’t make friends with Demons.

Bayonetta Origins tells a cute coming-of-age story about an initially powerless girl discovering herself. The game itself almost mirrors that, beginning with some simplistic, repetitive play but slowly evolving into something complex with its own distinct identity. It’s not just an origin story for Cereza, but for a new spinoff series with promising potential. The little witch we see in the game’s final moments isn’t the fully formed angel of death we meet in Bayonetta; there’s still some growing she needs to do to fully get there. Bayonetta Origins ends in the same place, leaving me excited to see where the adventure goes from here.

Bayonetta Origins shows a great new side of the Umbral Witch, in a tale that's heartwarming as it is enjoyable. Combat and puzzles are a great one-two punch, but Cereza's restricted role and Cheshire's unfaltering nature undermine a little of the former.

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 bad-ass 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 stylish boss sequences and some nice shoutouts to the main series, it feels like a little challenge, inventiveness and puzzle and combat experimentation could have made this one absolutely essential for all ages.

Bayonetta Origins is a sub-par experience marred by sloppy combat and only somewhat redeemed by an incredible visual style.

If you get over the initial shock, it's not a bad game. Two characters working together, improving abilities, the ability to sneak around, spatial puzzles and problem solving to get further, and above all, gorgeous graphics. [Issue#327]

Revealed to little fanfare at last year’s The Game Awards, Bayonetta Origins was the game that no one expected, and even fewer wanted. For some then, its mere existence is akin to Bayo blasphemy, yet in truth, this spin-off is far from the disaster many expected. While it never comes close to the highs of last year’s Bayonetta 3, it’s still a charming curio for fans and more importantly – a fantastic introduction to the genre for younger players.

Bayonetta Origins sometimes feels like an idea half explored. In combat, two sets of fists are better than one, but adventuring never ignites in the same way. There’s a level of invention and style we’ve come to expect from the studio, but this isn’t quite Pure Platinum.