Everything we know about Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon

Olivia Richman Published 08/02/2023

Bayonetta fans have been anxiously awaiting more news about Bayonetta Origins and the Nintendo Direct on February 8, 2023, delivered.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon was first hinted at in Bayonetta 3, which was released in October of 2022. Players could experience a playable teaser once the Old Picture Book was unlocked. But the game wasn’t confirmed until a trailer came out during The Game Awards 2022 in December of that same year.

The trailer revealed an action-adventure game that serves as a prequel to the series. The art style was bright and vibrant, showing a more fun side to the usually sexy and serious Bayonetta in the main series.

Here is what we know about Bayonetta Origins after the latest Nintendo Direct.

When is Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon coming out?

Bayonetta Origins is officially launching on March 17, 2023. The game will be exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. With only a month or so to go, fans of the witchy protagonist should be getting more news in the near future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5b3_gydc_0

What is Bayonetta Origins about?

The story revolves around a young girl named Cereza who carries around a stuffed plushie that’s possessed by a lost demon. They go through a forbidden forest in hopes of saving her mother.

Cereza is a young witch in training. She works with her plushie, Cheshire, to defeat enemies and make their way through a vibrant yet dangerous fairytale world right out of a picture book. Cereza uses her magic, and Cheshire uses strength — their powers are combined in an attempt to survive in the forest. Cereza starts off a bit timid but is soon summoning demons and discovering who she truly is.

Bayonetta Origins gameplay

Since this is a spin-off, fans shouldn’t expect Origins to be identical to the main series. Instead, this game is more of a top-down adventure puzzler with combat elements. While whimsical, the levels appear very linear and have a platformer-style functionality.

The fighting is also a lot different than in the main games, which has Bayonetta doing eye-popping combos. Bayonetta Origins is a bit more straightforward, with only one or two buttons. Early testers felt it was more of a hack-and-slash and that there weren’t many combat encounters when compared to puzzle elements.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coZmG-Utky0

The most recent Nintendo Direct on February 8 showed more gameplay, revealing that Cereza can’t attach. Instead, she supports Cheshire by binding enemies in place. The battles are more about strategy and teamwork than dealing massive damage. The two also work together to unlock new pathways in each level, using their unique abilities to figure out how to traverse each location.

The unique art style combined with the more puzzle-based gameplay has fans excited for something different. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about Bayonetta’s origins.

Olivia Richman

About Olivia Richman

Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.

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