Nintendo Switch already has Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and The Lost Demon in its eShop catalog. We tried this new adventure in the saga and we’ll tell you in our review if we were bewitched by this game!
Bayonetta Origins: Cherry and The Lost Demon It is the most recent release of the saga Bayonetta for nintendoswitchthis time as a prequel to what is already known but with a totally different style. Cherry, a young witch in training, decides to enter a dangerous forest full of evil fairies in order to search for her missing mother. However, she is not alone because she accompanies her Cheshireher stuffed animal that is possessed by a demon summoned by the protagonist.
In this exclusive game for the Switch in the third person, with a bit of adventure and a bit of puzzles, we control these two characters in our test and we will tell you in our review every detail of this charming game!
tangled fate
Cherry She is a witch in training under the orders of her teacher, Morgana. The young woman is frequently tormented by her estrangement from her mother, imprisoned by her, and the desire to search for her. She is still inexperienced and after a mysterious character tells her that she must go to a forest full of threatening fairies to meet her mother again, the girl embarks on a new journey with only the company of her stuffed animal. Cheshire.
To his surprise and after an apparent failed attempt to summon a demon, he realizes that his friend is possessed by a fierce entity. Together, they face different obstacles and enemies in order to fulfill the dream of recovering her beloved parent and unleash the summons of her new body.
special tie
From the beginning, who we control is Cereza, whom we move through 3D scenarios that change between rotating or laterally moving cameras, in a mixture of adventure and platform games. The first ability we discover of her is the ability to grow plants to use as bridges, bloom saplings or immobilize mechanisms, for example. It does this through a kind of rhythmic mini game where three moons appear and you have to move the left analog in the direction where a rotary indicator passes.
Then, simultaneously we must control his peculiar companion (each one with a joycon). He is capable of breaking walls of branches with his powerful claws or other structures and attacking creatures. However, he has the impediment of not being able to cross areas where there is rosemary, a herb of which he hates the smell of it.
To facilitate movement and have other utilities, Cheshire he can return to his stuffed animal form, which we can make float with a magic lasso to use as a rope and jump to distant surfaces.
On certain occasions, the characters must be separated for different activities, but they cannot be too far apart because otherwise the summon loses energy. Sometimes each can access areas that the other cannot or you have to control them at the same time to overcome puzzle as platforms that move with wheels, among other tasks.
entrenched forces
When it comes to combat, we can come across different types of fairies, who have unique techniques, equipment or classes, each with their name. Some of them can have giant shields, use artillery, fly, set traps for the demon, etc.
This is where true teamwork comes into play. On the one hand, Cherry can immobilize opponents by creating roots after a channel time; for the other, Cheshire he has all the offensive power with his claws, lunges and bites. But not everything is so easy, since if enough damage is taken, the beast returns to its toy form until it recovers.
Strategy is key, since in circumstances you have to resort to specific actions such as attacking from behind, counterattacking projectiles, waiting for the cool down of the young woman or fill the energy bar that is consumed when using abilities of the dark entity.
tools to grow
As for aids to facilitate duels, there are some interesting alternatives. The first that arises is that of potions, which we can create from objects that we find in chests, in bushes or by defeating fairies. These items can heal, give unlimited energy for a period of time or enhance different aspects.
Another important implement is the skill tree, which is presented individually for each character and from which these movements are learned through the use of points or special consumables that are scattered around the map, dropped by defeated opponents or obtained in chests. These can be from attacks, dodge defenses or a greater number of potions to carry, among others.
As we progress, we also obtain some elemental nuclei that provide new skills for both. For example, with the nature cheshire can create plant whips to use on fairies or structures, while Cherry can unlock areas covered in branches. The demon consumes his energy when using these techniques, so you have to return stuffed animal or change to his non-elemental mode.
More ingredients for the potion
In relation to extras, what stands out the most are the Tir Na Nog, These are mirages that generate a distorted reality as a special challenge, where you have to overcome tests ranging from enemies to puzzles. If you complete them, you are rewarded with juicy rewards, new places on the map, the option to replay them or do it in a time trial format.
Additionally, within the main menu you can see profiles of protagonists, fairies, collectible newspaper fragments, useful information in the form of travel tips, the map, among other elements.
bewitching experience
The gameplay is one of the highest points of this new chapter of the saga Bayonetta. It invites both cooperative play with another person (each one with a joycon) or alone, with dynamics and varied strategies depending on how we want to face the combats or challenges and the tools we have. The controls are not difficult, but perhaps the weak point may be that there is not a high level of difficulty.
Another quality is the visual section. The animations are 3D style with cell shadingotherwise colorful (especially in the Tir Na Nog). It contains high quality drawings both for what the cinematics are, as well as in menus and character profiles.
The narrative also stands out, with storybook-like cinematics dubbed by a narrator (in English, with Spanish subtitles in our case). The music is not far behind and gives the right complement to the climate of each moment.
conclusions
Bayonetta Origins: Cherry and The Lost Demon It is an interesting twist on the saga, with another type of gameplay that appeals to collaboration, synchronization, and strategy. The visual and auditory are a strong draw, with beautiful designs and a compelling narrative. The story shows endearing protagonists with an emotional goal and a relationship that grows along with the plot. Do you lack difficulty? Perhaps, but the focus is on granting other types of sensations from the hand of Cherry, Cheshire and his adventures.
| RELEASE DATE | March 17, 2023 |
| DEVELOPER | Nintendo |
| DISTRIBUTOR | Nintendo |
| PLATFORMS | nintendoswitch |