Review: Bayonetta Origins – Cereza and the Lost Demon explained to parents

What parents need to know

Set before the Bayonetta franchise, Cereza (Bayonetta’s original name) is played as she descends into a mysterious and dangerous forest in search of a power that could save her mother from imprisonment.

However, she has not yet mastered witchcraft, and when she tries to summon a demon to defend herself, he finds himself caught in her stuffed cat, Cheshire.

The two companions of misfortune will have to collaborate in order to survive the fairy forest; the demon attacks the enemies, while Cereza paralyzes the enemies and casts spells in order to transform the scenery.

There is, however, a daunting challenge: you have to control both characters at once. With the joystick and triggers on the left, you control the young witch, while the joystick and buttons on the right allow you to control Cheshire.

You will have to master these unusual controls to defeat the fairies that inhabit the forest and solve the many puzzles that stand in your way.

Details

Release date: 17 March 2023
Developer: PlatinumGames
Publisher: Nintendo
Available on: Nintendo Switch
Available format: Physical and digital
Version tested: Nintendo Switch

Game genre: Action-adventure
Themes covered: Fairy tale, magic
Duration of a game: 1h
Duration of the main game/story: 5pm
Total time to complete everything: 25h

Text languages: German, English, Simplified chinese, Traditional chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Russian,
Voice languages: English, Japanese,

Number of local players: 1

Level of experience required

Age 3+ 7+ 12+ 16+ 18+
Beginners
Intermediate
Experienced

Evaluation

There is a little bit of blood, but it is presented in a very cartoonish way. Otherwise, the fights with the enemies are also fanciful, and do not give in graphic violence.

True, Cereza and the Last Demon features a demon who confronts malevolent creatures, but the tone is that of a fairy tale, not a horror story.

True, Cereza and the Last Demon features a demon who confronts malevolent creatures, but the tone is that of a fairy tale, not a horror story.

No sexual content.

Since the voices are only available in English and Japanese, French-speaking players will have to fall back on reading in order to understand the different mechanics as well as the story of the game.

The level of language is relatively simple, apart from the names of enemies inspired by Gaelic mythology.

The level of language is relatively simple, apart from the names of enemies inspired by Gaelic mythology.

The game offers lessons in courage, independence and collaboration.

If controlling two characters at once is not easy at first, the difficulty level is very moderate, to give a chance to less skilled players.

The game is also very generous in terms of the resources it offers us, which allows us to make many potions to help us triumph in battles.

If it remains too difficult, it is possible to reduce the damage inflicted on our character, or even to cancel it altogether.

The puzzles are usually very simple.

Cereza and the Lost Demon requires a certain level of skill with the controller, in addition to requiring precise timing during certain sequences. That being said, the developers thought of offering us the option to simplify the controls in order to make the game more inclusive.

Cereza and the Lost Demon requires a certain level of skill with the controller, in addition to requiring precise timing during certain sequences. That being said, the developers thought of offering us the option to simplify the controls in order to make the game more inclusive.

On n'achète le jeu qu'une seule fois.

No additional cost.

Local game modes

There is only one single player mode: players must complete the story of Cereza while trying to discover all the secrets that are hidden in the mysterious forest.

Online Game Modes

There is no online game mode.

Expansions/Add-ons (DLC)

No downloadable content has been announced at this time.

Our opinion

Cereza and the Lost Demon is an atypical game; apart from Josef Fares’ cult game Brothers – A tale of Two Sons, we struggle to find a game with comparable gameplay. This is both the greatest strength and the greatest weakness of the title.

We fear that easily frustrated players will quickly lose patience with the title. Controlling two characters at once is a complex exercise that requires our brain to split in two. It is a demanding exercise.

Fortunately, the difficulty level is adjusted accordingly. The enemies are not too fast, and give us time to react and adjust. We can also bring Cheshire back to its status as a small plush toy to control only Cereza in segments that do not require the intervention of both characters.

The positive thing is that this rather unique mechanism offers us a unique experience in an industry that too often likes to recycle the same old ideas. Cereza and the Lost Demon stands out for its originality, while constantly renewing its mechanics to avoid boredom.

And we can’t ignore the artistic direction of the game, which reminds us of the watercolors of a book of fairy tales, and the narration read by an elderly lady that makes us feel like we are being told a story.

In short, a unique and adorable game that knows how to reward those who give a chance to its unusual handling.

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