Bayonetta Origins Practice: An Enchanting Story of a Witch and Her Demon Cat

Although bayonet 3 Just coming out last fall, there’s already another entry in the franchise coming out in March starring everyone’s favorite gun-toting witch. However, for your next release: Bayonetta Origins: Cherry and the Lost Demon – rather than a continuation of the story, PlatinumGames has created a prequel that features a lovely new art style and gameplay changes that shine a light on a younger version of Cherry, before she became the over-the-top enchantress we know today .

After a brief explanation of Bayonetta’s lineage, the game introduces its first big twist when it asks you to control both Cherry and her stuffed Cheshire cat, who serves as a vessel for a recently summoned demon. That’s because instead of switching between each character independently, you must control both at the same time, with the left Joy-Con responsible for maneuvering Cherry while the right Joy-Con is dedicated to directing her cat. (Don’t worry, you can also play the game with the Switch Pro Controller if you prefer.) So in addition to the game throwing various puzzles or hack and slash encounters your way, you often have to wrestle with your own mind as you try to get both sides of your brain on the same page.

For me, this setup drew immediate parallels to one of my favorite games from 2013, Brothers: A tale of two sons. (Sorry youngsters for the somewhat dated reference, but if you haven’t played Brothers, you really should give it a try.) OK, siblings It’s much more of a true puzzle platformer, but even after playing it for less than an hour, Bayonetta Origins delivered the same kind of deeply satisfying solo co-op vibes. Also, while Nintendo claims the title is meant to be a single player experience, I have a feeling this could be just as fun/frustrating (perhaps even more so) when playing with a friend, and each person gets a single Joy. – scam.

Also, while the game’s controls are relatively simple and straightforward (due in part to its split-controller layout), there’s a surprising amount of depth when it comes to combat and traversing obstacles. Typically, Cheshire serves as muscle when she fights forest spirits or other monsters, while Bayonetta relies on her witch powers to lock down and control enemies. That said, the two can work together, with Cheshire able to shrink down and serve as a grappling hook, allowing the pair to jump across gaps and chasms. So despite the game’s slower pace compared to previous entries, getting your left and right hands to work together is still very rewarding. I must also admit that it is very cute to see Cherry snuggle with a demonic stuffed animal that, despite her hatred for her hugs, needs to be close to the witch to survive.

Another departure from other Bayonetta titles is the game’s art style, which has ditched its anime-inspired origins for a more storybook aesthetic, and it looks absolutely fantastic. When paired with a younger version of Cherry who is still figuring out her place in the world, the game feels more like a new age fairy tale than the action-packed wacky circus we’ve seen in previous games.

And although I only had a short time with Bayonetta Origins, perhaps my biggest surprise was how quickly I got absorbed in the game. That’s because while the bombastic nature of previous entries in the franchise is more my style, Cherry’s latest adventure offers a very charming and downright wholesome take on the series. So for all the Bayonetta fans out there who might have been put off by this installment’s design or visuals, you might want to rethink that stance and give cherry and the devil a chance when it officially comes out on March 17.