Bayonetta Origins hands-on: An enthralling story of a witch and her demon cat | Engadget

Despite the fact that Bayonetta 3 simply got here out final fall, there’s already one other entry within the franchise due out in March starring everybody’s favourite gun-toting witch. Nonetheless, for its subsequent launch – Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Misplaced Demon – as a substitute of a continuation of the story, PlatinumGames has created a prequel that includes an enthralling new artwork type and gameplay twists that make clear a youthful model of Cereza, earlier than she grew to become the over-the-top enchantress we all know at this time.

After a brief clarification of Bayonetta’s lineage, the sport introduces its first main twist when it asks you to manage each Cereza and her stuffed cat Cheshire, who serves as a vessel for a not too long ago summoned demon. That’s as a result of as a substitute of switching between every character independently, you’re meant to manage each on the identical time, with the left Pleasure-Con chargeable for maneuvering Cereza whereas the suitable Pleasure-Con is devoted to directing her cat. (Don’t fear, you too can play the sport with the Change’s Professional Controller when you choose.) So on high of the sport throwing numerous puzzles or hack-and-slash encounters your means, you usually must do battle with your individual thoughts as you attempt to get either side of your mind on the identical web page.

For me, this setup drew fast parallels to one in all my favourite video games from 2013, Brothers: A Story of Two Sons. (Sorry youngins for the considerably dated reference, however when you haven’t performed Brothers, it is best to actually give it a go.) Granted, Brothers is rather more of a real puzzle platformer, however even after taking part in it for lower than an hour, Bayonetta Origins delivered the identical kind of deeply satisfying solo co-op vibes. Additionally, whereas Nintendo claims the title is supposed to be a single-player expertise, I get the sense that this could be simply as enjoyable/irritating (possibly much more so) when performed with a good friend, with every particular person getting a single Pleasure-con.

Moreover, whereas the sport’s controls are comparatively easy and simple (due partially to its break up controller format), there’s a shocking quantity of depth in the case of fight and traversing obstacles. Usually, Cheshire serves because the muscle when battling forest spirits or different monsters, whereas Bayonetta depends on her witch powers to lock down and management enemies. That mentioned, the 2 can work collectively, with Cheshire capable of shrink down and function a grappling hook, permitting the pair to leap gaps and chasms. So regardless of the sport’s slower tempo in comparison with earlier entries, getting your left and proper palms to work collectively continues to be very rewarding. I additionally must admit it’s simply actually cute seeing Cereza snuggle up with a demonic patchwork plushy, who regardless of its hatred of cuddling, must be near the witch with the intention to survive.

One other departure from different Bayonetta titles is the sport’s artwork type, which has ditched its anime-inspired origins for a extra storybook aesthetic – and it seems to be completely improbable. When mixed with a youthful model of Cereza that’s nonetheless determining her place on the earth, the sport feels extra like a new-age fairy story than the eccentric action-packed circus we’ve seen in earlier video games.

And whereas I solely had a short while with Bayonetta Origins, maybe my largest shock was how rapidly I grew to become engrossed within the recreation. That’s as a result of whereas the bombastic nature of earlier entries within the franchise is extra my type, Cereza’s newest journey affords a really charming and downright healthful tackle the collection. So for the entire Bayonetta followers who may need been postpone by this installment’s design or visuals, you may wish to rethink that stance and provides Cereza and the Demon an opportunity when it formally comes out on March seventeenth.