PlatinumGames‘ Hideki Kamiya has written a blog post to introduce Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon, which was revealed at The Game Awards 2022 earlier this month.
“Hello everyone, my name is Hideki Kamiya and I am the Chief Game Designer at PlatinumGames and the Supervising Director of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon. Phew, that was a mouthful!” he writes. “Simply said, I am the supervising director of the Bayonetta series, where I mainly oversee the game lore and write the game scenario, among other things.
“I am elated that Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon has finally been announced to the world! I think many of our fans were caught off guard with this sudden announcement, as Bayonetta 3 was still hot off the press in a way. With that in mind, I am sure that everyone has noticed the magic word “Bayonetta” in the title’s name. And many of you must be surprised to see Bayonetta taking a step away from her regular gun-toting fair to visit a strange illusionary world that looks like it’s straight from a fairytale!
“Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is something very new for PlatinumGames, made by a team of young ambitious developers with just a few vets to help along the way. Abebe Tinari spearheads the effort as a first-time Director and Tomoko Nishii brings the game’s unique visual style to life as Art Director.
“The protagonist of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a young apprentice witch by the name of Cereza. Yes, you’re correct. It’s THAT Cereza. Our very own Bayonetta (albeit in her childhood years).
I am guessing that some of you out there may be intimidated by the word “Bayonetta” in the title name – perhaps you’re not an expert at hardcore action games, or maybe you’re not familiar with the Bayonetta lore because you haven’t played any of the games in the series up to now. Rest assured! This game is a brand-new gameplay experience, different from anything in the Bayonetta games so far. We created Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon with the hope that fans of the series to date will enjoy this unique take on their favorite badass heroine, and also endeavor to deliver an unforgettable experience to players who may not be comfortable with action games… or even players who are unfamiliar with the Bayonetta series in the first place!
“I implore you to take your guard down and approach this title with a fresh, open mind, as you take a plunge into an adventure set in the depths of a mysterious forest, controlling the weird and wonderful duo of a slightly timid and inexperienced young witch and a rough-and-tumble stray demon.
“Yes, you read that right! There is one more protagonist in this game! His name is Cheshire, a demon who wandered into the human world. In a forest filled with peril, this demon’s raw power is essential for your survival. Players must combine Cereza’s magic abilities and Cheshire’s ferocious power in order to progress through the game. The way you control these two is truly a one-of-a-kind experience and I’m certain you’ll love sinking your claws into the gameplay.
“The story deals with two inexperienced souls growing up and finding out who they really are. Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon is a chance for you to return to your childhood and see for yourself where Cereza’s and Cheshire’s adventure takes them as you turn to each page of this enchanting picture book.”
In Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon you will have the chance to turn back the pages of the Umbra Witch’s story to learn where it all began, taking control of Cereza and her first demon Cheshire as you look to fend off faeries and solve puzzles.
Those involved with the project include director Abebe Tinari, producer Koji Tanaka and art director Tomoko Nishii, along with supervising director Hideki Kamiya and executive producer Atsushi Inaba.
The game’s reveal came little more than a month after Bayonetta 3’s launch which we were full of praise for in our review, concluding: “Once again, PlatinumGames has delivered one of the greatest action games ever made. Bayonetta’s most spellbinding witching hour yet represents not only the series at its climactic best but an ever-heightened benchmark of what the developer has looked to achieve within the genre.”
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon will release at retail and digitally on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch worldwide on 17th March 2023.
