Bayonetta is getting a stunning spin-off

The Bayonetta series is getting a spin-off game focused on a younger version of the title character and a storybook art style

Bayonetta is getting a new spin-off game that acts as somewhat of a prequel to the entire Bayonetta series.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon was announced at The Game Awards, and it tells the story of a young Bayonetta, before she even took the name Bayonetta. Back then, she was still going by the name Cereza, and she wasn’t quite an Umbra Witch yet.

Given Bayonetta 3 only just released a little over a month ago, none of us expected to see a new game so soon. Certainly, nobody expected that it would even be launching so soon, with the game dated to release on March 17 2023, just six months after Bayonetta 3’s release.

The game has an entirely new art style, looking a lot like a storybook, and a new camera perspective. These two factors make the game seem far less action-heavy and flashy than previous Bayonetta games, with more of a focus on exploration and storytelling.

That said, combat is very much still on the table, as we watch Cereza’s toy cat (and demon) Cheshire tear through enemies in battle. It does look a lot slower-paced than combat in Bayonetta 3, though there’s still likely to be a little bit of depth to the combat systems.

Curiously, players who want to check out the game can test out a small glimpse of it in Bayonetta 3 already. Nintendo says the following about trying it out:

“Players who want a sneak peek of the game won’t have to wait long at all. In fact, a brief playable teaser for Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon can be accessed within Bayonetta 3. Players who purchased the Old Picture Book at Rodin’s shop, The Gates of Hell, using in-game currency and unlocked it with three keys will be able to access it.”

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon features a stunning storybook art style and a gorgeous world to explore. Picture: Nintendo

Bayonetta 3 attracted a little bit of controversy just prior to its release, when the former lead voice actor for Bayonetta asked fans to “boycott” the game. Hellena Taylor, who portrayed the title character in the first two games, claimed that she was offered just $6500 AUD for the role.

This was disputed by reporting from Bloomberg, who claimed to have seen documents proving that Taylor was offered “at least five” sessions at about $6000 AUD a piece, for a total of about $30,000. Taylor said the claim was “categorically untrue” in a statement to the press, but later admitted on Twitter that Bloomberg’s reporting was roughly correct.

Bayonetta 3 was still widely well-received, and reportedly sold incredibly well. It ended up taking home the award for Best Action Game at The Game Awards, beating out games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Neon White.

Written by Oliver Brandt on behalf of GLHF.