Key members of Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon at PlatinumGames reveal how the game came to be, along with its premise of how it got a fairytale-esque setting. This Bayonetta prequel was announced at this year's The Game Awards showcase, where it takes things back to the beginning, where players get to see Cereza in her youth. This game is also going a completely different direction in terms of its gameplay, where it takes on a more top-down isometric point of view instead of the flashy third-person action that the series is so well-known for.Like the last two mainline entries, it once again has Bayonetta series creator Hideki Kamiya in a supervisory position, while the directing duties are by a relatively new talent known as Abebe Tinari. On the official blog on PlatinumGames' website, he states this game will be his directorial debut after working with the company since 2009. He stated that the concept of this spin-off had started around development of Bayonetta 3, which is when he decided to try his hand in getting involved.According to Tinari, Kamiya and PlatinumGames' CEO Atsushi Inaba were working on this spin-off behind the scenes, which would show a younger and less experienced side to the character. Tinari then got involved by writing up a series of proposals for Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon before becoming its director. He states that with this younger Cereza, it would explore how she became the confident witch she is today, taking her first steps in controlling the powerful Infernal demons.
Tinari notes that this prequel game will be unlike any other that Platinum has produced, changing from Bayonetta 3's non-stop cinematic action and spectacle to a more personal and intimate fairytale that develops Cereza and Cheshire together. He notes he hopes that players will grow attached to the story being told along with its two central characters.
A message from Kamiya himself was also posted, where he notes how fans might have been caught off-guard by the quick reveal and release time for Bayonetta Origins compared to Bayonetta 3. He states that the game is a fresh experience and can be played by anyone who isn't a hardcore action gamer or isn't well-versed in the lore of the series. Kamiya also asks gamers to approach this game with an open mind as they explore the story and its new gameplay styles.
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon will launch on March 17, 2023 for Nintendo Switch.
