Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon tips for beginners

Get to grips with the Umbra Witch

Bayonetta Origins plays nothing like any other Bayonetta game you’ve played, aside from a few key elements. Cereza is still our protagonist, and as a Metroidvania, exploration is still the name of the game. However, the 100 hours you put into defeating Rodin are useless to you here. Origins has a completely different style of gameplay with an open world and a completely unique style of combat.

Here are some tips to get you started with Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon.

Take your time

PlatinumGames / Nintendo

Even if you are an avid video gamer, chances are the control scheme is something you’ve never encountered before. Cereza is controlled with the left half of the controller, while your demon companion Cheshire is controlled with the right – or one Joy-Con each if you’re playing with those. You often have to move both characters independently simultaneously to position yourself and avoid taking damage, and this isn’t the easiest trick to master. Take some time familiarizing yourself with how to control both characters at the same time, and thank me later.

Two’s company

Cereza can only bind the enemies and heal, and can’t in any way damage them. You may be (wrongly) tempted to move her to a safe position and then hack away with Cheshire, but there is a much easier way to do things. You can unlock mastery for each element at the skill trees in sanctuaries. These are particularly strong combo attacks and the fastest way to clear out a group of enemies. Bind one enemy with Cereza and then hold and release ZR to attack. A blue X on Cheshire’s face will prompt you to tap ZR again. This deals a massive area of effect attack which will speed up battles.

Take notes

Bayonetta Origins has a gorgeous open world with multiple paths and opportunities for exploration. However, the in-game map is fairly sparse. Entrances and exits aren’t marked, and you can often see areas in the distance with no idea how to access them. The best way around this is to put pen to paper. Draw out your own maps and mark out points of interest, where paths lead, and where you wish to return later. This may feel like a pain at the time, but will save you a lot of time later when you are trying to remember where that area you wanted to explore is.

Follow the main path

Bayonetta Origins is full of interconnecting levels that you can get lost in. While most Metroidvanias encourage you to consistently go back and explore areas as soon as you get a new power, Origins discourages this. You are better off waiting until you have reached the point of no return when you have all the powers available to you, then going back and collecting your treasures. Explore areas thoroughly as you pass through them, but anything you can’t access, you can put a pin in for later.