My relationship with Bayonetta is a weird one. I'm a fan of Platinum and went through nearly all of their games (the non-exclusives), but I've only played the first Bayonetta.
So when I got the chance of playing Cereza And the Lost Demon, I nabbed it, and now I feel... really bad for this game, because it was basically buried beneath the hype of Tears of the Kingdom and the new Mario game. When I use 'Underrated' I do mean it, for this game (shortened to Cat LD) achieved a feat like very, very few pulled off.
I've reviewed games that tried meshing two different genres and failed, or that tried to tackle an entirely different gameplay in a sequel and crashed and burned. But I seriously don't recall a game that joins three different gameplays and suddenly changes genres 'and it works.'
Cat LD is a Metroidvania and a twin-stick puzzle game and an arena fighter, and it works. There are some wonky parts here and there, but the game still hits its mark.
As a Metroidvania, it offers slow-paced exploration that rewards players that investigate every nook and cranny regardless of having unlocked powers or not. It also offers hubs, easy and simple fast travel and constantly guide the player with wolf pawprints on the floor. If you beat the optional dungeons, it shows how many collectibles there are, and where, though sadly the map is really bad at guiding the player.
As a twin-stick puzzle game, you control Cereza with one stick, and her demonic pet Cheshire with the other. There are puzzles with levers to flip, elevators to take and buton to press, and the game takes its time to let you get used to controlling two characters at the same time. This is the weakest of the trifecta, but mostly because the game seems to be geared towards kids, so the puzzles are quite simple and easy, making it feel like both Cereza and Cheshire (and his different forms) are underutilized. I feel they could have pushed more without hurting the game itself.
Lastly, as an arena fighter, Platinum solved the issue of having to completely shift gears from a spectacle brawler by... simply shifting gears and slowing things down. Its sounds silly, but simplicity is something that passes over the head of MANY developers. Cereza acts as support for Cheshire's brawl by 'healing him' and freezing opponents in place while the demonic plush toys dishes violence on the fairies, using four elemental shapes unlocked through the campaign. Everything Platinum is known for is here, just slowed down so the player can take it easy: Brutal finishers, counters, combos... On the bad side of it, Cereza is too slow (especially in exploration mode, the 'dash' they unlock for her isn't enough) and limited if compared to Cheshire.
Its story is basic and straightforward, not bad nor outstanding (barring some really stupid decisions like a plot twist that exists just for the sake of having a plot twist), but the art ranges from cute to downright gorgeous, and its music continues bombastic a la Platinum style, but instead of metal or jazz, you have classical music to evoke the sense of scary childhood stories through bells, flutes and chords. There are some problems, like the game only allowing you to change costumes AFTER you finish it (It's ok in a game like Bayonetta where you'll repeat stages in harder difficulties, not so much in a metroidvania where you have little reason to play it after you explored everything) and Cereza being overly whiny through most of the game, but those are frankly minor under the immense achievement.
I honestly think that this game is an example of a project made with passion and art in mind, and its gameplay achievements shouldn't be understated, but sadly it was completely buried under more popular titles (nothing against them or its fans) and with the departure of Kamiya from Platinum, it may be the last with this level of quality. But I do recommend people trying it out.
VideoGame "Underrated of the Year" Trophy.
My relationship with Bayonetta is a weird one. I'm a fan of Platinum and went through nearly all of their games (the non-exclusives), but I've only played the first Bayonetta.
So when I got the chance of playing Cereza And the Lost Demon, I nabbed it, and now I feel... really bad for this game, because it was basically buried beneath the hype of Tears of the Kingdom and the new Mario game. When I use 'Underrated' I do mean it, for this game (shortened to Cat LD) achieved a feat like very, very few pulled off.
I've reviewed games that tried meshing two different genres and failed, or that tried to tackle an entirely different gameplay in a sequel and crashed and burned. But I seriously don't recall a game that joins three different gameplays and suddenly changes genres 'and it works.'
Cat LD is a Metroidvania and a twin-stick puzzle game and an arena fighter, and it works. There are some wonky parts here and there, but the game still hits its mark.
Its story is basic and straightforward, not bad nor outstanding (barring some really stupid decisions like a plot twist that exists just for the sake of having a plot twist), but the art ranges from cute to downright gorgeous, and its music continues bombastic a la Platinum style, but instead of metal or jazz, you have classical music to evoke the sense of scary childhood stories through bells, flutes and chords. There are some problems, like the game only allowing you to change costumes AFTER you finish it (It's ok in a game like Bayonetta where you'll repeat stages in harder difficulties, not so much in a metroidvania where you have little reason to play it after you explored everything) and Cereza being overly whiny through most of the game, but those are frankly minor under the immense achievement.
I honestly think that this game is an example of a project made with passion and art in mind, and its gameplay achievements shouldn't be understated, but sadly it was completely buried under more popular titles (nothing against them or its fans) and with the departure of Kamiya from Platinum, it may be the last with this level of quality. But I do recommend people trying it out.