Bayonetta Origins Cereza and the Lost Demon Demo

After being extremely disappointed with Bayonetta 3, I had little interest in this prequel puzzle game, but I decided to give the demo a try. The story follows young Cereza who is trying to free her mother and studying under an outcast witch called Morgana. This clashes with the some lore elements from Bayonetta 1, but given all the multiverse bullshit they introduced in 3, it doesn't really matter too much. This may not even be the Cereza from Bayonetta 3, but a completely different version. The cynic in me thinks that Platinum are using the Bayonetta name to push this game, which is barely related to the main series. In any case Morgana is being a cunt for no apparent reason and after Cereza fails at a demon summoning spell, she decides to go into Avalon forest to seek power because she had a dream about it. When attacked by fairies she summons a demon who possesses her doll. She names him Cheshire and you control him as well. First thing's first - the narration of this game is overwhelming. During the first chapter I thought I was playing a visual novel. Aside from Cereza, the narrator dubs everybody else, which for some characters like Cheshire comes off as cringey. One thing about the game I like is the visuals - I like the highly stylised look and the character designs. When you get to actually play the game, it's very limited. Cereza can bind enemies with magical thorns after doing a little dance minigame and
do the same to open flowers and that's about it. Cheshire has a single button attack, so you use him to fight enemies and remove obstacles. Sometimes there is rosemary in the way and he can't pass through meaning that you have to split up and find different paths for both characters. It's pretty cool that you can control them in parallel like in Astral Chain, but here it's much simpler. Cheshire can also return to his doll form and Cereza can carry him around or throw him to higher paths. None of the puzzles were too involved. You collect some currency for possible upgrades and items to conjure potions. Overall there's nothing that left an impression aside from the visuals. Looks like this will be a story driven game and I don't trust the people at Platinum to deliver a great story judging by Bayonetta 3. Also the full price they are asking for what looks to be a short puzzle game is absurd. I personally won't bother with this one until I find it in the bargain bin.