Cereza

Lore & Background

Six hundred years prior to the main series, Cereza lived under the care of Morgana after being exiled for her lineage as the daughter of Balder and Rosa. Her father was banished and her mother imprisoned, leaving Cereza feeling undervalued despite her efforts. Seeking power to save her mother, she entered the Avalon Forest where a mysterious boy guided her. After being attacked by faeries, she summoned a demon that bound itself to her stuffed cat, creating Cheshire. This entity could not harm its summoner and survived outside Inferno only through this bond. The lore details their journey destroying four Elemental Cores hidden in the thicket to strengthen Cheshire's abilities. Cereza's father, Balder, is noted as a Lumen Sage whose banishment was a direct result of his union with Rosa, establishing the tragic backstory that defines her early life before she eventually left home to begin her next journey.

In Their Own Story

Cereza's story unfolds in the Avalon Forest where she teams up with Cheshire after summoning him. They battle hostile creatures and destroy four Elemental Cores while Cereza grows more confident and Cheshire becomes increasingly protective. Their bond is tested when a faerie disguises itself as her mother, causing an argument that leads to a brief separation. After Cheshire is captured, Cereza enters the faeries' castle with the help of a white wolf to rescue him, eventually defeating the ruler Púca. The mysterious boy from her dreams is revealed to be Lukaon, a cursed half-blood who demands Cheshire as a sacrifice to break his curse. When Lukaon attempts to steal Cheshire's elemental powers by force, Cereza rescues him and they defeat Lukaon together. Later, Morgana reveals herself as Lukaon's mother and turns on Cereza. Encouraged by Cheshire, Cereza unlocks the Witch Time ability to defeat her teacher and destroy her Umbran Watch. After saying farewell to Lukaon, Cheshire returns to Inferno, and Cereza leaves home.

Reader's Guide

Players control both Cereza and Cheshire simultaneously using a twin-stick scheme. In combat, Cereza binds enemies with spells while Cheshire attacks; players must toggle between Cheshire's 'Unleashed mode' for large-scale attacks and 'Hug mode' where he shrinks to plush form. If Cheshire runs out of magic, the player must pick him up in his plush form to restore it before he can fight again. Elemental Cores found throughout the world are destroyed to upgrade Cheshire's abilities, unlocking new areas. The gameplay focuses on asymmetrical puzzles requiring both characters' talents, described by critics as similar to Hazelight Studios titles. Cereza cannot die alone; rather, she must utilize her partner to overcome obstacles and enemies. The game is forgiving of mistakes but requires adjusting to the dual-character control, with progression transitioning from puzzle platforming into character-action combat.

Did You Know?

• Cereza was exiled because she is the result of a forbidden union between Lumen Sage Balder and Umbra Witch Rosa.
• Cheshire cannot die in combat, but he runs out of magic if not picked up by Cereza in his plush form to restore him.
• The mysterious boy guiding Cereza in her dreams is revealed to be Lukaon, a half-blood cursed for being born of a faerie and a witch.
• Cereza unlocks the Witch Time ability only after being encouraged by Cheshire during her battle against Morgana.