The new hack-and-slash demon-hunting adventure game “Devil May Cry 4” has finally made its way onto Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. The long anticipated sequel to the “Devil May Cry” series is the first in the next-generation era and it does not disappoint. Although it has many elements from previous games in the series, it provides several new features that will excite both fans and newcomers to the series.
StoryAlthough the series has not been known for its story, “Devil May Cry 4” offers a great deal more depth than previous installments. The game starts quickly with the new main character, Nero, fighting a horde of demons while on his way to a cult gathering. After he arrives everything is spun into chaos as the franchise star of the game, Dante, crashes the party and assassinates their leader. From there, the story goes on with several twists and turns that will definitely intrigue the player. Although the dialogue could have been better, it does not distract from the overall experience of the game.
Graphics/PresentationThe visuals are absolutely breathtaking as the game embraces the next-generation consoles. The character models are almost perfect, making the them seem more realistic than ever. The scenery is superbly executed from the smallest details in the castle corridors to the spacious landscapes of the fictional world. The only areas that should have been improved were the lighting effects. Sometimes the shadows appear pixelated and not realistic.
SoundAlthough the action effects and voice acting contribute to the game, the gothic heavy metal soundtrack takes a bit away. Most of the music goes along with the theme of the game and the entire series, but it feels dated and a bit too 1990s.
GameplayThe gameplay is where “Devil May Cry 4” exceeds most other action games. The same hack-and-slash gaming that defined the series makes a defiant return, giving the player more control over the character than ever before. The gamer can create an endless amount of combinations with Nero’s weapons, “Red Queen,” “Blue Rose” and “Devil Bringer.” The “Devil Bringer,” which is new to the franchise, gives players the ability to grab opponents and slam them to the ground, inflicting serious damage. Later in the game it is possible to unlock different abilities of the weapon, making it more powerful and useful.
ValueThe numerous difficulty levels, power-ups and abilities that can be added give the game a definite longevity. Unlike many other action games, “Devil May Cry 4” has a huge re-playability value. Another new feature that adds to this is the inclusion of an achievement system. As the player goes through the game, they receive achievement awards for the amount of demons killed, for getting a high combo level, and so on. This is not console- specific to the Xbox 360 either, as the Playstation 3 also incorporated its Playstation Network into the game. The online features include high scores players from all around the world and the ability to compare your friends’ progress in the game to your own.
Michael Bestic can be reached at [email protected].
