Devil May Cry 4
The fourth time is apparently a charm for Capcom's Devil May Cry series. The original game released in 2001 changed the action genre for the better. It took simplistic gameplay and melded it with stylistic sequences to create a dynamic spin on the action platformer. The sequel followed suit but the difficulty was dialed back to the point that it was so easy it bordered on boring. Capcom answered with the third release which actually turned out to be the opposite. Fortunately the development team has learned from their mistakes and in the DMC4 experience feels much more balanced.
Gameplay
Rather than playing as Dante the entire way (he is around for a few missions), the story shifts focus and introduces a new character. Nero looks related to Dante and his brother Vigil somewhat due to his questionable sense of fashion, penchant for tacky one-liners, and ghostly white hair. Nero is also extremely powerful and possesses a devil arm which changes the scope of gameplay from Dante's repertoire of moves. The game allows us to play as Dante which gives the ability for comparison, especially welcome for newcomers.
The playability is just as strong as the previous titles. Unloading on demons with your sword, switching over to your gun and unleashing a hellish move at the end of a combo is every bit as satisfying as it has ever been. The action is visceral and there's a primal feeling to causing this high level of damage over and over again.
Playing as Nero, the Devil Bringer arm offers many possibilities to the combat that simply weren't available as Dante. Having the ability to grab enemies from across the screen or pull off a nice touch during a combo keeps the insane fighting style going and racks up points for upgrades. Similar to other Devil May Cry games, the fourth allows you to power-up and increase the amount of pain that can be doled out. Some fantastic upgrades come later in the game and, while some are a bit little silly, fans of the series will be impressed.
Fighting through mission after mission brings countless hordes of demons and there are plenty of boss encounters. While individual enemies ensure a nonstop experience, it's the boss characters that truly stand out. These battles are huge and require quick thinking as you attempt to cause damage and exploit their weakness. It's fair to say that out of every installment of the franchise, the bosses in DMC4 were more dynamic. Some encounters may boil down to simply spamming gunfire but the bosses certainly keep you on your toes.
While the gameplay in Devil May Cry 4 is breathtakingly fun, it's not very original. You're still trouncing through claustrophobic corridors that get hung up on camera angles occasionally. It's frustrating that even after four games Capcom couldn't completely work out the camera bugs. The flow of each mission hasn't changed since the original installment either. Adding a new character may appear as change, but it feels like we're playing the same game we have already played.
Overall Devil May Cry 4 is a fantastic action game and probably one of the best in the franchise. There are some flaws such as the level design, repetitiveness, and sticky camera, but that doesn't decrease the entertainment value greatly. There's much to do in DMC4 and the experience feels very complete no matter what your familiarity with the series happens to be.
Graphics
Considering Devil May Cry 4 has hit the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, there's probably a lot of visual comparison between the two. After seeing both in action, I can honestly say that the differences are minimal at best with a slight tip of the hat to the PlayStation 3 version. Perhaps I was spoiled by the faster load times thanks to the game installing onto the PS3's HDD.
No matter which version of the game you play, it's safe to say that the character designs will make an impression. Call them goofy or even weird, but there's just something intriguing about the gothic atmosphere. Nero's design becomes more interesting than Dante's thanks to the Devil Bringer and new fluid animations. The cut scenes look great as well and there are plenty of details to appreciate.
On a negative note, the PlayStation 3 version offers a disappointing 720p output considering 1080p was a strong possibility. Even so, the texture design of the title is fantastic and solid lighting allows the atmosphere thrive. Devil May Cry 4 is a visually impressive title that shows what the PS3 is capable of. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better looking action title on the system.
Sound
The audio is just as solid as the previous installments in the series. While the voice acting is full of cheesy dialogue, it's delivered by a fantastic voice cast that makes the script passable. The music is a fine blend of rock, electric, and atmospheric tunes. Familiar sound effects also make a return as monsters are delightfully devilish. The sense of immersion for this game is decent as well. Devil May Cry 4 sounds just about as nice as it looks, which is excellent for Capcom.
Conclusion
Regardless of experience on the first three Devil May Cry titles, this is a solid action game that is worth the price of admission for veterans and newbies alike. Nero brings an awesome dynamic to the franchise. Combine that with Dante's parallel mission and the game is absolutely over-the-top. It's a somewhat repetitive and frustrating hack and slash affair, but it's an adventure you won't forget. Here's looking forward to a fifth installment!