 |
PLAYSTATION 3 | ESRB Rating: MatureProduct Features
- New characters and environments while blending the familiar with the new - Newcomer Nero clashes with veteran Dante
- Signature blend of guns and swordplay
- Deep combo system rewards stylish dispatching of enemies. Unique "Devil Bringer" arm opens up a range of combo options.
- Exceed System allows Nero to charge up his sword with a throttle effect, revving up to three levels with powerful attack options
- New active style change system for Dante allows him to switch styles and weapons on the fly, producing crazy combo possibilities
- Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
- ASIN: B000P297EI
- Product Dimensions: 8 ounces
- Media: Video Game
- Release Date: February 6, 2008
- Amazon.com Sales Rank: #357 in Video Games
Fans of the ‘Hack and Slash’ wing of the Action genre are more than likely familiar with the single player, gothic-flavored action of Capcom’s Devil May Cry franchise. The first three games in the series are centered on the sword play and gun slinging of demon hunter and long-time hero, Dante, but in the most recent release, Devil May Cry 4, players are thrown a changeup, as doubt is cast on the once unquestionable motives and actions of Dante by a new, yet somehow familiar hero, Nero.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Nero resembles Dante and Dante’s estranged twin brother Virgil, familiar to players from earlier games in the series. This might be more than a just a coincidence--you’ll have to play through the game to find out for sure--but what is certain is that like Virgil, Nero has a serious problem with Dante; one that can only end badly for one of them.
As DMC4 opens players not only witness, but participate in Nero’s trial by fire as he is unexpectedly forced to go head-to-head with Dante. The youngest, but most promising new member of the land of Fortuna’s "Holy Knights," the military arm of the "Order of Maken," an organization pledged to destroy all demons as well as defend the memory and worship of Sparda, the historical Dark Knight who rebelled against the Dark Emperor to champion the fate of humanity, the Holy Knights highly respect Dante, who is a direct descendent of Sparda. This makes what Nero and players of the game must do all the more difficult, but no less necessary. A tutorial for learning and developing Nero’s skills as well as serving as the game’s first boss battle, playing as Nero, players must hold their own against the legendary demon hunter before they can proceed further into the game. But be prepared for Dante to return later in the game.
The World of Devil May Cry 4
Just as in previous installments in the DMC series, the world players explore in Devil May Cry 4 is lavishly gothic, feeling both ancient and modern simultaneously and is peopled by demons and demon hunters. In this dangerous world player’s weapons are sometimes all they can count on. Although you begin your journey playing in the role of newcomer Nero, players will also have the opportunity to play as Dante, Both character’s arsenals of weapons and abilities are impressive, but not too difficult to master. See the partial list of both character’s weapons and abilities below:
Nero
- "Devil Bringer" Arm: Integrated into Nero’s right arm, it is a mystery even to Nero, but quickly reveals itself as a very effective weapon against demons, especially the largest among them.
- Red Queen: Effective at when swung at high speeds, this sword has a motorcycle handle base that sprays flammable liquid on enemies when squeezed.
- Blue Rose: Used for long range attacks, this pistol has two barrels which can be fired at once with armor piercing force.
- The Exceed System: Allows Nero to charge up his sword with a throttle effect, revving up to three levels with powerful attack options.
- Force Edge: Sharp and indestructible, this sword is a memento from his father Sparda, and was used to defeat the ancient enemy Mundus and seal the gateway to the underworld.
- Ebony & Ivory: Dante’s twin .45 caliber companion pistols. They are Dante’s trusty companions as he battles supernatural evils.
- Beowulf: Double gauntlets and greaves hold a flashing power to strike down enemies at close distances.
- Active Style Change System: These allow Dante to switch between fighting styles and weapons on the fly, producing crazy combo possibilities that players will need to master.
New Characters and Environments
Joining Nero and Dante as they battle demons and each other throughout the game’s next-generation enhanced environments are a wide array of non-player characters both old and new to the Devil May Cry series. Familiar faces from the past like Trish and Lady will be there as well as new characters like Kyrie to illustrate Nero’s side of the story in the demon-filled landscapes of Fortuna and continue the legacy of fast paced, rich action players have come to expect from the Devil May Cry universe.
Product Description
Long ago the Dark Knight Sparda rebelled against the dark emperor and waged a one-man war to save humanity. Thousands of years later, a religious organization worships this renowned savior and has taken it upon themselves to rid the world of all evil. Residing in Fortuna, this organization is known as the "Order of the Sword," and is made up of an elite group of "Holy Knights." One day, a young knight named Nero witnesses Sparda's legendary son Dante slaughter his fellow warriors. Has the renowned devil hunter turned his back on mankind? What does thie encounter mean for these two individuals? In Devil May Cry 4, players control the formidable Nero who comes to grips with his newly found power as his beliefs and allegiance are tested. Continuing the legacy of fast paced action synonymous with the series, Devil May Cry 4 pushes the envelope of excellence even further with the inclusion of a new combat system that incorporates Nero's "Devil Bringer, a new feature that has players delivering overwhelming damage to enemies with non-stop combos, while gaining new power for Nero's right arm. With the PlayStation 3 system's advanced graphical capabilities, high definition visuals and intricate detail come to life as players explore new and exotic locales. Amazing visual effects and dynamic action coupled with a complex storyline, provides the very cool, slick and stylish attitude that only a Devil May Cry game can deliver. New active style change system for Dante allows him to switch styles and weapons on the fly, producing crazy combo possibilities ESRB Rated M for Mature
Video Game Review by 1UP.com (What's this?)
Learn more about this game at 1UP.com 
By Shane Bettenhausen -- 31/1/2008
Last generation, Capcom's Devil May Cry helped to redefine modern action-adventure gaming with its lush 3D environments, stylish slash-n-shoot combat, and lovably cocksure antihero, Dante. With its roots firmly planted in the old-school finesse-driven gameplay tradition for which Capcom is known (Strider, Bionic Commando) and glossy, Resident Evil-inspired presentation, DMC created a rock-solid template that inspired countless imitators. Unfortunately, that stunning debut begat two mishandled sequels -- DMC2 felt like a lifeless, repetitive retread (albeit one with designer-jeans product placement) while DMC3's absurd difficulty curve made it impenetrably tough for most gamers. An apologetic "Special Edition" of DMC3 corrected its problems, but the series' history of missteps left fans wondering whether this fourth installment would arrive fully formed. The good news? In many crucial ways, Devil May Cry 4 feels like the return to form that fans so desperately desire. But at the same time, an obnoxious design choice keeps it from being an unqualified success.
From the outset, DMC4 pulls some surprising punches -- benching well-liked, wisecrackin' Dante in favor of decidedly emo, hoodie-clad newcomer Nero may seem like a dumb move, but the gamble actually pays off. Nero's truly the star of this quest, and you control him through nearly two-thirds of the game as he attempts to rescue his lovely lass from a corrupt theocracy. It's a far more serious, earnest, and mature adventure than you'd expect, even if the game's female characters sport ridiculously massive mammaries and the "angels" you're fighting look more like Gundam mechs.
 |
Nero offers a remarkably different style of play thanks to the Devil Bringer, his demonically enhanced right arm. Its various uses include tossing foes around, pulling off unique finishing moves, and grappling across chasms -- all of which mix up the otherwise predictable character-action proceedings. Devil May Cry has always rewarded pinpoint timing, and the Devil Bringer reconfirms that commitment with its brilliant "Instant Rev" mechanic that dishes out maximum damage by perfectly timing a button press during a combo. It's a seemingly insubstantial, purely optional gameplay addition that deepens combat immeasurably. Even though Nero lacks many of the skills that make Dante such a blast to control, he's far from boring.
Nero's new proclivities definitely tweak the formula, yet the fundamental DMC gameplay remains wonderfully intact. Few games boast such excellent controls -- you'll instantly find yourself pulling off impressive combos thanks to tight, responsive, and intuitive setup offered here. And you'll feel a real incentive to master combat, as the game constantly rewards stylish play with a branching tree of unlockable skills and attacks that expand your death-dealing repertoire.
 |
While fans agree that DMC's addictive gameplay provides the primary draw, the series has a solid audiovisual legacy, as well. DMC4 looks predictably slick, with an excellent mix of hyperdetailed interiors, dense urban areas, and expansive natural environs. You'll spy a few glaring inconsistencies (the forest stage suffers from lighting problems and infrequent bouts of slowdown), but overall it's one of the most attractive current-gen efforts to date. The game's aural offerings aren't quite as compelling, though.... The same divisive industrial hard-rock nonsense (featuring torturous vocals by Shawn "Shootie HG" McPherson) that sullied DMC3 returns here, and the voice acting runs the gamut from lovably corny to embarrassingly melodramatic. Still, Dante's supremely charismatic actor deserves praise for making us love an increasingly insane devil hunter who repeatedly boasts about the prowess of his own genitalia (allegorically, of course).
Like its predecessors, DMC4 unfolds in a strictly linear fashion, with a diverse mix of combat, puzzle solving, and platforming in each of its 20 stages. Even though it's divided up into chunks, the game world stands as one interconnected, realistic realm packed with dense jungles, abandoned mines, and mammoth castles. But unlike the past games, this one takes an overly frugal approach to level design: Once you've battled through the holy empire as Nero, you get to trudge back through it all over again (including the bosses) as Dante. Sure, this crimson-clad badass controls like a dream -- his godlike strength, agility, and special attacks erupt with a fury that Nero simply can't match -- but having him merely retrace the other hero's steps feels like a missed opportunity. Also, while the initial appearance of a ponderous board-game challenge (in which Nero has to roll a die in order to move around a board riddled with potential enemy encounters) can be forgiven, the other four occurrences cannot. And just when it appears that no further corners could be cut, the game's penultimate stage parades the game's big bosses back out for an unprecedented third battle. Seriously, Capcom? They're good bosses, but not that good.
 |
That said, you'll definitely want to play through DMC4 more than once. Burying fan-favorite Dante so deep in the game practically guarantees that you'll want to tackle the quest a second time on a tougher difficulty, if only to explore his incredibly over-the-top arsenal. Compared to the more defensive ebb and flow of Nero's gameplay, Dante's hyperkinetic tempo invites players to simultaneously experiment with a multitude of weapons and combat styles -- mastering how to switch up his attacks on the fly isn't easy, but the results are visceral and rewarding. New toys such as Lucifer (an evil backpack that lets Dante toss out an infinite number of glowing blades) and the unfathomably cool Pandora (a suitcase that transforms into everything from a spinning saw to a gyroscopic missile array depending on your controller input) bristle with creativity.
Although it dips into the recycling bin a bit too much, Devil May Cry 4 still remains a must-play title for action-adventure gamers. Its gorgeous trappings, addictive combat, and well-balanced difficulty make it the most satisfying DMC in years, and Dante's such a killer character that you'll actually want to tackle the game on a tougher difficulty in order to fully explore his amazing arsenal.
No comments:
Post a Comment