Name: Devil May Cry 4
Genre: Action
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3 (Reviewed on PS3)



I have an awkward love/hate relationship with the Devil May Cry series. The first title was amazing, but the series lost its focus as it progressed. The second game was universally deemed as a disaster and while the third was a massive improvement, it was so difficult that most gamers – including myself – lost the will to play within a few hours of the awesome opening cut scene. Capcom forgot that showing the series' lead doing cool stunts doesn't translate over to fun gameplay, especially when it barely does any damage to the overpowered enemies rushing the screen. Needless to say, I went into Devil May Cry 4 with my expectations low.

When it was first revealed that the player would assume the role of Nero instead of the series usual protagonist, Dante, I was up in arms with the rest of the game's fans. The problem wasn't so much that gamers were upset to play as a different character, but that the character looked so much like Dante it seemed like a waste. Later when it was explained that Dante would still play a role in the title it was even more annoying, but once the game begins and you learn exactly why the choice was made it becomes clear that it was the best thing to do. The story starts out with Nero at a religious event, watching the religious leader give a speech. Dante drops out of the sky and pulls a gun on the man, shooting and killing him. After laying waste to the guards and running away, Nero is assigned to find this mysterious figure and bring him to justice. Devil May Cry 4's plot is much better than I ever could have expected, mainly due to the series focus never being placed so heavily on it. Going into any more of the story would spoil it, so I will leave out all of the details, but just know that the game tells a tale worth hearing.



Unlike many other games with amazing plots that are stunted by broken gameplay, Devil May Cry 4 is worth playing. Controlling Nero is significantly different than Dante due to his demonic arm and the amazing powers it possesses. Other than looking cool and creepy (as well as serving as something to block swords with in cut scenes) his arm can reach out and grab enemies and objects. It brings an entirely different feel to the game, as Nero will spend much of his time in the air - dashing around bosses using his arm's power. It is so different, in fact, that when the game allows you to control the demon hunter himself it takes some getting used to.

Dante and Nero's interactions bring some classic Devil May Cry humor to the game and helped remind me why I loved him so much in the first place. He has an air of badassery about him that is unmatched, and once I was able to gain control of him all of the fond memories of Devil May Cry came streaming back. It isn't like playing as Nero with a missing ability; it is an entirely different character. Dante in Devil May Cry 4 has nearly every ability he had in Devil May Cry 3, which includes different combat stances and attack styles. It can be fairly intimidating for newcomers to the series, but the game eases players into it. On the whole, Devil May Cry 4's combat is much better than the last game in the series, and while the difficulty being scaled down might be troubling for some it is a relief for those who don't have years to kill playing through the game.

Gameplay has gotten upgrades along with the new abilities. Nero's sword can be revved up like a motorcycle to unleash a large fire attack, and his gun can charge up to fire more powerful blasts. The insane combo strings that Devil May Cry is known for have obviously returned and have been made even longer with the additions of Nero's demonic arm and the Dante's new weapons. Some of the abilities from the previous games have not returned, but have usually been replaced with better ones. Anyone who enjoyed the over-the-top gameplay of the previous titles will feel right at home.

Not everything has been resolved, and some of the old foes of the Devil May Cry series come back in a big way. Most notably is the game's camera, which at times can feel like it is working against you more than any enemy in the game. A series staple is, for some reason, to switch at a seemingly random pace from a third person view. Like other games in the series, the camera cannot make up its mind between third person and static room views.  It is like playing half the game with Resident Evil 4's camera, and the other with the camera from the other, crappier Resident Evil games. Having the camera follow you down a hall only to change and face you once you walk into a room is not only distracting, but makes the game feel broken at times. There were instances when I would walk into a room only to have the camera change and make me walk right back out. This trend could continue for several tries until I force myself to stop walking and reassess my situation upon entering. It doesn't really work out, and the Playstation 3 exclusive "Sixaxis Camera Controls" turn playing Devil May Cry 4 into a simulation of the teacups ride at Disney World.



Devil May Cry 4 is an amazing game that blew away every expectation I had set for it. After looking at the videos I expected an incredibly hard title with a paper-thin plot and repetitive combat. What I received was a beautiful, deep title. While it doesn't really do anything that sets it apart from its previous incarnations and, aside from the stunning graphics, it could have easily been pulled off on the Playstation 2, I heartily give my recommendation for the game.