Gaming Generations :: Devil May Cry 4

NeedsMoreZazz · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 8:09 pm Post subject:

Devil May Cry 4

Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Release Date: February 5, 2008
Genre: Hack n' Slash, Action
Number of Players: 1
ESRB Rating: Mature

Review
The 4th game in the Devil May Cry series, like many other long running favorie series such as Zelda, the games are released in nothing close to being chronological order.

Plot
This game stars a different wisecracking, white-haired jerk who inherited some of Sparda's power. You assume the role of the young Nero who is on a neverending quest to save his girlfriend. Dante at first appears to be an enemy to you and the church you belong to, but as you can guess it quickly turns out that Dante is the ally and your allies are the enemy. Except your girlfriend. She mostly just stands around with her mouth slightly open making gasping noises and looking attractive. Until she gets kidnapped.

Setting
The game takes place a couple of large and sprawling castles and the surrounding countryside, as well as in the city.

Graphics
Sticking to the series' reputation, DMC4 has stunning graphics. The lighting is perfect, the architecture is amazing and the particle and weather effects are breathtaking and move smoothly. The only real frustrating element of the game comes here as the camera angle likes to switch when you move from room to room (to provide a more dramatic angle) but you will occasionally find yourself running into a room only to immediately run right back out again do to the changed angle.
Sadly, halfway through the game it basically turns around and has you run back through all the levels in reverse, so there ends up being a lot of recycled levels and enemies.

Sound
Sound effects are great and the voice acting is well done and suits the characters perfectly. During combat the music changes to mediocre industrial rock which fits the fights well as long as you ignore the lyrics.

Gameplay
Throughout the game you travel through various locales fighting tons and tons of demons. The game focuses heavily on stringing attacks into combos without getting injured and the faster you string more attacks, the higher your score goes. Depending on how quickly and sylishly you complete each mission, you gain rewards such as items and proud souls which you can spend to earn more powerful attacks and moves. The game also involves minor puzzles and some trickly platforming. Failure typically results in having to fight more enemies. While typically enemies are easy foes, there are some which must be fought in particular ways (oftentimes putting on a good show in the process). Boss fights range from being pathetically easy to frustratingly difficult. You may fight one incredibly hard boss and then the next one is surprisingly weak.

Summary
This is a very good game in pretty much all respects. In it's easiest mode it is challenging, but not frustrating. It plays smoothly, has an interesting storyline and looks pretty. There are lots of skills to unlock and plenty of things to collect and side missions to complete. It's truly an enjoyable experience. That said it does dissapoint with the recycled levels and wonky camera angles and while the game is a lot of fun, it is by no means original.

Graphics: 8
Sound: 9
Control: 9
Gameplay: 9
Replay: 8
Overall: 8.5

_________________
completed reviews
Harvest Moon DS
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (DS)
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS)
Final Fantasy Tactics A2 (DS)
Kirby Squeak Squad (DS)
Mario Kart DS
Disgaea (DS and PSP)
Chrono Trigger (DS)
Devil May Cry 4 (360)