Devil May Cry 4 review (PlayStation 3)

The learning curves of previous Devil May Cry games – specifically the first - have been cripplingly steep. Premature expectations of the player meant only the most devoted had the metal to slog their way through, and for those acclimated to better balanced increments of difficulty, getting dropped in the deep end with concrete shoes was a far cry from enjoyable gaming. But, as you'd expect, most people digressed. The DMC series is still incredibly popular, and although a number of unfathomable plunders etched in over the years, it would appear that the fan base is simply insatiable.

While the fourth entry into the series bares a greater resemblance with the first than any other, Capcom has made a conscious effort to broaden the game's appeal by lessening the initial impact on the player in terms of enemy difficulty, dispersal, skills and, most of all, with two instantly available difficulty settings: 'Human' and 'Devil Hunter'. Such additions mean the increase in difficulty is of greater accessibility, without compromising the dry-eyed, hand-cramp inducing battles that have made the DMC series so incredibly renowned.

New Hero - Nero

With new-found lenience comes a new character, Nero, and after witnessing the much-loved Dante brutally murder the leader of the church group The Order of the Sword, you step into Nero's goth boots and take chase in a bid to find out exactly what Dante's playing at. In sympathetic fashion, the game shows you the ropes in form of a tutorial where you learn the importance of combos, dodges and attacks. While it's easily forgettable, it's functional as a chance to gauge Nero's reach in terms of offense and defense.

As you'd expect, Nero's balance and agility is tantamount to Dante's, but – at least at first – there's an ostensible variation in power. You move the same, you jump the same, hell, you even look and sound similar, but Dante – presumably having traversed and subsequently hardened to Hell's ceaseless spewings – is outwardly more powerful. However, despite posing as your foe throughout the game, Dante stands as a comparative skill check as is demonstrated several times throughout by repeat meetings and battles. As you beat him more and more, his quips and mockery of your adolescence squander, replaced by arrogant acceptance. It's like a family domestic.

Small Arms

The DMC trademark sword and gunplay are still in effect, but, again, Nero's is neither as cool or powerful. He still packs a mighty punch on the playing field and I sincerely doubt you'll feel limp in combat, but his dual-barrelled revolver in comparison to Dante's Ebony and Ivory handguns is just lame. It doesn't look nor sound as satisfying, and when you consider using long-range weapons practically nullifies your combo meter, you're best off sticking to your guns (*cough*) and using your Red Queen sword exclusively – that's how all the pros do it, anyway.

Nero's handgun is reprehensibly obsolete, but in a bid to maintain an effective long-range ability, you're fortunately equipped with the grapple-like 'Devil Bringer' that not only drags enemies towards you within a set distance (extended through upgrade), but allows him access to predetermined areas via floating blue orbs. The act of knocking away an enemy then dragging them back for more of a beating is incredibly effective, not to mention fun, and while some require variations on the technique – others utterly impervious to it – the ability's place in combat is especially indispensable during boss fights where getting close to a weak spot and executing a mid-air combo is utterly imperative.

I Can't See My Feeling

Through magic build-up, a small meter under your health bar gradually fills, and once full, Nero revs (yes, revs) his sword and for a limited time can perform faster and more powerful attacks. It's all too tempting to unleash the attack as soon as it's ready since its impact is substantial, but you'll quickly learn to temper your zealousness and save it for more opportune moments.

While Nero has a vast array of moves and abilities at his disposal, the game suffers from rather severe repetition in places. The journeys between boss battles are understandably similar: Fight a horde of enemies and seek out the arbitrarily-placed route of progress. It's incredibly correlative with 2001's original DMC. Fortunately, what firmly divides the two are DMC4's boss battles: Such encounters display a marked influence from the PS2's God of War games; conquering baddies of immense stature in a number of inventive, elaborate and visually striking ways.

Unfortunately, though, DMC4's similarities with the original extend beyond cute nostalgia; keeping the tradition of infuriating camera angles and counter-intuitive controls. Although the viewing angles are predetermined, by moving the right analogue stick you can shift it about slightly – a feature for which I could find no use. Additionally, as you move around from area to area, the jump to the next predetermined camera angle often plays with the logical functionality of the controls like, for example, moving your character in a direction opposite to the one you're pushing.

Diminishing Returns

Graphically, DMC4 is right on target for continuity. Just like previous entries in the series, the player is treated to a superbly beautiful but superbly gothic setting, complete with angst-filled characters with facial symmetry that could rival any cast member of The OC. It's definitely a beautiful affair, but there are certain aspects of the character animations that are simply absurd – even amongst a game filled with absurdity. For example, Nero's run and jump animations simply don't look right. He appears to run full-pelt, yet moves at the pace of brisk walk. Equally, he can jump about 15 foot up, but only a couple metres forward. It's obviously inconsequential, but one of those things you can't stop thinking about.

The fleeting encounters and minute play time with Dante might infuriate some fans of Devil May Cry, but while Nero is inferior in several ways, he shares enough similarities with the big D to make the fourth game in the series a worthy addition. A shamefully small amount has changed with each game apart from graphical upgrades, new characters and some abilities, but it's still an entertaining formula, and DMC4 is proof of that.