Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Genre: Fantasy Shooter
Rating: M (Mature)
Number of Players: 1
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC

Devil May Cry 4 Gallery

Devil May Cry is one of the most profound hack-n-slash games to date. Going beyond the skeletal structure found in most other games, DMC utilizes an advanced combat system that makes an otherwise carpal tunnel inducing title into a much more appealing release. In Devil May Cry 4, we follow Nero and Dante on their journey filled with betrayals, sacrifice, love, and the most adrenaline-pumping fight scenes we’ve seen in a long time.

The Story
DMC4 does a great job at delivering a story that, regardless of how much you normally care about a story, you won’t want to miss out on. Essentially, Nero is a member of a religious cult known as the "Order of the Sword". This group worships a savior known as Sparda, who is revered for single-handedly saving humanity long ago. In the opening scene, a mysterious assassin crashes a meeting by lodging a slug right in the head of the Order’s leader, so immediately Nero is set on revenge. Without revealing too much, the remaining twenty missions are filled with twists and turns that will constantly have you reevaluate who exactly is on your side. Needless to say, even if you’re dying to play the next mission you shouldn’t find yourself skipping over any cut scenes.

Gameplay – Nero
For the first twelve missions of the game you control the new hero named Nero. As we learn, in addition to being one of the best sword fighters in video game history, Nero also possesses a demonic arm. This arm, known as the Devil Bringer, adds a whole new dimension to the already spot-on mechanics.

The RPG elements found in DMC4 help separate this game from other button mashers because the gameplay demands skill and strategy. If faced with a wave of enemies on the easiest difficulty then you shouldn’t have a ton of trouble mindlessly tapping away; but it’s the games more challenging points that bring out this game’s real beauty. For example, when you find yourself in a heads-up duel with knights in armor, your straightforward attacks from the front will more than likely to get blocked. However, if you manage to swing yourself over them, you can effortlessly slice them up from the backside without breaking a sweat. The variety of enemies you encounter all have different strengths and weaknesses, making it impossible to create a “system” that will be effective throughout the whole game.

While Nero’s giant sword and double-barrel revolver surely plays a huge roll in regards to taking care of business, his Devil Bringer is by far his most distinguishing feature. By locking on to certain enemies, you can launch a Devil Arm that will bring distant foes within a sword’s reach, allowing you to cut up an endless wave of baddies without having to take a step (how badass is that!?). Certain enemies can’t be pulled in by the Devil Arm, but if you still land this attack it will bring you to them. You can launch this move to give yourself better position on an enemy too.

If you want to be amongst the world’s top devil hunters then you have no choice but to master DMC4’s combo system. By unleashing an endless stream of varied attacks without taking damage, you can boost your combo meter, which will thereby increase your attack charge meter and give you rewards to learn new skills. As such, pressing the attack button over and over doesn’t merit much style and your combo rating will stink. The real reward revolves around pulling off an attack filled with ground and aerial attacks, Devil Bringer combos and an occasional “Buster” finishing move. While there’s only one attack button (two if you count shooting your firearm), there are literally hundreds of different moves you can perform just by mixing up combinations of jumping, locking on, and positioning yourself.

Now if there’s one paradoxical part to this system, it’s that the already good players will have an advantage right from the start. Those who can figure out how to chain massive combos right from the start will earn more orbs and souls (the in-game currency), thus allowing them to learn new skills and abilities. Leveling up your character makes it much easier to pull off sick moves, but gamers who are clueless right from the start might have trouble getting the swing of things. While it’s easy for beginners to mash away so long as it gets them to the next mission, DMC4 is so much more fulfilling if you take the time to learn what it has to offer.