Countless video games offer players the opportunity to do battle with demonic hell-spawn, but few do it as stylishly as Capcom's "Devil May Cry" series. Since its inception on the PlayStation 2 in 2001, the "DMC" franchise has been a favorite of gamers in search of intense, engaging action titles. The recently released fourth installment follows the formula of its predecessors perhaps too closely. But despite the flaws that result, the game continues to offer a challenging and entertaining experience.
"Devil May Cry 4" details the exploits of series newcomer Nero, a young and ambiguously effeminate demon hunter, in his quest to unravel the secrets of a mysterious religious cult known as the Order. If this sounds laughable, it is; the game rarely presumes to take itself seriously. Dialogue consists almost entirely of one-liners and the voice acting is suitably corny and over the top. The cut-scenes that bookend each level routinely feature gravity-defying combat that puts the Wachowskis to shame.
The fighting system is where the game shines. Nero has a plethora of moves and abilities that can be easily strung together to create stylish combos and dispatch enemies with flair. There is something inherently satisfying about juggling evil marionettes with a hail of gunfire before slamming them into ground with an enormous flaming sword.
Aiding Nero in his journey is his demonic right arm, the cleverly named "Devil Bringer," which can reel in distant enemies and throw them with great force. This adds a new and interesting dynamic to melees, but feels slightly underdeveloped compared to all the other techniques offered.
Using a wide variety of these attacks not only looks cool, but is an essential part of gameplay as well. Stale moves and otherwise poor performances result in a worse mission rank, which in turn rewards players with fewer experience points to purchase new powers and abilities. While this punishes less-skilled gamers, levels can be replayed to earn a better grade and obtain more currency.
Fans of the franchise who worry that Nero will replace their favorite demon hunter need not fret; series protagonist and resident tough guy Dante flits in and out of the plot, eventually becoming a playable character roughly halfway through the adventure. With the ability to instantly switch between four combat styles, he has even more fighting options than Nero. Players willing to take the time to master all of his abilities will be richly rewarded.
Unfortunately, the game has some real issues with level design. Environments allow for very little exploration and exist almost exclusively to contain combat. Many of the puzzles recall the series' origin as a "Resident Evil" sequel, consisting of little more than finding the right useless artifact to remove the corresponding arbitrary obstacle.
What little variety is present, from the awkward platforming to the infamous spinning keys, is implemented poorly and only serves to frustrate players, rather than help the pacing. The motivation to continue playing never becomes anything other than getting to the next fight; everything else feels as though it is designed to artificially lengthen play time.
Adding to this issue is the overuse of all the game's environments and most of the bosses. Given today's development climate, in which "true next-generation" games take many years and millions of dollars to create, it is understandable that Capcom would want to stretch its assets as far as possible. However, it is still somewhat disappointing to have seen almost everything the title has to offer by the time Dante is unlocked.
Graphically, the game is a mostly stunning way to justify the purchase of an HDTV. Textures and effects look great, with only the curiously pixilated shadows detracting from the visual package. All of the characters and enemies animate well with some impressive and subtle flourishes, though many levels feel somewhat static and dead.
The sound design is a mixed bag. Effects are nicely bombastic, lending a satisfying feeling to the action, and the soundtrack is a fitting amalgamation of gothic choirs and cheesy metal. However, few of the songs are actually memorable and the particularly grating piece that plays during nearly every fight quickly grows tiresome.
Overall, "DMC"'s fourth iteration cements its place as one of gaming's premier action franchises; however, it is difficult to avoid the feeling that Capcom has taken the original concept as far as it will go. The series is due for a large-scale revision, hopefully stripping away the more archaic, tacked-on elements and creating a more focused, fluid experience. Despite its many flaws, the core mechanics of "Devil May Cry 4" offer some of the best combat available, and the title is undoubtedly worth a look from every action gamer.
