Devil May Cry 4 demo impressions
- Posted January 26th, 2008 at 05:21 EDT by Eric Blattberg
- 36,849 views
- 43 Comments
There aren't too many titles that combine lightning fast sword combat with shoot 'em up style gunplay in the way that Devil May Cry does. The series, renowned for it’s over the top action, will be hitting the current generation with Devil May Cry 4, which will be available on February 5. Capcom was kind enough to release a demo with a section cut straight out of the gold version of the game. We've played it, analyzed it, and have our impressions for you right here.
The demo provides two different choices upon booting it up. In the first, you're asked to progress as far as you can on a particular mission within a ten-minute time limit. Assuming you're as talented as us, you'll come to realize that the second option, in which you must defeat several ice monsters followed by the hell demon Berial, is simply taken part of the way through the first mission, though most won't reach that point on their first or even second playthroughs.
Beginning with presentation, we were blown away by the graphical quality of the title, especially due to the absolutely rock solid framerate. The lighting, motion blur, and general attention to detail certainly impress. The staple heavy metal soundtrack works well during the action, helping to intensify the pace, while some gothic overtones emanate during calmer periods.
The cutscenes, as always, are completely over the top, but lack that somewhat annoying cheesiness found in Devil May Cry 3. Whereas those became slightly irritating, DMC 4’s are amazing, with perfectly choreographed combat sequences pumping us up for the fight ahead. Particularly impressive was the cutscene before the big boss battle with the fiery Berial.
What wasn't as impressive was the gameplay, as it feels relatively unchanged from Devil May Cry 3. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as that was a brilliant action title, but the whole system feels somewhat last gen; that's not to say it isn't fun, quite the contrary in fact, but we tread this ground before. Also, the plethora of invisible walls is bothersome and draws you out of the experience.
The big addition here (besides the new protagonist Nero of course) is the nifty little Devil Bringer. Nero's demon arm allows for a few different functions, such as grabbing enemies or latching on to objects to move about. It's a solid addition that fits well with the rest of the Devil May Cry formula, but if this is all there is to freshen up the gameplay, then call us somewhat disappointed.
We certainly enjoyed the Devil May Cry 4 demo, but a lack of originality kept us from getting too attached. We're cautiously anticipating Devil May Cry 4's full release on Febraury 5. We'll have a full review for you then.
Comments
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jimts
- 5:40am GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 2
I liked it, although the demo was restricted to 10 plus some minutes. It wasn't as hard as the previous, it was actually kind of easy, and it was a bit of lacking action before you are eventually taught some combos, but as a whole, it was very much fun, good stuff. Plus, you get to fight a boss battle that I still can't pass #*#)*$!
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BD_BLACKAZZ |
BD_BLACKK- 6:22am GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 4
i don't no .... i really didn't think it was all that great..... cut scenes were better than the actual gameplay graphically ... it didn't blow me away
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Jessewb
- 8:04am GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 9
in 10 min I got to the part right before the Berial cutscene....needed 2 more secs to get to actually see it......but then I didn't try again cuz the 2nd already shows that part...... Update: After a retry this afternoon....I finished the demo within the 10 min.... Note I didn't kill a few minions right before the snow area..
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iplayonlysony
- 10:10am GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 11
I reached the snow section on my second playthrough!! Thank you!
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IRONMAIDEN
- 10:14am GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 13
does the gun even hurt stuff? it seemed totally worthless
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Ryo_Stryfe |
RyoStryfe- 10:56am GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 18
I'm confused as to how people can feel that the gameplay is unchanged from DMC3
I don't understand how you can say that the gameplay is unchanged and then mention the Devil Bringer like it has nothing to do with the gameplay.
I'll admit that it is the same gun + sword style gameplay but the Devil Bringer severely changes the way the game is played. It adds new mechanics and allows for new types of puzzles and longer / different combos. Not to mention how it reacts differently to different enemies. Did you guys even try to grab Berial?Then threre's Nero's sword. It has an ENGINE. Has anyone ever heard of a sword that revs up before? Not me. It lets you super charge you attacks, something you couldn't really do in in DMC3.
I think that these additions/changes should be enough to at least convince people that the gameplay isn't just rehashed. And that's without mentioning how Dante has changed.
People shouldn't write off this game based on their first impressions, DMC's gameplay is too deep to figure out everything at first glance.
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Sevket_Erhat
- 11:12am GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 19
Even though I really cannot say that it made me fall in love with the game from the demo like Unchartered: Drake's Fortune demo, I'm getting the European Limited Edition
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huZba
- 11:22am GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 22
I'd have to disagree, cause the gameplay has been streamlined A LOT. They've made a lot of seeminlgy small changes to up the pace and speed of the action, improve controls and overall increase the options available. I completed berial in the 10min challenge, and played a bit more just to find some new ways to have fun. Nero's arm increases your chances of controlling a crowd, throwing them far or getting them near. Also this is probably from the beginning of the game and there's already a variety of new things to see. In DMC3 your skills grew exponentially throughout the game and i expect to see the same transformation of gameplay in DMC4 as well.
Nero can already do good airtime with some combos with the grab,throw, charge shot and so forth. Also throttle sword? WTF awesome! :D I laughed out loud when i noticed.
I have slight reservations, but i wouldn't be too worried. Oh and btw, anyone try running fast and pressing select? Nero can kick enemies this way for a style bonus :P. Worked good against the ice-guys.
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DeadOnArrival06 |
DeadOnArrival06- 11:30am GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 24
I Still can't defeat Berial. Haha
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huZba
- 12:16pm GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 27
Some tips to anyone interested.
Guard brake with the grab.
Charge the gun while using the sword.
Instant Rev the sword while doing a combo for MAXIMUM DAMAGE :D
In the end of most slashes there's a small window where you can pull the REV and get an instant EX boost. Using this you can get those S ranks during fights in the demo.
---edit
Played around for a while longer and it seems you can get the ex boost while using the ex boost so you can have the sword flaming AT ALL TIMES, but it's pretty darn hard.
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lividrecca
- 1:15pm GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 28
check http://www.gametrailers.com/player/u...es/166182.html hes really good. An no it's not me.
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Dark_Halo34 |
Dark_Halo34- 1:54pm GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 30
where was the sixaxis camera control capcom talked about
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TheCharmedGamer
- 1:55pm GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 31
First I liked DMC 3 cutscenes. Not traditional storytelling at all and that's what makes it awesome. Second, if it aint broke don't fix it. I still can't help but feel that DMC gets critized for little stuff so heavily and other games that do the same thing over and over again get praise for it(Mario, Metriod, Rachet and Clank ect.). DMC 3 was freaking incredible but didn't get as good reviews as Ninja Gaiden despite the fact that the story was completley idiotic and vauge. I can't help but feel this game gets a bad rep because most people can't play it well. Remember when DMC special edition came out and they dumbed down the difficulty for all those whiners and that game got a higher score? Just a bunch of wusses that are lame on the plastic.
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wx_wolverine
- 2:24pm GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 32
on my second playthrough i reached the boss with 1:50 to play and my surprise is that the boss in this mode is much easier than the other mode =)
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shamurai7
- 3:04pm GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 33
well if you played ninja gaiden then you have played this already....but ninja gaiden was better looking, and played better in my opinion. i was really hoping for much more variation in attack combos.. it should be more randomized instead of "every time i attack he swings sword overhead then left swing right swing" the devil arm is always the same thing....LAME! why does he never do anything but the uppercut...this is next gen! should have programmed in like 10 generic punches that all look different so it doesnt feel so repetitive.
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monkeykilla
- 4:13pm GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 34
this article is correct about all these issues...i was also hoping for some better graphicall details but none the less , it is a fun demo.
p.s. i believe ps3 gamers have become spoiled about graphics since we have games that are utterly amazing in that department.
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Gen.Penguin
- 6:40pm GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 36
my first try i got to the middle of fighting those 2 ice things. so there.
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InfernoReaper |
GrimDarkling- 9:31pm GMT - January 26th, 2008
- 37
Try to leave out the spoilers for your review this time. I can't read your guys' reviews for fear of spoiling the game.
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el_rika
- 1:11pm GMT - January 27th, 2008
- 39
bnolan5629
Devil May Cry in general just sucks. In my opinion nothing is original in it and nothing is more fun than God Of War or anyother beat 'em ups.What the h#$...there are people who think Splinter Cell invented the stealth genre and that it has a better story than the MGS games...so posts like yours don't amaze me anymore buddy ^_^
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Breakdown24 |
breakdown24- 9:52pm GMT - January 27th, 2008
- 40
I really enjoyed the demo and can't wait for dmc4.
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Triple Dk |
TripleDk- 3:57pm GMT - January 28th, 2008
- 41
I agree to everything in this article except for the things about gameplay (BTW, I have never played any DMC before). I personally think the gameplay was boring. I felt it as a simple button masher, as the gun felt useless, and the Devil Bringer was just like a hard punch. And if the Devil Bringer is a NEW thing, then I simply don't get how DMC 3 got popular!
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Akalakabaka
- 5:44pm GMT - January 28th, 2008
- 42
EH. I liked the graphics and the fighting was pretty awesome. But having never played any of the old devil may cry games I don't really know what to think of it.
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- 43
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