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  • Devil May Cry Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Genre: Action Sub-Genre: Third Person Release Date: Oct 16th, 2001 Additonal Info:
  • Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Genre: Action Sub-Genre: Third Person Release Date: Mar 1st, 2005 Additonal Info:
  • Devil May Cry 2 Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Genre: Action Sub-Genre: Third Person Release Date: Jan 25th, 2003 Additonal Info:
Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Release Date: Feb 5th 2008 Genre: Action Sub Genre: Third Person
Devil May Cry 4
This article has been read 7,166 times

Devil May Cry 4 demo impressions

Posted on January 26th, 2008 at 05:21 EDT

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.

I like it! Likes: 58

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What are your thoughts?
posted 5:38am EST - January 26th, 2008
1

agreed

posted 5:40am EST - 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 #*#)*$!

posted 6:08am EST - January 26th, 2008
3

Hey!I liked DMC3's cut-scenes!!

posted 6:22am EST - 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
posted 6:25am EST - January 26th, 2008
5

i guess i dont mind that the gameplay is similar to DMC3, i wouldnt want them to try and change it only to mess it up, like so many titles before

posted 7:25am EST - January 26th, 2008
6

how far did you guys get in 10 minutes .. i got up to the level with the two massive white demon things with 30 seconds to spare.. i didnt think did very well ..

psn:ryanh7

posted 7:47am EST - January 26th, 2008
7
Must say visually it's very good and the gameplay is good, but it's not for me but i'm not going to knock it, as it's a top franchise and a very good, the reason why it's not for me i don't like button bashers but enjoy.
posted 7:47am EST - January 26th, 2008
8
Must say visually it's very good and the gameplay is good, but it's not for me but i'm not going to knock it, as it's a top franchise and a very good, the reason why it's not for me i don't like button bashers but enjoy.
posted 7:47am EST - January 26th, 2008
9
Must say visually it's very good and the gameplay is good, but it's not for me but i'm not going to knock it, as it's a top franchise and a very good, the reason why it's not for me i don't like button bashers but enjoy.
posted 8:00am EST - January 26th, 2008
10

wen is the demo coming out in europe?

posted 8:04am EST - January 26th, 2008
11
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..
posted 9:07am EST - January 26th, 2008
12

i agree with the article.. the gameplay just.. seems to miss something new :

posted 10:10am EST - January 26th, 2008
13

I reached the snow section on my second playthrough!!  Thank you!

posted 10:10am EST - January 26th, 2008
14

i

posted 10:14am EST - January 26th, 2008
15

does the gun even hurt stuff? it seemed totally worthless

posted 10:19am EST - January 26th, 2008
16

fuc.... cooooololll game , make us account and dowloaad game in europe demo coming next week

posted 10:20am EST - January 26th, 2008
17

felt like DMC1 with better graphics, i still don't think i'm getting this game.

posted 10:25am EST - January 26th, 2008
18

I downloaded it, played it for 7 min, then quit out and deleted it. I hated it, but its good for a free demo. However i would never ever buy it or even rent it.

posted 10:27am EST - January 26th, 2008
19

I played the demo, and find something strange when the camera moves too fast. Things far away seem to "jump" when the camera moves. It's strange and anoying. Did someone notice this, or it's just me?

posted 10:56am EST - January 26th, 2008
20

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.

posted 11:12am EST - January 26th, 2008
21
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
posted 11:14am EST - January 26th, 2008
22

Loved every minute of the demo, already pre-ordered this title it will be mine!

posted 11:14am EST - January 26th, 2008
23

Loved every minute of the demo, already pre-ordered this title it will be mine!

posted 11:22am EST - January 26th, 2008
24

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.

posted 11:24am EST - January 26th, 2008
25
@Ryo amen
posted 11:30am EST - January 26th, 2008
26

I Still can't defeat Berial. Haha

posted 11:31am EST - January 26th, 2008
27

Good Call

posted 11:35am EST - January 26th, 2008
28

LOL I got lost playing this game, need to finish it before that 10 minutes is up. Messing around too much with the new skills and devil bringer.

posted 12:16pm EST - January 26th, 2008
29

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.

posted 1:15pm EST - January 26th, 2008
30

check http://www.gametrailers.com/player/u...es/166182.html hes really good. An no it's not me.

posted 1:44pm EST - January 26th, 2008
31

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.

posted 1:54pm EST - January 26th, 2008
32
where was the sixaxis camera control capcom talked about
posted 1:55pm EST - January 26th, 2008
33
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.
posted 2:24pm EST - January 26th, 2008
34

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 =)

posted 3:04pm EST - January 26th, 2008
35

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.

posted 4:13pm EST - January 26th, 2008
36

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.

posted 4:47pm EST - January 26th, 2008
37

I thought it was okay for a button masher. But nothing extrodinary.

posted 6:40pm EST - January 26th, 2008
38

my first try i got to the middle of fighting those 2 ice things. so there.

posted 9:31pm EST - January 26th, 2008
39

Try to leave out the spoilers for your review this time.  I can't read your guys' reviews for fear of spoiling the game.

posted 11:52am EST - January 27th, 2008
40

So SO For me ... I dunno In game graphics were o.k for me , nothing great ...And as for the cut Scenes .. Sorry dudes ... i thought they loooked like Bad .

posted 1:11pm EST - January 27th, 2008
41

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 ^_^

posted 9:52pm EST - January 27th, 2008
42

I really enjoyed the demo and can't wait for dmc4.

posted 3:57pm EST - January 28th, 2008
43

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!

posted 5:44pm EST - January 28th, 2008
44

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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