Devil May Cry 4 Review

The best aspect of Devil May Cry 4 is that it just keeps going, with new moves unlocked constantly, different areas to explore, rewarding boss fights, challenging secret missions, etc. With such a dynamic environment, chances are you'll rarely get bored. Every part of the combat was neatly fused with the excellently directed cut-scenes, generally keeping a dynamic pace. The only time when things may slow down a bit is when players get to fight as Dante, at which time you revisit levels and surroundings you've already traversed with Nero. It is somewhat of a letdown, since the game's generally superb art and visuals make you yearn for more new and cool, undiscovered environments.

As fun and challenging as DMC 4 may be, it does have some downsides. The camera still hasn't been tweaked to allow for trouble-free character movement. I'll admit this much; it is better than in any of the previous titles in the series and it has less frustrating moments that before. Regardless, in certain parts of the game, you may have trouble finding the right angle to check out the action on screen or to view various points of interest in the nearby area. Devil May Cry 4 also features a few puzzles every now and then, which hardly require brainstorming, but they sometimes make a nice change from the almost constant action.

The important thing to remember about this game is that it does require a certain amount of patience, particularly when it comes to performing specific moves in order to defeat your foes. Executing complex moves increases your chance of delivering deadlier blows and that will, in turn, open the road to additional rewards - magical items that restore your health or improve your powers and similar things. It doesn't have a steep learning curve, just a brief adjustment period. In any case, don't get discouraged if you don't carry out a move successfully at first. It takes a bit to get the hang of it and once you do, things should work smoothly throughout the rest of the game.

Despite the game's occasionally annoying camera and some level backtracking, Devil May Cry 4 still has a lot to keep you engaged for a while. If you haven't played any of the previous Devil May Cry games, ironically, this is the best place to start, since it offers the best performance and a truly rewarding single-player experience. There are plenty of unique skills and different fighting abilities, on top of a huge number of extras to grab along the way. It's a thrilling action adventure, well worth the $60 price tag.