Stylish Hack 'n slash
We've recently gone hands-on with the latest installment of Capcom's popular hack 'n slash series, Devil May Cry 4, which makes its debut on Xbox 360 later this year, but is also set to make appearances on both PC and PS3. If you've played the previous titles you'll know that Devil May Cry is a fast paced action series with elements of platforming and puzzle solving thrown into the equation, though its main focus is on its powerful heroes dispatching hordes of foes. Despite the non-stop battles against enemies taking over the bulk of the gameplay, the series has received critical acclaim in this particular genre thanks to the flowing gameplay and stylish and visually impressive combat. Thanks to the power of the next-gen console, Devil May Cry 4 certainly looks the best it has ever looked, with the familiar art-style of the series complimented superbly with next-gen visuals, detailed environments, excellent shadow and lighting effects and some 'bad-ass' (excuse the American-ism) combat animations - complete with blurring techniques - which are at times reminiscent of a perfectly choreographed and stylish ballet, with fluid spiraling movements and technically impressive spins, gyrations and pirouettes.'Devil May Cry 4 plays like Devil May Cry 3, but has the feel of Devil May Cry 1, Capcom told us during our brief hands-on time with the title. From what we've seen so far we'd say that’s about spot on. Many of the enemies have the same look and character as the first game, probably because Capcom Production Studios, the producers of Resident Evil 4 and the original Devil May Cry are behind the games development; whereas the gameplay itself more closely mimics the combat system in DMC3 than the other titles. The main gameplay involves missions, consisting of platforming elements and the occasional puzzle but primarily takes great pride in dishing out a virtual overdose of fighting action, culminating, at the end of each level, with a big boss battle. Devil May Cry 4 is on track to continuing with the high standards that the series has set with its blisteringly fast pace, well designed levels and refined and visually exquisite combat.
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Click for larger imageThe story revolves, once again, around saving the fate of humanity. Long ago the Dark Knight Sparda awoke to justice and rebelled against the dark emperor, to wage a one-man war to save humanity. Thousands of years later, a religious organisation worships this renowned savior and has taken it upon themselves to rid the world of all demons. Residing in Fortuna, a castle city on the coast, this Order of the Sword has an elite group of Holy Knights dedicated to carrying out this very creed. Rising among the ranks, a young cynical warrior named Nero witnesses Sparda's legendary son Dante slaughter countless knights. And so the story begins…
