Just played the demo for the first time, and being a vet of the series I was worried due to some other veterans biching about it. But the combat shows potential for depth and is a step up from Ninja Theory's previous games (which I enjoyed, but I still welcome Capcom's influence). Cool art, as well, although the short cutscenes obviously won't showcase NT's strength of storytelling in a demo.

I played the Metal Gear Rising demo right before this one and it was an interesting comparison. Rising definitely has the potential to just get crazier, whereas the previous incarnations easily made Devil May Cry the more over the top series.

ln any case, two of my favorite franchises are being made by two of my favorite developers so I'm really looking forward to the next month and a half.

@Dallas_Raines said:

@pompouspizza said:

@jimmyfenix: It's not a tattoo, it's a patch on his jacket, it is a little odd but my guess is it's because the game was made in England.

The union jack was a punk symbol back in the day.

That and arent Ninja Theory a british company? Maby they're feeling patriotic?

As for the game, How's the weapon variety? The thing I really liked about DMC3 was that there were so many to choose from and they kind of fucked that up with 4.

EDIT: Just noticed what I said about NT was kind of redundant, I missed what Jimmy said, sorry about that.

@Mrsignerman44: Glad I could be of help, duder, and yeah, I know what you mean; I didn't expect DMC to grab me quite like it did, but it's just damn fun to be excited about a game again.

@BoOzak: As I recall it, in previous DMC games you were allowed to have three weapons equipped at any given time, four if you include your ranged weapon, which allowed you to go all kinds of crazy with the combos; in the new DMC, you have access to all the fucking weapons, all the time, assuming you've obtained them through the story. Stop reading here if you don't want to find out which weapons are in the game.

There's a wild variety of weapons, including your trusy greatsword rebellion, a large two-handed axe referred to as the arbiter which can crack the ground in any given direction to send enemies skyborn and the axe-head can also be used as a projectile. A scythe named the Osiris that allows you to air juggle to your heart's content with any number of crowd-clearing attacks. Later on in the game you receive some fist weapons called the Erynx that feel like Beowulf from DMC 3, just taken a lot further in terms of sheer crazyness. It's best used for single targets which you want to mash into a pulp, literally, as you can summon gigantic fists from the material of the ground if you charge up it's attacks. Next up is the Aquila, which is without a doubt the craziest weapon in your arsenal, it's a pair of... Uuuh.. It's a pair of... Shuriken-like throwing stars which you can use to propel yourself through the air like a torpedo, and can be used to impale enemies on the spot, allowing you manipulate said enemies weight after you've attacked them by, say, pulling them in your direction for additional combos. It's kinda' crazy.

As for ranged weaponry; you've got trusty old ebony & ivory, his twin pistols and a shotgun that's all kinds of fun to use.

I'm not nearly done yet with the game, so hell, there might be more, but that's what I've found so far. Infact, I'm pretty sure there's at least two more weapons left to unlock from looking at the upgrade screen. Speaking of which, there is a fuck-ton of upgrades, and a fuck-ton of moves for every weapon. With the addition of the demonic and angelic grapple hooks, and the ability to swap weapon between seven weapons (probably more later) mid-combo, you have the recipe for deepest combat in a DMC game yet.

@Do_The_Manta_Ray: is this your first time doing viral marketing?

@Onkel_Apan: I NEED EVAC, MY COVER IS BLOWN! What can I say, I own the game, I love the game.

@Captain_Felafel: There is a fair bit of platforming and it's fine, much better than the platforming in earlier games in the series. I have never found it to be frustrating.

@Solh0und: Yeah there are leaderboards for each level, you can compare your score to that of your friends.

@Do_The_Manta_Ray said:

It's well-worth mentioning, also; just how fucking gorgeous the game is. I mean, hot damn, looking at it from a technical stand-point, one can scratch one's head and wonder just how the hell they pulled it off, but coupled with what is without a doubt among the best art-direction I've seen in a game, and without a doubt the best in a modern setting, it's just ridicously pretty. And the animations are the single best I've seen.

I think it's a very pretty game to a certain degree, the levels look superb and in the case of the club and TV station absolutely outstanding. The way it jumps between the worlds is amazing and the transitions turn the stages into these insane places full of floating platforms. I don't think all that much of the cutscenes they suffer from feeling empty and there's a lot of stilted animation. Kat looks like a thunderbirds puppet, the scene in the car with her head bobbing about is laughable. Dante seems to have had a lot more work put into his facial motions than almost everyone else, it comes across as a little silly looking, especially when games like Far Cry 3 and Resident Evil 6 do it so incredibly well.

I just started playing this, only at Chapter 3 but it's really fun and feels like a proper DMC game. The new Dante is brash, energetic and a ton of fun. That part in the beginning with the wig is either going to make people laugh or get pissed off which might be a good sign whether you'll enjoy the game or not. I'm really curious what Brad will have to say about the opening cinematic with the trailer and slo-mo dressing in mid air. If Brad comes down on it then I think I'll have lost a considerable amount of faith in the guys knowing how to have fun with games anymore. Flying through the air and getting dressed in slow motion while maintaining this flippant "ehh no biggie" attitude is just so much fun. I don't think I liked a video game protagonist so much in a while - you just don't get these sort of "fuck everything, fuck you I am the shit" type of exaggerated heroes anymore - where everything has gotten so somber and realistic over the years.

is it even half as good as bayonetta?

I am so excited!

EDIT: I'm assuming that the cut-scenes are beautifully acted like Heavenly Sword and Enslaved, yes?

I've already pre-ordered this game on psn. Now I just got to wait until good old Tuesday.

Well, my local mom and pop store just started selling it, so maybe I'll head on over there.

Glad to hear people are enjoying the new game. Wasn't on my radar until I played the demo for the first time yesterday. Will definitely pick this up at some point in the coming months.

@punisherkaos said:

is it even half as good as bayonetta?

I don't think it's as stylish as Bayonetta but some of the levels when you enter Limbo can be kinda crazy. Still Bayonetta had that special charm that I don't think can be easily surpassed.

Just finished the game in and in ranked in around 14 hours which feels just right, and personally I think it's the best game in the series. Now for anyone questioning the difficulty, once you beat the game once and open up the Son of Sparda difficultly.It feels more like DMC 3 in the way enemies behave and just the challenge. You will see the chainsaw guys on level one for starters.

I just can't state enough how much fun it is jumping straight back into the first level with all the weapons and abilities unlocked.

What's up with that damn Pyramid huh guys?

Sorry, I was thinking about the good Ninja Theory game.

I know nothing about this game.

Really happy to see all of this positive reception. I knew it was at the very least going to be a solid character-action game, but to see such high praise is admittedly kinda surprising.

@Humanity said:

@punisherkaos said:

is it even half as good as bayonetta?

I don't think it's as stylish as Bayonetta but some of the levels when you enter Limbo can be kinda crazy.

How's the frame rate and texture pop-in?

@pompouspizza said:

@Blommer4: Having played the first and third devil may cry games very recently to get ready for this, I think it feels exactly how you would want a devil may cry game to feel, at least for me it does and I have been a huge fan since the beginning. I have only played the first mission so it could all fall apart but I really like it, I like what they have done with dante and I think the games presentation is slick as hell.

How much DOES the hair ruin the essential nature of the gam-BAHAHA, nah, I'm just kidding, this sounds great!

@Legxend said:

Just finished the game in and in ranked in around 14 hours which feels just right, and personally I think it's the best game in the series. Now for anyone questioning the difficulty, once you beat the game once and open up the Son of Sparda difficultly.It feels more like DMC 3 in the way enemies behave and just the challenge. You will see the chainsaw guys on level one for starters.

I just can't state enough how much fun it is jumping straight back into the first level with all the weapons and abilities unlocked.

Ah new game plus? That's awesome.

@Yummylee said:

Really happy to see all of this positive reception. I knew it was at the very least going to be a solid character-action game, but to see such high praise is admittedly kinda surprising.

Glad to see Ninja Theory making a game with good gameplay.

@Yummylee said:

Really happy to see all of this positive reception. I knew it was at the very least going to be a solid character-action game, but to see such high praise is admittedly kinda surprising.

I think it's the most fun I've had with a game in a while. Recently most titles have been fun but barely drew me in. I think Sleeping Dogs was a great game but it did kind of feel like you're going through the motions of an open world game with vehicles. Had similar thoughts about a ton of other sequels that came out in 2012 where there just wasn't any spark - not for me anyway.

Devil May Cry 4 came out just long enough ago, with no other significant beat-em ups along the way (albeit the excellent Bayonetta ) that the new iteration feels super refreshing. The combat aside, which feels very good even though they are pushing the boundaries of how many fingers you need to control the game, the presentation and voice acting is all great. I actually like Dante, a whole lot. I like Cat/Kat (not sure of the spelling) and think her voice acting is just the right blend of exposition tool/caring companion. Each time there is a cutscene where suddenly the rock music kicks in and Dante does some slick as heck moves all while retaining a cocky grin on his face I feel like fist pumping - once again something no other game recently has evoked in me. The best part is that on average I hate the sort of music Devil May Cry pumps out, yet when I play the game it feels right and I can totally dig it.

@Bocam said:

@Humanity said:

@punisherkaos said:

is it even half as good as bayonetta?

I don't think it's as stylish as Bayonetta but some of the levels when you enter Limbo can be kinda crazy.

How's the frame rate and texture pop-in?

I'm playing it installed on the 360 and have noticed pretty much zero pop-in and the frame rate has always been high even when there is a ton of crazy shit happening on the screen, and there are some levels that get kinda wild.

@Undeadpool said:

@pompouspizza said:

@Blommer4: Having played the first and third devil may cry games very recently to get ready for this, I think it feels exactly how you would want a devil may cry game to feel, at least for me it does and I have been a huge fan since the beginning. I have only played the first mission so it could all fall apart but I really like it, I like what they have done with dante and I think the games presentation is slick as hell.

How much DOES the hair ruin the essential nature of the gam-BAHAHA, nah, I'm just kidding, this sounds great!

This is a funny tidbit from literally the first 10 minutes of the game but I'll spoiler it just in case, regarding the hair:

@Onkel_Apan said:

@Do_The_Manta_Ray: is this your first time doing viral marketing?

Someone likes the game? MUST BE A SHILL!

I'm glad this game is getting positive feedbacks. Can't wait to get my hands on it. I actually had high hopes since the direction for the series seemed fresh and interesting. Good to know Ninja Theory did good on their promise to the fans.

@MURDERSMASH said:

@Onkel_Apan said:

@Do_The_Manta_Ray: is this your first time doing viral marketing?

Someone likes the game? MUST BE A SHILL!

This game can't win with some people.

Glad to hear this game is getting good responses, maybe this will give Capcom some insight on outsourcing the Resident Evil series and getting some new fresh pair of eyes on the series.

@Legxend said:

Just finished the game in and in ranked in around 14 hours which feels just right, and personally I think it's the best game in the series. Now for anyone questioning the difficulty, once you beat the game once and open up the Son of Sparda difficultly.It feels more like DMC 3 in the way enemies behave and just the challenge. You will see the chainsaw guys on level one for starters.

I just can't state enough how much fun it is jumping straight back into the first level with all the weapons and abilities unlocked.

What impressed me most about the "Son of Sparda" difficulty isn't that it's just merely harder, or that they've mixed up the alloted enemies; but that they really work from an assumption that you've already cleared the game, and throw challenges your way that would already have been pressing at the end of the last difficulty in your direction the moment that the game picks up. It's a very, very intelligent way to handle an unlockable difficulty, as it's less "Hey, replay the game and enjoy getting beaten to a pulp" and far more honing your skills as new challenges are presented to you with the same, well-designed build-up that the game has previously sported. The enemies do more damage and take more of a beating, sure; but it's their new move-sets (which isn't just limited to normal enemies, but even extends to the bosses who all have a whole branch of nasty, new attacks.) And I believe I've been seeing hints of additional lines in cutscenes that weren't there the first time around, which makes replaying the game fun from every perspective.

Also, fuck those chain-saw guys.

Now, what I want to know is, considering the achievement you get upon completing the game, is there a secret ending that you can unlock by playing harder difficulties, or are they building up towards a sequal? It feels like a weird thing to say about a DMC game, or hell, just a game in general, but I can't wait to find out what happens next. That said, the game certainly provides plenty of closure, and it doesn't, by any means, end on a cliff-hanger. I suspect a sequal will come out eventually, and thank god for that; DMC is the best hack/slash title out there, in my opinion.

The demo was awesome, loved the Inception style stages, just hope the combat is better in the long run.

@StarvingGamer: Your assumptions are correct.

@Legxend: So once you beat it, you can start on a harder difficulty with all your weapons?

Interesting...the game seems to be getting a lot of good reviews. I'll be interested to see how the QL goes.

@BeachThunder said:

Interesting...the game seems to be getting a lot of good reviews. I'll be interested to see how the QL goes.

It's Brad playing it so I'm terrified..

Curious if anyone else changed the controls to Guns on Y/triangle and Sword on X/square?

@Humanity said:

@BeachThunder said:

Interesting...the game seems to be getting a lot of good reviews. I'll be interested to see how the QL goes.

It's Brad playing it so I'm terrified..

Curious if anyone else changed the controls to Guns on Y/triangle and Sword on X/square?

God yes. I couldn't get used to it the other way around for some reason. It kept constantly fucking my combos up.

Well it's good to know that fans of the series shouldn't be disappointed by the game play side at least, it's up to individuals to decide how they feel about the change in story and art style.

I rather enjoyed it. It was fun to play and we actually get an interesting story with character development. I really hope Ninja Theory get to carry on working with the license. I also really loved the limbo design. They really did go all out with it. The stuff in the demo is rather tame compared with how wild and creative they get with it later in the game.

As for the combat it works fine and is fun to play. Decent replayability too since upon completing it you unlock Son of Sparda difficulty, keep all your weapons and abilities to deal with completely new enemy layouts and even some new abilities. Also, even the very first stage has hidden items and areas which can only be accessed if you have powers/weapons from far later on in the game.

The game also has the heaven and hell and hell and hell difficulties to unlock. It will be interesting to see someone finish the game without being hit.

Played the demo, hated it, not buying it at full price. I might not even buy it when it ends up in the bargain bin.

I got the game 3 days early as well (thanks ShopTo) and only about halfway through it because of other work commitments. But from what I have played the game is awesome, good to see that most of the reviews I have read agree with me.

@Humanity said:

@BeachThunder said:

Interesting...the game seems to be getting a lot of good reviews. I'll be interested to see how the QL goes.

It's Brad playing it so I'm terrified..

Curious if anyone else changed the controls to Guns on Y/triangle and Sword on X/square?

Pfftt...what are you guys talking about? Brad is a savant DmC player!

Apologies if this is a really stupid question, but does the game have lock on targeting? I played through the demo, and couldn't find any evidence of a "lock-on" button like you got in the other DMC games - the bumper that locked on in 4 was bound to something else, and I couldn't find anything about locking on in the controls menu. I noticed that Dante automatically turns to the nearest enemy when you slash, but my problem was with moving around the levels - without the ability to circle the enemies I found it really hard to position myself and dodge things. Made the game feel super-different from the other Devil May Cry's I've played, anyway, and it seemed like such a simple thing to put in I was surprised that they ommited it. The right bumper wasn't even bound to anything unique - it'd have fit perfectly there!

Is there a way to lock on that I stupidly didn't work out, or is it just something you get used to after you've played the game for a while? "No lock on" was the single biggest thing I noticed from the demo, and I'm surprised that no-one seems to have mentioned it (which makes me suspicious that either I missed it or I'm just overreacting horribly).

@Immortal_Guy: You aren't crazy there is indeed no lock on function in the game.

@Demoskinos said:

@Humanity said:

@BeachThunder said:

Interesting...the game seems to be getting a lot of good reviews. I'll be interested to see how the QL goes.

It's Brad playing it so I'm terrified..

Curious if anyone else changed the controls to Guns on Y/triangle and Sword on X/square?

Pfftt...what are you guys talking about? Brad is a savant DmC player!

I hope the quick look is up today. I wonder if Brad finished the review to be posted.

@ImmortalSaiyan said:

@Demoskinos said:

@Humanity said:

@BeachThunder said:

Interesting...the game seems to be getting a lot of good reviews. I'll be interested to see how the QL goes.

It's Brad playing it so I'm terrified..

Curious if anyone else changed the controls to Guns on Y/triangle and Sword on X/square?

Pfftt...what are you guys talking about? Brad is a savant DmC player!

I hope the quick look is up today. I wonder if Brad finished the review to be posted.

I'm not worried that Brad will be bad at it - I'm more worried about the potentially disdainful attitude he might have towards it. It's a very straightforward game, theres no way to get lost.

@Humanity said:

@ImmortalSaiyan said:

@Demoskinos said:

@Humanity said:

@BeachThunder said:

Interesting...the game seems to be getting a lot of good reviews. I'll be interested to see how the QL goes.

It's Brad playing it so I'm terrified..

Curious if anyone else changed the controls to Guns on Y/triangle and Sword on X/square?

Pfftt...what are you guys talking about? Brad is a savant DmC player!

I hope the quick look is up today. I wonder if Brad finished the review to be posted.

I'm not worried that Brad will be bad at it - I'm more worried about the potentially disdainful attitude he might have towards it. It's a very straightforward game, theres no way to get lost.

I'm expecting him to hate it.

I'm just surprised it's Brad who's handling DmC. I would have expected Ryan if anything, though the prospect of Giant Bomb reviewing a DMC game at all is surprising. They never even bothered to do a QL for the HD collection after all.

@Demoskinos said:

@Humanity said:

@ImmortalSaiyan said:

@Demoskinos said:

@Humanity said:

@BeachThunder said:

Interesting...the game seems to be getting a lot of good reviews. I'll be interested to see how the QL goes.

It's Brad playing it so I'm terrified..

Curious if anyone else changed the controls to Guns on Y/triangle and Sword on X/square?

Pfftt...what are you guys talking about? Brad is a savant DmC player!

I hope the quick look is up today. I wonder if Brad finished the review to be posted.

I'm not worried that Brad will be bad at it - I'm more worried about the potentially disdainful attitude he might have towards it. It's a very straightforward game, theres no way to get lost.

I'm expecting him to hate it.

The staff all liked Bayonetta, right? Granted that way because of it's lunacy. I can see him getting behind it, Brad is not a big character action guy but might enjoy the more accessible approach.

@ImmortalSaiyan said:

@Demoskinos said:

@Humanity said:

@ImmortalSaiyan said:

@Demoskinos said:

@Humanity said:

@BeachThunder said:

Interesting...the game seems to be getting a lot of good reviews. I'll be interested to see how the QL goes.

It's Brad playing it so I'm terrified..

Curious if anyone else changed the controls to Guns on Y/triangle and Sword on X/square?

Pfftt...what are you guys talking about? Brad is a savant DmC player!

I hope the quick look is up today. I wonder if Brad finished the review to be posted.

I'm not worried that Brad will be bad at it - I'm more worried about the potentially disdainful attitude he might have towards it. It's a very straightforward game, theres no way to get lost.

I'm expecting him to hate it.

The staff all liked Bayonetta, right? Granted that way because of it's lunacy. I can see him getting behind it, Brad is not a big character action guy but might enjoy the more accessible approach.

I'm just thinking he is going to be on the "its juvenile so I hate it" train.