Devil May Cry 4

As an avid Devil May Cry fan, I was really looking forward to this fourth instalment, as I had played all three previous games and loved every minute of it (including the second one which most consider the weakest, but that's not true) so I couldn't wait to start playing this. At first I had doubts as the main protagonist Dante is now secondary and Nero is the main hunter for this game, but I have to say I was not disappointed at all.

Firstly the gameplay - absolutely superb what made the first three games so memorable was the extreme swordplay and here with Nero you also have the ability of throwing enemies with the use of Nero's devil arm which completely changes the way the game is played out. As with all DMC games, the more points you earn the better skills you upgrade. Nero can also use his devil arm to grapple not only demons but also the main bosses so you get to see some truly sick amounts of carnage.

Now onto Dante, he is as cool as ever, returning with the four styles from DMC 3, that can now be switched at random, so you can pull of some nifty combos. Apart from the gameplay, the graphics are absolutely beautiful and looks even better on a HD TV.

The first 12 missions begin with Nero, then Dante takes over from Mission 13 to Mission 19, with Nero returning for the last two missions. I've noticed most reviewers have stated the game is quick and easy to complete, this is only partially true as the game can be completed in a day, however to fully appreciate the game, the aim is to complete all twenty missions with a S (Super) ranking, that's where the challenge really is.

I have only had the PS3 for about eight months, and I have played some nice games (Mortal Kombat VS DC, Street Fighter 4, GTA 4, The Incredible Hulk, Uncharted) but the one game I constantly play more than any other game is Devil May Cry 4, because its so brilliant, I can't stop playing it.

The game also has the familiar extras, such as bloody palace mode (more of a survival mode really), costumes, artwork and videos.

Cant wait for Devil May Cry 5.

This has to be the first Playstation 3 game I've bought which I haven't gotten fed up of in a week or less. With decent agmes being far and few between at this current stage, Devil May Cry 4 comes along and boasts itself a success. Itself being the fourth in the series - which shouldn't be a problem for new interested gamers who haven't previously played a Devil May Cry game. The installation of the game onto the hard drive is a very long process (I mean long, it took about 20-30 minutes), but it is filled with atmospheric music, pictures and even the storyline up until now from each of the previous three games. The installation times allows you to read through this two or three times before it is finished, giving you a good chance for it to stick in your mind. Having said that, it is not completely necessary even to read it if you don't want, as the story is a new one with a new main character: Nero. Previous characters do appear, namely Dante and a few others - which is where the previous story comes in handy, as previous names get mentioned throughout the game.

The tutorial at the start of the game allows easy access to the game, and walks you through all of the moves step-by-step in detail giving you an apportunity to try it all out before you move to the next step. Again, if you would rather skip the tutorial this can also be done. The controls are wonderfuly set up, and extremely fun to play. The battle system is simple, yet effective, and a lot of fun. There are two options in regards the battle system. One being the easy mode where you string a series of attacks together using just one button using timing. The other option is a form of combining buttons to attack giving it a more challenging feel for more hardcore gamers.

The game is relatively short, from about 7-12 hours. A shame is that 2 hours or so of this will be backtracking through previous levels later on in the game when you gain control of Dante. This can be a little frustrating at times, but the level design is wonderful, and the graphics are some of the best to date (especially on High Definition format). By the playing introduction to Dante about halfway into the game, you may find it a little frustrating using him because his battle abilities are very different. The timing is all very different, and he doesn't have the all-strong devil arm that Nero controls - meaning you may find yourself tapping away on the circle button having no effect and getting hit repeatedly by the enemy. As well as being a pain, this can also be good because it's almost like starting a new part of the game, and gives the game a great little twist with more things to learn. His introduction to the game is excellently timed and provides the game with extra lifespan and longevity.

The storyline is compelling, with beautiful characters, and some very impressive cut-scenes. Some of the boss's are so wonderfully designed, it really shows off the graphic capabilities of the Playstation 3. The game really benefits from being played on a High Definition television or Projector, as it seems the game was simply designed to be played on a large scale, detailed setup.

There is plenty of replayability. You gain a rank and grade for you fighting skills and orb collecting abilities for each of the missions. The better your grade, the more orbs you get, and the better the rewards. This is also a great addition for people who want to get everything from the game, in a lot of cases you may find yourself going over missions over and over trying to top youir previous score. This is in no way tedious, because the game is so much fun, and it is incredibly addictive trying to top your high score.

I would definitely recommend this game, whether you are new to the series or returning from previous games. It shows of the true power of Playstation 3, with beautiful graphics and design, and provides endless fun which will keep you up until the early hours of the morning. The collectors edition comes with a nice steel case and sleeve as well as a full colour art book which is a nice addition, however probably not worth the extra £10 unless your a big fan of game art. A fantastic purchase, and highly recommended.

You can not deny that the Devil May Cry series (minus the second installment) is one of the most fun and challenging to date. You will be happy to know that the 4th game does not disappoint in any way.

Although being an action/adventure type game, this series has always leaned more towards the action side. DMC4 is no different.

Gameplay has basically not changed from the last games, and if you are comfortable with the last 3, you will have no problem with this one. Of course there are some differences, the major one being that for the majority of the game you won't actually play as Dante, the series protagonist. To start with you take control of a new guy, Nero. He may look and act just like the young Dante, but his fighting style can be utilised in a completely different way. The most obvious addition to your armoury is the use of a demon arm that can grab enemies from afar and smash them down to the ground, causing heavy damage. Nero's sword is very similar to the Gunblade from Final Fantasy 8, but instead of a gun, it has a throttle like that of a motorbike that allows the player to power up each move he/she makes.

PSW made a big fuss over how much harder this game is compared to it's prequels (which were not easy). Now that I have passed on the message, I recommend that you put yourself completely and wholeheartedly into this game. You get what you give in this series. High grades and a furious experience are the rewards you reap when you know your enemies, learn the combos, and really knuckle down to the challenge. This game can be tough, but it is exactly the type of challenge that makes you feel great when you overcome it.

The limited edition of this game comes in a very nice tin box, with a plastic sleeve, packing extra design. Not dissimilar to the Twin Peaks season 1 european box (if you have it). Inside is an interesting art book that is worth a look. Obviously this is not a necessary purchase, but a nice touch for collectors and fans of the series.

I issue caution, that hours will fly by while playing this game.