I’m sure Falthorn is still working through all the harder settings and getting nice and bloody in the palace.  In the meantime I thought it might be good to give a quick impression of the final game.  With the avalanche of games coming in and a big one for me with Lost Odyssey (look for my chronicles of this game starting this weekend) I decided to just play the wimpy Human mode and finish this game off in one weekend with a quick run through.  I would say i’m happy with this game, not impressed, but happy. 

I will admit I was late to the Devil May Cry party.  Not that I did not play the original when it came out but for some reason it never clicked with me.  On a whim and a christmas giftcard a couple years ago I picked up the Devil May Cry 3 game collection and was quickly a convert, my favorite being Devil May Cry 3.  Devil May Cry 4 meets my expectations and does not disappoint from what I was looking for in a next generation Devil May Cry title.  That being said it doesn’t do anything else past in regards to changes or anything above and beyond what we have already seen in next generation games or past Devil May Cry titles.  Which certainly isn’t a bad thing when the game is already that good. 

The only real change is the addition of Nero who you play for first part of the game.  Yes, you do eventually get to Dante but don’t discount Nero.  He is just as cocky and badass as Dante and the tutorial makes sure you get that message.  He does come with one gameplay change that is specific to Nero and for more then one reason.  It’s called the Devil Bringer and think of it as a phantom grappling hook.  You can use it to snatch enemies, pummel them, throw them, shake their hands, whatever.  I personally liked this addition but i’m glad it is Nero specific because it does change the fundamental way you play Devil May Cry and would really throw off Dante’s gameplay.  On top of that it really does make the game easier.  Which is nice for us wussies that run through Human mode and just don’t have time anymore to replay levels when we got other games to get to. 

The graphics are great, the music is just the same as past titles and still just as great.  The cutscenes are beautiful and just as funny as before.  At this point in the series there is a lot of deja vu playing levels and fighting bosses but then again thats what makes Devil May Cry such a warm fuzzy security blanket.  In the end I would give this a must buy only for the hardcore Dante enthusiasts but a must rent for everyone else with the intention of buying later to complete all the difficulty levels and extras.  No one likes to be thought of as a weak chump.