Visceral Games are starting to get a name for themselves, the name might be new, but their last big hitter, although released under their previous generic title of EA Redwood following up Dead Space with a game as ambitious as Dante’s Inferno takes some doing. The premise is fairly easily guessed from its title, Dante in Hell, or to be specific, an action adventure reimagining of what it would be like if Dante were an ass kicker and name taker instead of a scholar.
Taking from the literary instalment of Dante Alighieri’s dark age, dogma breeding work of religious sojourn, The Devine Comedy. It see’s the protagonist aptly named for the writer of the trilogy is tasked with rescuing his maiden that has been snatched away by the devil. There’s more to the story than that, but in sum, the story is one of rescuing a maiden while also battling his own demons, literally.
If you have heard that the game is much like God of War in terms of gameplay you will have been informed correctly. There is certainly an affinity in terms of the hacking and the slashing content, but it’s much like accusing Modern Warfare 2 of copying Wolfenstein’s formula. Dante wields two weapons, a Scythe taken from Death himself, and a cross that emits a holy light for ranged attacks. New attacks and combo’s are unlocked by using the in game currency (souls) and progressively increase Dante’s ability to chain together destruction. I found myself spamming the cross attack, followed up by an aerial attack and some absolution. There is plenty of depth for those that have the inclination, in fact on the higher difficulty levels, it will be required, they schooled me into submission fairly quickly.
A stand out component of the experience is the atmosphere of the game, the visual design of the nine rings of hell are not only beautiful, but haunting and appropriate. The character designs are disturbing and functional, perhaps even educational. For example, Satan has a huge penis, also, females in hell are generally not attractive, some of them are scary in their anatomical make up, large vaginal whips and unfortunate large gluttonous women that use excreta for their attacks. Floors, walls and ceilings that aren’t made of rock tend to consist of damned bodies contorted and sometimes even animated and writhing in their damnation.
Arena’s of combat are a little predictable, usually barred off with spikes of some description until all enemies are defeated. Formulaic, but also utilitarian. The boss battles have familiar themes, some are large, very large. The finishing was usually performed by some type of quick time event.
The story is unravelled throughout the game play but for the most part via cut scenes, there are four main fully detailed cut scenes that are gorgeously detailed, awe inspiring actually. There are also then a further dozen or so animated scenes that recount snippets of Dante’s life, colourful, but heavily tinted with red, mirroring the carnal intonations that feature so heavily in the game. The music throughout the experience is equally impressive, some amazing orchestral pieces and choral arrangements give a medieval sense of gravity that the theme/story deserve.
Closing Comments
Starting off with a great piece of literature that inspires an incredible setting can only benefit the initial planning and creation of a game like Dante’s Inferno, the continuation of this with solid fighting mechanics and truly diabolic enemies with a finish that is simply jaw droppingly beautiful and just plain exciting and you have a game that is well worth playing, or to be more precise, owning. If you like the genre, then this is a title that you shouldn’t miss out on. I can’ wait to see where Visceral Games take this with the next instalment, I would assume, to Purgatory, a trip I look forward to taking.
Damn! Just played the demo and loved it. Not usually too bothered with these types of games but with all the boobs, blood, and blades how could I not like it!! Will have to add it to my wanted list and keep an eye out for it cheap.
Solid review, thanks. This plus the demo has put it on my radar.