Dante’s Inferno

Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PSP
Publisher: EA
FingerSports Rating: 3/5



Dante’s Inferno released 26th February for PS3 and the earlier date of 12th February on x-box 360 brings another fantastic 3rd person hack and slash title to avid gamers. In the game you play Dante, who descends into the 13th century hell depicted by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri in his series “The divine comedy”, to rescue his beloved who has been seduced by Lucifer (that’s the devil to us common folk) but ultimately realising that he has to face his own demons before he can rescue his lover. As well as being awesome this story is based on a gory and frightening idea of Hell which brings demons and brimstone to life in stunning visuals.

While it is very similar to the Devil May Cry series, it has its own distinctive enemies and fluid control system, instead of a sword you use a huge scythe to obliterate the reanimated corpses and demons that attack you as you make your way through each hellish level. As you progress through the game you harvest souls which are used to unlock new holy and un-holy skills. Each skill is quite unique, I myself am partial to the un-holy skills as they seem far more badass and are way more fun to destroy enemies with. As well as skills you unlock magic actions and relics which help you take on stronger and bigger bosses and enemies. All of this is customisable so you can have your own layout of attacks, which adds an extra layer of complexity similar titles have not brought to the table.

The graphics are astounding, cut scenes switch between cartoony and amazingly real cinematics.. This contrast may annoy some purists but I found that this helped to bring some important storyline details out in an understandable way. The cinematic scenes have incredible attention to detail, water, hair and blood look real and the demonic effects are the stuff of nightmares. Whilst playing though there is nothing that really catches the eye compared to other games, more attention has been put into the story line and controls, but this doesn’t mean that they aren’t good, they are in fact fantastic, however it’s almost to be expected these days and games publishers need to find a real niche to become a benchmark instead of a follower. In all honesty once the smiting begins the scenery is the last of your concerns. The characters, whether it’s your controlled character, the minions or the bosses seem to lack the same artistic talent as the scenery, though they still are well made and designed they did not follow the attention to detail which has been afforded to other parts of the game, this is a little bit of a letdown but certainly not a game breaker.



Overall I think that this game is extremely good and I can fully understand why it’s rated 18, blood, guts and very strong violence is prevalent throughout the game. The story line itself is one that wouldn’t be out of place in a US blockbuster film and the animation and acting in the cut scenes are of a similar high quality. With many similarities to titles like Devil May Cry and other unique elements such as the ability to customise your attack layout I believe this game has earned its self a good standing as the little brother to “God Of War 3” and will certainly be one of the better games of 2010.

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