The famous demon slayer Dante returns to kick an assorted list of hellish asses but this time takes a back seat to new comer Nero. Nero's move list is substantially smaller than Dante's but this shouldn't stop new comers and veterans from enjoying his satisfying movelist as it entails the greatest draw of Nero - The Devilbringer. 

The Devilbringer opens up a slew of chained combos which makes larger combos that would be more difficult (numerically) for Dante, more accessible, topped with some nice throw down techniques. As expected, the fundamental core of Devil May Cry remains for the most part unchanged. You rack up stylish points for combos that you can keep fresh - as in - change up the moves as the combo progresses - the higher your stylish rating'll go up. The combat is quick and responsive and appropriately clausterphobic. 
The enemies are as smart as they ever were with some interesting enemy types like "Blitz" - that one's my favorite.

The game has graphically received a healthy dose of "umph" since the last entry grabbing at real time shadowing, higher polygon count - the usuals. Particle effects abound the head and sword of the fire demon Berial as he slowly tanks his way toward you billowing fire and brimestone and all that hellish thematic goodness.

Next category would be sound. The sound effects in DMC have always been satisfying; all those "swoosh" sounds are great. The only place that seems to've gotten the short end the stick by comparison with the other DMC entries (with the exception of DMC2) is the music. All battle sequences with Nero with the exception of Boss Battles are accompanied by "The Time Has Come" which is a great song but it's just used for EVERY DAMNED FIGHT...In converse all of Dante's fights with the exception of Boss Battles is "Lock and Load, Black Angel Remix" which is a more techno based song sprtized with Shawn Macpherson's meaty presence.

Last up is story - by comparison with 3 - which is the most coherent of the series - ridiculus, perhaps - but most coherent, nontheless - this one leaves a little to be desired. I'll put no spoilers in this review so don't worry - but what I will say is that Nero was an opportunity to go into detail with a character who was going through some big transitions - instead they decided to make him a toned Dante from DMC3...It's the safe move but..it just leaves Nero seeming a bit dry. Dante, like Masterchief, is a decided character - he is himself - nothing more, nothing less. His actions define him now. Nero on the opposite end is a character driven by emotions and newly forming personallity traits. He just seems like a missed opportunity for a more complex character.

Regardless, the game is a great game and worth your time with a responsive and effective combat system and some cool enemies albiet some harmless bean bag babies may inhabit the screen at times. The varying difficulties have something to offer everyone from the casual to the hardcore. Masochists should play DanteMustDie mode to enjoy the full effect. Good luck and enjoy all that leather...

   - Josh

This game shocked me in many ways.. Nero was much cooler than expected with the Devilbringer bringing a certain new aspect to the combo side of the game.. although not very diverse it can lead to to some powerful moves. The rivalry is good to watch between Nero and Dante, out with the old and in with the new but as you get to play both characters i still would rather use the old. Graphics are great as always and character detail as always blew me away..The game starts off good but slowly goes down hill from there. Not only is it very short but you more or less play the game twice, you fight the same bosses twice and play the same levels twice its a bit annoying.. this game has dissapointed me greatly but its still worth the play the unlockable modes make it worth completeing!!