Devil May Cry 4

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 856 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Devil May Cry 4 Game Cover
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In Devil May Cry 4, play as Nero, a new protagonist with a demonic arm, battling through hordes of enemies in a gothic-inspired world. The game features fast-paced combat with a variety of weapons and styles, as well as a dramatic storyline with twists and turns. As you progress, unlock new abilities and combos to enhance your fighting style and take on even tougher challenges.

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Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 856 reviews
story60 positive mentions
grinding11 negative mentions
  • Great combat system with a variety of moves and styles for both Nero and Dante.
  • Visually stunning graphics and well-designed environments.
  • Engaging story with memorable characters and entertaining cutscenes.
  • Repetitive gameplay due to backtracking and fighting the same bosses multiple times.
  • Camera angles can be frustrating and hinder gameplay.
  • Some players may find the controls awkward without a gamepad.
  • story243 mentions

    The story of Devil May Cry 4 is generally viewed as mediocre and somewhat predictable, often criticized for its lack of depth and reliance on typical anime tropes. While some players appreciate the engaging characters and entertaining cutscenes, many feel that the narrative is overshadowed by repetitive gameplay and backtracking, particularly in the second half where players control Dante through similar missions as Nero. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the game's action, with many reviewers suggesting that the gameplay experience is far more compelling than the plot itself.

    • “This game is really emotional and I love it so much, the characters and story are amazing, the aesthetic is beautiful as well.”
    • “The story is enjoyable and the combat is great.”
    • “The story is very well done with incredible cutscenes.”
    • “The story is terrible but you honestly shouldn't care if you're not buying this to read the script.”
    • “The story and the main character you are forced to play for a good part of the game are just ridiculous and boring.”
    • “The only real downside is how Dante's side of the story is a literal backtrack of Nero's story, down to fighting the exact same bosses.”
  • gameplay125 mentions

    The gameplay in Devil May Cry 4 is widely praised for its depth, fluidity, and satisfying mechanics, particularly with the unique abilities of characters Nero and Dante. Players appreciate the fast-paced hack-and-slash action, the variety of combat styles, and the rewarding combo system, although some note that Nero's gameplay can feel repetitive. Despite minor criticisms regarding story and camera angles, the overall consensus is that the gameplay remains a standout feature, solidifying its status as one of the best in the series.

    • “There will be ones with more depth, more polish, more accessible gameplay, better story (DMC5 already did a lot of those things) but I don't think I will ever find a pure 3rd person action game like this where it feels so good just to kill enemies... every time it's such a satisfying cathartic experience regardless of skill level or investment.”
    • “Nero's devil arm mechanic added new combo methods, along with new movement methods to spice up combat and the game in general.”
    • “The gameplay has many different ways to approach fights, the cutscenes will make you laugh, and then gape in awe, the characters are lovable, and the action is to die for.”
    • “The gameplay is just... not good.”
    • “The gameplay with Nero is a bit repetitive, as his combat is a bit simple unless you want to use a few odd mechanics, like where you charge up the motor on his sword.”
    • “A bit of forewarning: I found that a lot of the time the camera angles were awkward and hindered gameplay.”
  • graphics85 mentions

    Overall, the graphics of the game are widely praised for their impressive quality, especially considering its 2008 release. Many users note that the visuals still hold up well today, with beautiful art styles and solid animations, although some acknowledge that they show signs of aging. The game is also commended for being well-optimized, allowing it to run smoothly even on lower-end hardware.

    • “The graphics are incredible given its age and the gameplay is off the charts.”
    • “Beautiful graphics, and mechanics are good.”
    • “The graphics hold up really well for being made in 2008.”
    • “Unlike the special edition, this runs on a goddamn toaster, or, more specifically, laptops with Intel graphics.”
    • “When I played this game on the PS3, it was a bit bad, only for how some of the graphics and quality overall.”
    • “As for the graphics, it could look better but it still looks good, but there is a glitch every now and then.”
  • music50 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its high quality, blending rock and drum-and-bass for combat sequences, while orchestral and ambient tracks enhance cutscenes and exploration. Many players find the soundtrack exhilarating and fitting for the action, although some note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment, making it a standout feature despite a few criticisms regarding variety.

    • “The soundtrack is a solid mix of rock and drum-&-bass for fights, using lyrical tracks to help amp up the mood, with orchestral/piano stuff for cutscenes/end bosses and even some ambient tracks while exploring, and it's all really high quality.”
    • “Soundtrack is epic and provides you with just enough adrenaline you need to fight hordes of demons.”
    • “The tight gameplay, great music and unforgettable characters make this game very worthwhile to pick up if you're a fan of the genre.”
    • “Good game, bad soundtrack.”
    • “But there was so much action, and the music was extremely annoying.”
    • “Anytime there was action, the same music would start up.”
  • optimization31 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising it as exceptionally well-optimized, capable of running smoothly even on older hardware, achieving high frame rates without significant performance issues. However, some users have reported stuttering and performance drops, particularly in the special edition, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while the original version is often highlighted for its superior optimization, there are notable concerns regarding performance consistency and modding limitations.

    • “The superior version of DMC4, better combat, all tech are included, the best optimized game I've ever played on PC, it'll run on any toaster with 60+ frames.”
    • “This game also still looks good and is optimized really well, even though it's over 10 years old now, so I recommend you pick this one up to complete your DMC collection.”
    • “Runs smoother than the finest silk even on a toaster: a miracle of modern optimization.”
    • “Prevents modding, cheat engine, and reduces performance by up to 10-15 fps with stutters.”
    • “The special edition also has annoying microstuttering issues which can make you fail your combos/advanced techniques.”
    • “Combat sucks a rusty bucket of nails, the dodge move is a pile of junk, the PC optimization might as well not exist, since there's no bloody mouse controls!”
  • replayability21 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, offering various difficulty modes, unlockables, and a survival mode that enhances the experience. However, some users note that the introduction of a special edition with more content may overshadow this version. While the game provides ample challenges and opportunities for scoring, a few players feel it lacks the replay value found in other entries in the series.

    • “Overall, a great game and plenty of replay value.”
    • “There's a lot of replay value if you like the idea of harder challenges or just want to get a better score.”
    • “The game is also packed to the brim with content, and has plenty of replayability with all its difficulty modes and the Bloody Palace (survival mode).”
    • “First off, this version of the game has been made obsolete by the special edition, which has more playable characters, a couple new modes, and more content for your buck.”
    • “While I feel this game has a ton of replayability, the game starts to lose its flow by having you play as Nero and then switch to Dante in the second half, replaying pretty much the majority of the game backwards.”
    • “My only complaint is that this game doesn't seem to have near as high of a replayability value as the other DMCs.”
  • humor15 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its entertaining and over-the-top moments, particularly through the character of Dante, whose cocky and funny demeanor adds a lighthearted touch to the gameplay. Players highlight hilarious cut-scenes, especially a theatrical exchange between Dante and a boss, as standout moments that enhance the overall experience. While some critiques exist regarding gameplay elements, the comedic interactions and character dynamics are consistently noted as a significant strength.

    • “Good story, good combat, and funny moments with Dante.”
    • “Over-the-top hilarious cut-scenes, such as a back-and-forth theatrical soliloquy between Dante and one of the game's bosses, are some of the funniest moments I've experienced in a game :)”
    • “There's a particularly funny moment when he and one of the villains act like they're in a play when they meet to fight on a stage.”
  • grinding11 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, with repetitive puzzles, slow upgrade processes, and excessive backtracking detracting from the experience. While some enjoy the combat and cutscenes, many feel that the endgame relies too heavily on RNG and becomes a chore, particularly in the second half of the game. Despite these criticisms, there are moments of fun, especially in combat arenas, but the overall sentiment leans towards frustration with the grinding elements.

    • “The end game is rather tedious because it relies on RNG to keep you occupied before the final moments of the game.”
    • “It has a very tedious story mode compared to other DMC games, involving way too much backtracking, covering the same ground, and reusing assets.”
    • “The first half is pretty fun, but the second half is just tedious.”
  • stability6 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with smooth performance and minimal issues even on lower-end hardware. However, some users report occasional graphical glitches and buggy controls, which can detract from the experience. Despite these minor setbacks, the game is considered worth its price due to its solid performance.

    • “The game runs great and is really worth the price tag.”
    • “Great hack-n-slash game, runs great even on low-grade components!”
    • “Making a game which you can virtually forget is on a computer in your home, due to its smooth, bug-free performance, is the mark of an elite developer team at the top of their game!”
    • “There can be some graphical glitches here and there, but nothing too big of a problem.”
    • “The controls are a bit crap at times, even buggy as well, and the godawful camera angles don't help.”
    • “The character development is non-existent; you never really get introduced to a character, they just sort of show up in a cutscene.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its well-rounded characters, enhanced by excellent voice acting and appealing designs. The continuity in world and character design from previous titles is noted, alongside contributions from notable creators, resulting in a visually stunning experience complemented by an epic soundtrack and dynamic gameplay.

    • “The characters are well-rounded with great voice acting, along with the character designs themselves.”
    • “Perfect art and character design, epic soundtrack, and insane gameplay (with a turbo option to make the combat faster).”
    • “Senran Kagura will feature character designs from Nan Yaegashi and scenario work from Yukinori Kitajima.”
    • “The world design and character design are very similar to the previous games.”
    • “Senran Kagura will feature character designs from Nan Yaegashi and scenario work from Yukinori Kitajima.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The game is praised for its emotional depth, with players highlighting the compelling characters and story, as well as its beautiful aesthetic. The combination of action, humor, and a meaningful narrative resonates strongly, making it a recommended experience for those who appreciate emotional storytelling in games.

    • “This game is really emotional and I love it so much. The characters and story are amazing, and the aesthetic is beautiful as well.”
    • “The hardest difficulty really makes me want to cry; the time has come and so have I.”
    • “I recommend it for those who like action games with a touch of emotion and comedy, enjoy decimating evil while performing neat actions, and appreciate an actual story.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is predominantly characterized by a creepy, horror-like ambiance, enhanced by dark level design that effectively contributes to the overall experience. Many players find this unsettling atmosphere to be engaging and enjoyable, surpassing their initial expectations.

    • “Most of the time, it gives the impression that it's a horror game due to its creepy atmosphere and level design.”
    • “The level design is suitably dark, and the atmosphere is appropriate.”
    • “The fresh atmosphere of this game made things actually more enjoyable than I thought beforehand.”
    • “Most of the time, it gives the impression that it's a horror game due to its creepy atmosphere and level design.”
    • “The level design is suitably dark, and the atmosphere is appropriate.”
    • “The fresh atmosphere of this game made things actually more enjoyable than I thought beforehand.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy for the game is effectively supported by promotional events like the true style tournament, which enhances visibility and engagement, making it a standout feature for players.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Devil May Cry 4

Play time

8hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
11hMain story
62hCompletionist
8-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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