Dante’s Inferno Xbox 360, PS3 Review
Biblically themed hack and slash games seem pretty popular at the moment. This year we’ve already been fighting angels in Bayonetta and defeating the devil in Darksiders. Now Electronic Arts have thrown their hat in to the ring with Dante’s Inferno, a game loosely based on the fourteenth century poem The Divine Comedy. It may be a bit late to the party, but how does it compare to its competitors, both of which have distinguished themselves with honour?
For those unfamiliar with The Divine Comedy, the basic story is pretty simple. A knight away at the Crusades nearly dies, and when confronted with Death, the knight kills him and steals his scythe. Returning home from the Crusades, he finds his father and wife dead and is confronted with a vision of his wife, Beatrice, being taken by the devil. Then it’s a case of off you go in to the depths of hell to save your loved one; slaying demons along the way and absolving, or punishing, any sinners you come across – not to mention facing your own personal demons. It’s a simple story, but it’s told in the most epic manner, with production values through the roof in all departments. Great voice acting, an orchestral score, and a fantastic art style almost make you feel like you are in hell.
It doesn’t really matter how good a game looks or sounds though if it hasn’t got some decent gameplay to back it up. Dante’s Inferno has a pretty solid game hiding behind all the fancy bells and whistles. It’s your typical hack and slash game, very much in the God of War mould, with your primary weapon being the aforementioned scythe of death. Melee combat using the scythe is pretty standard, you have two buttons, for light and hard attacks, and mixing them up with control stick motions and the block move gives you access to a varied range of attacks. As well as the scythe you are also armed with Beatrice’s crucifix, which when in hell has the power to emit projectile attacks – very handy when you’re faced with a large crowd of demons. Both of these weapons are upgradeable, using souls, which you receive for killing enemies and achieving objectives. As you progress deeper into hell you’ll also collect relics and magical powers which can be used to boost your performance, and give you additional attacks. By the time you face Lucifer you’ll be well equipped for the battle.
There’s a little bit more to the game than just combat, as although it’s satisfying it would get tedious if that’s all there was. There are also numerous platforming elements incorporated: jumping gaps, climbing ladders, swinging on ropes and so on, even the odd bit of exploration. Some of the collectable objects will be quite well hidden, so it’s best to have a good look around when you get the chance, as the game is very linear you won’t be able to come back for them.
When you come across a sinner you are faced with a dilemma: either punish them, or absolve them of their sins so they can go to heaven. It’s something of a morality system, but the choices you make do not change the story in any way though, but will raise your holy or unholy meter, which in turn represent the power of Beatrice’s cross or Death’s scythe. There are also a small amount of puzzle solving to be done if you want to make it down to the very bottom of hell, nothing too complicated though, just enough to make you stop for a minute and think.
So, it’s nice looking, and plays pretty well, but sadly there are a couple of things about it that could be better. Most major of which is a lack of camera control. In a game like this it’s useful to be able to survey your surroundings, but that’s not the worst thing about it. With no camera control the right analogue stick has been given another use, and that is to dash in whatever direction you push the stick. The problem here is that it’s instinctive to use that to look around, and it’s hard to resist your instincts, which resulted in me falling to my death on more than a few occasions. In my book that is just bad design, and it’s not their only bad design decision either, the other, whilst not so bad, I just found annoying. The action button, to open doors, access health and magic points and so on, is the right shoulder button, nothing wrong in that in itself, but once you have pressed it you then have to hammer the B button to complete the action. Not terrible I know, I just thought it was a little unnecessary, making basic actions more effort than they needed to be.
And whilst we’re talking about bad design decisions, I don’t know what happened over at Visceral Games when it came to the end of the story, but it seems they must have run out of ideas. After the epic adventure of the first seven circles of hell, each exquisitely depicting sins such as greed, gluttony, lust and violence, with suitable demons and epic boss battles, the final two circles are something of a let down. Instead of some epic set piece or fantastic boss battle you are given a sequence of ten arena challenges with some ridiculous conditions in order to pass. Very tiresome to say the least. The final level is little more than an introduction to your final battle with Lucifer, but before you can take that challenge you have to cross a collapsing ice bridge, with your movement speed reduced to a snail’s pace. After falling in to the abyss below for the umpteenth time I noticed not all parts of the bridges shook as soon as you stepped on to them, and managed to navigate a safe path across the bridge, only to be rewarded with a somewhat lacklustre final boss battle, and a cut scene indicating that there will be a sequel.
Hopefully Visceral Games will take on board criticism in time for the sequel, as this could have been something special. You can see glimpses of what could have been, but it is spoilt by some bad choices and a sloppy ending. Dante’s Inferno is certainly worth a rental, but at only ten to twelve hours of gameplay, it’s hard to recommend splashing out forty quid on it, unless you have more money than sense.
Developer:
Visceral Games
Publisher:
Electronic Arts
Genre:
Action Adventure
Players:
1
23 comments ↓
n/a
February 10th, 2010
“For those unfamiliar with The Divine Comedy, the basic story is pretty simple. A knight away at the Crusades nearly dies, and when confronted with Death, the knight kills him and steals his scythe. Returning home from the Crusades, he finds his father and wife dead and is confronted with a vision of his wife, Beatrice, being taken by the devil.”
This is NOT what The Divine Comedy was about. Period. Wow. Just wow.
Priit
February 10th, 2010
Ditto. I’m at awe.
Seriously, what the *uck?
Gloria Preston
February 10th, 2010
It’s the story of the game, loosely based on the Divine Comedy.
samyb123
February 10th, 2010
is this god of war ?
Thomas
February 10th, 2010
There should be a scene in this where Dante kick demon ass to “National Express” by Divine Comedy – similar to “Fly me to the Moon” parts in Bayonetta.
It would get 10/10 across the board then.
Mike
February 10th, 2010
To be honest, I raised my eyebrows there too. The game is an interesting adaptation of the Inferno, the first part of The Divine Comedy, but actually bares little resemblance to the original text. There is no Crusader knight, no scythe or defeat of Death as a character and certainly no love interest in Beatrice. The second paragraph is completely false – except for the part about the orchestral score which has enough bellowing choirs to get Heaven to put or shut up.
XxEvilDanxX
February 11th, 2010
i think the GAME ROCKS! even though some of you say its more like god of war only but i think its kinda mixed with Devil May cry and Ninja Gaiden also by how it looks to me. its really badass your just mad b/c you cant make anything awsome lol im just sayin
Gloria Preston
February 11th, 2010
Try playing the game through to the end Dan, it’s not a bad game till you get down to the last two circles of hell, then it just falls apart.
Faroon
February 11th, 2010
Who cares if it’s not a word for word translation of the poem? That would make a fairy rubbish game, wouldn’t it?
Play game, enjoy.
nagareeboshi
February 11th, 2010
stop saying bullshit.
i’m actually reading the poem in it’s original form end it’s actally a WAY better then this game.
the divine comedy has nothing to do with this game.
only the main charachter’s name
KierzoSBC
February 11th, 2010
I just completed this game last night and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m a huge fan of God Of War and for me this basically God Of War without Kratos and Greece, instead you have Dante and Hell.
The presentation levels are up there with anything I’ve played and with regards to the gameplay layout, although it may not be the most innovative game to be released this year, what it borrows from it’s piers, it incorporates really well and it all makes for a solid 3rd person action/adventure game.
I don’t agree with the review on here (which is odd as I usually do). For example, the right stick being used for dodge or roll is something that is pretty common. Again, this is something featured in both God of War 1 and 2. So accidently falling to your death isn’t something everyone will experience. Also, at no point did I feel the need to move the camera around as the game is presented in the same cinematic way as the likes of God of War and to a lesser extent, older Resi games, which means you always see exactly what you’re supposed to. Another thing was the tapping of the action button to open doors. I find it a bit odd that holes would be picked it such a small and I must say justified part of the game. For a start there aren’t many doors in the game and even when you do encounter one, the thing is always defended by some huge beast thing that Dante rams his scythe into and drags upwards in order to activate. Hence the reason for the button tapping!!
Lastly, the last 2 levels. the first being treachery. In this circle you are guided through by the woman you are trying to save who seems to have lost the rag with because you did something you weren’t supposed to which led to her becoming a devil spawn version of herself (I wont go into details incase I spoil it, basically you committed treachery against her…)So she takes it upon herself to show the 10 (I think) pits where the different types of traitors reside within the circle and in each she challenges you by throwing endless amounts of baddies for Dante to slay. There is also another reason why this happens…you are about to fight Lucifer after this and if you aren’t levelled up enough, you’ll get chinned, so this gives you the opportunity to max out your scythe, magic and cross. Something that went right over Gloria’s head here. The 2nd is the icy pit in which Lucifer is chained up and although the level is short, the last battle is definitely not, which makes up for it. Also, the icy bridge that falls? It’s nowhere near as frustrating as it described here, I fell off once and then notice there were parts that didn’t fall and I made it across on my 2nd attempt…Sorry Gloria.
I know this game isn’t going to please everyone but I guarantee, anyone who enjoys this type of game will hold Dante’s Inferno in extremely high regard. It does exactly what it says on the tin, plus a wee bit more.
9/10 imo.
Patrick Shields
February 11th, 2010
In reading this, it seems as if the author hasn’t played these types of games before, since the bulletpoints she mentions to bring the score down are represented in exactly the same manor in the game that this one so apes. The God of War series didn’t get bashed significantly for assigning the “R2″ button to engage doors, or having to press it repeatedly to open them, and its camera was designed to show you what you’re supposed to see and keep you in the action.
This isn’t a role-playing, exploration game, or anything of the sort. This type of game is about action with just a few things off the beaten path to curb the completionist’s spirit, which are all shown just fine by the camera. The idea is that the player is concerned with fighting and not fussing about spinning a camera in the middle of a fight.
To be fair, it’s always nice to be able to look at more of the art and surroundings, which is really a testament to the art and presentation teams. Griping about a fixed camera is certainly valid, as is a complaint in the control scheme. To use these minor gripes to bring the score down 3 or 4 points, and then complain that the end of the game wasn’t to your liking, Gloria, seems harsh and unfair at best. This certainly isn’t a perfect game (and debating what constitutes a “perfect” game certainly is good times), and you bring up some concerns you have to back up this fact, but in a world of quick glances from an OCD populace that values its time greatly, looking at this score shows a game that is in need of some work and not the polished fun to be had in this.
Just summing up, thank you for your opinions and please deduct points from even our favorite games when you have a reason to do so, but consider what warrants a harsh drop in score, and research a little more before going to print. You’ll avoid having people call you out on misrepresenting the actual story of Dante’s comedy, or bashing a control scheme that has been praised for years in some of the best games in this genre (and likely will be again soon when God of War 3 hits store shelves).
“If we hang our heads down, all we see is our feet. If we raise our heads up, we see where those feet can take us.”
Mike
February 11th, 2010
That’s the nicest thing I think anyone’s ever said on here.
Gloria Preston
February 11th, 2010
Well, I am sorry if everyone thinks I’m being harsh, maybe I would have given it a 7 if I was feeling generous, and maybe even an 8 if it wasn’t for the pointless grinding of the penultimate level.
But at the end of the day a review is an opinion, and that’s my opinion, like it or lump it. I’ve played other similar games recently that didn’t suffer from any of the faults I found in this game, so I scored it accordingly.
KierzoSBC
February 12th, 2010
That’s a fair point Gloria.
However, the reason you have been critiscised is because other people, including myself, dont share your opinion and so they have chosen to voice their’s in response. It’s not meant specifically as a dig at you, it’s more in the hope of preventing anyone who is undecided, being put off the game by your review.
As I said in my first comment, I usually agree with the reviews and opinions expressed by this site (which is maybe why, despite being a regular visitor for best part of a year, I havent made more than 3 comments), I just felt that this review in particular was overly harsh and came across as though the reviewer simply was not a fan of the genre.
That’s my opinion and as you said you can “like it or lump it”…hehe
Gloria Preston
February 12th, 2010
Whilst I may no tbe a fan of the genre, I do enjoy a good hack and slash game, but Dante’s Inferno doesn’t quite make it in to that category, it’s OK though, and it’s not like I had nothing good to say about it. And if you take a look at gamerankings or metacritic you’ll find I’m not the only reviewer to give it a low score, not that 6 is particularly low, it’s above average, which fits the game.
XxEvilDanxX
February 12th, 2010
well i dont care what other people think your just a cry baby for argueing over the internet. the game is great so shut your pie-hole
Gloria Preston
February 12th, 2010
Lol, who came here boo hooing over the review in the first place Dan?
If the opinions of someone mature and experienced in the field of video games upsets you maybe you should go elsewhere for your reviews. Like Nuts magazine or something.
XxEvilDanxX
February 13th, 2010
i did say i was up set your the one who is crying on here like a little kid. i was just sayin what my opinion is and your still crying wow you need to get a life.
DoomBringer
February 13th, 2010
i think the game is good i never read the poem but i will, it just my opinion. the game does remind me of god of war in a way pretty cool though. seems like there is so many games, that it might be make creators running out of ideas lol
XxEvilDanxX
February 13th, 2010
ok im done, commenting on this site, the weird pink hair person is harasing me for giving my opinion. well like i say the game is like God of war, i havent even read the poem either im just more for game play anyways. well cya everyone, im not coming back to say anything.
Samyb123
February 13th, 2010
No it’s more red than pink…
Gloria Preston
February 13th, 2010
Yes, it is Red, and we will be sorry to see you go Dan.