Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition Reviews
While remastering Ninja Theory's take on 'Devil May Cry' on current gen consoles felt like giving an underappreciated reinvention the platform it deserved, re-releasing 'Devil May Cry 4' on them is a sobering mirror, showing what the series should be leaving behind as we move forward. It's the kind of throwback that's more important for educational purposes than anything, a rough sketch homage where the series is capable of wild, vibrant ambition. There are those who still prefer the ain't-broke-don't-fix-it approach of the game, and more power to them. They will be pleased by the TLC, But the reboot showed the way forward. The fandom should follow suit.
There are elements of greatness here—the bosses are exceptionally inspired and some of the level themes are great—but so much of DMC4 is antiquated.
The Special Edition of Devil May Cry 4 brings notable improvements, but they're not enough to cover up its repetitive core.
DMC4's savage swordsmanship still entertains, in spite of reheated levels and uninspired puzzles, and the addition of Lady introduces an explosive new style of combat to Devil May Cry's armoury.
Devil May Cry 4 wasn't a great game then and isn't a great game now. The Special Edition added some neat features but didn't fix any of the core problems the original game had.
Had Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition addressed the real problems from the original game, while also keeping some of the high-profile additions, it could've really been something. Instead, it feels like a repackaging that doesn't quite have its heart in the right place. Some fans may have fun with it, but others will have no problem moving on to something just a little bit fresher.
If you pick up Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition, know that you're essentially getting a prettier version of a 2008 experience. That may sound extremely obvious, but, over the last seven years, character action games have changed greatly, making some of DMC4's choices feel absolutely dated. If you can get past these qualities, though, you'll find the same reliable action we've come to expect from Devil May Cry over the past 15 years.
While it seemed a bit weird that Capcom had not originally included Devil May Cry 4 into its HD Collection a few years back, the Special Edition is worth a look for fans of the series on the PlayStation 4 as a stand alone game, thanks to the visual upgrades and new character scenarios.
When it comes to deciding whether to purchase Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition or not, you need to reflect on how much you enjoyed the original game, because to get the maximum value out of the special edition, you'll need to play through the games three times. We're sure that die-hard fans and newcomers will find enjoyment in this new release, but people in the middle appear to be stuck. If you enjoyed the original Devil May Cry 4 despite its repetitive nature and you know you want to invest time into learning the new characters, then we recommend you pick up the game. But if you only have a passing interest and the sound of three playthroughs isn't music to your ears, then we suggest you wait until the next iteration in the Devil May Cry series.
Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition is something of a guilty pleasure – it's an archetypal mix of the sublime and ridiculous. It's great fun and offers plenty for those who played the original. And if you've never played a Devil May Cry game before? You, too, will find its considerable charms difficult to resist.
If you've never played Devil May Cry 4, or miss the glory days of the series where Dante was fun, and combat was deep, this edition offers fun aplenty.
Although the excellent combat of Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition remains as enticing as ever, the various troubles that plagued the original release (sloppy camera, lazy backtracking), only feel more egregious this time around.
A good special edition of a good game, it's hardly essential, but a definite treat for the fans.
If you already love Devil May Cry 4, then this brand new special edition is everything you could hope for. It looks great, runs fast and is loaded with playable characters. On the other hand, new players may not be able to overlook some of the game's outdated designs, including fixed camera perspectives and tons of backtracking.
Fast, stylish, but ultimately still a seven year old game. A few new characters help change up the pace of combat but you're still ultimately playing the same levels three times.
I have as much trouble evaluating Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition as I do categorizing it. I feel like the game should be so much more than it is, but what they did choose to add goes above and beyond what I expected. The new characters are such strong, fully-developed additions that I find it hard to be upset that the levels are still the same or that the textures haven't aged well.
Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition, despite its flaws, is definitely worth getting for both old fans and new. The new characters, the updated combat, and Legendary Dark Knight Mode definitely add a new dimension for veteran players, while the game as a whole serves as a decent entry point for new fans, especially at its lowered price.
Despite its flaws, DMC4: Special Edition is still fantastic hack-'n-slash romp made all the more enjoyable thanks to a silky-smooth frame rate and three new playable characters.
The Devil May Cry 4 core gameplay that made it fun in 2008 is still very much alive and breathing underneath the 'special edition' moniker, though some of the gameplay mechanics have been smoothed out. The added characters, improvement in visuals and price point might make this something to jump on, especially if you have never played the game.
If you are looking for a good action game and have never played Devil May Cry 4, it is a worthy candidate for sure.