Devil May Cry 4 asks players to pick sides. Dante fights with guns and blades, while Nero switches to a new set of weapons. The split works, even if the game never fully explains why it exists.
Trailer, via GAME.
Nero’s New Arsenal
Nero carries a sword that tears demons apart, and a grapple weapon that opens new paths through levels. These tools change how each stage plays out, giving players two distinct ways to approach the same fight.
The controls hold up across both characters. Enemies react to attacks with clear animations, and the game rewards players who learn enemy tells before firing back.
Dante’s Return
Dante returns with his full set of moves, and the game leans heavily on him during its final stretch. Players who preferred the original Devil May Cry will find plenty of familiar ground here.
Boss fights demand patience. They reward players who study enemy patterns and switch weapons mid-combo, punishing anyone who settles for a single tactic.
Where It Falls Short
The story splits its attention between Nero and Dante, and the game never quite resolves how they fit together. Some players will find the pacing uneven, with long stretches devoted to Nero before Dante gets his turn again.
A few levels feel thin, offering less variety than earlier stages in the series. The difficulty curve also dips in places, especially on lower settings, where enemies go down too easily.
What Works Best
- The mix of two lead characters, each with their own moves
- Boss fights that demand careful timing and switching of weapons
- Enemy designs that stay readable even during busy fights
- A score that matches the action on screen
Devil May Cry 4 succeeds when it commits fully to Nero or Dante, letting each character carry a chapter on their own terms. It stumbles when it tries to split focus between both leads in the same scene.
The game remains a solid entry in the series, even if it doesn’t reach the heights of its predecessor. Players who want a tight action game with real variety will find plenty to like here.
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