Dante’s Inferno takes the devil-beater from Devil May Cry and drops him into the circles of hell. The result is a game about faith, sin and fighting that mostly earns its ambition.
The premise is simple. Dante travels to the underworld to save his dead wife, Virgil, who has become trapped there. He fights his way through nine circles of sin, each ruled by a sinner or demon lord. The narrative leans on Dante’s own guilt and grief, and it tries to make the descent feel personal rather than abstract.
Combat is the game’s strongest asset. Dante wields a sword, a holy crossbow and a shield that can deflect attacks. The action is fast, the combos are satisfying, and the boss fights demand patience. The game’s difficulty curve rises sharply in the later circles, which rewards players who study enemy patterns rather than simply attacking wildly.
The pacing drags in the middle circles. Some levels repeat the same enemy arrangements and environments, and the story slows down between combat encounters. The game also relies heavily on cutscenes and dialogue, which can feel heavy-handed given how quickly the action moves.
On PS3 and Xbox 360, the game runs with occasional frame drops during busy fights. The PSP version cuts content to fit the handheld, which removes some of the story’s weight. Across all three platforms, the presentation is solid but not exceptional, with decent lighting and character models that hold up well in motion.
What works best:
- Combat: the swordplay and crossbow shooting are the game’s high points.
- Boss design: each circle brings a distinct boss fight with its own strategy.
- Setting: the nine circles offer a varied range of locations to explore.
- Soundtrack: the music matches the grim tone of the underworld.
Dante’s Inferno is a competent action game with a strong core but rough edges. Its ambition shows in the story and setting, even when the execution falls short. Players looking for a quick fix will find frustration; those willing to push through will find a rewarding fight.
Key Facts Box
- Platforms: PS3, PSP, X360
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Lead developer: Visceral Games
- Release date: 2010
Numbered List
- Combat systems: sword, crossbow, shield
- Circles of hell: nine total, each with its own boss
- Difficulty: rises sharply in the final circles
- Presentation: solid but not exceptional across platforms
Trailer, via Electronic Arts France.
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