When DmC Devil May Cry was announced at GamesCom in 2010, many fans believed it would be the death of their beloved franchise. While they viewed Devil May Cry 4 in somewhat of a mixed light, it provided the combat and difficulty necessities they desired in a DMC game. Given that Ninja Theory’s expertise was in storytelling and not combat, this left a lot to wonder if the development team could provide a deep combat system to entice players to coming back to a party where they were told they were unwelcome.
The good news is that DmC’s strongest feature is in its’ core combat mechanics. While it’s not as deep as previous Devil May Cry games, it’s fun and engaging. Switching from Rebellion to your Angel or Demon weapon on the fly makes it thrilling to beat enemies up to get your style meter up. While the Style Meter has been adjusted to make it easier for newer players to rank better than they’re actually doing, it doesn’t really take away from the game’s enjoyment unless you miss the older scoring system. You’ll also miss a lock-on button. While some Capcom testers have said that lock-on is neither needed nor missed, that is factually false. Instead, the gameplay relies on having two buttons dedicated to dodge, with no differences between them. The lack of lock-on is baffling, and in later fights leads to severe issues with camera and targeting enemies you don’t want to hit or can’t hit due to having the wrong weapon out.
However, what hurts the combat is that there are certain enemies in the game that require you to use an Angel or Demon weapon against them to kill them. This hurts the game’s pacing, and it shows an uneven design. Whereas you can kill most Demon enemies quickly, Angel enemies are tedious and a chore to fight, sometimes taking minutes to down one of them. Outside of these quirks, the game’s challenge is minimal, even on Nephilim, the game’s default Hard Mode. Enemies are slow, dumb and dealt with mostly by force. The game’s checkpoints upon death are also user friendly, having you start back at the beginning of the fight you last died on with full health. It’s nice that it caters to the casual player so much, and gets you back into the action quickly.
The game has several pacing issues outside of combat as well. Some levels, while beautifully designed and aesthetically interesting, can range anywhere from five to 25 minutes. It’s uneven, and bizarre that a level can last two minutes while the next one is over 30. The game’s first mission has you going through a Demon Carnival and a Mansion, which are excellent designed and paced. One of the better looking levels has Dante going through rounds of fights in a demon world version of a nightclub. It’s a brilliant level, with excellent visuals and music along with some interesting fights. But, like the rest of the game, what comes after is astonishingly bad. Boss fights in DmC are truly a low point for the series. While some are visually interesting, ultimately the fights are dull, simple and feel out of place. Some regular enemies in the game pose a more significant threat to you than any of the game’s boss fights, including the game’s anti-climactic boss fight, which comes out of nowhere from a narrative perspective.
Speaking of, the game’s story is genuinely dreadful. While the game starts out with a somewhat tongue-in-cheek nature, it quickly turns to being super serious and never lets up. The problem is it’s not cute, it’s not clever, it’s not edgy and it’s not good. Some of the moments in the story are absolutely repulsive and should not be applauded by anyone. It just gets in the way of what you’re trying to do, play the game. The characters and scenarios in the game are also poorly written. There’s very little motivation to hate certain characters and while you’re supposed to applaud the heroes, more often than not the game gives you moments where you will shake your head at their actions. It’s juvenile and gives the sense that it’s better than it actually is.
The fundamental gameplay of DmC is strong; it has a good user interface as excites you when you expand your arsenal. It will anger and depress you through its’ poor focus on characters and story interaction all while getting in the way of you enjoying the game. It may be worth your time, but for how long and how much is entirely up to you. It’s got a lot of negativity surrounding it, and not from fan backlash.
Score: 7 out of 10
+ Good Combat
+ Nice Visuals
- Poor Story and Characters
- No Challenge
- 30fps on Consoles
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Saturday, January 19, 2013
NFL 2012 Championship Predictions
The Conference Championships are here, and with that, comes predictions.
San Francisco 49ers @ Atlanta Falcons
3:00pm EST - Fox
I expect this game to a be low scoring affair that is in line with last year's NFC Championship Game. But unlike last year, San Francisco will come out on top in this one due to their defense. While Atlanta is known for winning close games, eventually, they will have to lose one, and today is that game.
San Francisco - 17, Atlanta - 10
Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots
6:30pm EST - CBS
While this one is a rematch from last year's Championship Game, expect no less drama and excitement. These two teams know how to play each other and it's almost always great. While Baltimore is a considerable underdog, Ray Lewis is a great motivator, and I think he's saved his greatest motivation for this final drive. While the Patriots have a great offense and good defense, the Ravens are this year's magic team, like the Giants and Packers before them.
Baltimore - 24, New England - 20
San Francisco 49ers @ Atlanta Falcons
3:00pm EST - Fox
I expect this game to a be low scoring affair that is in line with last year's NFC Championship Game. But unlike last year, San Francisco will come out on top in this one due to their defense. While Atlanta is known for winning close games, eventually, they will have to lose one, and today is that game.
San Francisco - 17, Atlanta - 10
Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots
6:30pm EST - CBS
While this one is a rematch from last year's Championship Game, expect no less drama and excitement. These two teams know how to play each other and it's almost always great. While Baltimore is a considerable underdog, Ray Lewis is a great motivator, and I think he's saved his greatest motivation for this final drive. While the Patriots have a great offense and good defense, the Ravens are this year's magic team, like the Giants and Packers before them.
Baltimore - 24, New England - 20
Saturday, January 12, 2013
NFL 2012 Divisional Round Predictions
I have been busy/sick again this week and I forgot to put this up. Here's a quick version of it:
Baltimore over Denver
San Francisco over Green Bay
Atlanta over Seattle
New England over Houston
I'll do a more in-depth analysis next week, I promise.
Baltimore over Denver
San Francisco over Green Bay
Atlanta over Seattle
New England over Houston
I'll do a more in-depth analysis next week, I promise.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
NFL 2012 NFC Wild Card Round Analysis
With one half of my analysis already complete, it's time to look at the NFC side of the playoff tree. One matchup is a divisional rivalry while the other is a playoff matchup that seems to show up pretty often as of late.
#6 - Minnesota Vikings @ #3 - Green Bay Packers
Saturday, January 5th, 8:00pm EST
While the Packers are two years removed from their last Super Bowl, Aaron Rodgers has become the quiet talk of the league for best quarterback. He's led the team to a 9-2 record down the stretch, and is one of the best players in football. The only problem is that he hasn't won a home playoff game, despite winning 3 on the road. He's ultimately the one that has to play well if the Packers have any hope of winning. The Green Bay defense has not been kind over the past two seasons, especially last year when they got humiliated by the Giants at home in the divisional round of the Playoffs. It also doesn't help that the Packers have allowed 400+ rushing yards to Adrian Peterson this year, who is facing them again on Saturday. But the Packers have the home field advantage here and the Vikings quarterback is ultimately a suit, someone who really shouldn't be in the League anyway. Despite the Packers not taking him seriously on Sunday, rest assured they will see him as a threat this Saturday.
The Vikings are led by Adrian Peterson, who 12 months ago broke the two major bones in his leg, and was expected to miss this entire season due to that injury. But he's come back in stride to lead the NFL in rushing yards, and got his team to the playoffs almost all by himself. Why you ask? Like I mentioned before, Christian Ponder, the Vikings QB, is pretty bad. He's unreliable, mistake prone and plays poorly under pressure. The Vikings defense is good, but they ultimately flounder on the road, particularly in cold weather. It's not impossible for the Vikings to win this Saturday, as they've played the Packers well for the past 4-5 seasons. But in order to win this time around, they'll have to get a perfect game out of their defense, an average game out of Ponder and a great game out of Peterson in order to do it.
Prediction: Green Bay - 20, Minnesota - 10
#5 - Seattle Seahawks @ #4 - Washington Redskins
Sunday, January 6th, 4:30pm EST
The Washington Redskins are the team everyone loves to pile on when the chips are down. In no large part thanks to their owner, his offseason moves, and the way the team has found ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, the Washington Redskins for the last decade have embodied Washington sports teams like no other. They couldn't catch a break, even if they tried. But this year, they got two. Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris. While RG3 was drafted #2 in the NFL draft after the Redskins traded two draft picks for him, the Redskins drafted Morris out of Florida Atlantic in the sixth round. The results for Washington, while starting out slow and Redskins-esque, has flourished over the the past seven weeks, where the team hasn't lost. The Redskins have closed games out when they should have. They made plays on both sides of the ball when it was necessary and they caught breaks. But in the back of everyone's minds is 'can they keep this up?' Even in my mind, where the worst is always at the top, I can't help but think good things right now.
The Seattle Seahawks are the talk of the NFL, at least if you listen to the news. Russel Wilson is a media darling, and their defense is stout. Having scored 40+ points in 3 consecutive weeks, including a game over division rival San Francisco, the Seahawks are a buzz like no other. It partially started due to the replacement referees' help during Week 3 against the Packers, but since then they have some legitimate wins. But those wins, particularly over New England and San Francisco were at home, where they were undefeated. On the road, Seattle is 3-5, a place where they have struggled for a long time. Considering their jekyl and hyde type play for home and away games, I question whether or not Seattle will play well going from Seattle to Washington, with a rookie QB, against a team that many are overlooking, despite having the longest winning streak in the league. While Seattle and Washington have played in the playoffs the last two times the Redskins have made it, those games were in Seattle, and they were close. Even though there's different personnel now, certain teams know how to play each other for years, and I think this one is no different.
Prediction: Washington - 23, Seattle - 13
That's it for my predictions this week. Have a good wild card weekend!
#6 - Minnesota Vikings @ #3 - Green Bay Packers
Saturday, January 5th, 8:00pm EST
While the Packers are two years removed from their last Super Bowl, Aaron Rodgers has become the quiet talk of the league for best quarterback. He's led the team to a 9-2 record down the stretch, and is one of the best players in football. The only problem is that he hasn't won a home playoff game, despite winning 3 on the road. He's ultimately the one that has to play well if the Packers have any hope of winning. The Green Bay defense has not been kind over the past two seasons, especially last year when they got humiliated by the Giants at home in the divisional round of the Playoffs. It also doesn't help that the Packers have allowed 400+ rushing yards to Adrian Peterson this year, who is facing them again on Saturday. But the Packers have the home field advantage here and the Vikings quarterback is ultimately a suit, someone who really shouldn't be in the League anyway. Despite the Packers not taking him seriously on Sunday, rest assured they will see him as a threat this Saturday.
The Vikings are led by Adrian Peterson, who 12 months ago broke the two major bones in his leg, and was expected to miss this entire season due to that injury. But he's come back in stride to lead the NFL in rushing yards, and got his team to the playoffs almost all by himself. Why you ask? Like I mentioned before, Christian Ponder, the Vikings QB, is pretty bad. He's unreliable, mistake prone and plays poorly under pressure. The Vikings defense is good, but they ultimately flounder on the road, particularly in cold weather. It's not impossible for the Vikings to win this Saturday, as they've played the Packers well for the past 4-5 seasons. But in order to win this time around, they'll have to get a perfect game out of their defense, an average game out of Ponder and a great game out of Peterson in order to do it.
Prediction: Green Bay - 20, Minnesota - 10
#5 - Seattle Seahawks @ #4 - Washington Redskins
Sunday, January 6th, 4:30pm EST
The Washington Redskins are the team everyone loves to pile on when the chips are down. In no large part thanks to their owner, his offseason moves, and the way the team has found ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, the Washington Redskins for the last decade have embodied Washington sports teams like no other. They couldn't catch a break, even if they tried. But this year, they got two. Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris. While RG3 was drafted #2 in the NFL draft after the Redskins traded two draft picks for him, the Redskins drafted Morris out of Florida Atlantic in the sixth round. The results for Washington, while starting out slow and Redskins-esque, has flourished over the the past seven weeks, where the team hasn't lost. The Redskins have closed games out when they should have. They made plays on both sides of the ball when it was necessary and they caught breaks. But in the back of everyone's minds is 'can they keep this up?' Even in my mind, where the worst is always at the top, I can't help but think good things right now.
The Seattle Seahawks are the talk of the NFL, at least if you listen to the news. Russel Wilson is a media darling, and their defense is stout. Having scored 40+ points in 3 consecutive weeks, including a game over division rival San Francisco, the Seahawks are a buzz like no other. It partially started due to the replacement referees' help during Week 3 against the Packers, but since then they have some legitimate wins. But those wins, particularly over New England and San Francisco were at home, where they were undefeated. On the road, Seattle is 3-5, a place where they have struggled for a long time. Considering their jekyl and hyde type play for home and away games, I question whether or not Seattle will play well going from Seattle to Washington, with a rookie QB, against a team that many are overlooking, despite having the longest winning streak in the league. While Seattle and Washington have played in the playoffs the last two times the Redskins have made it, those games were in Seattle, and they were close. Even though there's different personnel now, certain teams know how to play each other for years, and I think this one is no different.
Prediction: Washington - 23, Seattle - 13
That's it for my predictions this week. Have a good wild card weekend!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
NFL 2012 AFC Wild-Card Round Analysis
Happy New Year! While it may be a new year, it is not a new season for the NFL. The 2012 Playoffs are set to begin. Today, I'll be looking at and breaking down the AFC Wild Card matchups. On Thursday I'll be looking at the NFC Wild Card matchups. It's been an interesting year in the NFL this year, and week 17 proved that on both the AFC and NFC side of things, shifting many playoff positions, changing many fates of teams that continue on this season. For now, let's take a look at the first matchup of the AFC playoffs:
#6 - Cincinnati Bengals @ #3 - Houston Texans
Saturday, January 5th, 4:30pm EST
A few weeks ago, the Houston Texans were the best team in football. They looked unstoppable and were only a single win from clinching not only the AFC south, but homefield advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs. And then New England happened. After a 42-14 drubbing at the hands of the Patriots, the Texans clinched the AFC south with a victory over Indianapolis at home. After that, their offense failed to show up against Minnesota and Indianapolis, which allowed Denver and New England to leapfrog them in the standings. Instead of resting up for a Divisional Playoff game at home in two weeks, they're in a rematch of last year's wild card home game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals are back in the playoffs to many surprised people. After a rough patch in the middle of the season, the Bengals stabilized themselves and finished with a 10-6 record, beating the likes of Washington, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and San Diego, the Bengals look to go through the playoffs with a tough defense and serviceable offense. While the Bengals don't look fragile right now, their schedule reveals a weak schedule, along with mediocre wins at poor times. 6 of their 10 wins came against sub .500 teams, while only two came against playoff teams. Their resume is just not impressive, and while Houston is playing sloppy right now, they should be able to pull it together for another first round playoff win, and earn a rematch with New England.
Prediction: Houston - 24, Cincinnati - 13
#5 - Indianapolis Colts @ #4 - Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, January 6th, 1:00pm EST
Until the last month of the season, the Baltimore Ravens were among the short list of Super Bowl favorites. After losing four times in December, and firing offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, the Ravens look shaky, confused and old. Their defense is thin because of injuries, their offense is weak because of lackluster quarterback play. Yet still, they're the Ravens. They have Playoff experience, and have been to two of the last three AFC Championship games. They're also desperate for one more Super Bowl run, because for their leaders Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, this is most likely it. If the Ravens don't win one here, they may not have another chance for a long time.
The Indianapolis Colts on the other hand will have many chances in the future. This year has been tough for them, as coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia around Week 3, forcing him off the field until Week 17. The Colts season has surprisingly been stable. They've had streaks of 3 and 4 wins along with a couple of wins early on and are currently on a two-game streak. They're led by rookie quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck has thrown a lot of interceptions this year, but his defense has picked up the slack surprisingly when his team has needed it. Since Pagano has recently returned the questions are when the emotions will get the better of them and if the coaching change from interim to regular head coach will have an impact or not? If it doesn't happen this, it most certainly will in the second round, in what may be a showdown between the Colts and Broncos.
Prediction: Indianapolis - 31, Baltimore - 13
That's it for my AFC wild card predictions. On Thursday I'll look at the NFC wild card games as well as make my predictions for them.
#6 - Cincinnati Bengals @ #3 - Houston Texans
Saturday, January 5th, 4:30pm EST
A few weeks ago, the Houston Texans were the best team in football. They looked unstoppable and were only a single win from clinching not only the AFC south, but homefield advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs. And then New England happened. After a 42-14 drubbing at the hands of the Patriots, the Texans clinched the AFC south with a victory over Indianapolis at home. After that, their offense failed to show up against Minnesota and Indianapolis, which allowed Denver and New England to leapfrog them in the standings. Instead of resting up for a Divisional Playoff game at home in two weeks, they're in a rematch of last year's wild card home game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals are back in the playoffs to many surprised people. After a rough patch in the middle of the season, the Bengals stabilized themselves and finished with a 10-6 record, beating the likes of Washington, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and San Diego, the Bengals look to go through the playoffs with a tough defense and serviceable offense. While the Bengals don't look fragile right now, their schedule reveals a weak schedule, along with mediocre wins at poor times. 6 of their 10 wins came against sub .500 teams, while only two came against playoff teams. Their resume is just not impressive, and while Houston is playing sloppy right now, they should be able to pull it together for another first round playoff win, and earn a rematch with New England.
Prediction: Houston - 24, Cincinnati - 13
#5 - Indianapolis Colts @ #4 - Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, January 6th, 1:00pm EST
Until the last month of the season, the Baltimore Ravens were among the short list of Super Bowl favorites. After losing four times in December, and firing offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, the Ravens look shaky, confused and old. Their defense is thin because of injuries, their offense is weak because of lackluster quarterback play. Yet still, they're the Ravens. They have Playoff experience, and have been to two of the last three AFC Championship games. They're also desperate for one more Super Bowl run, because for their leaders Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, this is most likely it. If the Ravens don't win one here, they may not have another chance for a long time.
The Indianapolis Colts on the other hand will have many chances in the future. This year has been tough for them, as coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia around Week 3, forcing him off the field until Week 17. The Colts season has surprisingly been stable. They've had streaks of 3 and 4 wins along with a couple of wins early on and are currently on a two-game streak. They're led by rookie quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck has thrown a lot of interceptions this year, but his defense has picked up the slack surprisingly when his team has needed it. Since Pagano has recently returned the questions are when the emotions will get the better of them and if the coaching change from interim to regular head coach will have an impact or not? If it doesn't happen this, it most certainly will in the second round, in what may be a showdown between the Colts and Broncos.
Prediction: Indianapolis - 31, Baltimore - 13
That's it for my AFC wild card predictions. On Thursday I'll look at the NFC wild card games as well as make my predictions for them.
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