Talk about a game that got a lot of bad publicity. The good thing about not being in the media is you avoid all the drama when new games are releasing and you get to enjoy the product for what is delivered. In this case, Visceral Games’ loose take on the 13th century poet Dante Alighieri has a lot to offer fans of the 3rd-person beat ’em up genre. Having sold more than 1.5 million units worldwide since it’s release in February 2010; you can command Dante for less than $20 on Amazon. At that time you may have spent your money on Mass Effect 2, Silent Hill, Bayonetta, or Darksiders. Read on to learn why Dante’s Inferno should still be considered as your next gaming experience.
Although you experience the 9 sins: Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Anger, Heresy, Violence, Fraud, and Treachery; the real story is in the concept of morality. Dante shows depth and development as he battles with his orthodoxy and the “real world.” As it happens, his sins were never absolved by fighting in the Crusades. Let’s just say Dante isn’t happy about that. The story of Visceral’s take is nowhere to be found in the original Divine Comedy. Don’t get caught up in the name – rather place your focus on what was created: a God of War clone at 60 frames-per-second with outstanding voice acting and a story that actually engages you. The lead character, Dante, is a holy-war vet just trying to get home. When he learns of his wife’s murder he leads a one-man army to the heart of darkness itself, and the 9 circles of hell detailed in the Divine Comedy. As you progress through each circle you are given access to new weapons, combos, magic, and more detail of why Dante deserves what is coming to him. From a functional standpoint, the levels are well designed, the weapons are always useful, and the enemies are well balanced. As with all games of this nature, camera control is touchy. If I could change anything, it would be the level of crudity throughout the levels and the story. I have to admit, for a guy who loves Spartacus, Gladiator, and Braveheart, this was tough to play at times.
At the end of the day, I recommend this title to anyone who has an open slot for a new game to play and they feel like $20 is a comfortable gaming budget this month.