As the end of a year approaches and high profile games are released in bulk to meet the holiday demand, it has been typical in years past to see a lull during the following months of winter. It seems that the same cannot be said about 2008, as highly anticipated games have already begun filling shelves and finding their way into gamer's homes. No February release has received more attention and interest than Devil May Cry 4, the latest addition in Capcom's frantic action series starring the stylish and sarcastic devil-hunter-for-hire named Dante. The good news is that fans of the series will find a lot to like here, despite the common reoccurrence of repetition.

While Dante still appears as a playable character in Devil May Cry 4, this time around players are also treated to experiencing the events through a new protagonist named Nero. Nero is introduced as a member of a religious faction known as the Order of the Sword. Shortly after he arrives at a meeting of the Order, a mysterious man in red bursts through the ceiling and assassinates the High Priest. The story violently kicks into gear as Nero seeks vengeance and answers regarding the death of his beloved leader amid the terror and panic. The opening cutscenes are masterfully designed and set an excellent pace for the action to follow. It isn't long before Nero is thrust into the heart of combat and takes to streets filled with demons and otherworldly creatures. Optional tutorials help to balance the learning curve for new players, and though the action is frantic and fast-paced right from the start, the game does a good job of ushering players in before the more difficult action sequences take hold.

While the core gameplay is fun, it can get a bit repetitive.

For those unfamiliar with the series, the action takes place from a third-person perspective and utilizes a unique hybrid of sword and gun combat, supplemented further with light platforming, exploration, and puzzle solving. As they have been in the past, these varied elements are integrated skillfully to create a seamless and enjoyable experience that has remained relatively unique to the franchise. While there is a sense of familiarity between Devil May Cry 4 and previous iterations, it truly works to the games credit rather than to its detriment. A fresh new story, epic boss battles and a wild variety of new enemies all add depth and atmosphere to a combat formula that is as fun as it ever was. The most important difference is the fact that Dante is no longer the primary character. Nero instead takes the lead role for thirteen of the game's twenty levels with Dante occupying the other seven, all of which are played during the second half of the game.

Nero's style of gameplay is fast and frantic, with an emphasis on stylishly dispatching foes using quick and varied attack maneuvers to collect bonuses. Nero and Dante are similar in many ways as it relates to fighting. Both characters can utilize projectile and melee attacks on the fly and both make use of the Devil Trigger which temporarily powers up your attack until the corresponding gauge is empty. There are also upgrades and items to be purchased with both characters that help ease the challenge of the game. But even with all the similarities, there are subtle differences between the two characters, many of which make Nero the more approachable for players new to the franchise. For example, while Dante has four different fighting styles to choose from, Nero only has one. Dante can also collect and upgrade a variety of melee weapons and firearms, though Nero never needs to adjust his fighting style to accommodate an assortment of weapons.

To his credit, Nero has a unique ability called the Devil Bringer. Utilizing his demonically powered right arm, Nero can execute a variety of throws and attacks which vary from enemy to enemy. It is also instrumental in exploiting the weaknesses of boss enemies for significant damage. Powerful and well-integrated into the strategy and flow of doing battle, the Devil Bringer is the most substantial and welcome addition to the combat system. Dante, on the other hand, boasts a wider arsenal of moves and combinations than Nero through the use of his different fighting styles. No matter what character you choose, the combat system in Devil May Cry 4 is phenomenal and all changes and additions serve a purpose and improve on an already winning formula.

While the core combat mechanics are superb, they are only one portion of an entire package that includes the utilization of these mechanics. For the most part, the level design and pacing complements these elements in ways that keep the content fresh and challenging. New and tougher enemies are continually introduced and the areas where you fight them are often filled with traps. The variety in location is also excellent, as each new area has its own hazards and characteristics beyond mere aesthetics. As smoothly as things generally perform, and as varied as locations are, problems can occasionally occur with the camera. In certain situations it is impossible to adjust and can fail to shoot the action at an angle optimal for combat. These instances are rare, but they do happen, and do add an element of annoyance that would not otherwise be present.

However, the single biggest problem in Devil May Cry 4 is in the repetition that it eventually succumbs to. By the time that Dante becomes playable, most of the game has already been seen. In Dante's missions you will almost exclusively retread old ground and fight the same enemies and bosses that you've already defeated as Nero. Dante's unique abilities and lack of a Devil Bringer add some variety to the mix, but what would be appreciated as an optional second quest or alternately selectable character is instead a forced exercise in repetition. If this weren't enough, a loosely disguised gauntlet level appears near the end of the game, further exploring the theme of redundancy. The game simply feels unnecessarily padded in ways that damage its otherwise substantial replay value.

If the excellent gameplay isn't enough of a reason to see Devil May Cry 4 through to the end, than the top notch presentation certainly should be. From the intriguing opening movie to the climactic conclusion, the narrative never ceases to be enthralling. The story takes on a number of twists and turns that despite predictability remain interesting throughout. The cinematic battle sequences are worthy of being placed in a standalone action movie and truly set the pace for the in-game combat to follow. The voice acting contained within the cutscenes is generally entertaining if not sometimes a bit over the top. Dante's sarcastic banter and wit go a long way in supporting his otherwise redundant mission design, and the other characters have unique personalities that add a sense of flavor to the storytelling.

Dante has some interesting new weapon options this time around.

These excellent production values are also apparent during the gameplay itself, as the graphics and sound design both express a high level of care and artistry. There is a subtle and appropriate sense of dread surrounding all parts of the environment, as beautiful but abandoned buildings and structures stand stagnantly in areas that are seemingly only populated by demons. From the creeping vines and warm midday sun in the forest to the ornate statues and arches in and surrounding the temples, the artistic detail of the environments never ceases to amaze. Equally impressive is the character and enemy design as even the Scarecrow creatures you first encounter are hideous and scary in their own way. This continues to be impressive further into the game, as creatures begin to appear possessing a look that is simultaneously demonic and angelic. From top to bottom, Devil May Cry 4 is a visually beautiful game.

Like the visual presentation, the sound is also a strength of Devil May Cry 4, though perhaps not to the same degree. The orchestral soundtrack permeating the vacant halls and arenas sets a haunting tone on par with the graphical presentation of these areas. In the midst of battle however, hard rock music is used to establish mood. This music appropriately matches the speed of battle, but may be too jarring of a contrast for some due to the heavy stylistic differences. The sound effects are strong as well; the gunfire has an appropriate pop and the sword strokes are satisfying. As a whole, the audio aspect does a good job of filling out the presentation with the right sounds for establishing atmosphere - it's just that some of the music could have been better.

As one of the first major releases of 2008, DMC 4 sets the bar high with its excellent production values and fast, challenging gameplay. There are issues with repetition that keep the game from being as solid at the end as it is at the beginning, but they are made up for by the quality of content to be found. With plenty of exciting moments and ultra-stylized combat, Devil May Cry 4 provides an experience that any action game fan is sure to enjoy.