[Multiplatform] Devil May Cry 4

Gamespy interview with Hiroyuki Kobayashi. I think the highlight of it was the announcement of no Vergil in DMC4. Also mentions ratio of playtime with Nero and Dante is like 60/40. Oh and he wouldn't confirm that Trickster and Royal Guard are back, but does say that there are other styles that can switched to in real time.

Quote:

GameSpy: Thanks for meeting us today. Could you introduce yourself?
Hiroyuki Kobayashi: My name is Hiroyuki Kobayashi and I'm a producer at Capcom. Devil May Cry 4 is one of my games, also in Japan I'm the producer for Sengoku Basara.

GameSpy: How do you feel about next-gen, to start with?
Kobayashi: It's definitely a fun experience to work with the new next-gen consoles, especially with the variety of things you can do, more graphics and whatnot. But since this was the very first title Capcom released on the PS3, it was definitely a hard step to actually go through. Nobody knows anything about how to develop on the PS3, nobody really had that experience working with PS3 games. So, they're basically the first team to kind of pioneer within Capcom to release a next-gen [PS3] game.

GameSpy: Is that part of why it became multi-platform?
Kobayashi: It wasn't that the PS3 was a hard-to-work with machine. Capcom has a PC-based engine that they use to develop games and Devil May Cry 4 was developed with that same PC engine. Basically it branches out from there. You can have it on one central PC engine, and then make it compatible for the PS3 or the 360, so it's really just one workflow. So it really wasn't just that the PS3 was a hard-to-work with machine. Also, Capcom's operational goal was to release games on multiple platforms so that more players could actually play the games. Because the 360 is a popular console for both the North American market and Europe, it was natural for Capcom to branch out as well.

GameSpy: So we saw DMC4 and got hands-on with it at Capcom's pre-E3 event. A lot of the press saw it and thought "It's just a prettier DMC." But then they played it and thought, "Oh wow, it's a prettier DMC!" Is the team happy with the approach of minute improvements that really take advantage of the graphical capability, or is it just a stopgap?
Kobayashi: Of course, since this game is released on the PS3 and the 360, the graphical improvement is like a baseline, a minimum It's a minimum thing that they need to conquer. But bringing in the new element of the Devil Bringer was done because the team is always looking for new ways to make unique action games. That's why the Devil Bringer was brought about; to bring new action to the old DMC style. It's a constant struggle to come up with new ideas, new improvements of course, and obviously we'll continue to improve with the new releases.

GameSpy: How much does the Devil Bringer having a ranged throw change the whole impact of the game? As opposed to only being able to grab from up close...
Kobayashi: Of course, it was the goal to come up with a new action game, to keep up with fresh action games. Having the Devil Bringer enables the player to bring the enemies to the characters. Of course Dante and Nero have the sword and the guns, where the characters would actually repel the enemy, and then you have to actually go to the enemy and do the combos and such. Adding the new element of pulling in the enemy and then chaining combos is completely new. So that was the idea to use Devil Bringer with this new release. Also, what was hard to implement with the Devil Bringer, in terms of graphics and animations, was the number of variations you can use. So many combinations and so many movements, it was definitely a challenge.

GameSpy: So, after introducing the Devil Bringer while working on Nero, was it tough to go back to working on Dante and realize that you were stuck with what seems like a problem: that Dante can only push people away, he doesn't have this new key ability?
Kobayashi: Because Nero is a new playable factor, it's a completely different system of thought between Dante and Nero. In previous games, like DMC3, Dante had the Gunslinger and the Swordmaster styles, but now in DMC4, those two styles of Dante are more combined. It's easier to use, you don't have to switch back and forth. But Nero is a completely new attacker, so he introduces a new element, a new action. But no, Nero and Dante are basically separate.

GameSpy: Just to clear this up, you can switch between any of the styles from DMC3 on the fly, or just Swordmaster and Gunslinger?
Kobayashi: The main point for Dante in DMC4, this is released information, is that you can switch back and forth between SM and GS in real time. Of course there are other styles that you can switch to in real time as well. Nero's biggest selling point is his Devil Bringer and how he uses that in the game. Dante's selling point is the ability to switch back and forth on the fly.

GameSpy: On that note, is Dante going to be, essentially, expert mode? It seems like if you have combos that go from GS to SM on the fly, it's going to be really hard, like DMC3 original release hard.
Kobayashi: You switch from Nero to Dante in the game, and Dante is already strong enough. The players of previous games already know this, so this is like just one step up from where he was in other games. But for newer players, Dante is strong enough that you can actually go through and enjoy the game just being a Gunslinger, because that ability is strong enough. He's strong enough in that mode.

GameSpy: So, switching from Nero to Dante, is that something that the player chooses, or is that something that happens at pre-assigned times?
Kobayashi: The player will not be able to switch from Dante to Nero on their own. Within the larger story of DMC4, it gradually shifts from Nero to Dante, so that's when the player switches between the characters.

GameSpy: What's the ratio you're looking for between Nero and Dante?
Kobayashi: Initially I thought about Dante and Nero being about 50-50, but now it's a little more focused on Nero, so I'd say 60-40.

GameSpy: Storywise, are we looking at a prequel or a sequel?
Kobayashi: In terms of the storyline, from the previous titles, DMC3 comes first, and then DMC1, and then DMC4comes after.

GameSpy: And it seems like the order Nero belongs to was founded by Dante at some point in the past. Is that the case? Can we find out anything about the order?
Kobayashi: Dante is not the founder of this order. However this order worships Dante's father. Dante's character is initially an enemy, he attacks this order. Nero's companion gets attacked by Dante, and that's how the story goes.

GameSpy: Are we going to see Dante's brother?
Kobayashi: No, he doesn't come in the game. [Kobayashi speaks to his translator for a moment]. He says you are a fan! (laughter)

GameSpy: Is there any validity to the PS3/360 performance comparisons?
Kobayashi: I believe that the PS3 and the 360 are about the same level, they have the same specs. Leaving aside personal thoughts about each machine, I won't say that the PS3 or the 360 is above the other…It's about development, it's about the thing.

http://uk.ps3.gamespy.com/playstatio.../809520p1.html

Most amazing jew boots

Awesome! I gotta say Langdon really stepped up his performance for Dante, giving us a much deeper/mature sounding Dante. Now, I wonder if that was the PS3 build or the 360 build that was shown.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

About time they showed Trish and Lady, we all knew they were returning (those of us who saw the concept art anyway). Now they just need to confirm the return of Nelo Angelo.

Originally Posted by Slayer X

@Inhert
DMC4 does take place after DMC 2 but it sounds like Capcom is totally pretending that DMC2 never happened, which is a good thing. Also Lady and Trish already met in the Anime which had them fighting for 3/4 of the episode before Trish went back out on her own. (Trish and Dante kind of split up, but they're still friends)

Eh? Wasn't it said in a previous famitsu that the chronology went DMC3 , DMC1, DMC4, and then DMC2. Seems to make the most sense to be seeing as how Lucia has had no mention.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Heh, I guess we won't really know till we beat DMC4. But till then, I'll just be sticking with what the developers said in terms of chronology.

Oh and you can download the GC trailer on the Live Marketplace or Japanese PSN, plus a Nero wallpaper on the J PSN. The short version of the TGS trailer can be viewed the updated DMC4 website (new BGM, sounds like credits music, assuming something sung by Kyrie, can anyone rip it?). The trailer shows the gauntlets in action, plus a first look at these Spardan looking enemies...



I wonder if it's possible that Nero ends up turning into one of those Spardan looking things (perhaps even Nelo? as he seems to be slowly consumed by the arm), and is the reason why we get control of Dante?!?

DEVIL MAY CRY 4 | ƒfƒrƒ‹ ƒƒC ƒNƒ‰ƒC 4

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Slayer X

@Inhert
We don't know an official US release rightnow. JPN release is late November. So if it goes the way of DMC 3, we'll see 4 around March.

If that's true, then I'm just gonna import it (thumbs up to the region free games feat. for the PS3). I'm assuming it'll have dual language options just like DMC3.

And here's a much better quality version of the showfloor TGS trailer at Game Trailers. Heh, I just noticed that there's a nice shot where the camera is panning down and past Gloria's butt.

Gametrailers.com - Devil May Cry 4 - TGS 07 Showfloor Trailer

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Slayer X

Sure you can import it. And the game's VO is in English ONLY. However all the menues are in Japanese ONLY, so be warned. US release date is February according to IGN. I might as well wait and play it with the DualShock 3.

I knew the VO would be english only, but I was wondering if the there's an english option for the menus seeing as how there appeared to be one available in DMC3 (they even gave you the option for korean menus). Be nice if there is, I wonder if the reason why it's being released later for NA is because they're going to tweek the difficulty settings again for our version.

Originally Posted by Slayer X

Also looks like that tranformation thing with Nero in the new trailer is just a weapon.

Galerie Devil May Cry 4 - Images Gilgamesh - 2007-09-27 19:47:59

Uhh I'm pretty sure those are Dante's new gauntlets, besides the fact that it's Dante who has them equipped, it's been said that Nero wouldn't be getting new weapons. I'm willing to bet you get the Gilgamesh after defeating that plant/snake boss we saw in the TGS trailers, heh seeing as how the gaunlets have stingers on them. Makes me wonder what kind of weapon Dante will be getting from Berial.


An interview with Kobayashi.
Game | Life - Wired Blogs

Something that caught my eye:

Quote:

Because a big part of the fan base is guys, we always put in a nice sexy character, hence Gloria. In the past we've used Trish, who is a recurring character, and also Lady. Lady appeared in 3, and now she's about ten years older than she was in that one, but she's grown up very nicely, as you'll see.

Interesting to hear that DMC4 is about 10 years after DMC3. This probably makes Lady about 28 maybe even 30 in DMC4 (this is of course assuming she was at least 18 in DMC3), heh I certainly didn't expect that. I'm guessing that means DMC4, with respect to DMC1, is probably 7 or 5 years after it.


Here's another interview with Kobayashi:
TGS07: Kobayashi Gives Lowdown On DMC4, 360, More

Interesting points:

Quote:

GI: Can you say anything about if Vergil will play a role?

Kobayashi: Sorry, but Vergil will not play a role.

Heh, just cause he said Vergil doesn't mean Nelo Angelo won't make an appearance. Gonna stick with that belief till I play the game myself.

Quote:

GI: You’ve said in the past that there’s a prescribed place in the game where you’ll be able to play as Dante. Will you be able to, if you beat the game, play through it again as him, even though it would kind of mess up the story?

Kobayashi: To answer your question, no, because the story dictates when you’ll pass to Dante. You can’t go back and play as Dante from the beginning.

So, it sounds like you'll occasionally be swapping between the 2 characters throughout the game (which makes more sense story wise, I guess). So that flushes out the possibly of Nero taking a hike half way through, which I thought might happen (eg. was thinking Nero would get consumed by the arm's desire for power).

Quote:

GI: Has adding the 360 version added any extra development time and pushed back the release date?
Kobayashi: Yes, it did add a little bit of time. We didn’t even start development on the 360 version until after the announcement was made—it was like, “Oh, we’re going to make it for the 360. We’d better get started.” It wasn’t that we were almost done with the 360 version and we made the announcement, it was the other way around. We made the announcement and then we started development.

Heh, what I'm getting from this comment is that the 360's version is to blame for DMC4's delay.

How ya doing, buddy?

Ooo, the trailer actually has english subtitles this time.

New weapons sound interesting, from what they described, Lucifer kinda sounds like Vergil's phantom blades, and Pandora's box sounds like it's a multipurpose gun.

Quote:

Kobayashi pointed out that the game is not two separate stories as previously thought, but instead one massive tale where the player will start and finish the Nero part of Devil May Cry 4 before picking up as Dante and finishing the entire game.

Sounds like my prediction was correct afterall. The story starts with Nero but finishes with Dante. That must mean something happens to Nero at the end of his part (arm's desire for power consumes him? transforms/possessed by Nelo Angelo??). This is relieving news, as I had feared that we would have to constantly switch between the two, especially if Dante plays as well as it appears.

Another interesting note, looks like Japan isn't getting this one early, it seems that they're planning for a simultaneous worldwide release as all 3 regions say Feb 2008. Hopefully the demo pops up on the PSN and/or Live Marketplace by December or earlier.

The actors/actresses are revealed.

Nero - Johnny Bosch
Dante - Reuben Langdon
Kyrie - Laura Napoli
Credo - Daniel Southworth
Agnus - TJ Storm
Gloria - Danielle Burgio
Sanctus - Liam O'Brien

wƒfƒrƒ‹ ƒƒC ƒNƒ‰ƒC 4xƒLƒƒƒ‰ƒNƒ^[‚ð‰‰‚¶‚é‚Ì‚Í‚±‚̐l!! / ƒtƒ@ƒ~’Ê.com

Oh and the short version of the TGS trailer is available for download on the NA PSN and the Live Marketplace. Here's hoping the long version (aka Gamer's Day trailer) becomes available in the coming weeks.



What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by Slayer X

It even helped me place the timeline of the DMC anime. Because Trish and Dante changed the shop name to "Devil Never Cry" at the end of DMC1, that means that it takes place right between 3 and 1. Making 4 most likely taking place after 1 but before 2.

I didn't follow the anime, cause it was kinda boring, but what was Trish and Dante's relationship in the anime series? Were they allies? Or just strangers? If they were allies then that doesn't make too much sense for the shop to be still named Devil May Cry in the anime, as they both didn't meet till DMC1. Seeing as how the shop's name changes to Devil Never Cry at the end of 1, then that would mean the shop's name should be still as such in the anime. Heh, this is of course running on the assumption that Trish and Dante are unacquainted in the anime series.

Originally Posted by Sexninja

I smell gloria as unlockable character not trish or lady.
I also smell boss fight with gloria at some point.

Meh, I doubt the playable Gloria. If Lady wasn't playable in DMC3, then can't see Gloria being playable in DMC4 (if she was, then I'm sure everyone would be asking, why not Trish, why not Lady). Though, I do agree with there possibly being a boss fight with Gloria, perhaps as Dante?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Sexninja

Actually lady can't be a playable character, she doesn't has any weapon to make combos.
That heavy launcher is not creative stuff for developers.
Trish again lacks any weapons.

Gloria looks like souped up lucia version, much better.
She is athlete, moves fast, doing tight moves in cutscenes, she can be a decent character with decent MOVESET.

Actually if Lady was available via AI in DMC3 (boss fight, credits), then it's possible for her to be playable too. Heh, just wouldn't be as much fun as Dante. If you remember from DMC2, Trish was playable and wielded dual pistols (I think they were Luca & Ombra, Sparda's guns) and Sparda's sword. Heh, and her style was identical to Dante's. So no she doesn't lack weapons.

Heh, Gloria definitely looks like she'll play pretty much just like Lucia, if she were made playable. Though again, I don't think it'll happen. Story's main playable heros are limited to Nero and Dante, with no option to play as either one for the whole game, and I just don't see Gloria being playable unless she's got a significant impact to the story (like Lucia did, I guess).

Originally Posted by Slayer X

In the interview it is asked what the timeline is.
Answer: "DMC3, DMC1, DMC4."

Next PLAY asked why Trish and Lady appear to know one another in the TGS trailer.
Answer: "They actually meet eachother for the first time in the DMC anime which takes place after DMC1 but before DMC4.

So there's the chronology. For thoes who don't know in the anime Trish and Dante take "a break" from one another. Trish can't handle Dante's lack of responsability eating Piiza and Strawberry Sundaes all the time. And Dante can't handle Trish on his back all the time. So I guess Dante changed the shop name back to Devil May Cry after Trish left, lol. (who knows)

As for Lady's age. In the interview the Producer sais that Lady had no official age in DMC3, but they figured that she was in her late teens (uhhh... I'd say at least 19). And in DMC4 she's in her late 20s.

When asked about his opinion of the new Ninja Gaiden 2 Hiroyuki responds simply, "It looks like Ninja Gaiden on the Xbox". When asked about his position about Itagaki and his dislike of the DMC series Hiroyuki responds, "He does what he does, we do what we do. (laugh)".

P.S.
He also sais in the closing comment that DMC4 will hit American shores at, "...the very beginning of the year".

Ahh, so complications in their relationship is what caused the shop's name change. How unfortunate, heh cause in my eyes a true sequel to DMC1 would be when they name the game Devil Never Cry. Heh, and I also placed Lady's age 18 or 19 too, there's no way she looks over 30 (cause supposedly DMC4 takes place 10 years after DMC3) in DMC4.

Haha, I gotta agree with Kobayashi's comment on NG2. Of course that'll probably all change once they show something more than a pre-rendered teaser and a handful of screens.

"Very beginning of the year" = first week of January to me. But yea, that kinda contradicts his recent comment at Gamer's Day about a simultaneous worldwide release in Feb 2008. But whatever, the sooner I get to play the game, the better. Getting tired of all these delayed announcements.

Originally Posted by Breakable

*Cough*
While it seems some of you dont like the second song of the trailer, I personally like it a lot, and think it fits the whole storyline that is presented.
Anyone know the name of the song or will we have to wait for the release of the soundtrack in December?

Heh, it's actually grown on me. Seeing as how no one knows the name of the metal song though, it isn't likely that info on the TGS trailer's song is available either. So yes, pretty much no info till the soundtrack's release in December.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Ohh, nice, we finally get a date, well the Japanese do, but we can derive ours from it now! If they hold true to their simultaneous worldwide release, then the NA and Euro releases should either be on the Tuesday of the last week of January (29th) or the following week's Tuesday (Feb. 5th). Hmm, this may mean we'll seen a demo on the PSN and/or Live Marketplace in the coming months (hopefully mid Nov).

Also, according to IGN, people in Japan who purchase early get a special DVD, which apparently has two versions: Nero and/or Dante (assuming it's just the cover and not content). I think this might be available with the NA release, as I've seen SKUs for a DMC4 Collector's Edition (which I'll definitely be buying) on EB Games and Gamestop's sites.

IGN: Devil May Cry 4 Dated in Japan


The interview with Hiroyuki Kobayashi from the Play magazine.

Although Kobayashi's constantly says Vergil has no involvement with DMC4, he doesn't deny the possibility of, at least, Nelo Angelo's connection to the game (*cough* Nero's devil bringer *cough*). Oh, and straight from Kobayashi's mouth, only Nero and Dante are playable killing hopes of a playable Gloria, Trish, or Lady (heh, can't I didn't expect that, cause I did, and knew it would be the case).

Quote:

play Issue #71

Devil May Cry 4
PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360, PC

Resident Evil 5 was a total no-show at the TGS, but that may be just as well, given the strides DMC4 is making every time is shown. What was looking like an on-par next-gen games at its debut last year now stands graphically with any other game I can think of, running at a locked 60 frames with elaborate self-shadowing and post-processing effects. Escaping for a moment's respite from the madness of the show floor, we sat down with producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi to talk about how Capcom made it happen.

Interview with Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Producer, Devil May Cry 4
Interview by Nick Des Barres / Transcribed by Dai Kohama / Translated by Nick Des Barres

play: First I'd like to ask about the task of porting DMC4 to 360. I know Capcom's MT Framework engine was designed to allow easy cross-platform development, but is it really that simple?
Hiroyuki Kobayashi: Actually, it was really difficult getting our MT Framework engine to run on the PS3. When our company announced DMC4 for 360, the engine had already been up and running on the system for Dead Rising and Lost Planet, so it was a very smooth transition. There weren't any major problems to speak of.

Would you say the PS3 and 360 versions are identical, then?
Yes. They both come from the original version built on PCs with the MT Framework engine, so they're both the same.

Not just feature-identical, but visually identical as well.
Completely identical.

The PS3 version will be using the DualShock 3's vibration function, right?
It will. We've got them on the show floor vibrating already (laughs). I've done so much press where the interviewer asked me "so the 360 version will rumble and the PS3 version won't?" and I've had to say, "that's right," because it was still a secret!

You've said before you want to get back to the series' roots with DMC4. Does that mean a change in tone from 3, or a return to an open-world structure?
I think DMC4 is most close to 3 in structure. This may be because it's the same team that did DMC3, although myself and a few other members did work on DMC1. The reason DMC1 had an open-wide structure was because it was originally planned to be an action-adventure like Resident Evil, so there was no need to divide the world into areas. However, we found that a pure action game became stressful to play in such a large space, so we decided to break them up with 3. It's the same with 4, you can't backtrack. It's really just a question of game design.

One thing a lot of people had problems with in DMC3 was the extremely high difficulty, especially so for the North American version. How are you approaching the difficulty to this game? Will it be the same for all regions?
Even the Japanese version of DMC3 was hard, wasn't it (laughs). This is something I acknowledge, and the team acknowledges. As you know, we made the American version even harder, and I felt that we did something a little cruel to our fans there. This time the difficulty level is the same worldwide, and there's a tutorial so people unfamiliar with the series can gradually build up their skills. With Nero as the new main character, we're able to start over with a clean state, so both DMC fans and new users can begin at the same startline. The game begins easy and gradually ramps up to a DMC3 level of difficulty, So I think players will really be able to feel the progress they've made as their skills get better.

Will you still cater to the ultra-hardcore with a vicious difficulty mode?
Oh, of course, of course (laughs). We have a pretty crazy final difficulty. I think the hardcore fans will be happy.

We've known for some time the player will get to control Dante as well as Nero. Is Dante just a bonus? Is the story mostly Nero?
Well...you start as Nero (laughs).

So you get to play as Dante during the main game.
You do. It's not as if Nero and Dante have separate storylines, or separate modes. In the very first mission, you fight Dante as Nero and learn how to use his gun, his sword and the Devil Bringer arm. From the second mission onwards, the game plays like standard Devil May Cry, and eventually, after the heroine Kyrie gets kidnapped, Nero passes the baton to Dante. It's one story with two heroes.

Are Nero and Dante the only playable characters?
Yes, those two.

While Dante had his full repertoire of weapons and styles, it seems like Nero has just three-revolver, sword and Devil Bringer.
Unlike Dante, Nero won't gather weapons and power them up as he goes. Instead, his right arm-the Devil Bringer-powers up. At first you can only throw enemies with it, but eventually you'll next be able to pull them in, then use it to move...you can really do a huge amount of things with the arm. Dante, on the other hand, has several new weapons. The Gilgamesh, the new hand-to-hand weapon, for instance, has a whole variety of martial arts moves like heel drops and jump kicks...and there's another really cool weapon for Dante, too. I can't really say too much, but when I showed our staff the plans they were really excited, saying, "I can't wait to use that!" (laughs)

We're looking forward to that. Will DMC4 solve the mystery as to whether or not Dante's brother Vergil is still alive?
Everybody loves Vergil, don't they (laughs). I didn't personally work on DMC3, but Vergil appeared in 1 as Nelo Angelo and I think he's been built up into a really interesting character. However, DMC4 is Nero's story with a supporting turn from Dante, so we decided to let Vergil sit this one out.

Speaking of Dante, Vergil and Nelo Angelo-in Japanese, "Nelo" and "Nero" are written with the same characters. Is there a connection?
I can't really say (laughs). We chose the name "Nero" for the DMC4 hero for many reasons, although we did have several other candidates. Why we went with "Nero" should become clear as you play through the story, and find out if he has any connection with Vergil/Nelo Angelo.

And Nero looks exactly like the young Dante and Vergil from DMC3...
There is a secret in that. We think a gun, a sword and a long coat is an unshakable image for a DMC hero, but we didn't make Nero look like Dante for no reason. Originally, we had a hero that looked like a mod British youth with a Beatles hairdo and fashionable tastes, but we thought he seemed too serious and grown-up to be a DMC hero. We arrived at the look, and the name Nero, after a lot of trial-and-error.

The conversation has turned into design, so I'd like to ask about Tatsuya Yoshikawa and his involvement in the project. Most people looking at Nero would be very surprised he was designed by the lead artist from the Breath of Fire series...
Yes, Yoshikawa worked on the entire Breath of Fire series and Mega Man. People know him for his anime-style designs, but he can do realistic stuff too-it was just never seen by the public. Even I hadn't seen his realistic work, but after looking over we thought he would be a great match for the world of Devil May Cry. It's both my and Itsuno's first time working with him.

They really are wonderful designs. I never would have guessed this was Yoshikawa's work.
Right? Right? You'd never know when he was the Breath of Fire guy (laughs). It was a lot of fun working with him. I think people who are familiar with his older art are going to be really impressed.

What about the background design? The series has been famous for its gothic backdrops, but the city of Fortuna in DMC4 looks like it could almost exist. Did your team go location-scouting for Fortuna's design?
Yes, we went to Italy, Turkey...a lot of Mediterranean port towns. I didn't personally go, but our background team bought an incredibly expensive digital camera and took tons of photos, which they brought back to Japan, finessed, and used as in-game textures. It's just not kind of scenery you can find in this country...you really do have to go there.

Here at TGS the returning heroines Trish and Lady were shown for the first time. It's been a long time since DMC3 in the continuity, right?
A long time, yes. The continuity goes DMC3, DMC1, DMC4...

But Trish and Lady haven't aged a day, and seem to know each other.
They actually meet each other for the first time in the DMC anime, which takes place after DMC1 but before DMC4. As far as their looks, Trish is a demon so she doesn't age (laughs). Lady didn't have an official age in DMC3, but we thought she was in her late teens. When you see DMC4's Lady in motion, I think you'll notice she's definitely an adult, she's much sexier-in her late 20s.

Can you talk a little bit about finding the series' tone? A lot of people were disappointed with the grim mood of DMC2, and then the almost slapstick comedy of 3.
I'm fond of both styles, but we knew Nero wasn't going to be a character with the humor of Dante from the beginning. Nero's hot-blooded, he's direct. To put it in baseball terms, Nero is a fastball, and Dante is a curveball. Of course, being direct doesn't mean being serious. At the beginning of the game he's supposed to be listening to a sermon at church but he's got his headphones on, oblivious. He's also got a soft spot for the ladies-he lets Kyrie scold him like an older sister (laughs). So Nero may not be so serious, but he isn't the kind of guy who would surf on missiles or scream "YEAH!" while battling foes with a guitar. Dante, however, is still the same guy he was in DMC3-there's lots of comic relief with him. Wait until you see the scene where he's got a rose in his mouth (laughs).

Are you considering any downloadable content for DMC4?
We were considering something, but with DLC it has to already be on the game disc before you ship, and there just wasn't time to do it. There's no DLC, but we will have net features: A leaderboard at the least, so you can compare how many Style Points you have with your friends.

Our time's running out but I have to ask you if you've seen Ninja Gaiden II on Xbox 360 yet. [Ninja Gaiden Executive Producer] Mr. Itagaki is very proud of hating your games...
I did see it (laughs).

What did you think?
I think it looked a lot like Ninja Gaiden on Xbox (laughs). I get asked this so often..."What do you think of Ninja Gaiden? What do you think of God of War?"

What do you think you of God of War?
I actually met David Jaffe at an awards ceremony in America. He told me he was very fond of Capcom games, Onimusha, DMC and Resident Evil, and that he had incorporated many aspects of them into God of War. I was flattered. God of War is very popular and I think it's a great series, but it leans more towards puzzles than DMC. It's a different kind of game. Lately Western action games seem to follow its lead-games like Heavenly Sword all have the context-sensitive action button prompts. For us, however, we want you to use your own skills and techniques to do impressive-looking things. As far as Mr. Itagaki...he does what he does, and we do what we do (laughs).

I honestly prefer what you do. If you have a final word for your American fans...
I know our DMC fans really like Dante. I worked on the first DMC myself, I love him too. In 4 he's an adult, he can handle anything-he's a hero. Nero, on the other hand, is still a rookie, still young, still a bit of a boy-he's going to become a hero. We're going to do this swapping of lead characters through gameplay, and I hope our fans will enjoy that. There's that scene where Nero dropkicks Dante in the face-I think some of our fans come to enjoy Nero as much as they do Dante. DMC4 will be coming out at the very beginning of the year; please look forward to it.

How ya doing, buddy?

Famitsu scan

That snake/woman devil is named Echidna. And the devil that looks like the blade devil from DMC1 is called Assault. Interesting to note that L'Arc~en~Ciel is doing that game's theme song.

Assuming if the second song in the TGS trailer is indeed the theme song, then it doesn't sound like them, as Hyde's vocals got an evident japanese-english accent and the vocalist in the trailer sounds american. It's definitely not the first song in the TGS trailer (which is the same song in all the previous trailers), as that one was clearly performed by ShootieHG (the guy who did metal vocals for DMC3's songs).

I like Laruku, but I dunno, this could be bad, heh. If the second song in the TGS trailer is indeed performed by Laruku, and Hyde doing the vocals, then I'm very impressed.

Hmm, I think I might have to slap me down a pre-order for the special soundtrack now.



I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

A hand full of demo scenes, the Gloria one was soo.... arrousing, me like. Heh, looks like she's got some of Chun-Li's moves too, like the Spinning Bird kick and Sen'en Shuu (or a least a variant of it).

Heh, also nice to see that Dante retained much more of his DMC1 attitude/personality. In the Echidna fight, it looks like you can actually scroll through all your weapons, like the player was switching between Rebellion, Gilgamesh, and Lucifer. Oh and Lucifer does indeed appear to act like Vergil's phantom blades, to some degree.

BTW, I wonder where the hell all this footage coming from. Are reviewers already getting their copy or something?

YouTube - DMC4 Demo Scene 1: Dante vs Nero
YouTube - DMC4 Demo Scene 2: Dante vs Nero Aftermath
YouTube - DMC4 Demo Scene 3: New power
YouTube - DMC4 Demo Scene 4: Nero's encounter with Berial
YouTube - DMC4 Demo Scene 5: Aftermath of Nero's fight with Berial
YouTube - DMC4 Demo Scene 6: Meet the Frosts
YouTube - DMC4 Demo Scene 7: "I'm new, Gloria"
YouTube - DMC4 Echidna fight
YouTube - DMC4 Jungle Fight

EDIT:
Release date and info about the collector's edition

Quote:

While most special edition games are offered at a $10 markup over the standard edition's new release price, the Devil May Cry 4 Collector's Edition is being offered for $79.99, a $20 premium over the regular version. For the extra Jackson, gamers will receive a couple extra discs, one with the first four episodes of Devil May Cry: The Animated Series (which will be sold separately for $29.99), and one for the PC that includes a "making of" feature, music from the soundtrack, concept art, wallpapers, icons, and screensavers. The Collector's Edition will also come packaged in a "steelbook" case.

Both the regular and collector's edition of Devil May Cry 4 are set to launch in North America on February 5 for the Xbox 360 and PS3. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's latest coverage.

Official NA release date is February 5th! Assuming the 4 episodes from the anime are dubbed in english. The other disc sounds alright, the only thing worth while is the making of featurette, as I've already slapped down a pre-order for the Special Soundtrack. The concept art, wallpapers, icons, and screensavers probably aren't anything special, and most likely will become available online the week of the game's release.

Heh, though, I'll still be buying a copy of the CE for memorabilia purposes.

Devil May Cry 4 goes premium - Xbox 360 News at GameSpot

Most amazing jew boots

Playable Demo in Early 2008 for PS3 and Xbox360.

This most likely means the first or second week of January, seeing as how the game's release is on February 5th (NA). Apparently the demo will demonstrate the game's many locations and gameplay mechanics. Hopefully it doesn't reveal too much, I do want some surprises left before I play.

There's also screens for Dante's new weapon Lucifer, which looks a lot like Vergil's phantom blades in DMC3SE. Heh and for some reason he's got a rose in his mouth when the weapon's equipped. Also they revealed a new boss, One Winged Dark Knight.

Quote:

DEMO FOR CAPCOM®'S DEVIL MAY CRY® 4 COMING TO PLAYSTATION®3 SYSTEM AND XBOX LIVE® ONLINE SERVICES EARLY 2008
Gamers Will Have the Opportunity to Experience the Power of the "Devil Bringer" Before Purchasing the Game
Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today confirmed that owners of Sony Computer Entertainment's PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft will be able to experience Devil May Cry® 4 early, thanks to the release of a playable demo. A free downloadable demo of the game will be available on the PLAYSTATION®Store and Xbox LIVE® Marketplace in early 2008. Devil May Cry 4 has been rated M for Mature by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB).

The demo introduces gamers to the gothic-inspired supernatural world of Devil May Cry 4, new protagonist Nero and the awesome power of his Devil Bringer. The demo consists of a sampling of sections from the full game, chosen to showcase Devil May Cry 4's varied locales and allows gamers to familiarize themselves with Nero's unique abilities. Players will receive instruction on the various new actions that the Devil Bringer bestows, such as the ability to slam creatures to the ground, cover great distances in a single bound or even grab enemies while on the ground or in the air and pull them towards Nero to continue the attack combo. The Exceed system allows Nero to "rev up" his sword as if it were a motorcycle throttle and unleash devastating attacks. Players will need to master all these techniques before the end of demo showdown with the mighty Berial.

Fully demonstrating the power of the next generation of consoles, the Devil May Cry 4 demo brings to life the coastal city of Fortuna and its surroundings, such as the port and snow-capped mountain ranges in exquisite detail. Devil May Cry 4 delivers its intense action at a constant 60 frames per second at 720P resolution on HD monitors, ensuring seamless and breathtaking gameplay all in stunning high definition.

Devil Demo: Devil May Cry 4 Demo In Early 08
Devil May Cry 4 images - Gamersyde

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Here's a piece of information that I'm sure Breakable will appreciate the most.

Tracklist to the special soundtrack that's being released on the 19th this month.

Heh, I had a feeling that "Shall Never Surrender" would be the name of that song (from the TGS trailer) and that it'd be the credits song too. Kinda surprised that they didn't include the Laruku song, whatever that'll be. Also curious to hear "Lock and Load (Blackened Angel mix)", I wonder if it sound anything like the DMC1 version of "Lock and Load".

Heh, they really amped up the number vocal songs, and different artists too. Though, I kinda wish they had waited till at least the game's release to release a soundtrack (normally game soundtracks are week to month after the game's release..), doesn't seem right to know the game's cues before you get to experience em first hand.

Anyway, can't wait till my copy ships, and if I'm interperating the description correctly it sounds like the DVD the soundtrack comes with has some scenes from the game, including trailers.

Quote:

1. Out of Darkness (Prologue)/AUBREY ASHBURN
2. The Time Has Come/JASON "SHYBOY" ARNOLD OF HYPNOGAJA
3. The Hell Gate
4. Stage I
5. Sworn Through Swords/SHOOTIE HG OF HOSTILE GROOVE
6. STAGE II
7. Temptation
8. Awaken
9. The Viper
10. The idol of the “Time and Space”
11. Swipe of Sword
12. Stage III
13. Lock and Load(Blackened Angel mix)/ SHOOTIE HG OF HOSTILE GROOVE
14. The Gate is Opened
15. Shall Never Surrender(End Roll)/JASON "SHYBOY" ARNOLD OF HYPNOGAJA

Amazon.co.jpF DEVIL MAY CRY4 SPECIAL SOUND TRACK: ‰¹Šy: ƒQ[ƒ€Eƒ~ƒ…[ƒWƒbƒN

FELIPE NO

Also up on Game Trailers. Pretty sure the official one will be available on the game's site on Friday, as that's supposed to be when it gets its next update.

Gametrailers.com - Devil May Cry 4 - Final Japanese Trailer 2007

Exciting as it is, I do agree that they revealed a bit too much with that trailer.

Spoiler:

Such as the Vergil's Yamato making an appearance. Nero's desire for power and wielding of the Yamato, screams a Vergil/Nelo Angelo relation. And that huge colossus, no doubt one of the last bosses (if not the last), looking somewhat like Vergil (or Dante, the same face).

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by Shenlon

It pretty much seems like Nero is going to be the main boss at the end of the game with the power taking over him.

Nah, that's not the case as we see Nero at the end of the trailer confronting the colossus (who seemed to have a broken right horn). If anything I'm thinking Nero probably passed out on the colossus, with the Yamato jabbed into his arm on it, hence why Dante is shouting towards/at the thing. I'm thinking we'll either we'll be finishing that fight with Nero, or there'll be another neat little co-op bit with Dante and Nero.



Jam it back in, in the dark.

Mine shipped on Monday, but I chose airmail (since it's cheaper) so I could see it in the mailbox as early as tomorrow or by Jan 1st the latest. Hopefully I get it before Christmas.

The Japanese PSN has the final trailer up for download, along with it being available on the games official site.
DEVIL MAY CRY 4 | ƒfƒrƒ‹ ƒƒC ƒNƒ‰ƒC 4



Oh and some scans showing off Nero's DT. Sure does look an awful lot like Vergil/Nelo Angelo.

http://ruliweb2.empas.com/ruliboard/...k4/83125_4.jpg
http://ruliweb2.empas.com/ruliboard/...k4/83125_5.jpg



*EDIT* Oh the trailer is also on the NA PSN. It's under the "Newest Video's" folder. Heh, interesting to note that in the english trailer, english subtitles of course, Nero's line "Give me more power!" is actually in quotes, which is most likely indicating they're not Nero's word but those of his possessor..

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Awesome! Thanks for the share! Still waiting for my copy to arrive in the mail.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Man, that's a huge install, I only have, like, 4gigs left on my drive. Better clean out the older trailers, and pointless demos.

Originally Posted by Slayer X

But seeing how it's only out in Japan right now and that only like 2 people own a 360 over there it seems, I probably won't find out till the game comes out here.

Uhh, it's not released in Japan yet. It's January 31st for them, with the NA release Feb 5th and PAL release Feb 8th, so technically they are still meeting the worldwide simultaneous release they're aiming for.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

*in reference to my impressions post on the back-up forums, too lazy to give another mini review*

After playing the game some more, I gotta say Swordmaster style is awesome this time around. The Over Drive skill is the greatest fix they did for Drive, there's much more incentive, as well as ease, to use it now. Heh, and plus it's a style booster. Pandora's box is pretty sweet too, sort of an all in one.

BTW, anyone manage to get past level 20 in bloody Palace? Heh, I can't seem to beat Berial. Though, I place the blame on Blitz on level 18, that bastard either chews up my HP bar or my remaining time.

I was speaking idiomatically.

The Royal Guard with DT Real Imact method actually works really well against Blitzs. The only thing is that I suggest getting a fully charged disaster gauge for Pandora and unleash Argument on him when he goes red.

Still working through DMD mode, and the only real frustrating part I found was the stupid chess board in mission 6. Bleh, I hated how Dagon was one of fights if you landed on either the red or purple. It was also annoying how if you overshot the amount of steps to the exit they force you to step back by the amount you overshot. And man, Frosts are so much more annoying in DMD (launching projectiles every chance they get).

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?