Dante's Inferno Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

System: X360, PS3, PSP	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Visceral Games	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Electronic Arts	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Feb. 9, 2010	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Mature	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Finishing some enemies during combat and attacking certain bosses also relies upon button presses. They're typical quick-time event (QTE) segments, with no major challenge. Sometimes, if you miss a press, you'll have to start over, but it's not much of a punishment, considering the game is very generous with checkpoints and save statues.

Dante's Inferno screenshot

You'll also find plenty of health regenerating fountains, and others with magic, extra soul points, and even collectables. It might be a hard task to find everything that's hidden throughout all the nooks and crannies, but it's definitely not an impossible task. Whatever you may find is well worth it, from silver Judas coins to relics you can equip for special effects, plus it'll help to build up your achievements or trophy count. Killing key bosses and other combat encounters will also grant you magic powers such as the Righteous Path, which leaves a trail of icy shards as Dante dashes towards the enemies, or a magic pendant that protects him from incoming attacks.

Although Dante's Inferno is mostly a hack 'n slash kind of game, the level design is witty, including solid platforming segments and interesting, though not mindboggling, puzzles. There's a movie-quality soundtrack, groans, moans, and other realistic sound effects that'll make you giggle, and the voice acting is entirely professional and engaging.

Even if I tried, I couldn't find anything wrong with the game; as it stands, it all depends on taste. It's about eight to ten hours of pure, fast-paced action no one should look down on, unless you're just not a fan of the genre. With such an appealing story and addictive gameplay, Dante's Inferno's only sin seems to be its shameless similarity to Sony's celebrated franchise.

Dante's Inferno screenshot

Of course, despite the superb marketing efforts and its terrific gameplay, Dante's Inferno is eternally condemned to judgment. Not only is it an obvious clone of God of War, but it also contains a good amount of explicit content that might not go well with fanatics. The developers already have part of the church against them because of their representation of hell! The good news is, these issues will certainly not stop EA from scoring major sales figures, and I hope it doesn't stop you from playing it either, because good games are there to be played… from beginning to end! Without a doubt, this is one you shouldn't miss; ahem… unless you're under 17.

By Maria Montoro
CCC Site Director

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.8

Graphics
Spectacularly detailed environments throughout the game, sharp textures, smooth action, and realistic characters make Dante's Inferno a must-watch, even for those who aren't playing the game.

4.2

Control
Smooth but intense combat relies a bit on hack-n-slash action, unless you decide to learn and make good use of the combos you unlock, which is the true way to enjoy the game.

4.4

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The game's packed with a movie-quality soundtrack, excellent voice acting, and outstanding sound effects that transport you right to hell.

4.5

Play Value
Dante's Inferno is not very long, and it's also quite similar to the God of War series, which you might have already played. However, it's fully enjoyable and entertaining, so you must play through it at least once or you'll be really missing out!

4.6

Overall Rating - Must Buy
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

An Epic Adaptation of a Classic - Based on part one of Dante Alighieri's classic poem "The Divine Comedy," Dante's Inferno is a third-person action adventure game that takes Dante on an epic journey through Hell as he seeks to rescue the soul of his beloved Beatrice.

The Nine Circles of Hell - Just like the poem, players will descend through Dante's unique nine circles of Hell: limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. Each circle features distinct environments, enemies, and story elements befitting the sins committed by their inhabitants.

Control the Beasts of Hell - Dante's Inferno features large scale beasts and bosses, some of which Dante will be able to fully tame, utilizing them to throw back Hell's wrath to its minions.

Fast, Addictive, Responsive Combat - Dante fights through the nine circles armed with Death's Scythe and Beatrice's Holy Cross, with magic powers and a deep, customizable upgrade system helping the player take full advantage of a fast and fluid gameplay experience that will never run at lower than 60 frames per second.

Visceral Games Stamp of Approval - From the award-winning studio that created the critically acclaimed Dead Space, Dante's Inferno will receive the same relentless focus on quality and polish Visceral Games has become known for.

Be Righteous or Unholy - choose to punish or absolve the damned, affecting your character's abilities throughout the game.