The real question now: what can we expect EA's marketing team during this month's theme? We're not sure just yet, but given its recent track record, we're hoping no one goes to our Editor-in-Chief's house to give him a lesson or two in violence.
Dante's Inferno creators explain 'Violence' in latest dev diary
by Ben Gilbert 
on Dec 11th 2009 4:35AM
74
The real question now: what can we expect EA's marketing team during this month's theme? We're not sure just yet, but given its recent track record, we're hoping no one goes to our Editor-in-Chief's house to give him a lesson or two in violence.
Reader Comments (74)
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 4:47AM CaramelZappa said
After playing the demo I'm pretty much sold on the game. I don't like the 2d animated cutscenes, but the combat is top notch and while it might not end up being better than GoW III, it still seems like it's gonna be great.
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Posted: Dec 11th 2009 5:27AM (Unverified) said
Uh, the animated cutscenes looked great, and I'm pretty sure they would take just as much time and money as pre-rendered 3d.
I was just wondering if the poem says Beatrice's tits are out all the time or if that's artistic license.
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I was just wondering if the poem says Beatrice's tits are out all the time or if that's artistic license.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 5:36AM CaramelZappa said
Nah, they were well animated, and don't necessarily look bad. They just don't fit within the game. The huge contrast between the in-game graphics and flashback cinematic just seem a little jarring to me, and kind of take me out of the experience. Overall not that big of a deal, though.
And I'm guessing artistic license.
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And I'm guessing artistic license.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 8:31AM Michelobius said
I'm guessing the game takes artistic license, then gang rapes it, chops it up, and cannibalizes it. I'll admit that the demo was fun, but intellectually bankrupt. I think I'm stupider for having played it for the half hour the demo lasted.
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Posted: Dec 11th 2009 12:29PM freaparn said
@Michelobius
Preeeeeetty much nailed the nail on the head. It's a fun little God of War clone, but it lacks the charm of Kratos' mindless ultra-violence, where you can just *feel* how gleefully he frolics amidst tangled intestines and rivers of blood. Dante's more of a clueless whiner protagonist in this "artistic interpretation" of the poem, and Beatrice has boring tits, so I'm not sure what's supposed to motivate me to keep slugging through wave after wave of cloned demons.
Also, what's with the QTEs having their button-mashing cues appearing at the top of the screen all scrunched in with the health bars? Put them in the center so we can at least get an idea of what limb is being removed by mashing the circle button to dust, or around the periphery of the screen based on gamepad button position so we can actually focus on the action. Everything about the combat feels like it's taking cues from the PS2 era of God of War, and while it's fine to borrow a few ideas (or all of them, apparently) you should still improve or polish them.
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Preeeeeetty much nailed the nail on the head. It's a fun little God of War clone, but it lacks the charm of Kratos' mindless ultra-violence, where you can just *feel* how gleefully he frolics amidst tangled intestines and rivers of blood. Dante's more of a clueless whiner protagonist in this "artistic interpretation" of the poem, and Beatrice has boring tits, so I'm not sure what's supposed to motivate me to keep slugging through wave after wave of cloned demons.
Also, what's with the QTEs having their button-mashing cues appearing at the top of the screen all scrunched in with the health bars? Put them in the center so we can at least get an idea of what limb is being removed by mashing the circle button to dust, or around the periphery of the screen based on gamepad button position so we can actually focus on the action. Everything about the combat feels like it's taking cues from the PS2 era of God of War, and while it's fine to borrow a few ideas (or all of them, apparently) you should still improve or polish them.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 5:28AM (Unverified) said
I thought it was better than God of War to be perfectly honest.
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Posted: Dec 11th 2009 5:30AM (Unverified) said
they've got the level designer from god of war on their team so no wonder it looks and feels like gow,which is in no way a bad thing,i think its more of a compliment.cant wait.
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Posted: Dec 11th 2009 5:33AM Jin Saotome said
No PC version of this game makes me VERY VERY sad.
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Posted: Dec 11th 2009 10:53AM (Unverified) said
Why is this comment downvoted so hardcore? I mean, it's shame the game isn't coming to PC. He didn't say "fuck consoles" or something. Is it really that wrong to wish more people could play the game in their preferred form?
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Posted: Dec 11th 2009 5:43AM shiftplusone said
Death begging for mercy was... Retarded. As is the stiff combat and the terrible character design. Cutscene graphics are top notch however. That's about it.
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Posted: Dec 11th 2009 7:18AM (Unverified) said
the poem did but it wasnt the main character doing it,it was just going on around him,the game has made him more of a action hero to make the game better than some guy being guided through the circles of hell by an angel
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Posted: Dec 11th 2009 6:06AM GuardianLegend said
I love the high frame rate of the demo. Cutscenes were "jarring" at first but they kinda have that Heavy Metal 80s movie thing going for it, which is OK with me.
I think the game is too similar to God of War too. If it had 2 player co-op, I wouldn't mind, but being one player only.. I'm kinda like... ehhh.........
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I think the game is too similar to God of War too. If it had 2 player co-op, I wouldn't mind, but being one player only.. I'm kinda like... ehhh.........
Posted: Dec 12th 2009 12:35AM laser beams said
you are not alone. based on the demo, this game has very mediocre graphics. the character models are tiny and lack the detailed texture work of similar titles (not just GOW, but even Bayonetta, Ninja Gaiden 2, and Heavenly sword all have better graphics than this). it's really a shame and kind of surprising since this comes from the same studio that developed the beautiful (and terrifying) Dead Space :(
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Posted: Dec 11th 2009 7:17AM (Unverified) said
All i've seen recently is "This is a RIP OFF from GOW" , "Oh wow ill rent this but buy GOW" . Seriously comeon.
The theme,feel,story of this game in particular is 200% different from GOW, so what if the combat almost looks the same and the mana and hp containers almost look the same. At least they took something which is good, adapted it to the Divine Comedy and created something fresh.
To be honest i see no reason not to buy this game because:
1- The Background ,set pieces and scenarios are exquisite with alot more detail in the little things than GOW is currently showing me.
2- It based on an original and somewhat controversial piece of literature which is very well adapted for a game like this. Dont get me wrong i love greek mythology.
3- The combat almost looks like GOW but in all honesty which game nowadays doesnt copy something and there is not 1 weapon copied from GOW. Who in there right minds doesnt want to wield a gigantic scythe and slice there enemies in two.
4- The animation, physics and motion applied to all enemies and bosses in this game are so good it almost makes me wanna cry with joy.
5- There are so many different kinds of enemies than any other game ive seen so far in 2009 mainly because lets face it, its 9 lvls from HELL.
6- This game has the capacity to spawn a sequel in the following setting : Circles of Heaven.
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The theme,feel,story of this game in particular is 200% different from GOW, so what if the combat almost looks the same and the mana and hp containers almost look the same. At least they took something which is good, adapted it to the Divine Comedy and created something fresh.
To be honest i see no reason not to buy this game because:
1- The Background ,set pieces and scenarios are exquisite with alot more detail in the little things than GOW is currently showing me.
2- It based on an original and somewhat controversial piece of literature which is very well adapted for a game like this. Dont get me wrong i love greek mythology.
3- The combat almost looks like GOW but in all honesty which game nowadays doesnt copy something and there is not 1 weapon copied from GOW. Who in there right minds doesnt want to wield a gigantic scythe and slice there enemies in two.
4- The animation, physics and motion applied to all enemies and bosses in this game are so good it almost makes me wanna cry with joy.
5- There are so many different kinds of enemies than any other game ive seen so far in 2009 mainly because lets face it, its 9 lvls from HELL.
6- This game has the capacity to spawn a sequel in the following setting : Circles of Heaven.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 9:00AM eat it said
"1- The Background ,set pieces and scenarios are exquisite with alot more detail in the little things than GOW is currently showing me."
I'm gonna buy this game, but surely you must be kidding with that statement. Have you played the Gow3 demo? it's like day and night between the two. this game doesn't even stand up to gow2 when it comes to style.
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I'm gonna buy this game, but surely you must be kidding with that statement. Have you played the Gow3 demo? it's like day and night between the two. this game doesn't even stand up to gow2 when it comes to style.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 9:54AM (Unverified) said
How does it not stand up to GOW3? Better yet, why does it matter to begin with? Both games look awesome, however, they have completely different art direction. Dante's has a more serious tone to it, a darker, grittier "hellish" look where as GOW is more fantasy. I prefer the look of Dante's personally (and yes I have the GOW demo) but there is room for all of them.
Why is there so much hating on this game? God forbid that we actually have more than once choice when it comes to hack n' slash this year.
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Why is there so much hating on this game? God forbid that we actually have more than once choice when it comes to hack n' slash this year.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 10:29AM eat it said
I'm buying both, but a lot people will only choose one, and considering they are the same game with slightly different art direction coming out around the same time....
saying this is going for a more "realistic" tone is absurd. You still fight skeletons and demons in hell, the main character has a cross sewn into his skin... they are both obviously going for a fantasy look. GOW just pulls it off better.
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saying this is going for a more "realistic" tone is absurd. You still fight skeletons and demons in hell, the main character has a cross sewn into his skin... they are both obviously going for a fantasy look. GOW just pulls it off better.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 11:32AM (Unverified) said
I disagree space,
Dante's struck me the same way the Exorcist struck me due to it's subject matter. Not that there is anything wrong with GOW's subject matter, it's just that Dante's comes across as something unique in it's intent and delivery. It's not absurd to suggest that Dante's Inferno isn't more "realistic". I mean that in the sense that it's something that is more relative, again due to it's subject matter and the intent of said game.
To each his own.
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Dante's struck me the same way the Exorcist struck me due to it's subject matter. Not that there is anything wrong with GOW's subject matter, it's just that Dante's comes across as something unique in it's intent and delivery. It's not absurd to suggest that Dante's Inferno isn't more "realistic". I mean that in the sense that it's something that is more relative, again due to it's subject matter and the intent of said game.
To each his own.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 9:31PM (Unverified) said
OR...We can just simply say that Yes God of War did influence this game and this game isn't all bad and it pays homage to God of War.
However this is clearly a rental, and it's not worth not even 40$ let alone 60 bucks.
Indeed this game is a RENTAL and not a must buy. I can literally see myself getting the Platinum for this game within 3 days, maybe 4 if the Hardest difficult actually brings a challenge.
I'll give you an example, games like Mirror's Edge were cool and nice to play but no where near worth 60$.
I'm sure most people that are fans of God of War games will most likely end up renting this game, enjoy it for what it is and then move on.
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However this is clearly a rental, and it's not worth not even 40$ let alone 60 bucks.
Indeed this game is a RENTAL and not a must buy. I can literally see myself getting the Platinum for this game within 3 days, maybe 4 if the Hardest difficult actually brings a challenge.
I'll give you an example, games like Mirror's Edge were cool and nice to play but no where near worth 60$.
I'm sure most people that are fans of God of War games will most likely end up renting this game, enjoy it for what it is and then move on.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 8:18AM (Unverified) said
This game is a blatant rip-off of God of War. The gameplay is virtually identical. The only major difference is that the "fuck you button" is R2 instead of O.
But, a game that can successfully rip-off God of War is bound to be a good game, though unoriginal.
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But, a game that can successfully rip-off God of War is bound to be a good game, though unoriginal.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 8:25AM WiNGSPANTT from TopTierTacticsco said
Since I didn't own a PS2 and don't have a PS3, I don't think the fact that it's identical to God of War is a problem!
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Posted: Dec 11th 2009 9:21AM zsavior said
Wing I think that is a good point. There is a market for people out there that didn't play GOW and don't have a PS3 and don't intend to get one. In that sense, I think this game can make a real dent.
The problem though, is what if you like this game then it turns you on to GOW and GOW3 ends up being much better than this game. Does that outcome help or hurt the developer in the long run. But over all this is what I thought future generation systems would do. Nintendo had Mario so Sega created Sonic, both are videogame legends. I don't understand why people want multiplatform gaming, rather than seeing systems and companies cater to gamers with new titles that are competitive against other IPs.
If not for MGS being a sony exclusive, would we have seen Splinter Cell. I mean I am happy gamers have the ability to see every title, but competition does foster innovation.
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The problem though, is what if you like this game then it turns you on to GOW and GOW3 ends up being much better than this game. Does that outcome help or hurt the developer in the long run. But over all this is what I thought future generation systems would do. Nintendo had Mario so Sega created Sonic, both are videogame legends. I don't understand why people want multiplatform gaming, rather than seeing systems and companies cater to gamers with new titles that are competitive against other IPs.
If not for MGS being a sony exclusive, would we have seen Splinter Cell. I mean I am happy gamers have the ability to see every title, but competition does foster innovation.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 8:30AM freechain said
Played both demos, And i feel Dante just dosent have the same anger as Kratos, i mean he cryed in pain when he stuck a needle in himself. But i enjoyed the dante demo still a good game. will just give 360 owners their version of GOW. And too many cut sences that i couldnt flick past. Gow will always hold its crown this game is just a very good rip off.
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Posted: Dec 11th 2009 7:46PM CaramelZappa said
You actually can skip the cutscenes. Just press all the face buttons at once.
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Posted: Dec 11th 2009 9:47PM (Unverified) said
"will just give 360 owners their version of GOW. "
Much like Prototype was 360's inFamous. The only thing is, that the PS3 owners can play 360's version of GoW, and 360's version of InFamous.
Anyways, it's funny because this will only end up making people buy more PS3. If the 360 owner has never played a God of War game and he tries this, and if he likes it. He'll be hungry for more, and he will buy a PS3 to give God of War 3 a try, hell they might even give God of War Collection a try to see what happens before God of War 3.
In general, this game coming out, will actually help get God of War 3 even more sales.
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Much like Prototype was 360's inFamous. The only thing is, that the PS3 owners can play 360's version of GoW, and 360's version of InFamous.
Anyways, it's funny because this will only end up making people buy more PS3. If the 360 owner has never played a God of War game and he tries this, and if he likes it. He'll be hungry for more, and he will buy a PS3 to give God of War 3 a try, hell they might even give God of War Collection a try to see what happens before God of War 3.
In general, this game coming out, will actually help get God of War 3 even more sales.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 8:32AM iamnotafish said
If it can successfully recreate that je ne sais quoi that God of War 1 and 2 had, then all the power to it. It wasn't just the beautiful scenery, the plot, the action or Kratos being an awesome character, it was how they all came together beautifully.
That being said, the ad campaign for this has been AWESOME. I love watching a company deliberately manipulate the media to increase exposure. I mean, their "Lust" campaign had to have been made with the sole purpose of creating controversy that would promote the product, and it worked.
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That being said, the ad campaign for this has been AWESOME. I love watching a company deliberately manipulate the media to increase exposure. I mean, their "Lust" campaign had to have been made with the sole purpose of creating controversy that would promote the product, and it worked.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 8:56AM eat it said
I would say that this game isn't even close to gow2, and gow3 just seems so much better in every way. Artistic design, lighting, graphics, animation, everything.
Also on a just on a technical level....this being so similar to gow3 makes the difference between multiplatform games and PS3 exclusives really REALLY obvious.
GOW3 looks like an oil painting after playing dantes inferno
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Also on a just on a technical level....this being so similar to gow3 makes the difference between multiplatform games and PS3 exclusives really REALLY obvious.
GOW3 looks like an oil painting after playing dantes inferno
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 9:13AM (Unverified) said
Played the demo last night, It was pretty amazing how identical this is to God of War. Even the scene where you have to kill the guys before that wheel rolls over you. Good for 360 owners who never played GOW, I'm sure its going to be a kick ass game. I'll be spending my money on GOW3 though.
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Posted: Dec 11th 2009 9:40AM Premature ejaculation man said
Yeah I don't have a ps3 and can't afford one. This should be a good rental to see what all the craziness behind God of War is (Can't abbreviate it to GoW since there's Gears of War too)
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Posted: Dec 11th 2009 9:54AM (Unverified) said
As far as abbreviations go, I think God of War is usually abbreviated GOW, while Gears gets GoW.
I think.
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I think.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 10:23AM CaptainProtonX said
I'm just perplexed how this isn't seen as plagiarism. Even the damn character is a damn tragic hero out for revenge.
COME ON!
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COME ON!
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 7:51PM CaramelZappa said
@captainprotonx
Yea, because Santa Monica is the first studio to ever think up a character out for revenge.
Nevermind that Dante is after redemption, and fighting to save someone else. Kratos isn't even legitimate in his thirst for revenge, because everything that happened to him he had coming to him. He was always a bloodthirsy asshole and all the shit that happened in order for him to want revenge might as well not have, because he'd still be the bloodthirsty asshole trying to kill everything and conquer everything. Kratos has no real character depth or motivation besides "I'm an asshole." At least Dante has something to fight for aside from his own blind rage.
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Yea, because Santa Monica is the first studio to ever think up a character out for revenge.
Nevermind that Dante is after redemption, and fighting to save someone else. Kratos isn't even legitimate in his thirst for revenge, because everything that happened to him he had coming to him. He was always a bloodthirsy asshole and all the shit that happened in order for him to want revenge might as well not have, because he'd still be the bloodthirsty asshole trying to kill everything and conquer everything. Kratos has no real character depth or motivation besides "I'm an asshole." At least Dante has something to fight for aside from his own blind rage.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 9:50AM (Unverified) said
I agree, I had more fun with this than the GOW3 demo which is excellent by the way, as is the Bayonetta demo. I think we can all agree that we as gamers have three great titles to look forward to.
I've been watching this one since they announced it and despite all the negative press from a lot of the media (mainly joystiq) this game continues to look better and better. Sure they took creative license in some regards but the effort put into creating hell as described in the divine comedy has remained in tact and it's not like they went completely outside of the context of the Divine Comedy in order to get a game that people would want to play. Taking creative license is a good thing when done well like this is. I think the purists should relax. We all love Dante's original masterpiece but the star of if, what's it's known for is his description of hell and that is what it's all about. Kudos to Visceral/EA
Many people will be eating crow when this one gets released. Good thing I don't need Chris, Justin or Ludwig to tell me what is obviously a good game when I see one.
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I've been watching this one since they announced it and despite all the negative press from a lot of the media (mainly joystiq) this game continues to look better and better. Sure they took creative license in some regards but the effort put into creating hell as described in the divine comedy has remained in tact and it's not like they went completely outside of the context of the Divine Comedy in order to get a game that people would want to play. Taking creative license is a good thing when done well like this is. I think the purists should relax. We all love Dante's original masterpiece but the star of if, what's it's known for is his description of hell and that is what it's all about. Kudos to Visceral/EA
Many people will be eating crow when this one gets released. Good thing I don't need Chris, Justin or Ludwig to tell me what is obviously a good game when I see one.
Posted: Dec 11th 2009 10:13AM steliosco said
I PLAYED THE DEMO AND I BET THE DEVELOPER JUST HAD GOW IN THE TV AND MADE THE GAME....
press triangle to launch enemy,square square triangle compo is there
how you gain health and mana lol
the combat didnt seem new cause i was playing a familiar game
i can say shame in EA cause tj=hey have no sgame after this
and yes the theme was different big deal...
bayonneta was awesome this was lol
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press triangle to launch enemy,square square triangle compo is there
how you gain health and mana lol
the combat didnt seem new cause i was playing a familiar game
i can say shame in EA cause tj=hey have no sgame after this
and yes the theme was different big deal...
bayonneta was awesome this was lol
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