We're ... we're just not sure we understand the reasoning behind Dante's Inferno's eighth circle, Fraud, depicted in the trailer above. See, Visceral Games has brought the concept of the circle's 10 Malebolges to life in the game in form of 10 arenas, where Dante must battle all the enemies he's fought in previous levels in succession. While doing so, he must navigate dark corridors where, according to art director Ash Huang, "you really can't see where you're going." Well, that actually sounds pretty faithful to the source material. It also sounds immeasurably frustrating.
Check out the trailer above to find out where politicians go, and make sure you tune in for the final Dante's trailer in February to catch a glimpse of Mr. Beel Z. Bubb himself.
Dante's Inferno 'Fraud' trailer makes you fight for your life
by Griffin McElroy 
on Jan 11th 2010 10:15PM
56
Reader Comments (56)
Posted: Jan 11th 2010 10:36PM (Unverified) said
This game doesn't interest me IMO. Im waiting for God of War 3.
Posted: Jan 11th 2010 11:02PM (Unverified) said
"I don't usually play single player"
Shoo... Go away
Reply
Shoo... Go away
Posted: Jan 11th 2010 11:12PM Granger said
@ Jerry - The God of War III demo and Dante's Inferno demo were both pretty bland. It's the same brand of button mashing with a new coat of skin. Sure, you could probably get away with button mashing in Bayonetta if you're lucky, but the game actually evolves with you, it doesn't just sit around repeatedly throwing the same attacks/enemies/scenarios at you in a constant loop until you finally pick up on what you need to do... It'll kick your ass before you figure it out.
I almost died laughing when Helios kept circling around Perseus even though you were shooting a giant bolt at him. You'd think he'd at least change course...
Reply
I almost died laughing when Helios kept circling around Perseus even though you were shooting a giant bolt at him. You'd think he'd at least change course...
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 12:29AM (Unverified) said
@Jerry
You're missing out on so many awesome games if you don't play single player games, ie. pretty much all of them. I don't even consider people like you gamers, cus you have no idea what's actually going on.
Reply
You're missing out on so many awesome games if you don't play single player games, ie. pretty much all of them. I don't even consider people like you gamers, cus you have no idea what's actually going on.
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 6:04AM (Unverified) said
Bayonetta owns and I'm still looking forward to this and, to a lesser degree, GOW3. You aren't limited to just one game.
Reply
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 10:13AM (Unverified) said
Jerry, to use a Tmac-ism, you fall into the category of "fratboy-douchebag non gamer"
Reply
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 6:35PM (Unverified) said
you entirely dismiss about 9/10ths of all games ever made, and of those you do play, you only experience a small portion of it.
so yes, you are a non-gamer.
Reply
so yes, you are a non-gamer.
Posted: Jan 11th 2010 10:41PM (Unverified) said
No chance in hell would I play this game!
Posted: Jan 11th 2010 11:11PM (Unverified) said
Played the demo, and didn't like it. It is as simple as that.
Reply
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 3:30AM (Unverified) said
Parts of the Demo were bland, boring, and lifeless. Namely the first boss fight, it was literally colorless. I found myself in a boss arena that only had 2 colors (gray and black). Maybe that part was not yet completed but why include it in the demo. However after getting a little further the graphics were amazing. Crisp visuals and popping combat. I'm leaning towards purchasing this GoW clone. Looks fun
Reply
Posted: Jan 11th 2010 10:55PM Ray42 said
A great example of a demo making me not want to play a game.
Posted: Jan 11th 2010 11:01PM (Unverified) said
all of you need to GO TO HELL!!!
Posted: Jan 11th 2010 11:10PM (Unverified) said
Played the demo.. thought it seemed quite fun considering that I hadn't unlocked very much abilities or combos at such a point.
Biggest gripe I had was that the character does absolutely nothing for me. Perhaps its just my non-interest in the medieval era, but Dante is definitely no Kratos in design or personality. Also bashing a button to open the "chests" seemed like interaction overkill.
I'll wait for the reviews though. With GoW3 coming out so soon (and GoW2 still to finish) I've got no reason to buy something which turns out as spotty.
Biggest gripe I had was that the character does absolutely nothing for me. Perhaps its just my non-interest in the medieval era, but Dante is definitely no Kratos in design or personality. Also bashing a button to open the "chests" seemed like interaction overkill.
I'll wait for the reviews though. With GoW3 coming out so soon (and GoW2 still to finish) I've got no reason to buy something which turns out as spotty.
Posted: Jan 11th 2010 11:14PM Granger said
"Dante is definitely no Kratos in design or personality"
Kratos is arguably one of the worst designed characters in any storied franchise. I didn't get the angle they were going for with Dante, but the design itself was definitely an improvement... They both have the personalities of bricks though.
Reply
Kratos is arguably one of the worst designed characters in any storied franchise. I didn't get the angle they were going for with Dante, but the design itself was definitely an improvement... They both have the personalities of bricks though.
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 8:38AM melocholly said
I think that dante being closer to a normal guy is the point, that way you care more about whats going on around. you develop a love for the enviroments or the enimies. instead of being stuck on how awesome your character is. like the hero in shadow of the collosus, his blandness forces you to pay more attention to the bosses.
Reply
Posted: Jan 11th 2010 11:15PM (Unverified) said
Where might one be able to obtain a copy of your newsletter?
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 9:21AM (Unverified) said
"There is a point where all hell breaks loose."
I see what he did there.
I see what he did there.
Posted: Jan 11th 2010 11:30PM nycjunglist said
So Fraud is essentially the "Challenge of the Gods" of Dante's Inferno. Fun!
Posted: Jan 11th 2010 11:36PM Solid Jackal said
tbh the demo was great, in terms of making me want to buy the game but this trailer did a pretty good job.
Posted: Jan 11th 2010 11:40PM (Unverified) said
I can't help thinking that watching all these developer diary entries is spoiling the game for me... But I can't help watching them either. *sigh*
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 12:00AM Nirvash Planeteer Power of Capt said
Lol! You said Male bulges!
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 12:02AM andsoitgoes said
I saw a bit of this at Pax West last year, and played the demo when it came out....
I'm... I don't know. After having played Bayonetta and Darksiders, I don't know if this matches up. It feels more like a GoW rip-off than Bayonetta and Darksiders.
The combat doesn't seem as "fun" and the story, from what I experienced, just seems... I don't know.
The demo left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe it will surprise me, but with all the hype behind it, I don't know if it will meet expectations.
I'm... I don't know. After having played Bayonetta and Darksiders, I don't know if this matches up. It feels more like a GoW rip-off than Bayonetta and Darksiders.
The combat doesn't seem as "fun" and the story, from what I experienced, just seems... I don't know.
The demo left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe it will surprise me, but with all the hype behind it, I don't know if it will meet expectations.
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 12:22AM VaultBoy said
I get the feeling that this over exposure is going to ruin a lot of surprises in the game. There are several films released last year that suffered from the same thing. Hope I am wrong.
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 12:23AM VaultBoy said
I get the feeling that this over exposure is going to ruin a lot of surprises in the game. There are several films released last year that suffered from the same thing. Hope I am wrong.
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 12:25AM VaultBoy said
I get the feeling that this over exposure is going to ruin a lot of surprises in the game. There are several films released last year that suffered from the same thing. Hope I am wrong.
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 12:27AM VaultBoy said
I get the feeling that this over exposure is going to ruin a lot of surprises in the game. There are several films released last year that suffered from the same thing. Hope I am wrong.
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 12:27AM QuePasa87 said
DAMN this looks so awesome! DO WANT! Day 1 purchase!
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 12:29AM (Unverified) said
@VaultBoy: I feel the same way. Hopefully, there's a lot more in store for us than what was shown in the trailers.
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 12:32AM (Unverified) said
You, sir, are not the man.
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 12:52AM benvincible said
I've played this demo.
I am a Christian, and am rarely, if ever, offended by references to my religion. Family Guys rips out a Jesus joke? I laugh right along with it. Bill Maher thinks I'm an idiot? Whatever. He's a jerk.
But this game offends me on a level I've never been offended on before.
I remember being slightly offended by the questionable marketing, which made me think the actual product would be less so. Controversy surrounding anything always makes the subject matter out to be far more offensive than the thing actually is. But I was offended by Dante's Inferno.
I'm not especially sure why. I do know why not: neither violence nor boobs offend me. As a matter of fact, the slick 2d animated cutscenes made me forget I was angry for a moment. It may be because I'm so passionate about video games, and to see my faith bandied about so carelessly in a medium I take so seriously is offensive to my sense of self on multiple levels.
I think the real reason I am offended is because the presentation of Dante's Inferno suggests that my lifestyle and beliefs are a good template for a hack and slash video game. It just seems low. When a tv show makes a joke, it's really saying that Christianity is culturally relevant. When the word "faithful" is used as a combo multiplier descriptor, EA is saying what is most important to me is really only good as a replacement for creativity.
I am a Christian, and am rarely, if ever, offended by references to my religion. Family Guys rips out a Jesus joke? I laugh right along with it. Bill Maher thinks I'm an idiot? Whatever. He's a jerk.
But this game offends me on a level I've never been offended on before.
I remember being slightly offended by the questionable marketing, which made me think the actual product would be less so. Controversy surrounding anything always makes the subject matter out to be far more offensive than the thing actually is. But I was offended by Dante's Inferno.
I'm not especially sure why. I do know why not: neither violence nor boobs offend me. As a matter of fact, the slick 2d animated cutscenes made me forget I was angry for a moment. It may be because I'm so passionate about video games, and to see my faith bandied about so carelessly in a medium I take so seriously is offensive to my sense of self on multiple levels.
I think the real reason I am offended is because the presentation of Dante's Inferno suggests that my lifestyle and beliefs are a good template for a hack and slash video game. It just seems low. When a tv show makes a joke, it's really saying that Christianity is culturally relevant. When the word "faithful" is used as a combo multiplier descriptor, EA is saying what is most important to me is really only good as a replacement for creativity.
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 1:30AM laser beams said
i can't say i blame you. i'm not offended by any of the violent or vulgar subject matter depicted in this game, and i am not christian, but this game is offensive in the way it panders to it's supposed audience. it tries to use it's imagery to appear "edgy" and uses the name of it's literary source to appear intellectually deep, when in fact it is neither. the game is shallow and boring, and perhaps even more insulting: it proves itself intellectually devoid by the fact that it is a complete rip off (move for move, combo for combo) of another game. it's pathetic and obnoxious. i can't believe this game is really coming from the same team that created a genre-redefining game in "Dead Space".
Reply
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 1:38AM a1by said
I have to say, even though I love the podcast, and am usually in agreement with Justin and Ludwig. I really really just enjoyed playing the demo, and loved reading the Divine Comedy, so I can appreciate seeing the art design etc in the game. Guess this'll just be my 50 cent blood in the sand game
Posted: Jan 14th 2010 1:36AM (Unverified) said
They shall have to remake this game some years down the road so that they can include the Jack Thompson and Michael Atkinson mini-bosses into this circle of the Inferno.
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 2:36AM Dannybuoy said
"wave after wave of enemy"... I'd rather have a game that throws in new ideas continuously. I'm not a huge fan of grinding against huge waves of enemies. Case in hand. I'm loving Darksiders at the moment but the first section when you have to beat 50 enemies before the time runs out etc is fine for the first couple of times, but then it becomes a bit of a chore. I'm not adverse to tricky combat sections but game devs need to stop using cheap tactics to lengthen sections and come up with some slightly better concepts. Maybe that's just me
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 3:07AM husher said
the only reason i would buy this game is just to see what the end looks like. which if they keep at it i'll not have to buy the game at all. wtf is up with these games and all their PR.
soon mountain dew is going to come out with the GO TO HELL FUSION LAVA EXTREME RED
soon mountain dew is going to come out with the GO TO HELL FUSION LAVA EXTREME RED
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 3:31AM PauloEifel said
Now THAT`s something I`ve never seen before: to stretch the game out a little bit you`ll fight every enemy you fought before AGAIN. What an innovative design..
Now seriously, I pretty much hated the demo and all those feature videos give so much away that I don`t feel like having to play the game!
Now seriously, I pretty much hated the demo and all those feature videos give so much away that I don`t feel like having to play the game!
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 6:03AM (Unverified) said
I get the feeling that this over exposure is going to ruin a lot of surprises in the game. There are several films released last year that suffered from the same thing. Hope I am wrong.
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 6:05AM isotrex said
Enough with the trailers, gameplay movies, dev diaries, demo and all those promotional stuffs just for hype. Release the game already and let us judge it. With Bayonetta and Darksiders already out, it won't be a surprised if this game won't sell out that much besides of course if it really sucks. Also, God of War 3 is coming. I'm pretty sure people will hold on to their tight budget for that game GoW3 and probably something better. Unless of course if this game kicks ass.
Posted: Jan 12th 2010 6:06AM (Unverified) said
To anyone who says this is a GOW ripoff, what do you think of 3D Dot Heroes?
Featured Stories
Super Joystiq Podcast 004: 38 Studios meltdown, Gravity Rush, Civilization 5: Gods & Kings, Dragon's Dogma
Posted on May 25th 2012 3:30PM