Review of Dante's Inferno - PS3
Dante's Inferno, developed by Visceral Games and published by Electronic Arts, is a dark, action-adventure game inspired by Dante Alighieri's epic Divine Comedy. The game, released in 2010 for the PlayStation 3, plunges players into the depths of Hell, following the journey of Dante as he searches for his lost love, Beatrice. The game blends elements of God of War with religious mythology, delivering a brutal, visually striking experience. Here's a detailed review of the game:
Story and Setting
The story is loosely based on the first part of Dantes Divine Comedy, Inferno, which chronicles Dantes descent into Hell. In the game, Dante is thrust into Hell after dying and is tasked with rescuing Beatrice, who has been condemned to the underworld. As he travels through the nine circles of Hell, Dante encounters terrifying beasts, souls suffering in eternal torment, and confronts his own past sins. The narrative is a dark, emotional journey, driven by themes of redemption and guilt.
The setting of Hell is rich in detail, with each of the nine circles representing a different form of sin and punishment. The art design is ambitious, filled with grotesque imagery, towering demons, and sprawling environments, which convey the sheer scale and suffering of the underworld. The atmosphere is intense and suitably bleak, reinforcing the feeling of despair and hopelessness that pervades the narrative.
Gameplay
The core gameplay of Dante's Inferno is action-focused, featuring hack-and-slash combat similar to God of War. Dante wields a scythe as his main weapon, which is used in fast-paced combos to defeat enemies. As the game progresses, Dante gains new abilities and powers, including the ability to use holy and unholy powers, which play into the games morality system.
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Combat: The combat is fluid, and the controls are responsive, but it can become repetitive as you progress through the game. The enemies range from demonic creatures to tormented souls, and while the variety is impressive, some encounters feel similar, lacking the complexity of combat in other action games.
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Holy vs. Unholy Powers: One of the most interesting mechanics in the game is the moral choice system that allows Dante to choose between using holy or unholy powers to interact with enemies and the environment. For example, he can redeem or punish souls, leading to different power upgrades and affecting the game's ending. This system adds replay value, though it doesnt have a massive impact on the gameplay itself.
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Platforming and Puzzles: Apart from combat, there are some platforming sections and basic puzzles that break up the action. While not overly complex, these segments provide variety and help pace the game. However, they can feel underdeveloped compared to the main combat-focused mechanics.
Graphics and Sound
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Graphics: The visuals in Dante's Inferno are striking, especially for the time. The design of Hell is grotesque yet captivating, with a variety of environments, such as fiery landscapes, frozen lakes, and rivers of blood. The character models, including Dante and the various enemies, are well-detailed, and the animations during combat are smooth. However, some of the environments can feel repetitive, and textures occasionally lack the level of polish seen in other action games of the era.
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Sound: The soundtrack, composed by Garry Schyman, is epic and haunting, fitting the tone of the game. The orchestral score adds depth to the experience, making every battle and cutscene feel more intense. The voice acting, led by
