Platform:
XBox 360

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• Release:
  US: February 5, 2008
  
• Publisher:
  Capcom
• Developer:
  Capcom

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ESRB - Mature 17+: Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.

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• Genre:
  Action
• MSRP:
  -
• Also Available On
  Computer Game, Playstation 3

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Gameplay

Gameplay in Devil May Cry 4 is similar to previous games in the series. The player must fight through levels called "missions", occasionally solving puzzles or gathering items. Performance in a mission is graded from D being the bottom grade through C, B, A, and S being the highest grade. Grades are based on items used, Red Orbs gathered, time taken, and the amount of Style Points accumulated. Each Style Point grade has its own tag-word. For example, the SSS grade shows up as "Smokin’ Sick Style" on the side of the screen when achieved. Stylish combat is the focus of the game, which is conveyed through unbroken combos of varied attacks while avoiding damage. The player must avoid attack enemies to continue performing combos, often by memorizing attack patterns.

Devil Trigger, a super state, enables the player to become more powerful with slow health regeneration. Devil Trigger is activated through the Devil Trigger gauge filled when the player either receives or deals damage during combat, or through certain items. After a minimum amount is filled, the player may enter Devil Trigger at any time.
Dante performing one of his signature moves, the Stinger attack
Dante performing one of his signature moves, the Stinger attack

Some changes introduced into Devil May Cry 4 are the presence of two playable characters, Dante and Nero, and a slight modification to the shop system. A new currency, Proud Souls, is used to buy new abilities, while Red Orbs are used to buy items. Proud Souls are rewarded at the end of missions. The amount varies depending on how well the player performs with S rank. Cost of abilities also increase with the purchase of other abilities, though they may be sold back.

The player plays as Nero throughout most of the game. He starts and ends the game with his Red Queen sword, Blue Rose revolver, and the powers of his Devil Bringer (his demonic right arm). The Red Queen features an Exceed Gauge that can be charged, allowing for subsequent attacks that are more powerful than regular slashes until the gauge empties. The Exceed Gauge can also be filled by pressing the rev button at the peak of each slash, which allows for more powerful combos capable of breaking the opponent’s guard. Nero also has the powers of his Devil Bringer, and can use it to pull himself towards enemies or vice-versa. The Devil Bringer may also be used for context-sensitive throw attacks, leading to high damage and various effects depending on the enemy. Nero’s Devil Bringer also gains new abilities during the course of the game, such as being able to detect secret missions or caches of Red Orbs. Nero eventually gains the ability to use Devil Trigger, which increases his Devil Bringer’s power, and which also changes his Devil Bringer attacks into more powerful versions with different animations.

The player plays as Dante through seven missions, taking over halfway through the game. His gameplay is similar to that of Devil May Cry 3, with him having access to multiple melee and ranged weapons which he gains after boss battles, and being able to cycle through them freely in combat, being no longer limited to equipping two weapons of each type as he was in the previous game. Dante also starts with his four styles (Trickster, Royal Guard, Sword Master, Gunslinger), each of which grants him different abilities, but he may now switch them at will with buttons or pads on the PlayStation 3 contoller or the Xbox 360 controller, unlike in Devil May Cry 3. He also gains the Dark Slayer style near the end of his appearance, which only has one style level and can be accessed by pressing a direction button twice. Styles do not level up through experience as in the previous game, but must instead be upgraded in the shop screen in between missions or at statues. Dante can also enter Devil Trigger, though this does not change his attacks to the degree that Nero’s Devil Trigger does.