Last night I got to play through DMC4 and can say this is the best game I've played this year. I missed out on the Devil May Cry series before because I did not have a PS2.  Now I feel like I really missed out.  Devil May Cry is at it's core a action game that putts a lot of emphasis on combining combos.  The main character in the past had been Dante but in this version you play the majority of the game as Nero.

By splitting the game between the two heroes you end up getting a disjointed experience.  For the majority of the 20 levels you will play as Nero but those seven levels as Dante feel thrown in to appease loyal fans.  The introduction of Nero and his demonic arm's Devil Bringer adds a very enjoyable twist to attacks.  The Devil bringer can be used to punch and throw demons that will help you build up your combos.  I found I used the Devil Bringer so much I felt cheated when I started to play as Dante who doesn't have this attribute.

Playing as Dante for the first time felt odd and there is a learning curve to using Dante because he has so many varied attacks.  While playing as Dante you have to get used to hit fighting styles: Trickster, Swordmaster, Gunslinger and Royalguard.  I found that I spent most of my time using Swordmaster and occasionally used trickster to get to areas I could not reach.  As you progress through the game you do realize how much more powerful Dante is compared to Nero but I still felt the Dante levels felt forced. 

I really think that the game would have been better if it excluded the Dante levels.  On these levels you backtrack through the areas cleared by Nero and face off against all the bosses Nero had previously beaten.  It was interesting to have to change your attacks against each boss since you have to approach each boss differently than you did as Nero.  You also get to really see how powerful Dante is compared to Nero.  Still the Dante levels were fun to play your once I got used to Dante.  I think on my next play though it will get better.

I tend to play a lot of different types of games but the hack and slash games have a special place in my heart.  I have to say Devil May Cry 4 is pure joy for me.  I eat everything up from the emo Nero and his relationship with Kyrie and Dante to the amazing cut scenes and beautiful level designs.  By far this is the best game of 2008 so far.  I plan on playing more since I can move to the next difficulty level and keep all the experience I gained from my first play though. This game is a keeper in book and all you PS3 and Xbox 360 gamers should dive it a try.