It was 2008. The leap to high-definition gaming was still fresh, and Capcom had a massive problem. They needed to follow up on Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening, a game widely considered the peak of character action. How do you top perfection? You replace the protagonist. Mostly.
Devil May Cry 4 didn't just give us a new face; it fundamentally shifted how we look at stylish combat. If you talk to the "lab monsters" in the combo-mad community today, they’ll tell you that this specific entry—not the reboot, not even the masterpiece that is DMC5—is where the real magic happened. It’s messy. It’s unfinished in parts. But it’s also brilliant.
Nero and the gamble that changed everything
Capcom introduced Nero, a hot-headed holy knight with a literal demon arm. Fans were... skeptical. Losing Dante as the primary focus felt like a betrayal to some. But Nero wasn't just a Dante-lite. He brought the Devil Bringer.
This mechanic changed the geometry of the fight. Instead of chasing enemies across the arena, you pulled them to you. It kept the pace blistering. You're never not hitting something. Honestly, the "Exceed" system—revving your sword like a motorcycle engine to get fire-buffed attacks—is still one of the most satisfying "skill-check" mechanics in any action game. It requires a rhythm that feels almost like a fighting game.
The unfinished elephant in the room
Let’s be real for a second. We have to talk about the backtracking. About halfway through the game, you switch from Nero to Dante. Then? You literally play the entire game in reverse. You fight the same bosses. You run through the same forests and castles.
It’s widely known now that the development team, led by Hiroyuki Kobayashi and directed by Hideaki Itsuno, ran into serious budget and time constraints. They had to make a choice: cut the game short or reuse assets. They chose the latter. While it’s a valid criticism, playing these levels as Dante feels like a completely different experience because his toolkit is so vastly different from Nero's.
Dante’s complexity peak
In Devil May Cry 4, Dante is a monster. He is arguably more complex here than in any other game, including the sequels. Why? Because of Style Switching.
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In DMC3, you picked one style (Trickster, Swordmaster, etc.) at the start of a mission or at a statue. In the fourth game, you could swap them on the fly using the D-pad. This opened up a "ceiling" for player skill that we’re still seeing people explore on YouTube and Twitch today.
- Inertia and Guard Flying: These are accidental physics bugs that the community turned into high-level techniques.
- Distorted Real Impact: Using Devil Trigger at the exact frame a hit connects to multiply damage.
- Weapon switching: Rotating between Rebellion, Gilgamesh, and Lucifer mid-air.
It’s dense. It’s hard. You’ll probably suck at it for the first ten hours. But once it clicks? You feel like a god. There is a specific nuance to the way Dante moves in this game that feels "heavier" and more deliberate than the floatier physics of DMC5.
The cast you probably forgot
Beyond the brothers Sparda (well, and the nephew), the supporting cast in Devil May Cry 4 is peak 2000s anime-edge. You’ve got Credo, whose boss fight is frequently cited by pros as the best "fair" fight in the series. It’s a duel of swords and shields that demands precision. Then there’s Gloria—who we later find out is Trish in disguise—and Lady, who returns with her signature rocket launcher.
The story is campy. It’s about a cult worshipping Sparda while actually being demons themselves. It’s not Shakespeare. It doesn’t need to be. It’s a vehicle for cool poses and exploding monsters.
Why it still holds up in 2026
You might think a game from two decades ago would look like mud. It doesn't. Capcom used the MT Framework engine, and it’s some kind of dark sorcery. The lighting in the Fortuna castle and the particle effects on Nero’s arm still look crisp.
If you're playing the Special Edition, you also get Vergil, Lady, and Trish as playable characters. Vergil, as always, is "broken" in the best way possible. His "Concentration" meter rewards you for playing perfectly—never missing a hit and never running. It’s a completely different philosophy of play.
Technical mastery and the community legacy
The reason Devil May Cry 4 stays in the conversation is the "technical" community. If you look at the work of players like Donguri990, you see things that shouldn't be possible. They aren't just playing a game; they’re performing a recital.
- The game runs at a locked 60 frames per second on almost anything.
- The "Turbo Mode" (20% speed increase) is the only way many veterans will play.
- The PC modding scene has added everything from new costumes to entirely new mechanics.
Is it perfect? No. The platforming sections are still clunky. The "dice game" room is universally hated (and for good reason). The camera can sometimes get stuck behind a gothic pillar while a Frost is trying to turn you into a popsicle.
But the core combat? It’s untouchable. It’s the bridge between the old school and the new school.
How to actually get good at DMC4
If you're jumping in now, don't try to be a pro immediately. Start with Nero. Get used to the Max-Act timing—that's pressing the trigger right as your sword hits to instantly charge your fire meter. It’s the foundation of his kit.
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When you get to Dante, don't try to use all four styles at once. Stick to Trickster for movement and Swordmaster for attacks. Slowly integrate Royal Guard when you feel brave.
Actionable Next Steps for Players:
- Grab the Special Edition: Don't bother with the original 2008 release. The Special Edition includes the legendary Dark Knight mode, which throws hundreds of enemies on screen at once.
- Remap your buttons: Put Nero's gun attack on a shoulder button (L1/LB or R1/RB). This allows you to hold a charge shot while still performing sword combos. It’s the "pro" secret for consistent damage.
- Practice the Credo fight: If you can beat Credo on Son of Sparda difficulty without taking a hit, you have officially "learned" the game's mechanics.
- Check the Bloody Palace: This is a 101-floor survival mode. It's the best place to practice because there are no cutscenes or puzzles—just pure combat.
Devil May Cry 4 is a flawed masterpiece. It's a game of halves—half Nero, half Dante; half new, half recycled. But that second half, the Dante half, contains some of the deepest mechanics ever put into a digital space. It’s why we’re still talking about it. It’s why we’re still playing it. Keep it stylish.
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