Joystiq's hands-on with Devil May Cry 4... a kind rebuttal
by Nick Doerr 
{ Sep 22nd 2006 at 5:30AM }
All right, so the fellows at Joystiq did not think Devil May Cry 4 was all that (yet they simply won't shut up about the mediocre hack fest that is Dead Rising, also by Capcom), but we here at PS3Fanboy love a good argument (and a seemingly unrelated comparison). Let's strip down the problems they had with the game and give 'em our two cents.- "...feels neither new nor exciting." It's a sequel. It's supposed to be a familiar scheme, but with different content (weapons, etc... like Nero's arm. Of course, that wasn't commented on at all). If games were judged by how new and exciting they felt, how many times would Madden have to reinvent their franchise? If it's game #213523 (MegaMan, we're looking at you) then okay, but this is a pretty new franchise and deserves its familiarity.
- "Nero felt particularly clumsy in this build, going from a standstill to a full sprint with almost no transitional animation, a far cry form the series trademark fluidity." We disagree. Dante always busted into a full sprint with hardly any animation transitions and that's fine. If you want him to walk, hold R1. Otherwise, you're busting ass. How does that detract from gameplay, again?
- "The enemies were also repetitive and uninspired and, perhaps due to the controller's lack of rumble, pounding on them lacked the visceral oomph the series is known for. The experience felt particularly detached." Again, let's compare to the Joystiq-ly hailed Dead Rising. Because you know, hordes of zombies don't grow repetitive and uninspired at all. Even so, it's a demo. They aren't going to throw a multitude of baddies at you yet -- they want you to survive the demo. But the rumble thing? We agree. Everything is going to take a hit from that crucial missing feature.
His other reactions were cautiously optimistic and understandably so. Still, Joystiq's spin train seems to be following a different set of rails than the PS3fanboy track. We're still excited for this game and all lovers of previous entries should be, too -- with the gameplay videos and reactions popping up, it seems few can deny the beauty the PS3 is putting out.
[via Joystiq]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andir2.0 @ Sep 22nd 2006 7:41AM
Joystiq has always been bias. That's why I stopped reading it. This site has been progressively worse, but this post I sense a bit of an upturn in your opinions?
ndoerr @ Sep 22nd 2006 8:05AM
@ Andir -- hey, I've always loved Sony =P, I'm just a major cynic. I like sarcasm! I say this with my PS2 hooked up to my Sony TV as I type on my Sony Vaio laptop... they've got me. I've had very, very good luck with Sony hardware (this laptop has held up excellently for being a few years old and I'm still on my very first PS2 with no "disc read error" mishaps). So, I trust Sony and will defend them and their games when I feel they've been unfairly judged. Hope we're doing okay at keeping you guys informed!
Marco Cano Jr @ Sep 22nd 2006 9:41AM
Doerr, Its good to hear that you are truly a fan of what your writing for (I can't say much about OPM). I'm with you about your opinion about Sony, as far as I can remember I was a fan of Sony.
I always view their brand as cool and quality. I have a 90's Sony TV and its still going strong, the same can be said about my PS2, PSP, headphones, etc. So yeah, like I said before, I'm with you all the way.
Anyways back on the subject at hand, I literally played DMC3 a couple minutes ago and I can confirm that "Dante always busted into a full sprint with hardly any animation transitions". It seems as though l joystiq is looking for complaints. After reading joystiq's recent PS3 coverage, I'm starting to believe they are bias. Despite that though I'll still read their stuff. :p
Andir2.0 @ Sep 22nd 2006 9:50AM
The information is there for the most part, but cynical comments can hurt more than they help. BTW, I completely think Joystiq was being green blooded in that review. Being sponsored by Joystiq, I'm sure you see the others walking around in free Microsoft T-shirts and stuff :p
Andir2.0 @ Sep 22nd 2006 9:52AM
The information is there for the most part, but cynical comments can hurt more than they help. BTW, I completely think Joystiq was being green blooded in that review. Being sponsored by Joystiq, I'm sure you see the others walking around in free Microsoft T-shirts and stuff :p
ndoerr @ Sep 22nd 2006 9:52AM
@ Marco Cano Jr -- that's really interesting. In between posts (I stayed up all the night for this stuff!) I actually played some DMC3 myself. Actually trying to beat it on Normal this time... just thought it was funny we were both playing it.
and @ Andir -- I'm not at liberty to say, but check out Joystiq on Wikipedia (namely, the chosen picture)... some may say it indicates where they stand. Again, I'm not allowed to talk down to my, uh, "superior website".
SuicideNinja @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:23PM
You must really like this game. I never understood what made Devil May Cry so amazing in the first place. We have all of them because my girlfriend likes it, but I just couldn't get into it. I don't like God of War that much (other than the silly gratuitous violence), but I found it to be a much better game than DMC.
My unimportant question is, why would you hold R1 to walk? That's what analog sticks are for! This isn't mouse and keyboard gaming...
I wouldn't accost Dead Rising for being a "hack n' slack" so much as I would call it "one big freakin' cheap escort mission with boss fights". Yeah, that's definitely more accurate. I think the fact that what you can do in the game is such a fresh spin on zombie-killing from anything we've seen before is what makes it great (just like RE4).
But DR isn't a sequel; and as you said, DMC4 is a sequel, so we should expect more of the same. If I have to buy a PS3 sooner for Jessica's benefit...damn. LOL
ndoerr @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:10PM
@ SuicideNinja -- you don't hold R1 to walk, per se, but it's the "lock on" button and it's similar to a "ready" stance. So Dante/Nero slows down so he can aim and such. I call it walking, but it's really just a lock-on, slow down, and get ready to whomp some butt button. Otherwise, if it's not your bag, it's not your bag. No worries.
The Enlightened @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:35PM
I know this is the ps3fanboy site but in your post Nick you shounded no better than the annoying 12 year olds that populate the playstation.com forums. You are complaining what Joystiq said about a demo that you haven't played, and then comparing it to a game that it sounds like you haven't played either.
Like it's stated in the Joystiq post it is a demo so it's pretty safe to assume that the gameplay will be refined and Capcom will probably listen to what is said about the demo in the press. Just like with Dead Rising (i believe i remember that being clunky at e3).
Maybe you/we are just used to the optimistic describtions of preview builds from IGN and offical magazines but it looks like Joystiq were just being honest. I can understand you trying to defend a thing you appear to (unappropiatly) love and that's ok but maybe next time try to calm down before making a post.
bub @ Sep 22nd 2006 4:13PM
Joystiq is a Microsoft fan club. The writers were given free xbox360's-- so their bias is a given. Kotaku is even worse.
I read the Joystiq article, and agree with what you've said here, they are all valid points and I'm glad you pointed out that joystiq always seems to leave out crucial things.
Another interesting thing. On Joystiq, notice at the bottom it advertises a bunch of other blog sites such as 360fanboy, Nintendofanboy (or whatever it is), etc.
But no ps3fanboy.
Also, Joystiq's negative comments come up in google searches, but ps3fanboy never comes up in google news. The only news that comes up is usually generated by the pro-MS camps.
Kyle @ Sep 22nd 2006 1:01PM
Enlightened: I'd trust Nick's points more than yours. Your grammar speaks much louder and says far less. Although he did seem kind of worked up... oh well. I would be too if it was one of my fave games. Peace.
The Enlightened @ Sep 22nd 2006 1:12PM
Just thought i should post the spell checked version of my comments, Word lied to me...
I know this is the ps3fanboy site but in your post Nick you shounded no better than the annoying 12 year olds that populate the playstation.com forums. You are complaining what Joystiq said about a demo that you haven't played, and then comparing it to a game that it sounds like you haven't played either.
Like it's stated in the Joystiq post it is a demo so it's pretty safe to assume that the gameplay will be refined and Capcom will probably listen to what is said about the demo in the press. Just like with Dead Rising (i believe i remember that being clunky at e3).
Maybe you/we are just used to the optimistic describtions from IGN and offical magazines but it looks like Joystiq were just being honest. I can understand you trying to defend a thing you appear to (unappropiatly) love and that's ok but maybe next time try to calm down before making a post.
also to bub, if you want a really biased search engine you should check out msn.....
ndoerr @ Sep 22nd 2006 1:24PM
@ The Enlightened -- I'm sorry you feel that way! I did play Dead Rising and to me, it turned into a Dynasty Warriors with zombies after half an hour. Just pressing one button (every so often a different one for a different animation with the same conclusion) gets old, despite the numerous weapons. But I will agree that it's a random comparison and I warned ya about that =P.
@ bub -- I didn't even notice the lack of PS3Fanboy at the bottom of Joystiq! I'll ask the higher ups if we can do something about that. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
The Enlightened @ Sep 22nd 2006 1:42PM
To Kyle,
You'd trust Nick's points more than mine, that's fair enough but i didn't have any contradicting points to his merely just what i thought of his comments, just like he stated what he thought of Joystiq's.
I also apologise for the poor spelling (and I posted a spell checked version of it but it appears i didn't copy the new version, hey I’m used to my mac) but there is nothing wrong with my grammar. (except the odd lower cased i but again i'll blame my laptop and not myself)
Rich @ Sep 22nd 2006 2:21PM
Hey Doeer... can we get a post on the Lair videos?? I want to know what people are thinking... This is the slowest busy news day ever here!!!
Andir2.0 @ Sep 22nd 2006 3:52PM
@Nick: "I didn't even notice the lack of PS3Fanboy at the bottom of Joystiq! I'll ask the higher ups if we can do something about that. Thanks for bringing that to my attention."
I brought this up once and got a rude email from Conrad-Quilter Herpes or something that said they didn't include it becuase it didn't fit in the table and it would throw off the alignment of everything. Just so you know the excuse they are going to give you.
ndoerr @ Sep 22nd 2006 4:03PM
@ Rich -- Honestly, I've been up for 35 hours. I need a small break, so hopefully this will hold you over. We already did a small post on the actual video itself. It's here:
http://playstation.joystiq.com/2006/09/22/tgs-videos-attack-pick-your-poison-or-wine-whichever/
What people are saying about it? They say it's pretty good overall, but check the video link out and judge for yourself! I think it's pretty sweet.
ndoerr @ Sep 22nd 2006 4:05PM
@ Andir -- Conrad-Quilter Herpes... that's hilarious. I hope I don't get in trouble for saying that. Anywho, I'll expect that reaction and say something about how WOW Insider shouldn't count... it's a single game. They should link for consoles. I'll keep ya posted.
Rich @ Sep 22nd 2006 4:32PM
HAHA ouch well hell go to bed lol thanks for the link it does look sweet and its one more game im excited about
Cage @ Sep 22nd 2006 5:30PM
"Joystiq is a Microsoft fan club. The writers were given free xbox360's-- so their bias is a given. Kotaku is even worse."
For being a fan club they were hit pretty hard at launch. Overheating...distribution problems...games. I would hate to be in that club...