Devil May Cry 4 for Windows

Quick overview

The demon-hunting saga returns with a redesigned fighting system and a focus on intense melee encounters. This installment puts players in the middle of brutal clashes between darkness and a heroic duo, with the demo spotlighting more than one playable fighter.

Playable protagonists

You can control two characters instead of just the original hero. Dante is back, and Nero joins the fray as a second playable lead (and no, he's not related to the disk-burning program). Each character brings a distinct feel to combat, giving the demo a chance to show different play styles.

Combat and special tools

This is very much a hack-and-slash title that emphasizes close-up fighting. Expect flashy combos, swordplay and a new signature ability tied to Nero’s Devil Bringer arm. The system encourages chaining moves together and executing dramatic maneuvers, so battles feel fast and cinematic.

Goals and progression

Gameplay revolves around clearing a sequence of missions, gathering items along the way, and wiping out the hordes that stand between you and larger boss encounters. The loop is straightforward: fight through enemy groups, collect objectives, and advance toward the next major showdown.

Sound design and atmosphere

Fights are backed by a pounding, high-energy soundtrack that heightens the action and keeps encounters exciting. The music leans toward the same kind of driving intensity often heard in action films and enhances the sense of urgency during clashes.

Visuals and technical performance

I ran the demo on a Windows Vista system with DirectX 10 support, and the game takes good advantage of modern hardware. Environments look detailed, lighting effects are convincing, and character animations are smooth, all combining to create a striking presentation.

Controls and recommended setup

The control scheme betrays the game’s console origins: keyboard input can feel awkward and imprecise. If you have a controller you can attach to your PC, I strongly suggest using it—even just for the demo—to enjoy the combat as intended.

Final assessment

Devil May Cry 4 delivers impressive visuals and exhilarating battles, making it a solid action-adventure pick. The primary caveat is the awkward keyboard handling on PC, but with a gamepad the experience becomes much more satisfying.