Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release Date: February 5, 2008
Platform(s): XBOX 360, PS3, PC
ESRB Rating: Mature

The XBOX 360 Marketplace has been a barren wasteland for the last two weeks. Mediocre titles such as NFL Tour and Fifa Street (thanks EA!) have rendered this online bazaar useless. Thankfully, Capcom has come to our rescue and released a demo for the long awaited Devil May Cry 4 two weeks before it’s North American release date.

The DMC4 demo features two modes, Mission: Exterminator and Mission: Executioner. In Mission: Exterminator you must exterminate all in your path within 10 minutes as you play your way though this heart stopping mission. In Mission: Executioner you must execute or be executed as you face off against icy Frosts and the fiery Berial.

Mission: Exterminator introduces you to the basic game mechanics Nero must master in order to overcome his foes. Nero uses his sword, gun and demonic abilities to lay waste to hordes of demons. By holding down the RB button Nero locks onto his targets, which allows for streamlined combat. The combat is fast and furious and features a meter that keeps track of combos; those familiar with the previous Devil May Cry titles will feel right at home.

Mission: Executioner pits Nero up against two powerful bosses, the icy Frosts and Berial. The battle between the icy Frosts is straightforward and relatively easy. The next fight is not so simple. Nero finds himself in small village when the immense fire demon Berial appears. His sheer size and power are awe-inspiring. This battle is tough, it took me three times to finally beat it!

My only complaint with the demo was that there was no continuity between the environments. For example, a bridge takes Nero from a calm port to an arctic mountainside and when he enters a castle gate he emerges in a small village. While it does allow the player to experience multiple environments, the drastic changes are quite disorientating. But the demo succeeds in demonstrating the game’s complex mechanics.

The graphics are absolutely stunning. Everything looks great from the character designs to the elaborate cityscapes. No complaints here. The music really pumped me up and suited the frenzied action perfectly. The demo also features a few cinematic sequences that will leave you drooling.

This demo does what all demos should do: leave you wanting more. Luckily the release date is just two weeks from now. Do yourself a favor and download the DMC4 demo because it appears this game is going to be the first blockbuster hit of 2008!