Rumors have long swirled throughout the video game industry that a western developer was working on the next installment of Devil May Cry. These rumors were confirmed today at Capcom's Toyko Game Show press briefing. Brithish developer Ninja Theory (Heavenly Sword, Enslaved) is developing the next installment.

The teaser video that was shown didn't reveal much other than that Dante would be returning (shocker), only this time he's much younger. How young? His hair is black!

Capcom also noted that key members from previous Devil May Cry games will be helping Ninja Theory make this game. As of now, it has the working title DMC: Devil May Cry and is in development for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. No release date was given.

Source

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Heavenly Sword is a great game and I think this may be the kick in the pants the DMC series needs. I don't, however, like this "prequel" trend everyone is on. Just because it works for one game, doesn't mean everyone has to do it.

The DMC series was at one time hands down, my favorite series. The last few iterations didn't do much for me though, so when I read the title of this thread, I was like, "meh". Then I saw this...

Brithish developer Ninja Theory (Heavenly Sword, Enslaved) is developing the next installment.

Now sir, you have my attention. Heavenly Sword was a work of art. It also had one of the most engrossing stories for a game that I've ever played. This could be very good for a series that's dying on the vine.

I gotta say....I absolutely hate the new look for Dante.

I'm not too much on the new Dante look either. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed this will be good, it better be with Ninja Theory behind it.

glad to see other people dont like the way he looks..

he lkooks liks a 20ish year old punk...

bring back the white hair....

this one looks like a fu***** fa**

I'm liking the new look.

I dislike the new look. He looks waaaaay to emo and his hair looks greasy. It also looks like he got a REALLY bad haircut because it's so uneven. Just looks stupid in my opinion. I mean he can have black hair and it's not a problem, but at least make it look alright.

It's like the devs bought Dante a broken Flowbee for his birthday

Sweet, shane would like to hear this. Theres not toooo many games he likes, but this is one of them.

Ok, I have to ask, what is this Heavenly Sword you are talking about?

I lost interest as soon as I read prequel.

Smoking is baaaad.....mmmmkaaaayyy?

Sweet, shane would like to hear this. Theres not toooo many games he likes, but this is one of them.

Ok, I have to ask, what is this Heavenly Sword you are talking about?

ps3 game. epic in every way.

"if this hour is to be our last, LET IT ALSO BE OUR FINEST!"

that speech still gives me goosebumps.

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-2007-heavenly-sword/21650

Sweet, shane would like to hear this. Theres not toooo many games he likes, but this is one of them.

Ok, I have to ask, what is this Heavenly Sword you are talking about?

http://z4.invisionfree.com/AntiGOW_Troll_Co/index.php?showtopic=3166

Heavenly Sword

Developed by: Ninja Theory

Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE)

Release Date: US - Sep 12th, 2007 EU - Sep 14th, 2007

Rated T for Teen

Overview

The Heavenly Sword, a weapon of the Gods which contains immeasureable power but comes with the ultimate price of draining the life-force of it's user (if wielded by a mortal). A time has been foretold when the Heavenly Warrior will return to save the lands, but until this time a small clan wanders the landscape; their sole purpose to keep the Heavenly Sword safe from the hands of mankind, and the evil King Bohan, until the Heavenly Warrior of the prophecy is born.

The night arrives, as foretold in the prophecy, when the Heavenly Warrior is to be born into the clan. The clan gathers to witness the birth of their savior, the one who will lead them to victory over King Bohan. Expecting a son, the clan is devastated to witness the birth of a fiery-haired girl, and with the death of the mother during birth, they view the event as a curse and ill-omen.

This is the story of the life and death of Nariko, and the events which lead her to draw upon the power of the Heavenly Sword to put a stop to Bohan's campaign of terror.

Gameplay

Heavenly Sword is a action title revolving mostly on melee combat in the same vein as the God of War series. Players are tasked to move around the boards thrashing multitudes of bad guys. I could almost compare this as a cross between Dynasty Warriors and God of War at some points due to the gratuitous amount of enemies on screen at points. At the onset of the game Nariko does not have access to the Heavenly Sword yet, relying on a few simple attacks, but this quickly changes within the first few boards.

Nariko has the ability to use different styles, or stances, of attacks. Speed Attacks, Ranged Attacks and Power Attacks. These different styles are accessed by holding down some of the shoulder buttons as well as using various combinations of the X or Triangle button. In Speed stance, Nariko uses the Heavenly Sword as two blades and combines a quickness of attack with moderate damage. In Ranged stance, Nariko uses the Heavenly Sword on chains, similar to God of War's Kratos character. This stance is useful for attacking multiple enemies quickly but does less than normal damage. Finally we have the Power stance, in which Nariko uses the Heavenly Sword as a large, two-handed weapon to demolish her foes. Power stance is characterized by massive damage but slow attack speeds.

Nariko also has the ability to automatically block incoming attacks, a counterattack ability (which if timed perfectly can result in instant kills) as well as "Superstyle" attacks which are gained by building up your combo meter.

Also similar to such games as Resident Evil 4 and God of War, Heavenly Sword makes use of contextual scenes where the player is tasked with pressing combinations of buttons to make it through a scene. These are all very cool.

Also there are a few section where you control Nariko's sister, Kai. Kai is armed with a crossbow and the scenes aren't nearly as fun as Nariko's. Mostly you're tasked with holding off oncoming enemies with your crossbow. This is made easier with the "Aftertouch" feature I'll describe in the Controls section.

The gameplay is seamless and perfect in my opinion..... Combat is awesome and everything flows beautifully.

Graphics

And who says PS3 can't shine? I spent 20 minutes, AT THE TITLE SCREEN, admiring Nariko and the skin effects. I sit there and watch characters talk to one another during cutscenes and pee my pants. Seriously, the motion-capture/animation is THAT good. NEVER have I seen facial emotions and movement the way that this game renders it. Yes, this game renders characters better than Gears of War.

The environments are crisp and beautiful also. Water effects are stunning. Lighting is amazing. And the combat...... THE COMBAT! The moves that Nariko pulls off are crazy. Again, the motion-capturing in this game cannot, I repeat CANNOT be beat.

The physics in this game is controlled by Havok Physics and it stuns me. It's AMAZING to watch about everything in the world affected by your actions. Bodies flail when killed, tables and chairs smash, barrels roll. There is a part where you're climbing stairs with enemies throwing stuff down at you like bodies and barrels. I sat there for 10 minutes dodging stuff just to watch how it fell and broke apart.

Without soiling this graphics anymore by my lack of ability to descibe them, I'll let the screenshots speak for themselves.

Controls

Another very well refined section. I've had no problem picking up the controller and pulling off insane combos. The developers kept it simple and yet complex enough to keep the avid action fan appeased. There is really only one thing to note in this relatively short section of my review.... "Aftertouch".

"Aftertouch" is the ability to control things slightly that you throw, or Kai's arrows, with your SIXAXIS controller. By holding down the throw (or fire) button, time slows down, ala Max Payne style, while your projectile flies through the air. By moving the controller up, down, left, or right you affect the trajectory of the item. This includes picking up and throwing bodies (this is VERY fun!).

Using "Aftertouch" is required to get past certain puzzles by guiding the object to something, or sending an arrow through some fire to light it up and send it into some explosives.

Sound

Exceptional voice acting abounds in this game. The production quality is TOPNOTCH! Fighting sounds brutal, swords and armor clang, tables and chairs crunch, and bodies crumple satisfactorily as you slam them into walls. I would also like to point out that the voice (and character motion-capture!) for King Bohan is none other than Andy Serkis, of Lord of the Rings fame. Don't know who Andy is? It was Gollum!

Multiplayer

*crickets chirping*

Conclusion

CoyAndChris says 9.2 out of 10

Exceptional production values, SUPERB and unbeatable graphics, physics like you've never experienced and great voice acting make playing this game seem like an interactive movie. It's got a great storyline (haven't finished it yet though!) but apparently the game is short (knocking off a few tenths of a point). If you have a PS3, THIS is the game to go out and check right now.

Wow, thanks for that Chris! That game looks awesome, but no PS3 lol.

overkill.

I gotta pick up Heavenly Sword.

Also, I kind of like Dante's new look. I mean, sure his hair is uneven...actually, yeah, his hair is too uneven for me to like. But everything else about him I don't mind. Considering how I hate the combat in DMC, I can't wait to see what this guys do with the combat.