Dante's New Do for the DmC Reboot/Origin Story

[Cathartic.React]

So, I'm quite aware this isn't the first time this topic has popped up on this board, but when searching the forums I hadn't seen a thread on this subject in recent months. So I decided, what the hell, it couldn't hurt anything; especially not for my first thread. And where else to do it then on a classy place like the escapist, huh? So let's get to it.

The main reason for this thread is to get a look at the general consensus on Dante's new look for his next up and coming game. Anyone is welcome to post their opinion be it positive or not, though I would like some sort explanation on why you like or dislike it; mainly for my own curiosity and information collecting purposes, but really for the former purpose.

IMO, I'm really all for his new look. Maybe I'm just into scruffy, lanky looking insomniacs, but that really doesn't matter. Personally I can't wait to see the character development that comes along with it. It seems many people are overlooking the 'Origin' part of the new game. If some are still dubious of Dante looking more like the 'one we all know and love' the tale-tell patch of white on the back of his head should be a dead give-away. Also, though I can't say I'm surprised by the overwhelming dislike (from what I saw a few months ago, anyway); I /am/ surprised about how shallowly some DMC fans are taking this. Threatening to just drop the game because of a redesign before even playing it to know if it /is/ really shitty; call me crazy, but that just seems a little childish. I guess what I'm saying is, I'm way more for innovation over stagnation. Even if it doesn't go over well once it's released, I appreciate that they're at least trying to do something new, and hopefully learn from whatever mistakes they might make.

I'm glad the designers haven't backed down from their decision in light of the fan-base back lash. Which personally I'm hoping it just a Vocal Minority and at worse just a case of Broken Base; but you never know.

So yeah, TL;RD - tell me what you think about Dante's new look and why you are of that opinion.



P.S. - What's with all the Twilight comparisons to Edward and the like? I can certainly see the self-destructive aspect, but self-loathing? I'm not so sure. I am quite certain Dante would curb stomp any Bella type into the dirt. Coming from someone with a distaste toward all things Twilight, it's a bit insulting to read.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

The big problem here is the developer.

Ninja Theory is known for good story-telling, with bad gameplay.

Enslaved had basically no-fail platforming and basic block/counter combat. Heavenly Sword had a good story, but such horrid God of War style gameplay that I'd rather play Dante's Fucking Inferno.

Devil May Cry is GAMEPLAY centric. Not story centric. I doubt NT has the chops to pull off DMC gameplay.

 

[emeraldrafael]

I like his new look. I know its unpopular (along wtih liking the new lara croft, which I also do), but change is good, and this new dante tells so much more story without actually telling a story then the old one does.

 

[Cathartic.React]

@Onyx

Ohh, that explains a little more of the reluctance. I can't really agree or disagree though, for having played neither of the games.

At least Ninja theory isn't going it alone on this from what I understand they're all collaborating together, right?

Thanks for your contribution.

 

[Just_A_Glitch]

Personally, I don't like Devil May Cry, but it is my friend's favorite franchise, so I'm going to relay what he said.

He doesn't like the idea of people who didn't create Dante, who made a character he grew to love, doing an origins story.

That, I think, is a valid complaint. It isn't their character. Adding on to his story would be okay, but creating that story is kind of an issue. Plus, I think the trailer I saw looked like shit, and even I hate his new design, but I won't be playing regardless.

And, he dislikes every game Ninja Theory has made, so that doesn't make him any happier.

The big problem here is the developer.

Ninja Theory is known for good story-telling, with bad gameplay.

Enslaved had basically no-fail platforming and basic block/counter combat. Heavenly Sword had a good story, but such horrid God of War style gameplay that I'd rather play Dante's Fucking Inferno.

Devil May Cry is GAMEPLAY centric. Not story centric. I doubt NT has the chops to pull off DMC gameplay.

Pretty much this.

 

[Cathartic.React]

@Just_A_Glitch

Very understandable, thanks for your points and contribution.

 

[OrokuSaki]

I'd be ok with the new look if they changed his hair all white instead of looking like he skinned a skunk and shoved it on his head. If the game were a PREQUEL instead of a reboot showing Dante's tough years as a teenager instead of "Discovering his powers" (Which he was BORN WITH SEE GAME 1)I'd ecstatic. But really my main gripe is the hair, it looks ridiculous.

 

[callmegreen]

After playing DMC4 then Playing Other M ............ Ive Come to the conclusion that I Will Never think of Samus in the same way again and I DONT want that for MR. Tony Redgrave........

 

[Cathartic.React]

@emeraldrafael

Thanks for your support, hope you're as excited as I am.

 

[NeutralDrow]

I don't have any opinion on his look for good or ill. What it actually makes me is "curious." I want to know what the story background is behind why he looks like that then as opposed to his familiar style now.

So yeah, I'm looking forward to the game quite a lot.

If the game were a PREQUEL instead of a reboot showing Dante's tough years as a teenager instead of "Discovering his powers" (Which he was BORN WITH SEE GAME 1

Um...you do know that is what this is, right? A prequel, that is.

And it's not like the games are completely immune to retcons. Dante doesn't even start with devil trigger in 3 and 1, but it's become innate in 4 and 2. He wasn't born knowing how to do everything.

 

[Cheery Lunatic]

The big problem here is the developer.

Ninja Theory is known for good story-telling, with bad gameplay.

Enslaved had basically no-fail platforming and basic block/counter combat. Heavenly Sword had a good story, but such horrid God of War style gameplay that I'd rather play Dante's Fucking Inferno.

Devil May Cry is GAMEPLAY centric. Not story centric. I doubt NT has the chops to pull off DMC gameplay.

Yeah, this is basically the main problem.

However, I'm still rather optimistic. Huge DMC fan, and I'm liking the new change of pace. The changes aren't half-assed, and make sense when you think about it.

On a side note, I'm really tired of people calling the look "emo" though. Get your stereotypes right, people! It's called PUNK.

 

[gigastar]

If its good, Ninja Theory has just broken ground.

If its bad, Capcom will probably retcon it. They learned thier lesson with DMC2, theyre not going to let it happen again.

As for the new look, I cling to the theory that Dante will lose it by the end of the game.

In fact im mostly looking forward to the list of inevitable retcons this game is going to introduce.

 

[gigastar]

If the game were a PREQUEL instead of a reboot showing Dante's tough years as a teenager instead of "Discovering his powers" (Which he was BORN WITH SEE GAME 1

Um...you do know that is what this is, right? A prequel, that is.

And it's not like the games are completely immune to retcons. Dante doesn't even start with devil trigger in 3 and 1, but it's become innate in 4 and 2. He wasn't born knowing how to do everything.

Actually in 1 Dante couldnt trigger at first because the Force Edges power was still dormant, and even after it became the Sparda its trigger was a reserved eleventh hour superpower for the final boss.

After he gets Alastor, an active Devil Arm, he can trigger normally. To prevent the same issue in 2 Capcom retconned the Force Edge for Rebellion.

 

[NeutralDrow]

If its bad, Capcom will probably retcon it. They learned thier lesson with DMC2, theyre not going to let it happen again.

I still think DMC2 isn't nearly as bad as people say. Except for the voice acting and the annoying inability to cancel attack animations (which 1 had a bit of a problem with, too), it was still a good game.

I actually wish they'd bring back some of the things introduced in that game, particularly with devil trigger (customizable trigger abilities and damage, alternate attack animations while triggered, extra magic blasts, desperation mode...).

And I want to see Dante dual-wielding a shotgun and pistol again.

Honestly I'll be pissed if he can use ANY demon powers in this new one, cause that would retcon it to hell.

Well, even in 3, he started off with regeneration and infinite ammo. My baseless speculation is that he'd probably be about Nero-level power (minus the Devil Bringer) in a prequel.

 

[gigastar]

If its bad, Capcom will probably retcon it. They learned thier lesson with DMC2, theyre not going to let it happen again.

I still think DMC2 isn't nearly as bad as people say. Except for the voice acting and the annoying inability to cancel attack animations (which 1 had a bit of a problem with, too), it was still a good game.

I actually wish they'd bring back some of the things introduced in that game, particularly with devil trigger (customizable trigger abilities and damage, alternate attack animations while triggered, extra magic blasts, desperation mode...).

And I want to see Dante dual-wielding a shotgun and pistol again.

I do wish that the customisable triggers would return, but this being a prequel its gonna take an epic retcon to implement. Then again, the styles system in 3 would make an as good as choice.

But as Onyx said earler in the thread, DMC is gameplay first and foremost. The proof shall be in the pudding as we chew on it, not the pudding as we see it.

 

[NeutralDrow]

If the game were a PREQUEL instead of a reboot showing Dante's tough years as a teenager instead of "Discovering his powers" (Which he was BORN WITH SEE GAME 1

Um...you do know that is what this is, right? A prequel, that is.

And it's not like the games are completely immune to retcons. Dante doesn't even start with devil trigger in 3 and 1, but it's become innate in 4 and 2. He wasn't born knowing how to do everything.

Actually in 1 Dante couldnt trigger at first because the Force Edges power was still dormant, and even after it became the Sparda its trigger was a reserved eleventh hour superpower for the final boss.

After he gets Alastor, an active Devil Arm, he can trigger normally.

I'd always assumed devil trigger was an innate ability, rather than tied into the specific weapons, even though the weapons themselves affect his demon form. The thing that awakens Rebellion is Dante's own power, and Vergil can trigger even though Yamato isn't strictly a Devil Arm (until 4, at least).

Then again, since Vergil doesn't change his demon form for his Force Edge/Yamato combination like he does with Beowulf, I guess that means it's simply flat-out dormant, no matter what.

But then that would mean that Dante isn't really unable to Trigger with Force Edge/Sparda, so much as it simply wouldn't do anything. But then, he should have been able to use it gameplay-wise, since that increases regeneration. But...mutter mutter..

To prevent the same issue in 2 Capcom retconned the Force Edge for Rebellion.

Except he'd still have had Force Edge's awakened form by that point. He still has Sparda...though I guess gameplay-wise, he goes back to not being able to use the Sparda Trigger. I see what you mean.

...I haven't seen the anime yet, though. Does he ever use Sparda in that?

 

[xitel]

The big problem here is the developer.

Ninja Theory is known for good story-telling, with bad gameplay.

Enslaved had basically no-fail platforming and basic block/counter combat. Heavenly Sword had a good story, but such horrid God of War style gameplay that I'd rather play Dante's Fucking Inferno.

Devil May Cry is GAMEPLAY centric. Not story centric. I doubt NT has the chops to pull off DMC gameplay.

That's pretty much my problem with it. To be fair, the general internet hate was because of Dante's new look as a punk, although listening to Ninja Theory's director explaining the reasoning behind it, I came to agree with the decision. On the other hand, WATCHING the Ninja Theory director explain it, and realizing that he made Dante look like he wants to look like, I got a bit peeved. The gameplay is what I'm really worried about though. I'm honestly waiting for it to be a poor God of War clone (which, seeing as how in my opinion God of War is a poor DMC clone, is doubly bad), which will really piss me off.

 

[NeutralDrow]

If its bad, Capcom will probably retcon it. They learned thier lesson with DMC2, theyre not going to let it happen again.

I still think DMC2 isn't nearly as bad as people say. Except for the voice acting and the annoying inability to cancel attack animations (which 1 had a bit of a problem with, too), it was still a good game.

I actually wish they'd bring back some of the things introduced in that game, particularly with devil trigger (customizable trigger abilities and damage, alternate attack animations while triggered, extra magic blasts, desperation mode...).

And I want to see Dante dual-wielding a shotgun and pistol again.

I do wish that the customisable triggers would return, but this being a prequel its gonna take an epic retcon to implement. Then again, the styles system in 3 would make an as good as choice.

I actually just played 4 for the first time recently, and I rather like what they did with it there. Basically, everything 3 did over 1 and 2 (tied the style points to attack variety, made the meter drain with time rather than disappear, and allowed some hits before the combo disappeared), but with the added bonuses of only making combo rank drop with enemy attacks instead of time, and making said attacks only drop two ranks per hit. It's a lot more forgiving.

And I do loves me the rank-specific taunts.

But as Onyx said earler in the thread, DMC is gameplay first and foremost. The proof shall be in the pudding as we chew on it, not the pudding as we see it.

I suppose so, though I actually liked the stories in 3 and 4.

 

[Cathartic.React]

@NeutralDrow and gigastar

Thank you for all your input and discussion, I'm really enjoying reading it all. Please feel free to continue on.

I'm also open to questions, whatever they be

Also, as a side note. Thanks to anyone else in this thread I haven't directly commented to, a appreciate you all being civil and mature about this so far, I hope this keeps going.