When it was announced in March last year that Devil May Cry 4 would see simultaneous release on multiple consoles; Sony no doubt commenced licking their wounds, as Microsoft rejoiced as they smelt blood; realizing their new-found stranglehold on the action genre. Not only did they still have the exclusive rights to Ninja Gaiden II, they now shared joint-custody of Sony's stray child, Devil May Cry 4.

The only concern regarding the announcement was: will Devil May Cry handle itself in the same smooth fashion it does on the PlayStation? Can its intricate control-scheme be emulated for the Xbox? I'm here to tell you: Yes, and oh my, yes.

Situated in the coastal town of Fortuna, Devil May Cry 4's plot follows the co-existing stories of Nero and, a familiar face, Dante. Their paths cross when Dante literally drops into a meeting held by an elite group who worship the Legendary Dark Knight Sparda, The Order of the Sword; a group Nero is closely tied to. Things take a turn for the worse when Dante, with expert precision, cuts down the Order's numbers; sparking chaos. Dante soon splits, and we're left with Nero who is now intent on stopping Dante, who for some reason wishes to systematically rid of the Order. To make matters worse for Nero, his love interest Kyrie, like any typical damsel in distress, gets herself taken hostage. It's just not Nero's day. Also returning from other DMC games are the likes of Trish and Lady (of DMC and DMC3), naturally Lucia (of DMC2) doesn't make an appearance as by a technicality, Dante hasn't even met her yet!

Across three games already, Devil May Cry has undergone its fair share of changes, most of which received poor to lukewarm reception. For fans of the original Devil May Cry, you'll notice this latest entry reverts back to the basics in several ways - in its art direction, satirical humour and the ability to leave you reeling after each battle escalates beyond expectation. Devil May Cry 4 does everything that made the first game a cult classic and goes beyond; introducing many fresh faces and new ways to approach the exhilarating combat. I would argue that this is the most solid of all of the Devil May Cry games.

For those who were never Sony owners, Devil May Cry is a rather simplistic concept. It's story mode is comprised of twenty missions in all. In each of these missions, players must perform daring feats of platforming replete with an unhealthy dose of close-quarters combat, and solve the occasional noodle-scratcher. Upon completion of a mission, the player is given a grade, ranging from a lowly D to the elusive S (and perhaps beyond, I'm simply not good enough to know). Players can better their chances at scoring well by beating the mission within a certain time frame, as well as collecting a large percentage of the red orbs within the level (these orbs also serve as the world currency and allow you to buy items).

The combat, thankfully, is similar to the original Devil May Cry, so fans of the original should feel at home. Both Nero and Dante are armed to the teeth with an arsenal of unholy damnation; and they're not afraid of letting loose. At the mere mashing of buttons, you're able to unleash unrelenting combos on your remorseful foes. For the seasoned DMC veterans, they may look to utilise the standard control scheme, whereas newcomers would be wiser selecting automatic (making combos much easier). This is not only more enjoyable; it does wonders for the learning curve.

Nero brings a new gameplay element to the table in Devil May Cry 4. Aptly named 'The Devil Bringer', Nero's right arm is a utility that's handy for grappling throughout the game; for example in context-sensitive portions, where you progress by grappling your way through a simplistic maze of 'grapple orbs' that are suspended in mid-air. Not only that but you are able to use it to draw your enemies closer to you, which makes it possible to easily pull-off some 'smokin' sick style' combos (the aforementioned veterans would understand that one). Not only that but he is equipped with the Red Queen (his single-edge sword that has a cool Exceed ability) and the Blue Rose (his revolver).When presented with the option of all of these three weapons, coupled with their possible advancements at upgrade stations throughout the game; it's enough to make hack-and-slash enthusiasts salivate uncontrollably. If you were ever unsure about Nero usurping Dante's throne, your uncertainty will be put to rest. Nero is one cool cat.

Dante isn't without his moments, however. His 'too cool for school' attitude makes his dialogue hilarious at points, as he re-introduces the punch-line to the standard video game. Not only does Dante talk the talk, he also walks the walk -- he fights, too! Toting Ebony and Ivory amongst an arsenal of goodies, he is a force to be reckoned with. Styles, from Devil May Cry 3, make a return to Dante's seemingly endless abilities. Though to make them more accessible, you're now able to change styles midplay with the press of a button.

Devil May Cry wouldn't be complete without Devil Trigger. The power is not only limited to Dante, though, as Nero also has the ability to summon supreme power from the darkest pits of Hell to aid him in destroying literally anyone in his path. The temporary power-up doesn't last too long, though it can be prolonged by buying power-ups at the aforementioned upgrade stations. Not only are they fun to play around with; they look pretty damn cool, too!

While the mechanics of the game aren't problematic in the least, a lot of gamers may have an issue with camera placement. Capcom has kept the same detached camera system in use for many of its staple franchises – for dramatic effect. Inexplicably, however, it also sought to break the 180º rule at every turn, literally, which means that with every cut to a new camera angle, you will find your running direction reversed, causing unnecessary frustration. While this isn't a huge issue, it's aggravating to be running through scores of corridors only to keep being turned around by a bothersome camera.

Devil May Cry 4 is a game that's very easy on the eyes. The models for all of the primary characters look great and follow the same art direction seen in the original, as it retains a certain Gothic atmosphere that is so paramount to the series. Nero appears as he is, an arrogant and untamed individual, and this is shown through his visual mannerisms; the same can be said for Dante. It's clear the art team had fascinating ideas in designing DMC4. The world's environments are portrayed in pixel beauty; from morbid Fortuna's Castle in the opening chapters, through to a forest that looks as though it's alive. Unfortunately though, many of the maps are recycled throughout the narrative progression of the game. While, I can't pinpoint where it all breaks down, it's almost half the game it should be. It was a disappointment for me to see a subtle developing shortcut strike Capcom down a peg.

As with all of the games before it, Devil May Cry 4 has a soundtrack comprised of a selection of industrial and almost electronic-metal melodies. Mixed in with background ambiance, it makes for the perfect setting to kick your feet up and serve up the hurt with a side of fries. DMC fans may hear familiar sounds, as Capcom have flown in different guys who've worked on a number of their previous DMC titles. It's a safe bet that fans of old and new will find something amidst the collection to tap their foot to.

The voice-acting in DMC4 was marginally above average, as numerous parts fluctuated in performance. Most of the primary characters held their own in delivering their roles convincingly; Dante as I've already mentioned was stellar. Johnny Bosch (yes, of Power Rangers fame -- 'I'm a frog') was a surprise for me as Nero, as he had many classic exchanges with Dante, and various bosses, that could very well become iconic. Other roles such as Kyrie and Agnus were a little weaker in delivery, though still allowed the game to maintain its 'cinematic vibe' thanks to the quality of the voice acting performances.