The characters were definitely likable (particularly Phineas.) Overall, there are aspects that could have been done differently but Instill believe that there is enough of a solid story and great game-play to constitute a follow up game and it's too bad that there hasn't been one. And he's still bad-ass enough to root for. I do miss the cold, calculating Samurai-Esq warrior but the added characteristics make the character sympathetic and almost relatable. So what would future games look like if he needs to be lead and no one's there to lead him?)/ Onto Virgil, I have no complaints. (especially since the lead he was originally following becomes his arch-enemy. But now he's actually not that intelligent and just follows others lead- not great qualities for a main character. He grew in wisdom and eventually became the guy with the answers and the plans. Yea he's still cool because he kicks ass and talks smack but there was definitely an aspect of growth in the character spanning across the original series. Going back to Dante, I don't like that the character lost so much of his charisma. Playing without a lock-on system is probably the most difficult but can be overlooked once you get the hang of the weapons.
But once you get the hang of it, it's actually very satisfying. The game-play was very challenging and tough to get used to. Not nearly as fantastical as the others but definitely more realistic and explains how these battles take place in modern times without stirring the public. So now instead of Dante and Virgil's all powerful-Ness coming solely from their father, it comes from their Angel mother as well. As much as I love the other games, I always found it somewhat off that Mundus is the Deil himself yet one of his own demons (only one mind you) was powerful enough to fight the entire Underworld and defeat him. It's a less appealing image of him, but more sensible as far as establishing that the villain is the most powerful to overcome. Changing the storyline so that Sparta wasn't this all- powerful demon not so much a bad thing. However, after playing the game all the way through, I was surprisingly pleased with the overall product.
Even knowing that the game was starting from scratch, I expected some continuity from the original series but I didn't get any. I will only play the game if he's wearing that outfit. The only redeemable look that comes from this game, is Dante with the same short hair, but it's colored white and he's wearing clothes from the Matrix (when the crew is in the real world) and a pair of converse. The white haired devil from the previous games was so appealing. Wth is with the Edward Cullen makeover? He looks awful!! He looks like an emo- drug dealer. But let me first explain why I took to an immediate dislike. I have to admit, that I hated the concept of this revamp when I first saw the previews but after playing it, it definitely grew on me.