An excellent addition to the series!
I know what everyone is thinking, "Why Nero? What about Dante?". Well don't worry, this is not Metal Gear Solid 2 all over again, Dante is playable in the game, with all his styles from Devil May Cry 3 along for the ride. Nero, on the other hand, is very similiar in appearence, attitude, and control. Other characters from previous games make an appearence, although they don't play as much of a role in the story as you would like. Lady and Trish appear in certain cutscenes throughout the game, but that's it. They feel like a celebrity guest star on your favirote sitcom.
The story is descent, although nothing surprising. It can be a little overdramatic at times, but it fits in with the other DMC's and feels right. Graphically the game is stunning. With a stable frame rate, realistic lighting, sharp textures, and awesome effects. The frame rate never drops, although there are a few times where the screen will tear but it's a pretty rare occurence. Load times are quick, with two seconds between areas in a level, and not much longer before cutscenes. DMC 4 sounds as good as it looks with kickin' guitar riffs similiar to DMC 3, and descent voice acting from Johnny Yong Bosch (Akira, Bleach, Trigun) playing the cocky Nero. Reuben Langdon, from DMC 3, reprises his role as Dante as well.
Devil May Cry 4 dosn't take any chances with the DMC formula, keeps it simple and adds just enough to make it feel new. The newest addition to the games mechanics is Nero's Devil Arm. With this, Nero can grab an enemy from afar or from the air and continue a combo, or just grab him and throw him to the ground. This mechanic makes for some cool combos, with enemies flying everywhere. The Devil Arm can also be used at key moments in boss battles that are extremely satasfying. Also a new addition is Nero's sword, the Red Queen. The Red Queen is sword infused with an engine that Nero can rev up to cause more damage.
Both the Devil Arm, and the Red Queen, along with Nero's twin barrelled revolver, the Blue Rose, can be upgraded. In DMC's of past, you spent red orbs to purchase new combos and upgrades. Not so in DMC 4, now after each mission you are awarded Proud Souls, which instead can be used to purchase combos and new abilities. Red orbs are still used, but only for items such as vital stars and blue orbs. Where the Proud Souls are different is they can be exchanged at anytime, before a mission or at Divinity Statues within missions. Don't like a combo you just bought? No problem, refund and get a new one. This makes it less frustrating than saving red orbs only to get a combo that dosn't fit your play style.
All of this makes DMC 4 a fun and hard experience, but it can be reptitive due to recycling of levels and bosses. This playing of old levels dont make them any different. The bosses even have the same patterns and attacks. The leves are changed up with some different routes and harder enemies, but it feels lazy.
Devil May Cry 4 won't change anyone's mind who didn't understand why people like the series, but for those who do, they know what to expect and will enjoy every bit of it.
Also, there is a Collector's Edition for $80. This set includes a case that can be reversed in the sleeve to display Dante or Nero on the front cover. Also included are 2 DVD's. One with the first four episodes from the Devil May Cry anime series, along with some extras from the game. The other is a "Making Of" and includes an interview, along with an art gallery and some PC exclusive content such as songs from the game's soundtrack. If your a huge fan of the series and still pop in previous games from the series for old time's sake then yes, get the collectors edition.