Info about Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition:

Official game description:
Take control of one of five playable characters in the Special Edition of Devil May Cry 4, the ultimate version of the smash-hit stylish action game!  
Devil May Cry 4 immerses gamers in a gothic supernatural world, where a new protagonist clashes with a familiar hero. As the new leading man, Nero, players will unleash incredible attacks and non-stop combos using a unique new gameplay mechanic, his powerful "Devil Bringer" arm.  
On the coast of a distant land lies the castle town of Fortuna. It is here that the group known as the Order of the Sword practices a mysterious religion. They revere the demon warrior Sparda, who as their god fought to protect humans, and are committed to the extermination of all demons. Nero, a young knight from the Order, is tasked with finding Dante, the mysterious assassin who murdered the head of the Order of the Sword. At the same time, more demons begin to appear throughout the city. Nero will soon come to discover the motives behind Dante's appearance and the truth behind the intentions of the Order of the Sword.  
**
Features
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****THREE New Playable Characters**  
*   Vergil is a strong, yet technical character, so newcomers can play with confidence while seasoned veterans can further sharpen their skills as they master his moves. Great for all skill levels!  
*   Lady, in her first playable appearance, specializes in long-distance, powerful attacks. Using the Kalina Ann rocket launcher, a grappling wire, and a variety of awesome guns, she can fight with grace and ease.  
*   Trish utilizes the demonic sword Sparda to perform a wide variety of combos. The Sparda can even home in on and attack enemies autonomously while Trish fights in tandem!
**Legendary Dark Knight Mode**  
*   Fight a massive number of enemies simultaneously for extra difficulty and maximum satisfaction!
**Refined Gameplay**  
*   Small adjustments have been made to improve the gameplay tempo, and provide an even better experience for players both new and returning.
**Returning Features**  
*   Signature blend of guns and swordplay  
*   Deep combo system rewards stylish dispatching of enemies  
*   Distinct set of weaponry and moves for all characters

Release date: Jun 23, 2015

Categories: Hack and Slash, Character-based Combat, Stylish Combat, Combo Mechanics, Action Adventure, Third-Person Action, Multiple Playable Characters, Mission-based Gameplay

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 20; verdict: Fair; summary: The game features some microtransactions and DLC content, but these are mostly cosmetic or additional content that can be obtained through gameplay. There are mentions of pay-to-win elements, but these are limited in scope and do not significantly impact the overall gaming experience.
- Wiki: score 10; verdict: Critical Alt-Tab Stability Issues; summary: The primary issue identified in the user feedback is the game's instability when attempting to alt-tab out of the game. This problem leads to crashes, freezes, and progress loss, significantly impacting the user experience. While there are fixes available, they are complex and require external resources, adding to the frustration. The severity of this issue is high, as it disrupts gameplay and forces players to seek external help.
- Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works Well; summary: The game demonstrates good compatibility and launch reliability on Linux using Proton. Users report successful gameplay with specific Proton versions, indicating that the game works well on Linux with minimal issues.
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Playable with Tinkering; summary: The analysis of user feedback for the Steam Deck experience with the game reveals several key themes. Stability issues, particularly frequent crashes, are a significant concern for many users. Additionally, compatibility and configuration issues add complexity, requiring users to perform specific fixes or use particular settings. Controller support is generally praised but can be confusing for some users. Despite these issues, many users report that the game runs well on the Steam Deck, indicating good performance and optimization.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Performance varies significantly across hardware cohorts, with lower VRAM systems experiencing mostly positive outcomes despite some crashes, while higher VRAM systems report more frequent crashes and instability.
  - Sample size: 70 (2% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (positive, 35 reports): The game generally runs well even on systems with no dedicated VRAM, though some users report occasional crashes.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (negative, 15 reports): Users report frequent crashes, especially when alt-tabbing, requiring workarounds to stabilize.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (negative, 12 reports): The game often crashes on startup and during gameplay, particularly when alt-tabbing or during cutscenes.
  - Caveats: 70 of 3035 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $6.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence consistently suggests that the game is worth purchasing only when it is on sale. Multiple reviews mention that the game is worth buying at a discounted price, indicating that the community does not consider the full price to be fair. The general sentiment is that the game has some enjoyable aspects but is not worth the full price due to various issues such as crashes and repetitive content.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 20.0h
  - Story completion: 12.0h
  - Session length: 1.0h
  - Endgame: 8.0h
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides several direct and indirect references to playtime. The first quote mentions completing the game as Nero/Dante, indicating a full playthrough. The second quote suggests extensive playtime, having beaten the game with multiple characters. The third quote implies a significant investment of time to achieve 100% completion and considering the extensive achievements. The fourth quote indicates repeated attempts to finish the game due to technical issues, suggesting a considerable amount of time spent.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game starts fun but becomes repetitive and boring as players progress due to recycled levels and bosses. However, the combat system is highly praised, offering deep and addictive gameplay for those who get into it.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Mastering the combat mechanics
  - Time to anchor: 1h 0m
  - Friction: Repetitive levels; Poorly designed enemies/bosses; Backtracking
  - Unlock drivers: Improving rank; Learning new techniques; Mastering each character
  - Conditions: Getting into the game deeply; Playing with friends using mods
- Player Archetypes:
  - Frustrated Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoyment of gameplay and story
    - Playstyle: Willing to play despite technical issues
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Fan of the series; PC gamer
    - Reference games: Devil May Cry series
  - Skill Master (buy)
    - Motivation: Mastery of gameplay mechanics
    - Playstyle: Focused on learning advanced techniques and achieving high ranks
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Veteran; Newcomer
    - Reference games: Devil May Cry series; Bayonetta
  - Casual Gamer (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoyment of the game without deep mastery
    - Playstyle: Prefers easy combos and casual play
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Casual gamer
    - Reference games: Devil May Cry series
  - Critical Player (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoyment of specific gameplay elements
    - Playstyle: Prefers varied gameplay and intuitive controls
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: Fighting game fan
    - Reference games: Painkiller; Devil May Cry series


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Stylish and smooth combat (weight 0.32): The combat system is frequently described as stylish, smooth, and fun. Players appreciate the fast and epic combat, which is considered one of the best in the genre.
- Positive overall game experience (weight 0.25): Players consistently praise the game for its entertaining and enjoyable gameplay. The game is described as fun to play, with good graphics, excellent gameplay, and an overall positive experience.
- Nero's character and gameplay (weight 0.22): Nero is highlighted as a favorite character with a well-received design and engaging gameplay. Players appreciate his unique combat mechanics and emotional engagement in the story.
- Dante's character and gameplay (weight 0.19): Dante is praised for his well-designed character, impressive skills, and fun gameplay. His stylish combos and versatile arsenal are particularly noted.
- Variety of characters (weight 0.16): The game offers a variety of characters, including playable characters with unique styles. This variety adds depth and enjoyment to the gameplay experience.
- Playable characters with unique styles (weight 0.13): Characters like Vergil, Lady, and Trish are noted for their unique playstyles and enjoyable gameplay. Players appreciate the variety and depth these characters bring.
- Great soundtrack and atmosphere (weight 0.13): The soundtrack and overall atmosphere of the game are highly praised. Players enjoy the music and sounds, which contribute to the game's great atmosphere.
- Vergil's enjoyable gameplay (weight 0.13): Playing as Vergil is described as very fun and satisfying. His fast combos and enjoyable gameplay mechanics are highlighted.
- Improved cinematics and storytelling (weight 0.07): The game features improved cinematics and storytelling, which are praised for their quality and contribution to the overall experience.
- Favorite in the series (weight 0.07): The game is considered one of the favorite installments in the Devil May Cry series, with players praising it as one of the best in the franchise.
- Challenging and rewarding gameplay (weight 0.07): The game offers challenging gameplay that is rewarding, particularly on higher difficulties. Players appreciate the classic and therapeutic gameplay experience.

Common complaints:
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.26): The game experiences frequent crashes, particularly on PC. These crashes occur at various points such as launch, during gameplay, and when tabbing out.
- Poor optimization and design (weight 0.18): The game suffers from poor optimization, leading to performance issues and graphical lags. Additionally, the level and map design have been criticized for being poor.
- Poor PC port (weight 0.16): The PC port of the game is widely criticized for its poor quality and numerous issues. Players have reported difficulties in getting the game to run smoothly on PC.
- Repetitive gameplay with Dante (weight 0.13): Dante's sections of the game are seen as repetitive and poorly designed, often involving excessive backtracking. This repetitiveness detracts from the overall enjoyment.
- Repetitive bosses and missions (weight 0.09): The game features repetitive missions and bosses, which can make the gameplay feel monotonous. Players have noted that the repetition of locations and bosses is a significant issue.
- Lackluster boss fights (weight 0.08): The boss fights in the game are generally considered lackluster and unremarkable. Many players find the bosses to be boring and forgettable.
- Weak storyline (weight 0.07): The game's story is criticized for being simple and unremarkable. Players find the storyline to be lacking and not a strong point of the game.
- Frustrating levels and puzzles (weight 0.06): The game features frustrating levels and puzzle designs that players find annoying and uninspired. Some levels are considered bad and poorly designed.
- Lack of in-game guidance (weight 0.06): Players report a lack of guidance and navigation within the game, making it difficult to know where to go. The in-game guidance is weak and insufficient.
- Annoying enemy design (weight 0.06): The enemy design in the game is often seen as annoying and frustrating. Some enemies are more frustrating than fun, detracting from the overall gameplay experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Multiple playable characters (weight 0.26): The game features multiple playable characters, each with unique abilities and combat styles. This includes characters like Vergil, Nero, Lady, and Trish, adding depth and variety to the gameplay experience.
- Complex and engaging combat mechanics (weight 0.15): The combat system is detailed and complex, offering a phenomenal experience with a focus on high speed, combos, and enemy juggling. Techniques like inertia, distortion, and guard flying add depth to the combat.
- Dante's versatile combat styles (weight 0.14): Dante offers a wide range of combat styles and weapons, allowing players to switch between different styles such as Trickster, Swordmaster, Gunslinger, and Royal Guard. This variety enables limitless stylistic expression and makes gameplay fun and engaging.
- Nero's Devil Bringer mechanics (weight 0.13): Nero's Devil Bringer arm introduces innovative combat mechanics, allowing for powerful attacks and enemy pulling. This mechanic is central to Nero's moveset and adds a unique element to his combat sections.
- Character and level design (weight 0.09): The game features detailed character and level design, with colorful and well-designed enemies. The character designs and appearances add to the visual appeal of the game.
- Combo-based gameplay (weight 0.08): The game emphasizes combo-based gameplay, allowing players to pull off complex and high-value combos. This mechanic is central to the game's combat system and adds a layer of skill and strategy.
- High replay value (weight 0.08): The game offers significant replay value due to its varied gameplay mechanics, multiple characters, and different combat styles. The aggressive gameplay and in-game guidance also contribute to a rich gaming experience.
- Mission-based progression (weight 0.08): The game features a mission-based progression system, with structured missions and levels. This includes puzzle missions and repetitive levels that add variety to the gameplay.
- Unique character abilities (weight 0.07): Each character in the game has unique abilities and attacks, providing a distinct gameplay experience. This variety in character abilities enhances the overall gameplay and keeps it engaging.
- Character-specific gameplay (weight 0.07): The game features character-specific gameplay, with each playable character having unique combat systems and movesets. This adds variety and depth to the gameplay experience.
- Vergil's gameplay (weight 0.07): Vergil is noted for his fast and precise combat style, featuring teleports and concentrated attacks. His inclusion as a playable character adds a unique and engaging gameplay experience.
- Hack and slash genre (weight 0.07): The game falls within the hack and slash genre, offering stylish and action-packed gameplay. This genre is characterized by its focus on combat and melee-based attacks.
- Introduction of Nero (weight 0.07): Nero is introduced as a new character with quick and easy controls, making him accessible to players. His storyline and combat sections are designed to be engaging and fun.
- Varied boss fights (weight 0.06): The game includes complex and varied boss battles, with unique patterns and mechanics. These boss fights add challenge and depth to the gameplay experience.
- Switching between Dante and Nero (weight 0.06): The game allows players to switch between Dante and Nero, each offering different gameplay experiences. This mechanic adds variety and depth to the gameplay.
- Style switching mechanics (weight 0.06): The game features style-switching mechanics, allowing players to change styles mid-battle. This adds a layer of strategy and customization to the combat system.
- Variety of combat styles (weight 0.05): The game offers a good variety of weapons and combat styles, allowing players to choose from different fighting styles and abilities. This variety enhances the gameplay experience and keeps it engaging.
- Bloody Palace mode (weight 0.05): The game includes a Bloody Palace mode, which is an endurance gauntlet that challenges players with waves of enemies. This mode adds replay value and a unique challenge to the game.
- Legendary Dark Knight mode (weight 0.04): The game features a Legendary Dark Knight mode, which is a wave-based challenge that floods the screen with enemies. This mode adds a unique and challenging gameplay experience.

Performance notes:
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.23): The game experiences frequent crashes, including on startup, during gameplay, and when alt-tabbing. This issue is widespread and significantly impacts the player experience.
- Compatibility issues (weight 0.13): The game has compatibility issues with modern hardware and specific Windows versions, particularly Windows 11. Additional modifications or downloads are often required to run the game.
- Optimization and performance issues (weight 0.09): The game suffers from poor optimization, leading to performance issues and graphical lags. However, some players report smooth performance on modern PCs.
- Memory overrun errors (weight 0.09): Players encounter memory overrun errors, often leading to fatal errors and preventing the game from loading. This is a critical issue affecting game stability.
- Port and hardware issues (weight 0.08): The game has poor porting to PC, leading to various issues and incompatibility with modern hardware. This affects the game's playability on newer systems.
- General bugs and glitches (weight 0.06): The game is reported to be horribly buggy and unplayable at times, with various bugs and glitches affecting the overall experience.
- Configuration and mod issues (weight 0.05): Players need to edit configuration files and face compatibility issues with mods. These problems add complexity and hinder the gaming experience.
- Crashes when accessing settings (weight 0.03): The game crashes when players try to access PC settings, adding to the list of stability issues.
- Steam Deck performance (weight 0.03): The game runs on Steam Deck but experiences performance issues. This affects players using this platform.
- Hex editing required (weight 0.03): Some players report needing to perform manual hex editing to get the game to launch, indicating significant technical issues.

Recommendations:
- Game highly recommended (weight 0.17): Many players recommend the game despite its flaws and imperfections. It is suggested for both new and old players, and it is highly recommended for action game fans.
- Buy the game on sale (weight 0.09): Several reviews suggest waiting for a sale to purchase the game. It is often mentioned as worth buying when discounted.
- Play other DMC games first (weight 0.08): Some reviews recommend playing other games in the series, particularly DMC5, before playing this one.
- Worth it for combat and content (weight 0.08): The game is recommended for its deep combat system, complexity, and additional content in the Special Edition.
- Not for all players (weight 0.04): The game is not recommended for beginners, players seeking a Platinum Cup or no-damage run, or those interested in the story.
- Positive mentions of specific versions (weight 0.04): The PS3 and PS4 versions of the game are mentioned as being worth playing and still awesome.
- Technical issues need fixing (weight 0.03): Some reviews mention that the game has technical issues that need to be fixed, and suggest looking up solutions online if the game does not open.
- Game needs a remaster (weight 0.02): There are suggestions that the game could benefit from a remaster to improve its overall quality.

Other player notes:
- Remake of Devil May Cry 3 requested (weight 0.02): Players are expressing a desire for a remake of Devil May Cry 3, indicating nostalgia and a wish for updated graphics or gameplay mechanics.
- Intel users need workaround (weight 0.02): There are issues specific to Intel users that require a workaround, suggesting compatibility or performance problems that need addressing.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.35): Players are frustrated primarily due to technical issues, such as game crashes, compatibility problems, and the need for extensive troubleshooting to get the game to run. Additionally, repetitive gameplay elements like backtracking, repeated boss fights, and lack of new content contribute significantly to this frustration.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.16): Players enjoy the game's combat mechanics, character variety, and unique gameplay styles. The engaging story, character design, and fluid combat mechanics also contribute to a positive and entertaining experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.09): Players feel disappointed due to the game's repetitive missions, lack of unique storylines for certain characters, and poor level design. Technical issues and the feeling that the game is unfinished or mechanically inferior to other entries in the series also contribute to this disappointment.
- Excitement (weight 0.07): Players are excited about the game's combat systems, character abilities, and the introduction of new characters like Nero. The variety of combat experiences, engaging plot, and overall gameplay mechanics contribute to this excitement.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.06): Players feel nostalgic due to personal memories and experiences associated with the game, reflecting on the history and evolution of the DMC series. Childhood memories of playing the game and comparisons to previous games in the series evoke this sentiment.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the game's unique gameplay mechanics, character abilities, and design. The excellent combat, graphics, and varied locations are also highly valued.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.04): Players feel satisfied with the game's combat system, character designs, and the ability to play as multiple characters. Overcoming challenges on higher difficulties and the overall enjoyment of the story and gameplay contribute to this satisfaction.
- Excited (weight 0.02): Players are excited about the enjoyable combat and gameplay mechanics, as well as the variety of characters and their unique abilities. The engaging story and character dynamics also contribute to this excitement.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Players are enthusiastic about the game's combat depth, character animations, and gameplay mechanics. The enjoyable cutscenes and character modeling also add to this enthusiasm.
- Frustrated (weight 0.02): Players are frustrated with performance issues, control issues, and difficulties in getting the game to run smoothly. Problems with gameplay mechanics and level design also contribute to this frustration.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Players experience joy from the positive gameplay experience, beautiful graphics, and enjoyable soundtrack. The fun characters and addictive gameplay modes also contribute to this joy.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Players are angry due to game crashes, performance issues, and the need for risky fixes to get the game to work. The game's saving mechanism and compatibility problems also contribute to this anger.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Players admire the game's attractive character designs, beautiful cutscenes, and technical excellence. The good story and amazing soundtrack also contribute to this admiration.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Players find amusement in the humorous narrative and entertaining gameplay. The fun and engaging nature of the game contribute to this amusement.
- Critical (weight 0.01): Players are critical of issues with enemy types, level design, and control schemes. Comparisons to other DMC games highlight flaws and contribute to this critical perspective.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players love the game due to its improved combat, character variety, and overall enjoyable experience. The unique feel and design of the game also contribute to this love.
- Appreciative (weight 0.01): Players are appreciative of the game's combat and content, recognizing its historical significance. The unique feel and design of the game also contribute to this appreciation.
- Approval (weight 0): Players approve of the combat evolution and the introduction of the character Nero. The improvements in weapon switching and gameplay direction also contribute to this approval.
- Surprise (weight 0): Players are surprised by the mention of Final Fantasy elements and the increasing challenge as they progress through the game. These unexpected elements contribute to this surprise.
- Mixed feelings (weight 0): Players have mixed feelings due to the positive aspects of gameplay and characters, but are critical of rehashed levels and confusing level design. The combination of positive and negative elements contributes to these mixed feelings.}