I see what you're saying, but keep in mind that the physical design wasn't the only change made to the game. I feel like most of the arguments between supporters of the reboot, and loyalists of the old games comes from the cliched "Dante's hair isn't white," mentality. Totally false.
Well, the white hair is the most first and most noticible thing at first glance, which is why people were so poignant and adamant of the hair, because it's the first most obvious change so it's what people clinged to when they needed to vent. The issue's were broader and deeper than that but it was hard to articulate those issues so the white hair became the cry of the public. Like been at a loss for word and just pointing and saying 'Well, just look at it.'
I also never did appretiate how people would underappreciate the white hair and how often they would put it down for whatever reason just to elevate their prefference. There was nothing about Dante's design that was meaningless and when I've tryed to explain that people have downplayed what I say and dismissed it, sometimes with contempt, sometimes with a disinterested brush off.
The story, the characters, and driving themes of the original series are what brought me back to the Devil May Cry series, and their apparent non-presence in the reboot are what's leaving me with a bad taste in my mouth.
Yeah, that is true, their driving themes and elements have changed. Poison, for example, would never be a boss fight design were it still part of the original franchise. The original E&I were weapons that were designed as part of a RE game and these look like they belong in a Final Fantasy game. The weapons strike me as designs that would never have been considered on the original franchise; Then again, I think that was the very point of it all.
Aside from that, I watched the 39 minute gameplay video from the demo's that I'm assuming you played. Under Watch and Secret Ingredient right?
Yarp. I made a thread on the DmC section, if you want the details of that whole experience.
The Under Watch demo showed the new Dante's use of Angel and Demon powers, which seem lifted directly from the platforming genius of Nero's Devil Bringer arm. This was something I also noticed with Dante's scythe, which would grab enemies and pull them closer to him in the same fashion. Overall, the gameplay looked very similar to the old games with a focus on aerial combat, that's been a series staple since DMC1.
Actually, I've mentioned that that aspect of the gameplay was very similar to Bayonetta's wip which both brings the enemy to you and takes you to them.
And then with Secret Ingredient, the "Poison," boss battle seemed almost carbon copied from the excellent Colossus of Rhodes boss fight from God of War 2. It just seems like Ninja Theory is taking everything from the old games they said was "outdated," without putting anything new in.
Well, Tam also said that something that was cool 12 years ago (Or was it 10?) is no longer cool, and yet that whole hiden/subliminal messege theme is from one of his favorite movies, They Live, which is from the 80's.
There are alot of contrasting things in this production. You will hear them say one thing and do another on the actual game. I think they were provably trying to calm the masses so they said what they thought was give them the best reactions.
They're even lifting off of God of War now, which used to be directly inspired by Devil May Cry, not the other way around.
Capcom isn't going for originality, they are going for sales and NT is provably looking at succesful games in the same genre as refrence to advance the development. Maybe they are trying to go for what sales rather than what's new.
I mean, I'm trying to give DmC a chance, but it just feels like the only changes that were actually made to the reboot is the new story and physical design, which dropped a series worth of characters I really cared about.
To a large degree, your right, that is what they did. I guess people will buy this over a game that looked closer to the original design. Alot of my friends poke fun at Dante's design and one of them is even more exited about the new look and descrived it as 'he got rid of that assh*&^ trenge coat.'
Why change it if your not going to change it? Because it will sell more if you do. Know your audience, and in this case this new look is designed to bring in a new and younger audience and there for you appeal to them. This game is more up my friend's alley because this look is the kind of thing that appeals to him.
Speaking of "dropped," the 30fps switch is yet another disheartening fact that just tells me that the quality of the old games isn't there, be it graphics or story-wise. Is that worth your money?
Well, don't be too concerned about the frame rate, the game was very responceive and played even faster than DMC4.
As for whether or not I'd pay for it? I don't know. I certainly don't think I'll be letting NT or Capcom have my money so I'm going to buy it used if I do buy it.