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Getting into Devil May Cry 4

übergeekübergeek Sector 2814Registered User regular
edited April 2010 in Games and Technology
Yeah, this OP is going to suck. I did a search but since "may" and "cry" are too short, I may have missed a thread. All I came up with was a Persona thread.

I got DMC4 PC not too long ago, and I'm going through my backlog and I was going tackle it next. However, just from the opening fight with Dante I know I'm doing it mostly wrong. For one, using a joypad and having it set up like the 360 gamepad, fire is the west button and sword is the north one, which seems to just be odd since you'd be up close using Devil Trigger and the sword more often. I end up hitting jump and start hitting fire , thinking it should be my sword button. I can remap it, but just based on that, it shows my mindset is in a different place compared to people who have played all 4. (Although the default layout could be wrong, no way for me to know.)

So, I'd appreciate some input. I'd like to learn the combo system, but there's so many based off the list I looked at, and all the items you can buy, I almost feel like selecting automatic and min/maxing the purchases. I'd rather learn to play it correctly though.

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  • RubycatRubycat Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    I played it on 360. changing gun to my left trigger since you should be in a habit once you get charge shot to always have Neros gun charging up shots. (so put it on something comfortable you can keep holding while doing other things)

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  • DeMoNDeMoN twitch.tv/toxic_cizzle Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    The default controls really are fine. You just need to get used to them.

    Oh, and automatic is there for panty-waists and babies.

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  • übergeekübergeek Sector 2814Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    DeMoN wrote: »
    The default controls really are fine. You just need to get used to them.

    Oh, and automatic is there for panty-waists and babies.

    I know, which is why I want to not take the easy way out. However, I'm not much for games that rely on combos like this one does. As an example, how many years ago was Street Fight II, Mortal Kombat 3, Killer Instinct....etc. The most recent of those is the last time I had to remember button combos to kill stuff. Yeah, I probably need to get SFIV if Super ever comes out for PC and get rid of the fighting game rust.

    übergeek on
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  • DeMoNDeMoN twitch.tv/toxic_cizzle Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Most of the combos in Devil May Cry are actually pretty simple compared to other games.

    There aren't all that many, and the inputs couldn't be easier.

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  • MongerMonger I got the ham stink. Dallas, TXRegistered User regular
    edited April 2010
    DeMoN wrote: »
    Most of the combos in Devil May Cry are actually pretty simple compared to other games.

    There aren't all that many, and the inputs couldn't be easier.
    Yeah, don't get too intimidated by the combo system. None of the moves have complex inputs and the combo system itself is pretty freeform, since it's mostly about experimenting with the properties of different moves and how they work in sequence. You won't be getting new moves at a particularly overwhelming pace, either.

    For the most part, just play around with it. Most of the combo stuff comes as a byproduct of observation. The fourth hit of Nero's standard combo knocks enemies back, so if you want to keep an enemy in combo you can replace that fourth hit with an attack that doesn't knock them back, like a riser (lockon + back + sword). That kind of thing. As you spend time with the game, it'll start coming pretty naturally. You can worry about the crazier cancels later.

    It's kind of hard to do it wrong, really. And if you have any specific questions, you can always ask.

    Monger on
  • übergeekübergeek Sector 2814Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Hmmm....questions. How about upgrades? Right now I'm looking at the suggestions this guy posted

    http://mycheats.1up.com/view/section/3158092/20313/devil_may_cry_4/pc

    I'm wondering if his suggestions are the majority or minority opinion.

    übergeek on
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  • DeMoNDeMoN twitch.tv/toxic_cizzle Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    I honestly think you're over thinking it. You could probably get through he whole game with just the ground combos and streak.

    Definitely buy streak though. It's extremely useful for mobility.

    And remember to use Nero's sword charging. Charging up your moves makes them hit way harder. You can do it by revving up before a fight or during a fight, or you immediately rev up a level if you hit the button the second you hit someone with your sword. It's nowhere near essential, but it's definitely helpful as you pack more of a punch.

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  • übergeekübergeek Sector 2814Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Well, I'm 2 levels in, pretty fun so far. Just hesitant to spend money on skills/upgrades still. I got Streak and Split so far.

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  • MongerMonger I got the ham stink. Dallas, TXRegistered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Yeah, you're definitely analyzing this too much. You can't go wrong here, so don't worry about it.

    Streak and Split are the most important moves to get early, definitely. After that, charged shot is great, and probably Nero's most effective ability. The other basic combos are great. Snatch upgrades are great. Air Hike you'll want pretty early, too. Whatever you want to play around with, really. Also remember that you can respec at statues and mission screens for free if you aren't digging something you've bought.

    However, I'll tell you right now to not bother with Max-Act until your timing on your instant-revs is extremely good. And you can pretty much ignore enemy step, since it's only important for advanced techniques that you just don't need to worry about until you've completed the game several times over.

    Monger on
  • übergeekübergeek Sector 2814Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Eh my instant revs are hit or miss right now. I wish I could just hold the fire button and not have to tap it like a madman.

    übergeek on
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  • Mmmm... Cocks...Mmmm... Cocks... Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    übergeek wrote: »
    Eh my instant revs are hit or miss right now. I wish I could just hold the fire button and not have to tap it like a madman.
    Keep on it, eventually the timing will click with you and you'll start dishing out some nice extra damage.

    Mmmm... Cocks... on
  • Publius Aelius HadrianusPublius Aelius Hadrianus Permanently bland Seattle, Washington Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    You can just mash buttons in that game and still be successful.

    Publius Aelius Hadrianus on
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  • Mmmm... Cocks...Mmmm... Cocks... Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    You can just mash buttons in that game and still be successful.
    True, but it's all about cranking up the difficulty after beating it.

    Mmmm... Cocks... on
  • MordrackMordrack Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    You can just mash buttons in that game and still be successful.
    True, but it's all about cranking up the difficulty after beating it.
    LDK difficulty on the PC is pretty nice. Surprisingly, for me anyway, is that it made the game easier.

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  • übergeekübergeek Sector 2814Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Well I'm starting on Devil Hunter. I could just use a trainer and unlock the PC exclusive mode, but I figure that would be overkill considering this is my first DMC game.

    übergeek on
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  • SzechuanSzechuan Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    All you really need to do is adjust to the learning curve, at which point things are suddenly going to click and you'll S-Rank a level without realizing you were doing that well. Don't overthink it, but be aware that you can jump-cancel many moves to end them sooner than they normally would. You're also invincible at the start of a jump so it pays to get used to doing this - you'll be able to chain more moves together while avoiding damage, which sounds elementary to any action game but really really pays off in DMC. Enemies on any difficulty above Devil Hunter do not fuck around, and avoiding damage altogether is key.

    Oh, and a word of warning: if you haven't played the earlier games in the series, you're going to run smack into another near-vertical learning curve halfway through the game. Just remember: not getting hit is priority 1. Everything else you need to know will come in time, but concentrate on evasion until your skills develop.

    Szechuan on
  • MongerMonger I got the ham stink. Dallas, TXRegistered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Szechuan wrote: »
    Just remember: not getting hit is priority 1. Everything else you need to know will come in time, but concentrate on evasion until your skills develop.
    This is excellent advice. Just so you know, every attack for every enemy has a unique audio and visual tell in front of it. Eventually, you'll build up reflexes for all of it, but make sure you're not getting so involved in planning out moves that you forget to pay attention to them.

    Monger on
  • Psychotic OnePsychotic One The Lord of No Pants Parts UnknownRegistered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Out of the Devil May Crys 4 was the easiest. I wouldnt' worry too much about what to buy as you can respec all you want I think. Plus stats carry over in difficulties so I'd beat normal, then devil, then dante, then heaven or hell, the Hell or Hell [beat this with out cheating for mad props]

    For Nero its about using your devil hand to grab enemies to you or drag you too them for dragon ball style ass kickings. Most of the time you wont even be on the ground, least the way I played. Dante is more about guns and ass kickings. Ebony and Ivory are your goto guns and his default weapon is pretty much golden. The weapons you get for him in this game are fun but not really needed. Find a playstyle that works for you and pick skills around it. And practice the instant Rev technique. Helps so much for later game play.

    *edit*
    Nero not Virgil...Doh

    Psychotic One on
  • DeMoNDeMoN twitch.tv/toxic_cizzle Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    I think you meant Nero. Vergil is in the other game.

    edit: ah, quick on your feet.

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  • übergeekübergeek Sector 2814Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Well, I've got Yamato now. Should I bother with upgrades for it, or just stick with Nero's human form abilities? I'm starting to get the idea as far as combos go, but I'm saving up for the more expensive stuff, so I don't have much of a variety right now.

    übergeek on
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  • SzechuanSzechuan Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    übergeek wrote: »
    Well, I've got Yamato now. Should I bother with upgrades for it, or just stick with Nero's human form abilities? I'm starting to get the idea as far as combos go, but I'm saving up for the more expensive stuff, so I don't have much of a variety right now.

    A tip for using it with Nero: Yamato makes your grab moves more elaborate and powerful. On a boss/enemy that can be stunned (and I'm pretty sure every single one can be) activate Yamato, hit 'B' to start the Beatdown ('Buster' move), then immediately turn off Yamato again. You'll perform the 'bonus' move for extra damage without draining your meter nearly as much. Edit: With this in mind, upgrading Yamato is good if only because it lets you do this more often without draining your Devil Trigger.

    At the outset, Yamato is best used as a crutch to regain some health/do more damage/add knockback when you're hurting. Again, you'll learn more advanced techniques after you play around with it for a while, and then you'll start learning to use it in a wide variety of offensive situations, not just for Beatdowns. Dante avoids damage by dodging around like a motherfucker. Nero does the same by using the Buster to control enemy placement via tossing enemies around all willy-nilly.

    Keep in mind that Yamato can also be activated right when you're about to get hit, and Nero is invincible during the fist-pump/energy burst animation. Which brings us back to Priority 1: Don't get hit.

    Oh, and for Chapter.. 'Wrapped in Glory' I believe:
    There's a boss a here that will counter just about every move you throw at it, and basically make you feel like a chump. Save Yamato for breaking his combo if he gets you stunlocked, then Buster him while he's reeling. This must be done quickly (RB-B-RB). Don't use it otherwise. This fight is basically a skill check for the rest of the game.

    Szechuan on
  • ShadowfireShadowfire Vermont, in the middle of nowhereRegistered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Out of the Devil May Crys 4 was the easiest.

    Yes, DMC4 was the easiest. I always wondered why they never made a DMC2, though.
    DMC2 was by far the easiest. Also the shittiest.

    Shadowfire on
  • übergeekübergeek Sector 2814Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Szechuan wrote: »
    übergeek wrote: »
    Well, I've got Yamato now. Should I bother with upgrades for it, or just stick with Nero's human form abilities? I'm starting to get the idea as far as combos go, but I'm saving up for the more expensive stuff, so I don't have much of a variety right now.

    A tip for using it with Nero: Yamato makes your grab moves more elaborate and powerful. On a boss/enemy that can be stunned (and I'm pretty sure every single one can be) activate Yamato, hit 'B' to start the Beatdown ('Buster' move), then immediately turn off Yamato again. You'll perform the 'bonus' move for extra damage without draining your meter nearly as much. Edit: With this in mind, upgrading Yamato is good if only because it lets you do this more often without draining your Devil Trigger.

    At the outset, Yamato is best used as a crutch to regain some health/do more damage/add knockback when you're hurting. Again, you'll learn more advanced techniques after you play around with it for a while, and then you'll start learning to use it in a wide variety of offensive situations, not just for Beatdowns. Dante avoids damage by dodging around like a motherfucker. Nero does the same by using the Buster to control enemy placement via tossing enemies around all willy-nilly.

    Keep in mind that Yamato can also be activated right when you're about to get hit, and Nero is invincible during the fist-pump/energy burst animation. Which brings us back to Priority 1: Don't get hit.

    Oh, and for Chapter.. 'Wrapped in Glory' I believe:
    There's a boss a here that will counter just about every move you throw at it, and basically make you feel like a chump. Save Yamato for breaking his combo if he gets you stunlocked, then Buster him while he's reeling. This must be done quickly (RB-B-RB). Don't use it otherwise. This fight is basically a skill check for the rest of the game.

    There is an upgrade to make it drain slower, guess I'll get that in a bit. Just beat Credo, and now I'm in mission 9, but the knights are kicking my ass at the start.

    übergeek on
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  • übergeekübergeek Sector 2814Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Ok, how do I expand my trigger meter? I'm up to lv 10 and it still hasn't grown.

    übergeek on
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  • DeMoNDeMoN twitch.tv/toxic_cizzle Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    There's items you have to find/buy. forget what the are. Purple crystals I think? Or blue?

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  • übergeekübergeek Sector 2814Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    DeMoN wrote: »
    There's items you have to find/buy. forget what the are. Purple crystals I think? Or blue?

    Aha! Purple Orbs in the item list. Those weren't there earlier.

    übergeek on
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  • MongerMonger I got the ham stink. Dallas, TXRegistered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Yeah, buying purple orbs in the store is the only way to extend your DT meter. There aren't any findable throughout the levels. All the ones you find and earn in secret missions are blue orb (and fragments of them), which extend your health.

    Like was said before, abuse devil triggered busters. On pretty much every enemy, you have a longer, more effective buster move when you're DT'd. This is doubly important against bosses. To maximize damage, you can also mash the gun button to spam summoned swords throughout the entire animation.

    Yamato only has two purchasable moves, they're only usable when DT'd, and only one of them is worth considering until you're more familiar with the combo system. Maximum Bet is a (chargeable) ranged slash, and is pretty useful. Showdown is pretty savage, but it has a long startup time, so it takes a lot of positioning to pull it off safely.

    edit: Forgot to mention that you can also use your devil trigger to break out of a lot of holds. During the Baal fight, for example, you can break out of his mouth after he eats you, you can break out of the ice when he freezes you, and you can break away from his tentacle lesbian things when they grope you. This goes for almost anything that immobilizes you, and also for staggers and recoveries. It's generally a good idea to keep at least three units of devil juice on your meter in case you get caught by something bad. And like someone mentioned earlier, you do have a few frames of invincibility when you hit the button.

    Monger on
  • übergeekübergeek Sector 2814Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Ok so Now I'm Dante, I've got the DT extender, Rebellion's Stinger, Speed, and Air Hike. What Styles are useful? I have 4800 left to blow.

    übergeek on
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  • King RiptorKing Riptor Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    übergeek wrote: »
    Ok so Now I'm Dante, I've got the DT extender, Rebellion's Stinger, Speed, and Air Hike. What Styles are useful? I have 4800 left to blow.

    With Dante I've found the Gunslinger Style useful for everything but Bosses. Thats when you switch to Sword master.

    Of course some people swear by ROyal guad but these men are insane.

    King Riptor on
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  • IriahIriah Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    The best thing I did for Nero was to change (on 360) the trigger and RB around, it makes it so much easier to charge the Rose.

    Also, I hated playing as Dante. Nero was so much more focused.

    Iriah on
  • MongerMonger I got the ham stink. Dallas, TXRegistered User regular
    edited April 2010
    I'd recommend sticking with trickster the majority of the time, or swordmaster if you're feeling a bit more comfortable with the mechanics. Really, it wouldn't hurt to just buy some levels in one, test it out, then respec to test another one until you find one that you feel comfortable with. It won't hurt you to kind of focus with the styles. You'll eventually learn to switch between them mid-combat and mid-combo, but that'll come later. And, just like with Nero, ability costs are a good loose guide for what you should be buying at any given time. Most of the expensive moves are for advanced techniques and general utility. The cheap ones are mostly fundamental attacks that you'll want ASAP.

    Dante's playstyle is much more intricate than Nero's. He's capable of a lot more fun stuff than Nero, but learning to take advantage of his moveset is much more complex. There's a lot to know about him. Also, be aware that Dante's devil trigger is significantly less useful than Nero's, or even his own in the rest of the series. He doesn't have any DT-specific moves at all.

    The most important thing to know about Dante is that you really have to worry about knocking enemies away from you, since you don't have snatch as a crutch. Million Stab is a good starting point for getting a little more advanced handle on him. Stinger is great for getting over to enemies, but a normal Stinger will knock an enemy back. Now, if you let the stick go neutral before Dante gets over to his target, he'll cancel into a Million Stab. You can mash the sword button to extend it, but it'll eventually cancel itself into a Breakdown. Breakdown will knock an enemy away, but during the pause between the Million Stab and the Breakdown, you can cancel into another move like High Time or Prop Shredder (Swordmaster) to keep enemies in combo. You can also do the same thing with the Million Stab in Rebellion's B combo (sword, pause, sword, sword), and something kind of similar with the Million Stab at the end of Dance Macabre (Swordmaster level 4, I think).

    Monger on
  • King RiptorKing Riptor Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    I always felt Dante was tacked on to four. It's a bit jarring being told to grapple into combos for 4 hours then be told "okay now don't do that and we'll give you a moderately funny boss cutscene or two".

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  • ShadowfireShadowfire Vermont, in the middle of nowhereRegistered User regular
    edited April 2010
    übergeek wrote: »
    Ok so Now I'm Dante, I've got the DT extender, Rebellion's Stinger, Speed, and Air Hike. What Styles are useful? I have 4800 left to blow.

    With Dante I've found the Gunslinger Style useful for everything but Bosses. Thats when you switch to Sword master.

    Of course some people swear by ROyal guad but these men are insane.

    Royal Guard is civilization. It is also hard as fuck to master. Stick to Trickster until you get used to using Dante. Then move on to Swordmaster. I'll agree that Gunslinger is quite a bit better than it was in DMC3, but Swordmaster adds so much to your moveset that it's hard to pass up.

    I mean, you should be using Royal Guard, but Swordmaster is fine... ;-)

    Shadowfire on
  • MongerMonger I got the ham stink. Dallas, TXRegistered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Shadowfire wrote: »
    I'll agree that Gunslinger is quite a bit better than it was in DMC3
    4 has no Free Ride. Therefore it is inferior. Q.E.D.

    Also, Artemis is love.

    Monger on
  • Psychotic OnePsychotic One The Lord of No Pants Parts UnknownRegistered User regular
    edited April 2010
    If you can master it Royal Guard is the best style for Dante. Other than that I ran Trickster/Swordsman. Royal guard is so much easier to master if you played DMC3 as you have had practice. Also remember you can go back and keep replaying the intro and score SSS for easy tribute(?) souls to buy more skills faster. Buy up all the Vital and Devil stars you can get. Then probably use a guide for the Secret rooms and max out your stats. Pretty vital if you are going to tackle Dante Must Die mode. And Hell or Hell mode is pretty much hardcore mode as you die in one hit but mobs have the Dante Must Die level of health. Its a ball buster but the Dine in Hell acheivment is pretty much bragging rights as far as Acheivments go.

    Psychotic One on
  • KitsunaKitsuna Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    übergeek wrote: »
    Ok, how do I expand my trigger meter? I'm up to lv 10 and it still hasn't grown.

    Been a while since I played - something I'll have to rectify - but I think you have to buy purple orbs in the store using the red orbs you collect. Each one you buy extends your DT meter by one, up to a maximum of ten.

    Edit: Ooh, a bit late. I should play more attention.

    Kitsuna on
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  • evilthecatevilthecat Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiBN_R_q9GE&feature=related

    beating the crap out of old people. stylishly!

    evilthecat on
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  • SzechuanSzechuan Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    If you can master it Royal Guard is the best style for Dante. Other than that I ran Trickster/Swordsman. Royal guard is so much easier to master if you played DMC3 as you have had practice. Also remember you can go back and keep replaying the intro and score SSS for easy tribute(?) souls to buy more skills faster. Buy up all the Vital and Devil stars you can get. Then probably use a guide for the Secret rooms and max out your stats. Pretty vital if you are going to tackle Dante Must Die mode. And Hell or Hell mode is pretty much hardcore mode as you die in one hit but mobs have the Dante Must Die level of health. Its a ball buster but the Dine in Hell acheivment is pretty much bragging rights as far as Acheivments go.

    It's Son of Sparda, not DMD. The enemies don't use Devil Trigger. Hell or Hell is still great practice for DMD though, what with the focus on never ever being hit.

    Szechuan on
  • übergeekübergeek Sector 2814Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Well, I'm only playing through on Devil Hunter, and then that's it. I'm on 14 right now. Last night my hands hurt like they haven't in years. Not enjoying Dante's moves as much as Nero's, mainly because I want to float in the air as I attack like Nero can for some reason, but Dante can only do that using his style attacks, and I constantly forget. Most of the Echidna fight was I wondering what I was doing wrong until I remembered.

    übergeek on
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  • DeMoNDeMoN twitch.tv/toxic_cizzle Registered User regular
    edited April 2010
    Goes to show just how easy 4 is.

    If you were playing the original version of 3, you would probably be in here yelling "ARG STILL STUCK ON LEVEL 3 FUCK YOU CERBERUS".

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