Preview: a Hellish Translation?

Game Informer Magazine - Mclatchy -Tribune News Service

Apr 30, 2009

"Dante's Inferno"

Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Style: 1-player action

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: EA Redwood Shores

Release: 2010

First "Beowulf," and now "Dante's Inferno." Classic epic poems are hitting video games big time. EA Redwood Shores, the studio behind last year's "Dead Space," is taking on the first chunk of Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy," which actually lends itself to a game environment quite well. It follows the character Dante through nine circles (read: levels) of hell, full of elaborate torture and vicious creatures.

The game begins as Dante returns from years of war to finally marry his fiance Beatrice, only to find her murdered (one of many understandable departures from the source material). As Lucifer drags her soul to hell, Dante jumps in after them to begin his journey. Before entering the first ring of hell, Dante learns the ropes in a battle with Death in which he ends up stealing the Grim Reaper's scythe.

In the first of many "God of War" similarities, this weapon can extend out like Krato's chain blades and pummel enemies in a wide variety of combos. A powerful cross projects deadly energy, and various magical spells are also options in combat. Dante can also absolve or condemn damned souls scattered throughout hell in order to earn points to spend on ability and weapon upgrades. In a nod to "Golden Axe," he can ride certain monsters and use them to bash waves of enemies.

EA has also locked in some Hollywood talent to bring the story to life. Wayne Barlowe, a concept artist on both "Hellboy" movies and a couple "Harry Potter" films, has conceptualized the look of Dante's hell, providing new takes on often-used creatures like the three-headed dog Cerberus and minotaurs. The developer is also teasing an as yet unnamed Oscar-nominated screenwriter who is handling the story adaptation.

Even though Inferno is only the first part of "The Divine Comedy," it's difficult to imagine EA crafting the remaining two parts into possible sequels if this game's a hit. The scaling of mount purgatory might work with some tweaks, but Dante's journey through the spheres of heaven is more about enlightenment than any sort of action. We'll have more on this Inferno quandary and others in the coming months.

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