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  • $$59.99
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Dante's Inferno (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP)

common sense media says

Highly violent game with nudity, disturbing imagery, & gore.


parents & educators say
  • 65% say sexual content is an issue
  • 53% say violence is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Dante's Inferno is a very violent, gory game meant only for adult eyes. Using a scythe and Holy Cross, players can lop off heads, dismember enemies' limbs, and literally split foes in half. Prepare to see plenty of blood spewing from foes. Some enemies are particularly vile and disturbing, such as gluttonous behemoths spewing vomit and "unblessed infants," babies with blades for arms. Players will also see some sexual content, such as topless female foes and bare buttocks. The female enemies moan and writhe around seductively, and some attack with a giant snake that shoots out from between their legs.

Educational value: Since the game is based on The Divine Comedy, it could entice players to explore the literary works of Dante Aligheri.
Positive messages: While the negative message of using extreme violence is predominant, there is also a message about absolution. Using Dante's Holy Cross, players can choose to absolve or punish enemies or specific characters for their sins. Often times, absolving sins generates a greater reward than punishing.
Positive role models: While players can choose to forgive characters for their sins, Dante is a difficult person to like or admire. As he descends into each circle of Hell, players revisits many of his most heinous sins.
Ease of play: Players perform scythe attacks using light and heavy strikes and ranged attacks with a Holy Cross. Stringing together combinations is pretty easy to execute. Dante is also equipped with special powers to vanquish enemies, which are pretty easy to execute.
Violence: Lead character Dante battles enemies using a giant scythe and Holy Cross. Combat is incredibly violent, as blood spews following strikes and most encounters end with heads lopped off, limbs dismembered, and bodies decapitated from the torso. Some enemies look particularly gory and gross or disturbing. A larger foe on the gluttony level, for example, spews vomit. Another enemy is the "unblessed infant," a baby wielding blades for arms. Players will witness scenes such as heads on spikes or characters hanging from ropes in a suicide.
Sex: Most - if not all - the female characters are topless. Some characters show their bare buttocks. Some of the characters in the game's Lust level are particularly sexual. They moan and writhe seductively. One enemy type uses an attack where a giant snake shoots out from between their legs. There's also a scene featuring a naked woman under a blanket which hints at Dante having an affair. However, no graphic sexual acts are depicted.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Dante's Inferno

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about merging video games with literary classics such as The Divine Comedy. What classic books would work well as a video game?

  • Why do game developers make such violent games? What is the impact of seeing such violent media?

What's the story?

What's the story?

DANTE'S INFERNO is based on Dante Aligheri's The Divine Comedy. Lead character Dante is a Christian soldier fighting during the Crusades, when he returns home to find the love of his life, Beatrice, slain. Her soul is then snatched by the devil, forcing Dante to descend into the nine circles of Hell to defeat Lucifer and save Beatrice's soul. The levels representing the circles of Hell are based in part on the seven deadly sins, such as Greed, Lust, and Gluttony. Using a scythe acquired following a battle with Death, as well as a Holy Cross from Beatrice, Dante slays a myriad of bizarre, demonic foes. Players can string together ranged and scythe attacks to deliver crushing combos. Dante also acquires magical powers to deal further damage. Once players conquer the campaign, they can advance to the arcade-focused Gates of Hell Arena, where players face a series of challenges to achieve a high score.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

While Dante's Inferno is a technically solid game, it's hard not to miss the striking similarities between God of War. From the way players boost their health and magic meters to the attacks and tactics used by players, the game often mimics Sony's highly successful action game. It's very difficult to ignore the similarities, but the imitation works for the most part. Combat against lesser foes can be intense and pulling off some combos is gratifying, but none of the game's signifcant encounters are particularly epic or memorable. Also, the game's campaign grows tedious as you approach the game's final levels. For adult players seeking a thrilling "hack-and-slash" adventure, don't settle for the carbon copy when its inspiration is far better.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP
Not available online
Genre: Action/Adventure
Developer: Electronic Arts
Released on: February 9, 2010
Price: $59.99
ESRB Rating: M for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content
Screenshots

This review was written by Brett Molina
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13
Based on 17 parent & educator reviews:
  • 65% say sexual content is an issue
  • 53% say violence is an issue
  • 29% say it's educational

Most useful reviews by all members

wrpnitro
parent of 2 year old
 
retglunivp495hyg 5hpvwphv Typing is fun!
Satan is Yummy in this game!

Jacko98
teen, 18 years old
 
18+
I think this game is just kinda sick... 18+ only!

Armadan
teen, 17 years old
 
Needs maturity, good messages, lots of religion.
Dante's Inferno is a modern look / revamp of a classic poem based on Christianity. The game had a lot of imagery most people would deplore, however such a vivid picture of what hell is like could encourage your kids to not want to end up there ( If your an athiest and preffer to keep your kids like you, this is not the game for them ). The sexual content is actually what I expected, in heaven and hell you would indeed shed all worldy possessions and become as you are naturally - however alot of people may just convey these images to be inappropriate. The story of Dante's devotion and redemption is pretty good - He fights his sins, clears his conscience, saves his love and defeats lucifer! Although this is all fictional, it makes you feel pretty cool having just beat the heck outta Satan (who by the way is nude also... that wasn't fun) Overall the game conveys good messages and fun hack/slash action while depicting nudity and HEAVY religious ideals.

KonataReviewer
parent of 5 and 12 year old
 
Offensive, Nudity, and Violence Rambo would'nt even attempt.
This game is an extremely horrible game for anybody. The poem was extremely good....with no private parts either. People actually embraced it with a movie too! Heads, blood, everywhere! A cross as a weapon? These people aren't even thinking! They let children believe that going in to the outskirts of hell is justice?! Dante shouldn't be saving Beatrice from hell, he should go to hell! They also let children believe that anybody can be pulled into hell! God's powers are abused as a little toy for Dante. Beatrice is probably in hell because she commited sins! Or Dante drove her to those sins! They show breasts.....and sexual body parts as weapons! This game shouldn't even be allowed for adults either! If you believe in God, and love him as I do, never even touch this game.

Plague
parent
 
Dante's Inferno
I loved this game. The poem, I loved more. The game depicts a lot of things religious folks obviously would not approve of. As a non-believer, but a researcher of religion as well, I would understand why Christians would take offense. But just keep in mind that this game's view is not to offend, but to attempt to duplicate the poem into video game form.

Ezio3946
parent of 12 year old
 
not for anyone with any religion
as a faithful Christian, this was the most offensive game ive ever seen. the cross used as a weapon and the ability to punish people for their sins by choice and even the unholy powers. not to mention all the nudity . this game isnt for anyone with any belief in God whatsoever.

teamjacobgirl2.0
teen, 17 years old
 
Disgusting
I'm not a gamer and I haven't played this game I have just read the review here. Pretty much the game not only puts crusades in a negitave light but, women too. Anyone who makes a video game full of less then half dressed women is insane and disgusting. So all I gather from then review is this game is not even close to being worth the time or money spent on it.

Uncharted
kid, 12 years old
 
WORST GAME EVER
This game is not worth $60 dollars it is not even worth $1 this game has bad role models unpositive messages and way too much nudity if fells like i am watching a lady gaga video over and over again and gives a TERRIBLE NAME TO THE CRUSADES DO NOT BUY OR EVEN RENT THIS GAME

XxxxXxxxxXutfyu
parent of 13 year old
 
i think that parents should not be so well cut of to the topic nudity is a patial problem but i think that if you let your kids game you should play through the 2nd circle lust because that is where all the nudity comes from

iloveigs
teen, 14 years old
 
bad game
this game is a god of war rip of. and it is no fun

 
Totally not a game for young kids or even younger teens. There are body parts every which way. You can see Beatrice's breast through a lot of it, not too mention another boss' breasts which tongues shooting out and some "man parts". I did have a moral problem with killing the unbaptized babies. I hated doing it even if it wasn't real. The rest of it wasn't SO bad. Its very gruesome. 17+, maybe a mature 16 year old.

movieaddict725
teen, 17 years old
 
Careful!
This is a very fun game but it's also very hard to watch. There are a lot of disturbing elements. It can be educational if you want your kids to see what Hell looks like but I doubt you want them to see that.

shankrel
parent
 
Great for teens, but definetly not for the wee ones.
This game could be a very interesting game that is even educational in the fact that it is religiously based. I believe that most teens would be able to handle the content and get to experience classical literature in a much more interesting way.

gilbertado
teen, 17 years old
 
Rebuttal against KonataReviewer
This is not a review but in, instead, a rebuttal directed towards KonataReviewer. Firstly, Beatrice is in Hell because Dante was unfaithful during his time fighting in The Crusades. He was under the false pretense because the Pope had told all recruits that their sins would be forgiven if they fought in the "Holy " Wars. He is just trying to right his own wrongs. Secondly, the symbol of a cross in the video game is significant of Christ being able to vanquish all evils. I, personally, am stunned that you could read "The Inferno" and understand it and still not be able to catch onto the concept of the cross in the video game. In less, of course, you did one of two things: 1) you read "The Inferno" as a book instead of a poem and neglected to think about the figurative language in depth or 2) you simply didn't read the poem at all but choose, instead, to cover up your lack of knowledge of the poem itself. But, I regress. Onto the issue stated about the nudity and the use of body parts as weapons. My opinion on the issue is that it magnifies the immorality and unrighteousness of Hell. You also mentioned the "outskirts" of Hell. If you had read the poem or even played the game, you would know that Dante goes directly to the deepest, most central circle of Hell. In closing, I too believe in God and am an active Christian in my community. But, you seem to be one of the Christians who are under the influence that people should only be informed about the good things that you will receive if they accept Jesus into their hearts as their personal savior. I, personally, believe in The Bible and that people need to be told of the inevitable suffering they will face if they chose to shun God and Jesus. Thank you for your time. I, in no way, intended to insult you during the course of my rebuttal. Respond if you wish. :]

runner23
parent of 17 year old
 
good for teens but pre teens maybe
wow i loved this game it was an amazing adaptation to the book. I dont play many video games so this is saying a lot coming from me, I Could play this game all day!!

 
Now, this is a great story, I think the game twisted the story too much. After I heard about the game, I went and read The Divine Comedies, it was great! So this game might inspire people to read up on this-it's really an excellent story. I wouldn't worry about it,

thecleansing
parent of 19 year old
 
If you like God of War Rip offs...
This game is nearly exactly the same as God of War in terms of combat and even in opening doors. That being said, it's a decent game if you like violence and breasts. This game contains vivid depictions of hell, some being quite disturbing.

La Zapatista
teen, 15 years old
 
Fun game with pretty bad content for kids 12 and under
This game was great, immense story line.. The content... Ya it's bad but if you have a kid that's very mature (like myself) let them play it. Games NEVER get in my head but that is just me.

stacyrobo
parent
 
love

arhudson0405
parent of 10 and 12 year old
 
Sorry kids, you'll understand when you're older.
I gave it an education highlight simply because it's based on a classic book. Although the unbaptized infants upset me a great deal, the game itself took an interesting take on the 7 deadly sins. I see video games as a platform for art. The graphics are a the creators paintings which he uses to allow us a look into his head. With that said, there are some paintings in an art museum that I wouldn't like my children to view, and they don't get to view this game either. Rather its a literary classic, or artistic expression, it's not for eyes of the young. You are playing a man on his journey through Hell. The graphics and plots are exactly what you would expect on this journey. For the record: In the lust stage, the claws weren't coming from between their legs, but ripping out of holes in their stomachs. Not that it makes the scene any less shocking. Also, in the same stage they forgot to mention the whole stage itself looks like there was a contest to see how many phallic images could fit onto a screen at one time. This is definitely not a family friendly game to play with your children watching.

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