Common Sense Media Review
By Brett Molina
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Highly violent game with nudity, disturbing imagery, & gore.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Dante's Inferno
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 11 parent reviews
Based on 20 kid reviews
Kids say that the game features enjoyable hack-and-slash gameplay but is criticized for its gratuitous violence, graphic sexual content, and poor storytelling, often compared unfavorably to God of War. Many reviews caution that it is inappropriate for younger audiences due to its dark themes, disturbing visuals, and depiction of nudity and gore, despite some noting that mature players may appreciate its connection to literature.
- violence and gore
- sexual content
- poor storytelling
- inappropriate for kids
- God of War comparison
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
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?
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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?
Game Details
- Platforms : PSP , PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Electronic Arts
- Release date : February 9, 2010
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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