So what was wrong with the old Dante?

[NeutralDrow]

In other words, we loved him because he was the fucking epitome of Japanese design, flamboyant as hell, and a goddamn psychopath.

...does mocking demons count as psychopathy, now? It doesn't really sound like it applies to a guy with as many soft spots as Dante.

Basically, Capcom didn't get it. A shame too.

"Svensson later admitted Capcom knew there would be fan backlash for the design change but said it was all part of the plan.

"I will argue that any changes will bring about a knee-jerk reaction from fans," he said. "We know that; we knew that going into it. To be fair, I think some of the strategy here was to create that discussion and dialogue, and I think it drastically raises the visibility of the title versus if we had just done another Dante."

- <url=http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/112/1129209p1.html>source

Do you think they're backpedaling, then?

 

[Durxom]

... Dante from Devil may cry has been re designed for the reboot...

I think you missed the part where Capcom said that the new DmC isn't a reboot. It's a prequel to DMC3...so a prequel of a prequel...

Uh...no. Its a reboot. Its a new universe, with a new timeline, that doesn't effect the original games.

I guess you missed that part.

<url=http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/112/1129209p1.html>Why yes. He certainly did miss that part, didn't he.

Are you agreeing with me on the prequel thing, or him on the reboot thing? =S

Either way, ya, like I said, Capcom themselves said that it is a prequel because its suppose to be Dante's origin story.

Capcom Unity - DmC FAQ

 

[Sudenak]

He's had a different overt personality in each game so far. One of the complaints about Devil May Cry 2 was of how they changed Dante from the confident, mildly snarky badass he was in the first to a grim, mostly silent brooding badass. The third made him into the cocky young adult he eventually matured out of by the end (when he'd started taking his mission seriously). The fourth took the first game's personality, then brought out more of his hammy side...to an occasionally glorious extent.

I loved him each time. Especially since he does eventually prove himself to have the same hidden heart of gold in each of the games.

Hm. Well, from your brief summary, lemme define the douche in each one:

DMC 1 - Snarky badass. 'Nuff said, really. That typically comes across as douchey when done in video games. Doesn't he throw a motorcycle at someone after being stabbed or something in the intro? He doesn't properly emote, instead sort of acting like a dickweed. So I guess he's a dickweed more than a douche.

DMC 2 - Silent brooding badass. Massive douchebag. They did this in Warrior Within to the prince. In this case more or less an emo douchebag.

DMC 3 - I explained the douchebaggery here xP

DMC 4 - He's replaced by his photocopied man-clone Nero, isn't he? Because from the Unskippable video mocking the intro, Nero's a flaming douchebag (why the bloody hell did you even go to the church thingy if you just wanted to listen to your crappy music and roll your eyes like a petulant pre-teen?) and then Dante comes in so they can have an epic douche-off.

I mean, they're all different flavors of douche. Like a rainbow sno-cone, I guess there's a little bit of every douche to fit all tastes. Not that I don't like douches. I happened to enjoy Balthier a good deal. I just need to be pulled in by charm or some bit of wit. Maybe something that doesn't feel like a massive facepalm. Dante's overall aesthetic has always been a Hot Topic reject that mopes about listening to metal while complaining about a lack of things to do. He's like the emotionless version of Goku: he needs a battle, but instead of being quirky, he goes and emos it up with his douchebaggery.

 

[Skerkro]

His new look isn't emo at all. He looks like the Japanese version of Sid Vicious. All the way down to the Union Jack on his sleeve. 70s punk is the perfect look to go along with Dante's attitude.

Unfortunately, that old punk look has been bastardized by emo kids during this whole rehash of late 70s early 80s fashion trends. Albeit completely missing the attitude that used to go along with it. So it can be understood when people scream "OMFGEMODANTEISGHEYFIXITFIXIT!!1!".

If they were really thinking emo when they redesigned him he would be wearing makeup, and probably be crying in that mug shot, along with wearing generally garish pinks and other effeminate colors. His old limp, white hair is actually more akin to emo if anything. That was always the vibe I got from him whenever I saw a picture and didn't think about the personality that went along with the character. The first time I saw that mug shot of him I thought "Hey, he finally has the 'Devil may care' look to go along with the attitude". (no pun intended)

 

[SwiggleDyl]

The black hair thing could be Dante dying it because in his teen years he isn't as confident and wants to fit in (white hair kinda stands out) and he realize he's awesome and become more like DMC3 Dante (if this wasn't a reboot which I believe it is). His hair colour could show this transition and it could be put under the cockiness of the DMC series BUT this is Ninja Theory who have a track record of wrecking everything... I'm willing for the game to be amazing but my fear is that it won't happen and DMC4 will be the last one which I'll feel comfortable playing.

Also I hate this guys face... So so so so very much...

 

[NeutralDrow]

You know, I was gonna comment on the rest of the post (and the fact that you clearly just use "douchebag" as a synonym for "badass," rather than any kind of descriptive insult), but then you kindly summed it up.

Dante's overall aesthetic has always been a Hot Topic reject that mopes about listening to metal while complaining about a lack of things to do. He's like the emotionless version of Goku: he needs a battle, but instead of being quirky, he goes and emos it up with his douchebaggery.

This is so utterly ludicrous it defies description. Since you also claim you've played at least a little bit of DMC3, you also know it's completely wrong. That, or you stopped paying attention the instant Dante picked up the phone in the first cutscene and never started again. Either way, I suspect this can't go anywhere.

Are you agreeing with me on the prequel thing, or him on the reboot thing? =S

You on the prequel thing. That's why I reposted the same link I used earlier where they describe this game as an "origin story" connected to the rest of the storyline.

 

[cgentero]

The whole he is a teenager so of course he isn't going to look like his past self argument makes no sense for two reasons, firstly Dante in DMC3 was a teenager and did look like his older self, secondly there is no way he would look that different from his DMC3 self.

 

[SageRuffin]

Oi... if they had to explain Dante's origin, then explain what happened to make him and Vergil fall out, maybe even how the twins' mother died.

And really, all Capcom/Ninja Theory has to do is change his hair color back to white, and everything will be good.

 

[Genixma]

Well played. Welllll played.

I don't really care after DMC4. Trying to reboot a series that was kinda confusing after 3 and acting like 2 didn't exist that basically only two out of four games that were playable.

 

[DJ_DEnM]

Its a prequel bro xD.

 

[NeutralDrow]

The whole he is a teenager so of course he isn't going to look like his past self argument makes no sense for two reasons, firstly Dante in DMC3 was a teenager and did look like his older self, secondly there is no way he would look that different from his DMC3 self.

I'm pretty sure he was in his early twenties in DMC3. Going by the manga (canonically before DMC3), he and Vergil are already adults, and Dante had had his demon-hunting business for a while before he had enough money to buy that office.

And your second reason isn't even an argument.

 

[Particulate]

looks awful

and I hate to default to the "mature games for mature gamers" mentality but damn it I do not want to play as a highschooler with a bad attitude in my demon-stabbing occult romp.

 

[Ladette]

I'm not a fan of the series, so when I first saw that picture my reaction was:
"So the new character is an ultra butch, cross-dressing lesbian?"

Even if I didn't like the series I at least liked Dante's old design. That is by far the worst looking main character i've ever seen.

 

[Ladette]

double post, please delete

 

[NeutralDrow]

Oi... if they had to explain Dante's origin, then explain what happened to make him and Vergil fall out, maybe even how the twins' mother died.

I've heard it's hinted in one of the novels. Vergil sets up some character to die in the exact same way to provoke Dante.

I think their falling out might be in the manga, but I'm actually more curious as to how they met again. I thought Dante at first believed Vergil had died in the same demon attack that killed Eva, but they'd met at least once, a year before DMC3...

And really, all Capcom/Ninja Theory has to do is change his hair color back to white, and everything will be good.

From the way the development team and Capcom are talking, I think that's a given to happen.

 

[NickFury90]

Ninja Theory will still be making the game, the people who made the abysmal action titles Heavenly Sword and Enslaved. Its safe to say everything would NOT be good, if it was the Dante that millions of fans love.

 

[Hectix777]

OH MY GOD! SHUT THE F$#% UP!!! I am so sick of hearing everyone bitching about "new" Dante! "Oh his hair is black""He smokes""He's an emo!" SHUT UP! Y'know WHY Dante has black hair? It's because he's not a full demon yet! He's a half demon so he's not gonna be born breathing fire and speaking in tongues. Men aren't born we go through puberty, half demons aren't born they fall into it! Dante has black hair because he is young, this is before he reaches full demonification with the white hair...

Sorry if I offended anyone I just needed to prove a point so feel free to prove my post wrong.

While I do agree this is not a big deal, I think your statements of fictional facts as if they were an absolute truth is kind of funny... As far as I know, half-demons can be born breathing fire, speaking in tongues and with a 6ft tail that fells off when they reach puberty... Because they DOESN'T exist.

Yeah well in some cases its a half breed thing late bloomers and all that. Hehehehe, this means this Dante hasnt gone through demon puberty... Anyway if Dante is more mortal than mystic it is totally possible for the demonification to be a progression like a disease almost.

 

[cgentero]

I'm pretty sure he was in his early twenties in DMC3. Going by the manga (canonically before DMC3), he and Vergil are already adults, and Dante had had his demon-hunting business for a while before he had enough money to buy that office.

And your second reason isn't even an argument.

Eva dies when he was eight, the DMC3 manga takes place ten years after so he is 18, then 19 in DMC3, as in still a teenager. My second argument is that even if he didn't look like his DMC3 self in the prior years he would still not look that different, demonic puberty or not.

EDIT: Again I'm not as concerned about the look so much as the overly serious vibe the trailer and interviews gave off.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Ninja Theory will still be making the game, the people who made the abysmal action titles Heavenly Sword and Enslaved. Its safe to say everything would NOT be good, if it was the Dante that millions of fans love.

Heavenly Sword was very well-received and sold well. Enslaved was critically well-received. Capcom claimed that both of those titles were partial reasons why they went to Ninja Theory in the first place.

So...forgive me if Yahtzee's opinion doesn't sway me. I don't see the problem.

I'm pretty sure he was in his early twenties in DMC3. Going by the manga (canonically before DMC3), he and Vergil are already adults, and Dante had had his demon-hunting business for a while before he had enough money to buy that office.

And your second reason isn't even an argument.

Eva dies when he was eight, the DMC3 manga takes place ten years after so he is 18, then 19 in DMC3, as in still a teenager. My second argument is that even if he didn't look like his DMC3 self in the prior years he would still not look that different, demonic puberty or not.

Where are you getting the "ten years" from? TV Tropes says it, but I don't know where they got it from.

Why would he be going through "demonic puberty" of any kind? I was under the impression he chose to look like that...but again, no real details.

EDIT: Again I'm not as concerned about the look so much as the overly serious vibe the trailer and interviews gave off.

I suppose...but frankly, it's made me more curious than anything. I've liked the serious aspects behind all the games (though I wish they'd put more details into DMC4's game, rather than leaving stuff for the novels, like Nero being "blood of Sparda" by virtue of being <color=aliceblue>Vergil's illegitimate son).

 

[cgentero]

Where are you getting the "ten years" from?

There's a scene in the manga where Arkham talks to Vergil about a woman who was killed by demons ten years ago, it's not stated outright that he is talking about Eva but from the context it is obvious.