For many, Dante’s Inferno is a game that raises some questions. This adaptation of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy has been gaining major press, and we here at XboxMessiah had a chance to sit down with Executive Producer Jonathan Knight and ask some questions.
For those wondering about the real inspiration of the game, Mr. Knight had this to say: “…We wanted to make a game set in Hell…That Medieval Christian Mythos of Hell…One name rose above the rest, The Divine Comedy…”
Though the Divine Comedy is the basis of the game, He is not afraid to say that the game is a ‘loose adaptation’ of the poem, and that there are some major derivations from the original text.
The Level design is taken not only from the text itself, but also famous works of art based on the poem, and from the developer’s imaginations. The paintings of Gustave Doré and William Blake were listed amongst the inspiration, along with the tradition of a ‘map’ of Hell being included in the printings of the poem.
Mr. Knight went on about the level design, saying that travel between circles of Hell is comprised of platforming, puzzle-solving, and there won’t always be enemies during these segments. There are ride-able beasts within the Circles, and each circle is unique.
Many wondered about the mysterious cross sewn into Dante’s Chest in the game, and we managed to get an answer. The cross from his robes in the Crusades is used by Dante to symbolize his guilt and sins he committed. It supposedly details the events of his life. Dante punishes himself in the Medieval Catholic tradition by sewing it into his very skin, and the adornment is said to even have a connection in some way to each of the Nine Circles of Hell.
Mr. Knight mentioned that even though the choice is left to the player to pursue a ‘holy’ or ‘unholy’ path, the game has only one ending. He went on to say that there are over 30 ‘relics’ in the game, which are upgradeable, and may help add to the replay value.
We learned that an upgradeable skill tree is available for when experience is gained. The tree consists of two major paths, Holy and Unholy, and each has seven tiers.
There will be DLC for the game, which he said “isn’t just skins and new weapons…” Additional levels were hinted at , but the only details given as to the what the DLC is actually comprised of was limited to a stay in the Dark Forest. He did say that “We can’t do Circles 10-15, but……Something in the Dark Forest”
We asked if he could verify some rumors of achievements for such things as killing babies, drowning priests, and being defecated on. He told us that he has heard of plenty of fake achievements being ‘leaked’ and said laughingly: “Don’t believe everything you read.”
There is an Animated Movie and Comic series being released alongside the game, and the developers of both are said to be working closely with the game’s developers. The Movie is apparently made by the same team that helped create the Dead Space animated feature. The Comics are being led by DC’s Wildstorm team.
When it was asked what he thought of the game being compared to titles like God of War and Devil May Cry, he said: “We’re flattered…even to be mentioned alongside such great games.” He added that the team has been working hard to create a unique experience, but their inspirations are apparent, too.
All in All, Dante’s Inferno looks to be a great game, and we wanted to personally thank Jonathan Knight and the rest of the team at Visceral for the chance to sit down and talk about it. The Game launches on Feb. 9, and though Playstation users can expect a deluxe edition for the same price as a standard game, all of the included content will be available for Xbox. Frankly, we can’t wait to go to Hell.
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