Resurrecting Dead Space: The Epic Comeback and Second Chance of this Iconic EA Cult Classic

Highlights

The success of the Dead Space remake shows that there is still love for Visceral Games and their older IP.

Dante's Inferno, an underrated game developed by Visceral Games, warrants a resurgence on the latest gaming consoles owing to its distinct innovations within the genre and dedicated fanbase.

In order to create a prosperous reboot or remake of Dante's Inferno, it is imperative to maintain fidelity to the iconic aspects of the game, including Dante's scythe and visually striking character design, while embracing the exaggerated style of the original game.

The success of the Dead Space remake has demonstrated the enduring admiration for Visceral Games and their older IP. If EA is still interested in reviving the golden era of Visceral Games from the PS3/Xbox 360 console generation, it may be time to consider bringing Dante's Inferno to next-gen consoles as well.

Dante's Inferno, a lesser known title by the renowned Dead Space developer, was released in 2010. This game followed the hack-and-slash combat style of God of War, accompanied by religious iconography inspired by Dante Alighieri's epic poem, The Inferno, from the Divine Comedy. Initially regarded as a clone of God of War and grouped with the Darksiders series, Dante's Inferno has since gained a dedicated following due to its unique innovations in the genre.

Dante, the Scythe-Wielding Crusader

One aspect that has kept Dante's Inferno in the minds of fans for over a decade is its visually stunning portrayal of Alighieri's Nine Circles of Hell. The game not only focuses on the setting but also on the unique design of its protagonist, Dante, who is depicted as a Templar Knight returning from his sinful acts in the crusades. In a departure from the iconic Blades of Chaos found in God of War, Dante wields a scythe as his weapon of choice, reminiscent of the Grim Reaper's soul-harvesting tool.

This design element takes the Rule of Cool to an almost cartoonish level, as Dante literally descends into Hell, wielding Death's scythe. It harkens back to the early 2010s era of gaming, where larger-than-life characters would battle colorful enemies with oversized and often cursed weapons from myth and legend. In a gaming landscape now focused on realistic visuals, Dante's Inferno stands as a nostalgic relic that is worth revisiting solely for its unique style.

Leaning Into Dante's Inferno's Classic Style on Modern Consoles

In an ideal world, every game with a small but dedicated following after its release would receive some form of port, remaster, or full-fledged remake to keep these beloved franchises alive on modern consoles. However, even in a market driven by shareholder interests and investor demands, a cult classic like Dante's Inferno should still have the opportunity to make a triumphant return to modern gaming. Drawing comparisons to the successful God of War franchise, the game that pioneered the vibrant hack-and-slash trend in 2005 has recently undergone a soft reboot in 2018, followed by an exceptional sequel in 2022.

While it is tempting to compare the early installments of these two franchises, a potential reboot or remake of Dante's Inferno should perhaps take inspiration from another recent remake by Visceral Games. The success of the Dead Space remake was not solely due to updated graphics or controls, but rather the emphasis on enhancing the original's beloved characters, atmosphere, and terror to new heights. If Electronic Arts wishes to entrust a developer with reviving Dante's Inferno, they should not remove iconic elements such as the Grim Reaper's Scythe or the brutal design of the cross stitched into Dante's chest; instead, they should fully embrace and amplify these features.

While a high-budget adventure exploring a realistic Hell may seem like an appealing idea in theory and may garner attention, it fails to satisfy the longing fans have expressed for a true return to Dante's Inferno. Instead, the perfect revival of the IP should channel the exaggerated depiction of Dante created by Visceral Games, rather than conforming to modern conventions. If EA manages to find a developer capable of executing this vision, it has the potential to create the ultimate hack-and-slash game of the current console generation.

Dante's Inferno is currently available on PSP, PS3, and Xbox 360.