Obliterate hordes of demons in this slick adventure role-playing game

Dungeon Hunter 4 is an epic role-playing game (RPG) in which you hack and slash your way through lavish mythical worlds, building up your character’s skills and weaponry as you go.

Story-focused

Unlike the arena-based previous version of the game, Dungeon Hunter 4 focuses on classic single-player RPG gameplay. You choose from four different character types (known as ‘classes’), each with their own specialties, and are thrown into a fantastical story in which you must save your kin by slaying the many and varied demons that lay in your path.

In order to achieve your quest in Dungeon Hunter 4, you need to collect, earn or buy items to improve your abilities, such as swords, armor, weapons and potions. Dungeon Hunter 4 is based around a ‘freemium’ model, where you need to pay for new weapons and powers and to speed up upgrades to your existing skills. The first few levels are easy to get through without having to pay, but then it becomes very difficult to progress without spending money – unless you’re prepared to wait for the upgrades.

Although Dungeon Hunter 4 focuses on the single-player campaign, there is an online multiplayer mode, in which you can battle against others, or play in co-op mode. To play these modes you’ll need a Facebook or Gameloft Live account.

Easy to get into

Dungeon Hunter 4 is easy to pick up and play, even if you’re new to RPG gaming. The first couple of levels are based around showing you the basics of how to move around and fight, how to access your inventory, and how to upgrade your powers.

The controls in Dungeon Hunter 4 are based around an on-screen directional stick, plus action buttons for performing basic hits and special moves (positioning of these can be customized). It’s comfortable to move around and perform attacks in Dungeon Hunter 4.

Beautiful visuals

Dungeon Hunter 4 is lavishly presented and is a real treat to watch. Characters are many and varied but it’s the gorgeous scenarios that really blow you away. It’s the best looking Dungeon Hunter game so far. The thundering soundtrack and almighty sound effects really add to the atmosphere and at times you’ll feel truly immersed in this mythical world.

There’s plenty of dialog in Dungeon Hunter 4, and the voice acting is generally pretty good, save for a few minor characters who sound like they’ve taken the stage at an amateur dramatics evening.

Is it worth installing?

The storyline itself and the way the game plays out isn’t anything original. Dungeon Hunter 4 is a classic tale of ridding a civilization of invading beasts by hacking and slashing your way through them.

Still, Dungeon Hunter 4 looks great and is a lot of fun to play. It’s a shame that progress is ultimately limited to how much you’re willing to pay (or wait) in order to beat the game.