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{{Other uses|Dante's Inferno (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox video game
| title = Dante's Inferno
| image = Dante's Inferno.jpg
| caption = European cover art featuring protagonist Dante
| developer = [[Visceral Games]]{{efn|[[PlayStation Portable]] port developed by [[Artificial Mind and Movement]].|lead=yes}}
| publisher = [[Electronic Arts]]
| director = {{ubl|Jonathan Knight|Stephen Barry}}
| producer = {{ubl|Jonathan Knight|Justin Lambros}}
| designer = {{ubl|Stephen Desilets|Michael Cheng|Vincent Napoli}}
| programmer = Brad McKee
| artist = Ash Huang
| writer = {{ubl|Jonathan Knight|Will Rokos}}
| composer = {{ubl|[[Garry Schyman]]|Paul Gorman}}
| engine = 
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|February 4, 2010}}|'''PlayStation 3''', '''Xbox 360'''<br />{{Video game release|AU|February 4, 2010|EU|February 5, 2010|NA|February 9, 2010}}'''PlayStation Portable'''<br />{{vgrelease|AU|February 25, 2010|EU|February 26, 2010|NA|March 1, 2010}}}}
| genre = [[Action-adventure]], [[hack and slash]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| platforms = {{ubl|[[PlayStation 3]]|[[Xbox 360]]|[[PlayStation Portable]]}}
}}

'''''Dante's Inferno''''' is a 2010 [[action-adventure game]] developed by [[Visceral Games]] and published by [[Electronic Arts]]. The game was released for [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation Portable]] in February 2010. The PlayStation Portable version was developed by [[Artificial Mind and Movement]].

The game's story is loosely based on ''[[Inferno (Dante)|Inferno]]'', the first cantica of Italian poet [[Dante Alighieri]]'s ''[[Divine Comedy]]''. Intended as the first part of a trilogy, it follows Dante, imagined as a [[Templar]] knight from [[The Crusades]], who, guided by the spirit of the poet [[Virgil]], must fight through the nine Circles of Hell to rescue his wife Beatrice from the clutches of [[Lucifer]] himself. In the game, players control Dante from a [[Third-person (video games)|third-person perspective]]. His primary weapon is a [[scythe]] that can be used in a series of combination attacks and finishing moves. Many attack combinations and abilities can be unlocked in exchange for souls, an in-game currency that is collected upon defeating enemies.

Before the game's release, ''Dante's Inferno'' underwent a prominent, elaborate, and at times controversial marketing campaign led by the game's publisher Electronic Arts. This included the release of a fake religious game called ''Mass: We Pray'', a motion controller-based game supposedly allowing players to engage in an interactive prayer and church sermon. Some [[#Downloadable content|downloadable contents]] were subsequently released, including ''Dark Forest'', a prequel story, and ''Trials of St. Lucia'', which features [[Saint Lucy#Dante|St. Lucia]] as a playable character.

''Dante's Inferno'' received generally positive reviews by critics, with praise for the story, art direction, voice acting, sound design and depiction of Hell, though the gameplay received a mixed response due to repetitiveness in the latter half of the game and comparisons to the ''[[God of War (franchise)|God of War]]'' series. It sold over one million copies worldwide and spawned a [[#Comics|comic book miniseries]] and an animated movie, ''[[Dante's Inferno: An Animated Epic]]'', which was released direct-to-DVD simultaneously with the game. Two sequels based on ''[[Purgatorio]]'' and ''[[Paradiso (Dante)|Paradiso]]'' respectively and a mobile spin-off were planned before being all cancelled.

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Dante's Inferno Screen.jpg|left|thumb|Dante using the Holy Cross to absolve one of the minions]]
''Dante's Inferno'' is an [[action-adventure game|action-adventure]] game. The player controls Dante, the game's protagonist, and engages in fast-paced combat, platforming and environment-based puzzles.<ref name=teamxboxpreview>{{cite web | author=Eddy, Andy | date=June 17, 2009 | title=Dante's Inferno Hands-On Preview (Xbox 360) | url=http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/2357/Dantes-Inferno/p1/ | publisher=[[TeamXbox]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309032509/http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/2357/Dantes-Inferno/p1/ | archive-date=March 9, 2012 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref> In the game, Dante's primary weapon is a [[scythe]] that can be used in a series of combination attacks and finishing moves.<ref name=page5-7>{{cite book | year=2010 | editor=EA | title=Dante's Inferno instruction manual | pages=6–7 | publisher=[[Electronic Arts|EA]]}}</ref> He has a [[Christian cross|Holy Cross]] that fires a volley of energy as a projectile attack. In addition, Dante can use numerous magic based attacks and abilities channeled from a mana pool to help in combat, many of which are obtained as the game progresses. A [[quick time event]] system is used when attempting to discharge the demon of its master (unbind from host) and during boss fights, where players must press the highlighted button on screen in order to continue the chain of attacks, or be countered and wounded otherwise.<ref name=page5-7/>

Many attack combinations and abilities can be unlocked in exchange for souls, an in-game currency that is collected upon defeating enemies or locating soul fountains. Each of these skills fall into the Holy (represented by blue orbs) skill tree.<ref>{{cite book | year=2010 | editor=EA | title=Dante's Inferno instruction manual | pages=13–14 | publisher=EA}}</ref> At the beginning of the game, the skill tree is equal in power, but as Dante gains more Holy experience, more abilities become available for purchase. Experience is collected through the game's "Absolve" system, where, upon defeating enemies, Dante can absolve and save them with the Holy Cross.<ref name=teamxboxpreview/> Much experience can also be accumulated in absolving the damned souls of many famous figures in history that appear in [[Dante Alighieri]]'s original ''[[The Divine Comedy]]'' determining their fate, players enter a mini game where the characters' "sins" move towards the center of the screen, pressing required action symbols once the sin is in place. Players are rewarded with more souls and experience as the number of sins collected increases.<ref name=teamxboxpreview/>

The game involves large sections of platforming, including swinging between ropes and climbing walls, both of which can involve hazards such as fire or swinging blades. There is also a series of environment-based puzzle sequences that can impair the progress of Dante's quest, such as requiring the correct positioning of movable objects or pulling levers at the appropriate time. In addition, there are numerous hidden passages where Biblical relics can be found and equipped to improve Dante's abilities.<ref>{{cite book | year=2010 | editor=EA | title=Dante's Inferno instruction manual | page=10 | publisher=EA}}</ref>

== Story ==
=== Setting ===

Dante's Inferno is set in the year 1191, following the [[Siege of Acre (1189–1191)|Siege of Acre]]. Following his participation in the siege, Dante ([[Graham McTavish]]),<ref name=voiceactors>{{Cite web |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Dantes-Inferno/ |title=Dante's Inferno (2010 Video Game) |website=Behind The Voice Actors |date=9 February 2010 |access-date=30 November 2022 |archive-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107190646/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Dantes-Inferno/ |url-status=live }}</ref> reimagined as a [[Knights Templar|Knight Templar]], survives both an assassination attempt by a Saracen Assassin and [[Personifications of death|Death]] ([[Dee Bradley Baker]]) itself, who informs Dante that he is condemned to [[Hell]] for his sins. Dante returns to [[Florence]] to find his promised love [[Beatrice Portinari]] ([[Vanessa Branch]]) murdered and her soul taken away to Hell by [[Lucifer]] ([[John Vickery (actor)|John Vickery]]) himself, forcing Dante to give pursuit.

Other characters across Dante's traversal include the famed poet [[Virgil]] (Bart McCarthy), who accompanies Dante across the Nine Circles, Dante's father Alighiero ([[JB Blanc]]) and mother Bella, Beatrice's brother Francesco and the [[Archangel]] [[Gabriel]].  Some known historic figures of Inferno take place as bosses Dante must confront before proceeding, such as Queen [[Cleopatra]] (Alison Lees-Taylor) and her lover [[Mark Antony]] (Lewis Macleod) as well as King [[Minos]] ([[Richard Moll]]), who oversees Limbo as the Judge of the Damned.

=== Plot ===
Beginning his traversal to Hell, Dante blesses a holy cross that Beatrice gave him when making their vows to be true to each other, while traversing the [[Nine circles of Hell|Nine Circles]] in pursuit of Beatrice, who is corrupted and then turned into a [[succubus]] by Lucifer due to Dante's infidelities after Beatrice waged her soul with Lucifer concerning Dante's faithfulness in exchange for his safety overseas.

As the pursuit goes on further and further into Hell, memories of Dante's past life and sins are revealed and confronted by him.  It is revealed Dante passed by an abusive childhood under Alighiero which ended up prompting Bella to commit [[suicide by hanging]] and thus grew up to become an impatient, violent man, who joined the [[Third Crusade]] after being promised by a [[bishop]] (later revealed to be a 'salesman of salvation') that his sins would be absolved.  In [[Acre, Israel|Acre]], when ordered by [[Richard I of England|King Richard I]] to keep guard over 3.000 prisoners as ransom for the [[True Cross]] taken by [[Saladin|King Saladin]] (among them a captive woman who offered to sleep with Dante in exchange for the life of her 'brother', revealed to be the assassin which was actually her husband), Dante gives in to his violent instincts and gets into a rampage, [[Massacre at Ayyadieh|slaughtering most of the prisoners]].  When confronted by Richard himself, Francesco takes the fall for Dante's deeds and is thus hanged.

Upon realizing the extent of his sins, especially not [[Confession (law)|confessing]] to the prisoners' massacre and allowing Francesco to be executed, Dante resigns his pursuit and admits he belongs in Hell, asking forgiveness to Beatrice while giving her the holy cross back, which redeems her soul for Gabriel to take away to [[Heaven]].  Gabriel assures Dante his redemption is at hand and he will see Beatrice again, but must confront Lucifer himself at the final Circle, Treachery.

Fighting Lucifer at [[Cocytus|Lake Cocytus]], it is revealed Lucifer took Beatrice to lure Dante into Hell, aware his pursuit would prompt him to sever the [[Judecca|Chains of Judecca]] that kept Lucifer imprisoned.  It is also revealed Dante was actually killed by the Saracen Assassin back in Acre and thus cannot leave Hell.  While Lucifer gloats that he will now rise to Heaven and lead a second [[War in Heaven|Rebellion]] to overthrow [[God]], Dante uses the souls he absolved on his journey across Hell to absolve himself and re-imprison Lucifer.

Being shifted away to [[Purgatorio|Mount Purgatory]] by Beatrice, Dante removes his original skin-stitched cross [[tapestry]] now turned black as he starts his pilgrimage to the mountain top, stating he "''did not die, and yet did not live''".  The black tapestry itself transforms into a snake as Lucifer's laugh echoes, implying Dante's confrontation with him is still not finished.

== Release ==
{{Multiple image |total_width=265
| image1   = Graham McTavish by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg
| width1   = 100px
| image2 = Vanessa Branch 2009.jpg
| width2   = 100px
| footer = [[Graham McTavish]] and [[Vanessa Branch]] voiced [[Dante Alighieri|Dante]] and [[Beatrice Portinari|Beatrice]] respectively both in the video game and in the tie-in movie ''[[Dante's Inferno: An Animated Epic]]''.
}}

A playable demo was released for PlayStation 3 on December 10, 2009, and for Xbox 360 on December 24, 2009.<ref>{{cite web | author=Barton, Steve | date=December 2, 2009 | title=Dante's Inferno Demo Gets Two Release Dates | url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/14626/dante-s-inferno-demo-gets-two-release-dates/ | publisher=[[Dread Central]] | access-date=May 30, 2016 | archive-date=August 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804062932/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/14626/dante-s-inferno-demo-gets-two-release-dates/ | url-status=live }}</ref> ''Dante's Inferno'' was first released in Australasia on February 4, 2010, and later across Europe on February 5 and in North America on February 9, 2010.

=== Special editions ===
In addition to the standard retail copy of the game, a second limited special edition of the game for both the Xbox 360 and [[PlayStation 3]] was released alongside known as the "''Death Edition''". Along with the standard copy of the game, the Death Edition was packaged in a fold out card packaging depicting each circle of hell as well as a second bonus disc that featured a making-of documentary, the documentary "Dante in History", the full soundtrack, a documentary on the creation of the music and audio, a digital art book (''[[Barlowe's Inferno]]'') edited by visual designer [[Wayne Barlowe]], over 10 minutes of scenes from ''[[Dante's Inferno: An Animated Epic]]'', and a digital reprint of the complete original poem in English by [[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow]]. The edition also included a voucher containing an online activated code for an additional skin model for Dante: the space suit of [[Isaac Clarke]], the main character from Visceral's previous game ''[[Dead Space (video game)|Dead Space]]''.<ref name=engadget>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009-12-13-europe-getting-dantes-inferno-death-edition-includes-playabl.html|title=Europe getting Dante's Inferno 'Death Edition,' includes playable Isaac Clarke|last=McElroy|first=Griffin |date=December 13, 2009 |website=[[Engadget]] |access-date=June 22, 2021}}</ref> UK retailer [[Gamestation]] also gave away miniature figurines of Dante to those who pre-ordered the game. The edition was originally released in Europe, and later also in Australia along with the standard copy on February 15, 2010, exclusive to [[EB Games]].<ref name=engadget/><ref>{{cite web | title=Dante's Inferno: Death Edition (PS3) | url=http://www.ebgames.com.au/ps3-149262-Dantes-Inferno-Death-Edition-PlayStation-3/ | publisher=[[EB Games]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112072203/http://www.ebgames.com.au/ps3-149262-Dantes-Inferno-Death-Edition-PlayStation-3 | archive-date=January 12, 2010 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref>

In North America, unlike the Europe and Australia release, a special version called the "''Divine Edition''" was released in place of the standard copy for the PlayStation 3 only. Similar to the Death Edition, the Divine Edition includes nearly all the same features except the Isaac Clarke costume and the animated scene but instead includes a code for the ''Dark Forest'' downloadable content, to be released later in March.

On May 14, 2010, the "''St. Lucia Edition''" was released in Italy, containing the ''Dark Forest'' and ''Trials of St Lucia'' DLCs and St. Lucia as a playable character in the cooperative gameplay.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://multiplayer.it/recensioni/76946-dantes-inferno-i-tormenti-di-st-lucia-dantes-inferno-i-tormenti-di-st-lucia.html|title=Non si vive solo di tormenti|website=Multiplayer.it|language=it|access-date=2022-10-30|archive-date=2022-10-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030181822/https://multiplayer.it/recensioni/76946-dantes-inferno-i-tormenti-di-st-lucia-dantes-inferno-i-tormenti-di-st-lucia.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Downloadable content ===
Upon its release, a series of [[downloadable content]] (DLC) game packs were released, each containing a number of souls, used for purchasing new abilities. The first contained 500 souls and was free of charge while the rest contained 1500, 3000 and 5000 souls and cost a relatively small amount and could only be downloaded once.<ref>{{cite web | author=Kearney, Addam | date=February 4, 2010 | title=First Dante's Inferno DLC available on PSN; not exactly what we were expecting | url=http://www.talkingaboutgames.com/news/generalnews/5610-first-dantes-inferno-dlc-available-on-psn-not-exactly-what-we-were-expecting | publisher=TalkingAboutGames | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206184818/http://www.talkingaboutgames.com/news/generalnews/5610-first-dantes-inferno-dlc-available-on-psn-not-exactly-what-we-were-expecting | archive-date=February 6, 2010 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref>

The first traditional piece of downloadable content was released a month after release on March 4, entitled ''Dark Forest'', a prologue level loosely based on the opening of ''The Divine Comedy'', that sees Dante in a dark forest before meeting Virgil. The content includes two new enemies known as the "Forest Siren" and "Death Knight" and involves a series of puzzles to overcome. In addition to the level, the download also includes an additional "Disco Inferno" costume, a novelty piece in the style of polyester disco fashion wear.<ref>{{cite web | author=Alam, Imtiaz | date=March 3, 2010 | title=Dante's Inferno: Hands On DLC Pack Review | url=http://thetechjournal.com/electronics/gaming-electronics/dantes-inferno-hands-on-dlc-pack-review.xhtml | publisher=The Tech Journal | access-date=March 12, 2010 | archive-date=March 6, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306155021/http://thetechjournal.com/electronics/gaming-electronics/dantes-inferno-hands-on-dlc-pack-review.xhtml | url-status=live }}</ref>

Numerous alternative costumes have also been released, including ''Florentine Dante'' based on the real life poet Dante Alighieri released on February 18, 2010<ref>{{cite web | title=Florentine Dante Costume | url=http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/dantesinferno/dlc/206096/?tag=dlc-items;dlc_title;3 | website=[[GameSpot]] | date=February 18, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511121307/http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/dantesinferno/dlc/206096/?tag=dlc-items%3Bdlc_title%3B3 | archive-date=May 11, 2011 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 30, 2016 }}</ref> and ''Animated Film Dante'', based on the appearance of the character from ''Dante's Inferno: An Animated Epic'', released one week later.<ref>{{cite web | title=Animated Film Dante Costume | url=http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/dantesinferno/dlc/206122/?tag=dlc-items;dlc_title;2 | website=GameSpot | date=February 25, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511121310/http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/dantesinferno/dlc/206122/?tag=dlc-items%3Bdlc_title%3B2 | archive-date=May 11, 2011 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 30, 2016 }}</ref>

''Trials of St Lucia'', released on April 29, 2010, featured cooperative gameplay and a game-editor. Players were able to share their created maps and levels with others. The new playable character in this DLC was [[Saint Lucy|St. Lucia]], a Christian martyr described as Dante's guardian angel. The publisher of the game, Electronic Arts, shut down the servers for ''Trials of St. Lucia'' on December 8, 2023 leaving the DLC entirely unplayable.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arts |first=Electronic |date=2017-02-15 |title=A-H |url=https://www.ea.com/en-gb/legal/service-updates/a-h |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=Electronic Arts Inc. |language=en}}</ref>

== Marketing ==
[[File:Dante's Inferno demo booth at WonderCon 2010 1.JPG|thumb|right|''Dante's Inferno'' demo booth at the 2010 [[WonderCon]]]]
Before the game's release, ''Dante's Inferno'' underwent a prominent, at times elaborate marketing campaign led by the game's publisher [[Electronic Arts]]. The numerous advertisements highlighted certain sins associated with the circles of hell, at times promoting fake services before accusing the viewer of the sin linked to it.

Electronic Arts partnered with [[GameStop]] for a one-day promotion of ''Dante's Inferno'' on September 9, 2009 (9/9/9). Those that pre-ordered the game were offered a $6.66 discount, the [[Number of the beast|Number of the Beast]].<ref>{{cite web | author=GamingBits staff | date=September 8, 2009 | title=Save $6.66 on Dante's Inferno, only on 09.09.09 | url=http://www.gamingbits.com/general-gaming-news-bits/save-6-66-on-dantes-inferno-only-on-09-09-09/ | publisher=GamingBits | access-date=October 9, 2011 | quote=Electronic Arts and GameStop have a special savings for you on Dante's Inferno, only available on September 9th. Only on 9/9/09, if you pre-order Dante's Inferno from GameStop, you'll get to save $6.66 off the game. […] All in the name of Greed, the next circle of Hell featured on the Dante's Inferno website. | archive-date=March 31, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331161628/http://www.gamingbits.com/general-gaming-news-bits/save-6-66-on-dantes-inferno-only-on-09-09-09/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, EA conducted an unsolicited mailing in which checks for $200 were sent to selected video game critics, with the following note: "In ''Dante's Inferno'', Greed is a two-headed beast. Hoarding wealth feeds one beast, and squandering it satiates the other. By cashing this check you succumb to avarice by hoarding filthy lucre, but by not cashing it, you waste it, and thereby surrender to prodigality. Make your choice and suffer the consequence for your sin. And scoff not, for consequences are imminent."<ref>{{cite web | author=Smith, Mike | date=September 10, 2009 | title=EA mails journos $200 checks to promote game | url=http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/ea-mails-journos-200-checks-to-promote-game/1352737 | publisher=[[Yahoo! Games]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915193700/http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/ea-mails-journos-200-checks-to-promote-game/1352737 | archive-date=September 15, 2009 | url-status=dead | access-date=September 10, 2009}}</ref>

Prior to ''Dante's Inferno''{{'}}s release, in June 2009, a protest began during [[E3 2009]] in Los Angeles to oppose the game. Around 20 protesters, claiming to be from a church in Ventura County, held up signs that called the game sacrilegious and labeled it possibly insensitive to people's beliefs. Protesters even went as far as calling EA the [[anti-christ]].<ref>{{cite news | author=Fritz, Ben | date=June 3, 2009 | title=E3: Protesters target Dante's Inferno game (Updated) | url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/06/e3-protesters-target-dantes-inferno-game.html | newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] | access-date=December 24, 2009 | archive-date=June 11, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611165751/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/06/e3-protesters-target-dantes-inferno-game.html | url-status=live }}</ref> This led to EA being accused by many people of staging the fiasco to use it as a marketing hoax. A few days later, it was officially confirmed by EA spokesman Tammy Scachter that they had hired people to protest the game and that there was no actual protest.<ref>{{cite news | author=Fritz, Ben | date=June 4, 2009 | title=E3: Dante's Inferno Protest [UPDATED] | url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/06/e3-update-on-dantes-inferno-protest.html | newspaper=Los Angeles Times | access-date=December 24, 2009 | archive-date=June 11, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611193827/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/06/e3-update-on-dantes-inferno-protest.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Sliwinski, Alexander | date=June 5, 2009 | title=EA confirms Dante's Inferno protest was staged | url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/ea-confirms-dantes-inferno-protest-was-staged/ | publisher=Engadget (Joystiq) | access-date=May 30, 2016 | archive-date=March 25, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325221319/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/ea-confirms-dantes-inferno-protest-was-staged/ | url-status=live }}</ref> However, in the aftermath of this revelation, several Christian bloggers protested to this, calling it an "anti-Christian" stunt.<ref>{{cite web | author=Callaham, John | date=June 12, 2009 | title=Christian bloggers attack EA over E3 Dante's Inferno "protest" | url=http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/06/12/christian-bloggers-attack-ea-over-e3-dantes-inferno-protest | publisher=Big Download | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615164637/http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/06/12/christian-bloggers-attack-ea-over-e3-dantes-inferno-protest | archive-date=June 15, 2009 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Haas, Pete | year=2009 | title=Christians Attack Fake Dante's Inferno Protest | work=CINEMABLEND | url=https://www.cinemablend.com/games/Christians-Attack-Fake-Dante-s-Inferno-Protest-18142.html | access-date=2020-04-17 | archive-date=2020-07-29 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729024432/https://www.cinemablend.com/games/Christians-Attack-Fake-Dante-s-Inferno-Protest-18142.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

A viral marketing campaign was also launched featuring a website and ad for a fake religious game called ''Mass: We Pray'', a motion controller-based game supposedly allowing players to engage in an interactive prayer and church sermon. When attempting to order the game, the website deems you a heretic and plays to a trailer for Dante's Inferno, as well as providing links to the related [[Facebook]] application called ''"Go to Hell"''.<ref>{{cite web | author=Fletcher, JC | date=November 20, 2009 | title=Pre-order 'Mass: We Pray' for free Dante's Inferno trailer | url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/11/20/pre-order-mass-we-pray-for-free-dantes-inferno-trailer/ | publisher=[[Engadget]] ([[Joystiq]]) | access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref> The application, created by Visceral Games lets users condemn their friends, groups, or photos to one of the nine circles of hell where they can then vote to punish or absolve them, or torment them with activities like "beast massage" or "succubus castration."<ref>{{cite web | author=Fahey, Mike | date=November 23, 2009 | title=Visceral Games Tells Facebook Users To Go To Hell | url=https://kotaku.com/visceral-games-tells-facebook-users-to-go-to-hell-5410939 | publisher=Kotaku | access-date=January 11, 2010 | archive-date=January 6, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106212527/http://kotaku.com/5410939/visceral-games-tells-facebook-users-to-go-to-hell | url-status=live }}</ref>

Later in October 2009, EA sent a series of packages to [[Veronica Belmont]] at [[Qore (PlayStation Network)|Qore]], the ''[[PlayStation: The Official Magazine]]'' offices and [[Ben Croshaw|Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw]] of the Escapist's [[Zero Punctuation]] column. The package contained a small wooden box which, when opened, played the [[Rick Astley]] song "[[Never Gonna Give You Up]]", thus "[[Rickrolling]]" the journalists that received it. The music could not be stopped through any means other than destroying the box using the hammer and goggles provided. After destroying the box, such as Veronica Belmont who posted the act on [[YouTube]],<ref>{{cite web | author=Belmont, Veronica | date=November 3, 2009 | title=Wrath! | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIXRQ0zqD5M  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/yIXRQ0zqD5M |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live| publisher=[[YouTube]] | access-date=May 30, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> a note read that they had given into [[Seven Deadly Sins#Wrath|Wrath]] as the note then found within the box predicted.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Arendt, Susan | date=October 28, 2009 | title=EA Rickrolls Yahtzee | url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/95781-EA-Rickrolls-Yahtzee | magazine=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] | access-date=March 12, 2010 | archive-date=April 2, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402173400/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/95781-EA-Rickrolls-Yahtzee | url-status=dead }}</ref>

EA produced a commercial for the game that was shown during [[Super Bowl XLIV]], a fast-paced cinematic of Dante's descent into hell, overplayed by what was considered an unusual use of [[Bill Withers]]' song "[[Ain't No Sunshine]]". ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine reporter James Poniewozik referred to the ad as "something magical and funny."<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Poniewozik, James | date=February 7, 2010 | title=The Best and Worst Super Bowl Commercials of 2010: EA Sports, Dante's Inferno | url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1960734_1960750_1960819,00.html | magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref>  According to EA product manager Phil Marineu, the decision to air the ad was to concentrate on more solid titles that they believe can break through to the masses.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Mastrapa, Gus | date=February 8, 2010 | title=EA 'Doubles Down' With Dante's Inferno Super Bowl Ad | url=https://www.wired.com/2010/02/dantes-inferno-super-bowl | magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref>

Another secretly fake commercial for the fictional company "Hawk Panther" encouraged viewers to visit the Hawk Panther website in order to be able to steal their best friend's girlfriend. If the link to find out more about the Hawk Panther systems is clicked on a message appears stating, "TREACHERY! Thou are condemned to the 9th Circle. Thou hast broken the bonds of trust with thy kindred. Even conspiring to stealeth thy best friend's soul mate is the worst kind of mortal offense imaginable. You shall pay for thy treachery by spending an eternity immersed up to your face, the place where shame shows itself, in the putrid, frozen waters of Hell." The site also shows a trailer of ''Dante's Inferno'' and a link to buy the game.<ref>[http://www.hawkpanther.com/?page=home] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227182409/http://www.hawkpanther.com/?page=home|date=February 27, 2010}}</ref>

The Facebook application developer [[Lolapps]] similarly adapted a Facebook role-playing game, ''Battle of the Damned'', that lets users fight through the nine circles of hell to rescue their murdered and damned wife. It rose nearly 1 million [[monthly active users]] in less than a year after launching.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Eldon, Eric | date=December 23, 2009 | title=EA Launches Dante's Inferno RPG with Lolapps to Promote New Console Title | url=https://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/ea-launches-dantes-inferno-rpg-with-lolapps-to-promote-new-console-title/565882?red=ig | magazine=[[Adweek]] | access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref>

== Reception ==
=== ''Dante's Inferno'' ===
{{Video game reviews
| title = Dante's Inferno
| PS3 = true
| PSP = true
| X360 = true
| na = true
| Destruct_PS3 = 9/10<ref name="destructreview"/>
| Destruct_X360 = 9/10<ref name="destructreview"/>
| Edge_PS3 = 6/10<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Edge staff | date=February 5, 2010 | title=Review: Dante's Inferno (PS3) | url=http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/review-dantes-inferno | magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100207143201/http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/review-dantes-inferno | archive-date=February 7, 2010 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 31, 2016}}</ref>
| EuroG_X360 = 6/10<ref name="euroreview"/>
| GI_PS3 = 7/10<ref name="ginformerreview"/>
| GI_X360 = 7/10<ref name="ginformerreview"/>
| GamePro_PS3 = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="gproreview"/>
| GameRev_PS3 = C+<ref name="gamerevreview">{{cite web | author=Costantino, Jesse | date=February 17, 2010 | title=Dante's Inferno Review (PS3, X360) | url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/45343-dantes-inferno-review | publisher=[[Game Revolution]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001223535/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/dantes-inferno | archive-date=October 1, 2014 | url-status=live| access-date=May 31, 2016}}</ref>
| GameRev_X360 = C+<ref name="gamerevreview"/>
| GSpot_PS3 = 6.5/10<ref name="gspotreview"/>
| GSpot_X360 = 6.5/10<ref name="gspotreview"/>
| GSpy_X360 = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="gspyreview"/>
| GT_X360 = 6.8/10<ref name="gtrailersreview"/>
| GameZone_X360 = 7/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Lafferty, Michael | date=February 9, 2010 | title=Dante's Inferno - 360 - Review | url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/dante_s_inferno_360_review | publisher=GameZone | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212202512/http://xbox360.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r37121.htm | archive-date=February 12, 2010 | url-status=live | access-date=May 31, 2016}}</ref>
| GB_X360 = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web | author=Davis, Ryan | date=February 27, 2010 | title=Dante's Inferno Review (X360) | url=https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/dantes-inferno-review/1900-263/ | publisher=[[Giant Bomb]] | access-date=May 31, 2016 | archive-date=August 7, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807143311/http://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/dantes-inferno-review/1900-263/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
| IGN_PS3 = (US) 7.5/10<ref name="ignreview"/><br />(UK) 7/10<ref name="ignukreview">{{cite web | author=Wales, Matt | date=February 3, 2010 | title=Dante's Inferno UK Review (PS3, X360) | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/03/dantes-inferno-uk-review | website=IGN | access-date=May 30, 2016 | archive-date=August 6, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806204127/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/03/dantes-inferno-uk-review | url-status=live }}</ref>
| IGN_PSP = 4.5/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Gies, Arthur | date=March 23, 2010 | title=Dante's Inferno Review (PSP) | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/03/24/dantes-inferno-review | website=IGN | access-date=May 30, 2016 | archive-date=April 23, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423035035/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/03/24/dantes-inferno-review | url-status=live }}</ref>
| IGN_X360 = (US) 7.5/10<ref name="ignreview"/><br />(UK) 7/10<ref name="ignukreview"/>
| OXM_X360 = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Dante's Inferno | magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] | date=April 2010 | page=82}}</ref>
| PSM_PS3 = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Review: Dante's Inferno (PS3) | magazine=[[PlayStation: The Official Magazine]] | issue=31 | date=April 2010 | page=72}}</ref>
| PSM_PSP = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Review: Dante's Inferno (PSP) | magazine=PlayStation: The Official Magazine | issue=33 | date=June 2010 | page=79}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''
| rev1_PS3 = 6/10<ref name="telegraphreview">{{cite news | author=Cowen, Nick | date=February 18, 2010 | title=Dante's Inferno video game review (PS3) | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/7243657/Dantes-Inferno-video-game-review.html | newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | access-date=May 31, 2016 | archive-date=August 8, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808025939/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/7243657/Dantes-Inferno-video-game-review.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]''
| rev2_PS3 = {{Rating|7|10}}<ref name="wiredreview">{{cite magazine | author=Mastrapa, Gus | date=February 9, 2010 | title=Review: Dante's Inferno Commits Sin of Game Theft (PS3) | url=https://www.wired.com/2010/02/dantes-inferno-review/ | magazine=Wired | access-date=May 31, 2016}}</ref>
| MC_PS3 = 75/100<ref name="MC PS3">{{cite web | title=Dante's Inferno for PlayStation 3 Reviews | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dantes-inferno/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 | website=[[Metacritic]] | access-date=May 30, 2016 | archive-date=June 2, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602041459/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/dantes-inferno | url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC_PSP = 70/100<ref name="MC PSP">{{cite web | title=Dante's Inferno for PSP Reviews | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dantes-inferno/critic-reviews/?platform=psp | website=Metacritic | access-date=September 23, 2011 | archive-date=June 2, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602041603/https://www.metacritic.com/game/psp/dantes-inferno | url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC_X360 = 73/100<ref name="MC X360">{{cite web | title=Dante's Inferno for Xbox 360 Reviews | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dantes-inferno/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 | website=Metacritic | access-date=May 30, 2016 | archive-date=June 2, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602041256/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/dantes-inferno | url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

''Dante's Inferno'' received "generally favorable reviews" for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions and "mixed or average reviews" for PlayStation Portable version from critics, according to review aggregator [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MC PS3"/><ref name="MC PSP"/><ref name="MC X360"/> While there was substantial praise for the art style and level design, numerous critics drew unfavorable comparisons with [[Sony Computer Entertainment|Sony]]'s popular ''[[God of War (franchise)|God of War]]'' series, among other more fundamental criticisms, such as monotonous and repetitive gameplay in the latter half of the game.

One of the most praised aspects was the game's depiction of [[Hell]], considered creative yet graphic in nature. ''[[GamePro]]'' found the unique designs of the circles of Hell to be "impressively constructed", getting "a lot of mileage out of the unique setting".<ref name="gproreview">{{cite magazine | author=Kim, Tae K. | date=February 2, 2010 | title=Dante's Inferno (PS3) | url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/213817/dantes-inferno/ | magazine=[[GamePro]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206063136/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/213817/dantes-inferno/ | archive-date=February 6, 2010 | access-date=March 12, 2010}}</ref> While some critics like Jeff Haynes of ''[[IGN]]'' acknowledged the liberties taken with the original source material, they still observed that "much of what you see is appropriate for a game that tries to explore the extreme nature of Hell and its punishments", calling the overall style "visually impressive".<ref name="ignreview">{{cite web | author=Haynes, Jeff | date=February 3, 2010 | title=Dante's Inferno Review (PS3, X360) | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/03/dantes-inferno-review-2 | website=IGN | access-date=May 30, 2016 | archive-date=May 31, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531093624/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/03/dantes-inferno-review-2 | url-status=live }}</ref> Other critics like ''[[GameSpy]]'' even found some enemy and setting designs "shocking" yet still could "appreciate that this is Hell, and it's supposed to be disturbing".<ref name="gspyreview">{{cite web | author=Villoria, Gerald | date=February 10, 2010 | title=GameSpy: Dante's Inferno (X360) | url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/dantes-inferno/1068125p1.html | publisher=[[GameSpy]] | access-date=May 30, 2016 | archive-date=August 10, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810012125/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/dantes-inferno/1068125p1.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

However, some reviews felt the creativity waned towards the end of the game, such as ''[[GameSpot]]'' who felt "Dante's epic quest loses momentum long before you reach the end", praising earlier levels such as Lust and Gluttony yet criticizing the 10 stage challenge level of Fraud and the use of enemies outside of their respective circle.<ref name="gspotreview">{{cite web | author=McShea, Tom | date=February 5, 2010 | title=Dante's Inferno Review (PS3, X360) | url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dantes-inferno-review/1900-6249742/ | website=GameSpot | access-date=May 30, 2016 | archive-date=January 26, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126073647/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dantes-inferno-review/1900-6249742/ | url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[PlayStation Official Magazine – UK]]'' also echoed this view, saying that the game was "just going through motions for the last three or four hours", despite what it considered to have a "robust fighting system" and being "visually strong".<ref>{{cite journal | title=Dante's Inferno | journal=[[PlayStation Official Magazine – UK]] | date=March 2010 | page=112}}</ref>

The most recurring sentiment over the gameplay of ''Dante's Inferno'' was its similarities to the ''God of War'' games. ''[[Destructoid]]'' felt that being similar to what is regarded as a great game is a positive by stating "You're not going to find a wholly original gameplay experience with Dante's Inferno, but that doesn't mean it's not a hell of an entertaining package - it's one that fans of action shouldn't miss."<ref name="destructreview">{{cite news | author=Chester, Nick | date=February 5, 2010 | title=Review: Dante's Inferno (PS3, X360) | url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-dante-s-inferno-162463.phtml | website=[[Destructoid]] | access-date=March 12, 2010 | archive-date=March 13, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100313043026/http://www.destructoid.com/review-dante-s-inferno-162463.phtml | url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Eurogamer]]'' on the other hand felt the game was "a God of War clone at its core", that while "not a terrible game, it's just not an original one",<ref name="euroreview">{{cite web | author=Gibson, Ellie | date=February 3, 2010 | title=Dante's Inferno (X360) | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/dantes-inferno-review | website=[[Eurogamer]] | access-date=March 11, 2010 | archive-date=March 5, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305065704/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/dantes-inferno-review | url-status=live }}</ref> a view ''[[GameTrailers]]'' echoed by stating "battles can be engaging, but lack some of the grace and refinement exhibited by games like God of War".<ref name="gtrailersreview">{{cite web | title=Dante's Inferno Review (X360) | url=http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=10607 | publisher=[[GameTrailers]] | date=February 9, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912050752/http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=10607 | archive-date=September 12, 2010 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 30, 2016}}</ref> While ''[[Game Informer]]'' also found the gameplay to be too familiar, they did find the additional elements such as the punish/absolve mechanic and usable relics to give the title "some individuality".<ref name="ginformerreview">{{cite magazine | author=Marchiafava, Jeff | title=Dante's Inferno (PS3, X360): Hell Needs More Good Ideas | url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/dantes_inferno/b/ps3/archive/2010/02/03/dante_2700_s-inferno-review-hell-needs-more-good-ideas.aspx | magazine=[[Game Informer]] | issue=203 | date=March 2010 | access-date=May 30, 2016 | archive-date=August 3, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803111908/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/dantes_inferno/b/ps3/archive/2010/02/03/dante_2700_s-inferno-review-hell-needs-more-good-ideas.aspx | url-status=dead }}</ref>

''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' gave the PS3 version of ''Dante's Inferno'' a score of seven stars out of ten, and called it "a ballsy take on literature that worships at the altar of ''God of War''."<ref name="wiredreview"/>  However, Nick Cowen of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' gave the same version six out of ten, saying that it was "by no means a terrible game, but it's not an essential title and I wouldn't recommend paying full price for it. If a sequel is on the cards – as is hinted by the ending – the developers would do well to institute a more consistent level of quality. Until then, one can't damn the players of ''Dante's Inferno'' for trading the nine circles of hell for a trip to Hades with Kratos."<ref name="telegraphreview"/> ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' gave the Xbox 360 version a C+, saying, "The game's rivers of blood, corpse-piles, and wailing souls make for a morbid, depression-inducing milieu. It's a relief to be shut out of the place once the final credits roll."<ref>{{cite news | author=Jones, Scott | date=February 15, 2010 | title=Dante's Inferno (X360) | url=https://www.avclub.com/dante-s-inferno-1798219045 | newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217062114/http://www.avclub.com/articles/dantes-inferno%2C38176/ | archive-date=February 17, 2010 | url-status=live | access-date=May 31, 2016}}</ref> In Japan, ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions a score of all four eights for a total of 32 out of 40.<ref>{{cite web | author=Gifford, Kevin | date=February 10, 2010 | title=Japan Review Check: MAG, Heavy Raid, Dante's Inferno | url=http://www.1up.com/news/japan-review-check-mag-heavy | website=[[1UP.com]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709222218/http://www.1up.com/news/japan-review-check-mag-heavy | archive-date=July 9, 2012 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 31, 2016}}</ref>

Regarding such similarities, in an interview for ''PlayStation Official Magazine – UK'', ''God of War III'' director [[Stig Asmussen]] instead praised the game, stating "We've been intrigued about Dante's Inferno. This is my favourite genre, and the more people that are making [these games] the better", going on to say "and this is a really rich story they're building on, it's very interesting. The day that the demo came out we were trying to download it on PSN at midnight. We all wanted to see it."

[[Columbia University]] Professor Teodolinda Barolini, a former president of the Dante Society of America, criticized the game for its depiction of Beatrice, declaring, "Of all the things that are troubling, the sexualization and infantilization of Beatrice are the worst. Beatrice is the human girl who is dead and is now an agent of the divine. She is not to be saved by him, she is saving him. That's the whole point! Here, she has become the prototypical damsel in distress. She's this kind of bizarrely corrupted Barbie doll."<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Barolini, Teodolinda | title=An Ivy League Professor Weighs In: Expert View | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | issue=1091 | date=February 26, 2010 | page=79}}</ref> Other reviews of the game include similar comments from professors regarding the characters: "Beatrice saves Dante... not the other way around,"<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Popper, Benjamin | date=February 2010 | title=Dante Alighieri: Epic Poet, Ass Kicker | url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/02/dante-alighieri-epic-poet-ass-kicker/7936/ | magazine=[[The Atlantic]] | issn=1072-7825 | access-date=September 7, 2010}}</ref> says Professor Arielle Saiber, an Italian literature professor at [[Bowdoin College]].

United States [[NPD Group]] sales data showed that the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of ''Dante's Inferno'' sold 242,500 and 224,700 copies respectively in February 2010, its first month of release.<ref>{{cite web | author=Caoili, Eric | date=March 12, 2010 | title=BioShock 2 PS3, Aliens vs. Predator Jump Into February Top 20 | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27652/BioShock_2_PS3_Aliens_vs_Predator_Jump_Into_February_Top_20.php | website=[[Gamasutra]] | access-date=May 17, 2010 | archive-date=May 9, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509060939/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27652/BioShock_2_PS3_Aliens_vs_Predator_Jump_Into_February_Top_20.php | url-status=dead }}</ref> The two editions also debuted together on the UK's top 10 games list for that month.<ref>{{cite web | author=Graft, Kris | date=February 8, 2010 | title=Mass Effect 2 Leads Again In UK, Dante, Star Trek Debut | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27143/Mass_Effect_2_Leads_Again_In_UK_Dante_Star_Trek_Debut.php | website=Gamasutra | access-date=May 17, 2010 | archive-date=May 11, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511161401/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27143/Mass_Effect_2_Leads_Again_In_UK_Dante_Star_Trek_Debut.php | url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== ''Trials of St. Lucia'' ===
{{Video game reviews
| title = Trials of St. Lucia
| PS3 = true
| X360 = true
| na = true
| GSpot_PS3 = 5.5/10<ref name="gspotps3review">{{cite web | author=McShea, Tom | date=May 3, 2010 | title=Dante's Inferno: Trials of St. Lucia Review (PS3) | url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dantes-inferno-trials-of-st-lucia-review/1900-6260953/ | website=GameSpot | access-date=May 31, 2016 | archive-date=December 13, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213090858/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dantes-inferno-trials-of-st-lucia-review/1900-6260953/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
| GT_X360 = 8/10<ref name="gtrailersreview2">{{cite web | title=Dante's Inferno: Trials of St. Lucia Review (X360) | url=http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=13065 | publisher=GameTrailers | date=May 6, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427215744/http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=13065 | archive-date=April 27, 2011 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 31, 2016}}</ref>
| Play_PS3 = 80%<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Dante's Inferno: Trials of St. Lucia | magazine=[[Play (UK magazine)|Play UK]] | issue=194 | date=August 2010 | page=102}}</ref>
| MC_PS3 = 72/100<ref name="MC PS3B">{{cite web | title=Dante's Inferno: Trials of St. Lucia for PlayStation 3 Reviews | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dantes-inferno-trials-of-st-lucia/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 | website=Metacritic | access-date=May 31, 2016 | archive-date=October 30, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030130014/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/dantes-inferno-trials-of-st-lucia | url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC_X360 = 83/100<ref name="MC X360B">{{cite web | title=Dante's Inferno: Trials of St. Lucia for Xbox 360 Reviews | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dantes-inferno-trials-of-st-lucia/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 | website=Metacritic | access-date=May 31, 2016 | archive-date=October 30, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030065557/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/dantes-inferno-trials-of-st-lucia | url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

The Xbox 360 version of the ''Trials of St. Lucia'' DLC received "favorable" reviews, while the PS3 version received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.<ref name="MC PS3B"/><ref name="MC X360B"/> ''GameTrailers'' said that the Xbox 360 version "may be a little steep [at 10 dollars], but it gives Dante a shot of much-needed replayability. With online co-op, a seemingly-enthusiastic community, and a suite of solid online features, the original game suddenly feels like it has some legs."<ref name="gtrailersreview2"/>  However, ''GameSpot'' said that the PS3 version "does an admirable job of turning the worst idea from the original adventure into something entertaining, but it's still hampered by the same problems that made those initial trials such a drag. It's only entertaining to swing your blood-soaked scythe for so long because the combat is shallow and the objectives only offer a slight change to the core experience. However, the in-depth editor, extra playable character, and cooperative mode are different enough to lure back anyone anxious to be wrapped up in hell's clutches for a few more hours."<ref name="gspotps3review"/>
{{clear}}

=== Controversy ===
In October 2009, it was announced that the game would include a [[PlayStation 3 trophy]] and an [[Xbox 360 achievement]] entitled "Bad Nanny", which is awarded to players for killing monsters resembling children, supposedly the lost souls of unbaptized infants. This sparked a conflict with the International Nanny Association (INA), in which they encouraged supporters to oppose the game. The INA claimed that the achievement is offensive to real nannies and that it also promotes real-life violence. The INA asked the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board]] (ESRB) to omit the reward and elements of infant violence. The ESRB insisted that its role was merely to label products appropriately, not to censor them, so their request could not be met. ''Dante's Inferno'' was released with the "Bad Nanny" achievement intact.<ref>{{cite web | author=Warmouth, Brian | date=October 23, 2009 | title='Dante's Inferno' Baby-Killing Achievement Angers Nannies | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2460072/dantes-inferno-baby-killing-achievement-angers-nannies/ | publisher=MTV | access-date=May 30, 2016 | archive-date=June 16, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616211330/http://www.mtv.com/news/2460072/dantes-inferno-baby-killing-achievement-angers-nannies/ | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Stein, Scott | date=October 27, 2009 | title=Dante's Inferno makes nannies everywhere furious | url=https://www.cnet.com/news/dantes-inferno-makes-nannies-everywhere-furious/ | website=[[CNET]] | access-date=May 30, 2016 | archive-date=March 13, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313153241/http://www.cnet.com/news/dantes-inferno-makes-nannies-everywhere-furious/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Williams, Bryn | date=October 23, 2009 | title=Dante's Inferno 'Bad Nanny' Achievement Draws Fire from the INA | url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/dantes-inferno/1038287p1.html | publisher=GameSpy | access-date=December 24, 2009 | archive-date=October 27, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027042822/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/dantes-inferno/1038287p1.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Legacy ==

=== Animated film ===
{{Main|Dante's Inferno: An Animated Epic}}

[[Film Roman]], the [[Starz Entertainment]] unit behind ''[[Dead Space: Downfall]]'', released an animated [[direct-to-DVD]] version of the story that was released simultaneously with the video game.<ref>{{cite web | author=Barton, Steve | date=January 21, 2010 | title=A Clip from Dante's Inferno - The Animated Feature | url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/15319/a-clip-from-dante-s-inferno-the-animated-feature/ | publisher=Dread Central | access-date=May 31, 2016 | archive-date=August 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804074713/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/15319/a-clip-from-dante-s-inferno-the-animated-feature/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The ''Dante's Inferno'' project had separate anime studios being tapped to create visuals of the nine levels of the Inferno. Starz Entertainment is looking to sell both animated films to international TV buyers at the MIP market.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Variety staff | date=March 29, 2009 | title=Dante's Inferno matching Dead Space movie-for-movie  | url=http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2009/03/dantes-inferno-matching-dead-space-movieformovie.html | magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129175307/http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2009/03/dantes-inferno-matching-dead-space-movieformovie.html | archive-date=January 29, 2010 | url-status=dead}}</ref> The animation studios that participated in the making of ''Dante's Inferno: An Animated Epic'', in order, are [[Film Roman]], [[Manglobe]], [[Dong Woo Animation|Dong Woo]], JM Animation, and [[Production I.G.]] The released movie shows a difference in storyline and has been divided into four different styles.

=== Comics ===
[[WildStorm]] published a six-part comic book series based on the video game from December 2009 (two month before the video game release) through May 2010. The series was written by [[Christos Gage]] with art by Diego Latorre.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dccomics.com/comics/dantes-inferno-2009/dantes-inferno-1 |title=DANTE'S INFERNO #1 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=December 2009 |website=dccomics.com |publisher=DC Entertainment |access-date=2018-10-25 |archive-date=2018-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064508/https://www.dccomics.com/comics/dantes-inferno-2009/dantes-inferno-1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Canceled live action film ===
In 2013 it was reported that [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]] is developing a live action film based on the video game with director [[Fede Álvarez]] to direct and produced by [[Eric Newman (producer)|Eric Newman]] and [[Marc Abraham]] with EA Entertainment vice president Patrick O'Brien. However, this has since been cancelled as of 2025.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Fleming, Michael | date=November 2, 2008 | title=Universal hot for 'Inferno' | url=https://variety.com/2008/digital/news/universal-hot-for-inferno-1117995139/ | magazine=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Fleming, Mike Jr. | date=September 17, 2013 | title='Evil Dead's [sic] Fede Alvarez Going To Hell-m Universal's 'Dante's Inferno' | url=https://deadline.com/2013/09/evil-deads-fede-alvarez-going-to-hell-m-universals-dantes-inferno-589392/ | website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] | access-date=April 17, 2020 | archive-date=August 8, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808094511/http://www.deadline.com/2013/09/evil-deads-fede-alvarez-going-to-hell-m-universals-dantes-inferno/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Related media ===
Dante appears as a playable character in the PSP version of ''[[Army of Two: The 40th Day]]'', unlockable after finishing the game by always making morally-bad choices.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/isaac-and-dante-are-in-army-of-two-the-40th-day-for-psp/|title=Dante are in Army of Two: The 40th Day for PSP|website=Destructoid|date=2009-12-18|access-date=2023-05-07|archive-date=2023-05-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507010024/https://www.destructoid.com/isaac-and-dante-are-in-army-of-two-the-40th-day-for-psp/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2014, Tal Peleg, senior cinematic animator at [[Naughty Dog]], released a fan-made CGI short movie inspired by the game, titled ''Dante's Redemption''.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.dualshockers.com/dantes-inferno-fan-short-by-naughty-dog-animator-coming-august-14th-gets-new-key-artwork/ |title= Dante's Inferno Fan Short by Naughty Dog Animator Coming August 14th; Gets New Key Artwork |author= Giuseppe Nelva |date= 5 August 2014 |website= dualshockers.com |access-date= 7 May 2023 |archive-date= 7 May 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230507010026/https://www.dualshockers.com/dantes-inferno-fan-short-by-naughty-dog-animator-coming-august-14th-gets-new-key-artwork/ |url-status= live }}</ref> A sequel titled ''Dante's Redemption: ACT1'' was released in November 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ihorror.com/the-last-of-us-animator-tal-peleg-releases-act-1-of-dantes-redemption/ |title='The Last of Us' Animator Tal Peleg Releases 'Dante's Redemption: Act 1' |date=22 November 2018 |author=Sam Angelo |website=iHorror |access-date=11 May 2023 |archive-date=11 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511204026/https://ihorror.com/the-last-of-us-animator-tal-peleg-releases-act-1-of-dantes-redemption/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Cancelled sequels ==
''Dante's Inferno'' was originally intended as the first part of a trilogy, with the sequels based on the second and third poem in ''The Divine Comedy'': ''[[Purgatorio]]'' and ''[[Paradiso (Dante)|Paradiso]]''; however, they were never made.<ref name=Brinkhof>{{cite web |url= https://www.ign.com/articles/inside-dantes-purgatorio-the-cancelled-sequel-to-eas-dantes-inferno |title= Inside Dante’s Purgatorio, the Cancelled Sequel to EA’s Dante’s Inferno |website=[[IGN]] |date=5 November 2025 |author= Tim Brinkhof }}</ref> While in 2010 it was initially announced that Visceral had no plans for a sequel,<ref name=Dutton>{{cite web | author=Dutton, Fred | date=October 12, 2010 | title=Visceral unsure on Dante's Inferno sequel | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-10-12-visceral-unsure-on-dantes-inferno-sequel | website=Eurogamer | access-date=February 25, 2013 | archive-date=May 15, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515222853/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-10-12-visceral-unsure-on-dantes-inferno-sequel | url-status=live }}</ref> in November 2011, ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' co-writer Joshua Rubin announced that he had been hired as a writer for a video game sequel that was heavily hinted to be a sequel to ''Dante's Inferno'',<ref>{{cite web | author=Schramm, Mike | date=November 24, 2011 | title=Rumor: Writer teases Dante's Inferno sequel | url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/11/24/rumor-writer-teases-dantes-inferno-sequel/ | publisher=Engadget (Joystiq) | access-date=May 31, 2016}}</ref> but no further information was released.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://screenrant.com/dantes-inferno-2-game-cancellation-reasons/ |author= PADRAIG COTTER Padraig Cotter |date= 2 January 2020 |website= ScreenRant |title= Dante's Inferno 2 Isn't Happening: Here's Why |access-date= 25 April 2023 |archive-date= 25 April 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230425090957/https://screenrant.com/dantes-inferno-2-game-cancellation-reasons/ |url-status= live }}</ref> Later reports confirmed that ''Purgatorio'' entered development and had a finished script, playable chapter, and a climbing mechanic in order to reach the top of the Mount Purgatory, but it was canceled without being publicly revealed;<ref name=Brinkhof/><ref name=Riviello>{{cite web |url= https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/24/17770668/jack-the-ripper-visceral-games-electronic-arts-canceled |title= The Ripper: The disturbing Visceral Games project that never was |author= Alex Riviello |website= [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date= 24 August 2018 |access-date= 25 April 2023 |archive-date= 25 April 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230425090957/https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/2018/8/24/17770668/jack-the-ripper-visceral-games-electronic-arts-canceled |url-status= live }}</ref> according to Alex Riviello of ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'', this was due to the disappointing sales of the first game.<ref name=Riviello/> On November 5, 2025, ''[[IGN]]'' published an official assortment of internal documents of Dante's Purgatorio, including concept arts, cutscene storyboards, screenshots, a 240-page script by Rubin, and details about the plot of the third planned game ''Paradiso''.<ref name=Brinkhof/>

A 2D sidescroller mobile game based on ''Dante's Inferno'' was also in development by [[IronMonkey Studios]], but was cancelled by EA after six months of work as the studio shifted its priorities to the emerging free-to-play mobile game market.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thegamer.com/ea-scrapped-dragon-age-mobile-game/ |title=EA Scrapped A Diablo-Style Dragon Age Mobile Game Before Going Free-To-Play |author=Joshua Robertson |date=28 January 2023 |website=The Gamer |access-date=25 April 2023 |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425090958/https://www.thegamer.com/ea-scrapped-dragon-age-mobile-game/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* {{official website|http://www.dantesinferno.com/|name=Official Website}}
* {{IMDb title|1409575}}
* {{moby game|id=/45837/dantes-inferno/}}
* {{moby game|id=/dantes-inferno-trials-of-st-lucia|name=''Dante's Inferno: Trials of St. Lucia''}}

{{Visceral Games}}
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{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Dante's Inferno (video game)|access_date=2026-03-02}}