Dante Replaced For DMC4/DMC PSP Confirmed News

When Metal Gear Solid 2 was released in 2002, and players discovered that for most of the game they weren't actually playing as Solid Snake, the response was pretty negative. It could have been safely assumed afterwards, that no studio would replace their franchise protagonist with a new character again...though news from Japan is suggesting otherwise with PlayStation3 title, Devil May Cry 4.

For the length of the series, players have controlled demon investigator Dante, however in the latest issue of Japanese publication Famitsu, franchise director Hideaki Itsuno has confirmed a new main character for DMC4... Nero Angelo.

Sounding remarkably similar to the alternative name of Dante's brother Virgil (Nelo Angelo), speculation is building that Nero will indeed turn out to be Virgil - given the character looks very similar to Dante in the first place, though this hasn't been confirmed.

Isuno-san also announced that the title will take place between the events of Devil May Cry 1 and 2 (pushing the forlorn sequel further to the back of people's minds), and that Nero will be able to unleash powerful attacks with him arm...

First announced back in the dark ages (otherwise known as January 2005), it also appears that the series debut on PSP is also on track - a release schedule for Capcom shows Devil May Cry on Sony's handheld on the list, though a release date is yet to be confirmed.

We'll have more news shortly...