Available for download on the PlayStation Network just a few hours ago (and Dec. 24 for Xbox 360 owners), the demo for Visceral Games' Dante's Inferno should be relatively familiar to fans of God of War. While the two are totally different in hero and plot, both games are dramatically executed with action-packed brilliance, totally immersing players in each of their respective worlds.

The question on top of everyone's mind is: How does this game stack up against God of War 3? Based on the demo, the simple answer is: Sometimes, I thought I actually was playing a God of War game.

Electronic Arts' upcoming project centers around Dante, a veteran of the Crusades who discovers his beloved Beatrice killed and her soul taken prisoner by demon lord Lucifer. The demo loosely refers to Lucifer's need to wed a heaven-bound soul to escape Hell and make an attempt to take over the Throne of God. It's a pursuit by Dante that has him going through the nine Circles of Hell to save his beloved Beatrice, while braving a plethora of his own sins, war crimes and haunting past. Basically, Dante's up against the most legitimate evil that man has ever known. It's quite a daunting task for one man when you think about it.

The demo goes through its rounds of teaching you various attacks, strategies, and skills throughout each area. Right from the get go, this game looks, feels, and plays like God of War. First off, the camera is cinematically positioned, so the player doesn't have control over it. The game's combo system is also strikingly similar, with auto-aimed attacks with mid-air and close-up grabs that also allow the player to press a button for a finishing blow. Even dynamic quick time events are used to finish larger enemies and bosses, all of which conclude in some grueling death.  Dante's Inferno will also have you riding beast monsters trying to take out enemies on the ground.

It doesn't end there. The way you pick up health and mana is copy of SCEA's masterpiece. And even the gratuitous violence, and random display of boobies are there.

Dante's Inferno certainly doesn't shy away from violence and "adult" content, something that a survival horror game veteran like me was shocked to see to liberally. There's not much of a pop-up warning before downloading the demo, which seems like it could be asking for trouble.  The beginning of the game includes CG sequences with arrows hitting human heads, Dante stitching his bloody chest up and crucifixes being stabbed on people's faces. One of the game's early battles had our hero killing the Grim Reaper (Death) with his own scythe forced down its head and upper torso. Even Dante's Beatrice has her breasts fully exposed numerous times in the demo, something that I haven't seen consistently in videogames since, well, God of War and... BMX XXX. I think you can safely say that the game's Mature rating is most definitely warranted. The gore even rivals some of the most disturbing sequences in the Manhunt videogames.

Now, there are a few standout moments that do feel original. One of the most intriguing things behind Dante's Inferno is the player's ability to choose between "punishing" his enemies or "absolving" them. Punishing your enemies by grabbing them and then finishing them off will give more power to Dante's scythe. However, absolving them by using the cross to heal their sins, will give more power to the range attacks of the crucifix. These decisions will fill two different meters next to your health, indicating these two powers. The multitude of killing your enemies off is very expansive as the game also introduces two seperate skill trees and also an upgradeable magic spell system. With Hell's minions, including some mythical monsters like Cerberus trying to stop Dante from reaching Lucifer, you really have your work cut out for you.

There's no way you can play Dante's Inferno and not think of God of War. And that's not a bad thing. Visceral Games is unabashedly bold in presenting a game that so clearly mimicks one of the best series available on PlayStation consoles. In light of that, this game should be on the top of the list for Xbox owners, who have always been denied the pleasure of playing God of War.

I'm looking most forward to the fantastic level designs that the demo's final trailer showcases, all centered around the Nine Circles of Hell. I can't wait for the upcoming Lust level, which is sure to have some interesting creatures abound, something that would make parents everywhere (Jack Thompson anyone?) scream at their kids if they saw it.  The game releases on February 9th and it will be fascinating to see how it competes with God of War 3, which comes out a month later. One thing's for sure - a lot of heads will roll.

Review score for Dante's Inferno demo:

4.5 out of 5 Raging Kratos!