Video game genres leave a lot of room for interpretation. From ones that simply describe the camera placement to those like RPGs that represent overly broad and vague categories, there is plenty of room to experiment. One genre that occupies the latter category is the character action, or stylish action, family of combat-focused titles. Growing out of the beat-‘em-up genre, these games have traditionally used third-person camera angles ever since the days ofRising Zan: The Samurai GunmanandDevil May Cry. There have been experiments with giving them over-the-shoulder camera angles like inGod HandandGod of War 2018, butDevil May Cryis the typical template.
That’s not to say that there haven’t been more varied titles using the core tenets of character action. PlatinumGames has been a particular innovator in the space, adding such genre trappings to its third-person shooterVanquishand its experimental action titleThe Wonderful 101. First-person shooters like the modernDoomtitles have taken some inspiration from the frenetic, skill-based nature of character action, and the upcomingUltrakillopenly describes itself asDevil May Cry-meets-Quake. However, there’s one first-person shooter that adheres closer toDevil May Crythan most.
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Bright Memory: Infinite Draws Its Influence From Devil May Cry
It won’t take long for players familiar withDevil May Cryto recognize its elements inBright Memory: Infinite. Initially released as a prototype calledBright Memory: Episode 1in 2019, this game was developed by Zeng “FYQD” Xiancheng. Players take control of Shelia, a cybernetically-enhanced special agent who must fight both modern soldiers and an army of monstrous warriors dredged up from the ancient past. The game is short and linear, focusing almost exclusively on combat with the occasional platforming, stealth, or driving sequence.
Plenty of games share a focus on fighting, butBright Memoryis notable for how close it stays to the design ofDevil May Cry. That Shelia and Dante both have swords and assorted guns is obvious, but Shelia employs several other techniques taken straight from Capcom’s legendary series. Shelia’s ability to launch enemies and follow them into the air for a sword combo is a clear homage, and Shelia can also make use of an aerial Helm Splitter and somethingsimilar to Nero’s enemy-pulling Snatch. There is even an upgrade shop that allows Shelia to purchase a nearly-identical Round Trip ability to throw a charged energy blade like a boomerang. Combined with the prototype grading the player’s fights andInfiniteusing aResident Evil-inspired results screen, it’s hard to deny thatBright Memory: Infinitewears its inspiration on its sleeve.
Bright Memory Takes Devil May Cry’s Action in a Whole Different Direction
With that said,Bright Memoryis a first-person shooter first and foremost, and a tough, fast-paced character action game second. The game takes the combat loop and stylish priorities ofDevil May Cryand changes them to work in a modern shooter context. Shelia’s main weapons are her guns, of which she starts with four that have different firing modes. The game encourages their use, as Shelia’s sword relies on a recharging energy bar to strike. The sword has a projectile component to its slashes to ensure that there will be no frustration in the mid-range battlesBright Memoryoften creates.Bright Memory: Infiniteis a very short game, soShelia will not gain as many powersor weapons in her adventure like Dante does. That won’t be an issue, as her kit is designed to excel in its environment.
Bright Memorywants the player to keep moving in a manner similar to the modernDoomgames. Shelia is equipped with a wall run, double jump, and a dash that the player must use frequently. She is encouraged to get up-close as she has something that Dante sometimes doesn’t: a projectile-reflecting and enemy-staggering parry. This, combined with the massive stun state launched enemies enter, alters the way players approach gunfights and enemy attacks, while still supporting the player’s ability to continuously pressure their foes. For all that itcalls back toDevil May Cry,Bright Memory: Infinitestill represents a successful conversion of its ideas into a different genre, and hopefully more games will follow suit.
Bright Memory: Infiniteis available now on PC, and will release on July 21st for PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.
