Canceled Dante's Inferno Sequel: Purgatory's Mountain Revealed
More than a decade after Visceral Games unleashed its stylized and brutal vision of the underworld in *Dante's Inferno*, a treasure trove of new information has surfaced, painting a vivid picture of the ambitious sequel that never was. The canceled project, tentatively titled *Dante's Purgatorio*, was set to trade the fiery pits of Hell for the hopeful, towering landscapes of Purgatory, offering players a completely new kind of spiritual and physical battle.
Released in 2010, the original *Dante's Inferno* was a memorable action-adventure title that saw the Crusader Dante carve a path through the nine circles of Hell to reclaim the soul of his beloved Beatrice. While it drew clear inspiration from contemporary action games, its unique art direction and commitment to its theme, loosely based on the first part of Dante Alighieri's *The Divine Comedy*, earned it a dedicated following. For years, fans have wondered what became of the planned trilogy. Now, we finally have a glimpse into the grand vision for the second chapter.
Ascending from the Abyss: A New World to Explore
Where *Inferno* was a journey downward into claustrophobic, oppressive, and tormented landscapes, *Dante's Purgatorio* was conceived as the polar opposite: an ascent toward the light. The core concept for the sequel's world was a single, colossal landmass—the Mountain of Purgatory. This would have been a significant departure from the level-based structure of the first game, presenting a more open and interconnected environment for players to explore.
The entire game would have revolved around Dante’s climb up this monumental peak. Each of the mountain's seven terraces would have represented the cleansing of one of the seven deadly sins, but in reverse order of severity. This structure would have provided a clear sense of progression, with the atmosphere and environment becoming brighter and more serene the higher Dante climbed. The oppressive darkness of Hell would have been replaced with awe-inspiring vistas, heavenly architecture, and a palpable sense of hope and redemption that was entirely absent from the first game.
A New Dante for a New Purpose
The shift in setting from punishment to penance was designed to be reflected directly in the gameplay and Dante's abilities. The iconic Death-scythe, Dante's primary weapon in *Inferno*, was reportedly being left behind. The journey through Purgatory was not one of reaping and punishment, but of cleansing and atonement.
The development team envisioned an evolution of the combat system to match this new theme. Key ideas included:
- Ethereal Weapons: Dante might have wielded weapons of light or harnessed angelic powers.
- Cleansing Mechanics: Instead of simply destroying enemies, new mechanics would have focused on "absolving" or "purifying" the tormented spirits found on the mountain.
- The Power of Hope: The Holy and Unholy skill trees from the first game would have been re-imagined. The Unholy path would likely be gone, replaced by systems that represented Dante's own path to redemption.
This fundamental shift would have given the sequel a distinct identity, ensuring it was more than just a retread of the original. The core action would have remained, but its purpose and presentation would have been transformed to align with the story of a soul working its way toward salvation.
A Story of Atonement Penned by an Acclaimed Writer
The narrative for *Dante's Purgatorio* was also set to be a major evolution. With Beatrice's soul saved at the end of the first game, Dante’s motivation would turn inward. His quest would no longer be about saving another, but about confronting and atoning for the sins he committed during the Crusades—the very acts that led to his damnation in the first place.
Adding significant weight to this narrative ambition, the story was being penned by a writer celebrated for their work on the critically acclaimed narrative of *Assassin's Creed 2*. This suggests a commitment to a deeper, more character-driven story. Players would have witnessed Dante grappling with his past in a more meaningful way, encountering souls on the mountain who were also on their own journeys of penance. This would have created opportunities for more complex moral dilemmas and emotional storytelling, moving beyond the singular, rage-fueled quest of the original.
Why Did the Gates of Purgatory Remain Closed?
With such a compelling vision, the ultimate question is why *Dante's Purgatorio* was never released. While there is no single official reason, the cancellation likely came down to a combination of factors. The original *Dante's Inferno* sold reasonably well but was not a runaway blockbuster hit. In an era of intense competition, this may have made a sequel a riskier proposition.
Furthermore, developer Visceral Games was a multi-project studio with a full plate. After shipping *Dante's Inferno*, the team's focus shifted to other major franchises, including the highly anticipated *Dead Space 2* and later *Battlefield Hardline*. It's probable that resources were allocated to these more established and commercially proven properties, leaving the ambitious ascent through Purgatory on the drawing board. Ultimately, with the closure of Visceral Games in 2017, the chance of seeing this specific vision come to life was lost forever.
For fans, these newly emerged details are a bittersweet look into a lost chapter of gaming history. They reveal a sequel that was not only ambitious in scope but also thematically rich, promising a journey of redemption that could have elevated the series into a true epic. While Dante's journey may have ended in Hell, the vision for his climb toward paradise remains a fascinating "what if."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Will Dante's Inferno 2 ever be made? A: It is highly unlikely that this specific version of the sequel will ever be developed, as the original studio, Visceral Games, was closed by EA in 2017. However, in the current era of remakes and reboots, a new take on the franchise is always a possibility, though none have been announced.
Q: What was the original Dante's Inferno game about? A: *Dante's Inferno* (2010) is an action-adventure game where players control Dante, a Templar Knight who, after returning from the Crusades, finds his love, Beatrice, has been slain and her soul taken by Lucifer. He forges a path through the nine circles of Hell to fight demons, damned souls, and Lucifer himself to save her.
Q: How was the sequel's setting different from the first game? A: The sequel, *Dante's Purgatorio*, was set to take place in Purgatory, which in the source material is a massive mountain that souls must climb to cleanse their sins before entering Heaven (Paradiso). This would have created a vast, open, and vertical world focused on ascent and hope, contrasting with the dark, oppressive, and downward spiral of Hell in the first game.