It’s been a long road for the Devil May Cry series. After getting off on the right foot with the debut chapter and then falling into whatever the heck Devil May Cry 2 was, the series came back strong for Devil May Cry 3 and 4. But then came DmC: Devil May Cry, in which we saw an interesting divide. Some fans were thrown off by the “newish” design of Dante and the odd new approach. But me? I loved it. Ninja Theory applied some magic into the series that I didn’t think was possible, and made it their own, albeit for just that one chapter.
That said, I am glad to see the old team back in action in Devil May Cry 5, as they step back into the mold without missing a beat. Those of you looking for stylish action will get an abundant amount of it; and the story picks right back up where things left off, re-introducing Nero into the fold and even giving the mysterious V a chance to shine here and there. There are slight moments of inconsistency, but fans will feel like they’re home again. And some DmC lovers will be on board as well.
I won’t dive too deeply into the story, as it’s a wild hodgepodge of demon goodness, and there are a few spoilers that I want to avoid treading into here. But Nero begins on the center stage, bringing his weapons into the fray as he mows down adversaries. But then Dante returns, complete with his own array of crazy tools (how about those two rocket launchers?!), and V also adds a unique component with his demonesque powers. Together, they’ll have to save the world the best way they know how- violently.
Out of the three characters, I definitely enjoy Nero the most, now that his robotic arms flex his capabilities. But Dante is just as wild as he’s ever been; and I found V to be a curious, yet enjoyable, addition. They have different styles they bring to the table, and it’s a crazy inclusion in the sequel that works quite well.
Part of it is due to the pinpoint gameplay. You’ll be chaining together combos like a champ (maybe not SSS quality right away, but you’ll get there), and there are a few challenges with bosses and tougher foes that will keep you on your toes defensively. The controls feel quite pinpoint, and you’ll be putting things together in no time.
On top of that, there’s also a neat upgrade system, in the form of a high-tech trailer run by one of your sassy colleagues, who’s a real trip. She’ll equip Nero with new arms to power through your opponents, along with other upgrades and moves that really open up your arsenal. Don’t be cheap here, the more you purchase, the more you really see the gameplay open up. It’s incredible, especially during the unpredictable boss battles.
Still, I would’ve liked the ability to select between the three characters a bit more often. Only a small portion of the game lets you do that. Otherwise, you’re automatically given a choice. That’s not the end of the world, since all the characters are great. But I know some players out there are all about individual choice, or leveling up properly with one character instead of spending currency across all three.
It helps to level up, too, because Devil May Cry 5 sure does bring the spice. The game’s difficulty is perfectly balanced on lower settings, but the minute you step into Devil Hunter, you’ll have your work cut out for you. That’s not a bad thing, as other games have done this in the past, and Capcom once again finds that sweet balance that simply cannot be beat. Well, it can, mind you, you just have to be good enough.
There are cool things that unlock over the course of the game as you go along. Again, avoiding spoilers here, but it’s cool to see Capcom’s team keep you hooked for the long haul. Devil May Cry 5 is a game you’ll keep coming back to, if only to rack up those wicked SSS combos to show off to your friends. Let’s see how good you really are, yeah?
The game’s design is beautiful this time around. That’s because the developers weren’t content on just building upon the world we saw with Devil May Cry 4, but instead rebuilding it so it takes fine advantage of today’s modern hardware. It simply looks jaw-dropping at times, although it’s easy to get lost in the game’s massive environments and stunning lighting effects. Fortunately, you can tap the analog stick and see where you need to go next, which is helpful.
Both interior and exterior settings are very cool, and the animations are quite slick, particularly on the hero characters. Some enemies look a little bit mundane, but the rest of the game comes together so beautifully, you probably won’t even notice. This is a spectacular visual showcase for sure, and that consistent speed is hit for the most part.
I also loved the audio portion of the game. The music is pure Devil May Cry, even though Capcom had to tweak some particular tunes due to recent controversy. The selection fits the game’s vibe just about perfectly, and the voice acting is equally impressive, even on the lesser characters featured within the game. You’ll also enjoy the return of some particular favorites, though I won’t dare spoil who they are here. Just enjoy for yourself.
Now the real question is if Devil May Cry 5 unseats DmC as my favorite game in the series. The die-hard fans will obviously ask, “Are you nuts?!” and that’s understood. But I’m in fine appreciation of a game that delivers stylish gameplay and presentation together hand-in-hand. Ninja Theory’s entry definitely did that, but Devil May Cry 5 does it equally so. It’s easily one of the best games in the series, and a welcome return to form.
Ehh, this isn’t really about choosing a side, it’s about enjoying a great over-the-top action game when it comes along. It doesn’t matter if you enjoyed DmC, Devil May Cry 1 or, heck, even Devil May Cry 2. This chapter of the series has something to offer for everyone with its array of characters, unpredictable story and impressive combat. Don’t think about it, just jump in and enjoy the Devil Trigger goodness.
