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DmC: Devil May Cry Review

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The Good

  1. this game is rly good bcos it shows how socity is failed bcos of fatcat capitalisisms ANARCHY 4eva m/

  2. DmC has intelligent combat, an engrossing story, a hyper-stylish mood, vibrant visuals, and nearly flawless execution.

Mark Walton
Posted by Mark Walton, Senior Staff Writer - Reviews
on

With assured storytelling, great combat, and imaginative design, DmC: Devil May Cry is a more-than-worthy reboot for a classic franchise.

It's a fluid system that's easy to get to grips with. There's a trick to the timing that only practice can perfect, but the barrier to entry is low enough that even newcomers to the genre can dish out some tasty moves. And if you really want to get cocky, there are various moves that can be cancelled midway through their animations for chaining together even larger and deadlier combos. The neatly animated and gruesomely designed enemies add a level of complexity too. Some, such as eerie walking skeletons, are armed with shields that can be broken only with heavy weaponry, while others, like vicious blue mutant dogs, can be damaged only by your lighter, angelic scythe.

Dante's just as adept at platforming as he is kicking demon ass.

And there are others, like decrepit cherubs that hover in the air, that are ready to be pulled down to earth with a mighty whip of a chain, and huge, heavily armoured behemoths that can be destroyed only from a certain angle of weakness. Such variety means you can't simply sit back and hammer buttons to win; you have to make use of your brain as well as your thumbs to succeed. That alone makes for combat that's far more engaging than a run-of-the-mill hack-and-slasher. Plus, if you really want to spice things up, you can use Dante's stylish devil trigger ability to freeze enemies and take out a whole group of them in one huge combo.

The reward for all your hard work, aside from the visual payoff, are souls. Souls can be used to upgrade Dante's abilities and weapons, giving you new moves and increased power to play with. Indeed, there are quite a few moves, including Dante's famous Rainmaker, that are essential purchases for combo chasers. Upgrades that increase your power make some of the tougher enemies--particularly those towards the end of the game--a little easier to deal with. There's also the requisite Devil May Cry scoring system, which remains largely unchanged: the longer and less repetitive the combo is, the more points you get and the higher your rating.

Being awarded with, say, an A rating over a D rating is your primary incentive for perfecting your attacks, and striving for such perfection is compelling. That's down in part to the fact that the combat is so fun in the first place, and partly down to the end-of-level totals that let you see just how poorly (or brilliantly) you performed overall. And because everything is so well put together, you know that the shameful D is due to your own lack of skill, rather than any failure on the game's part.

Unfortunately, for all the greatness of the combat system, the boss battles are a big disappointment. It's not that they're inherently bad so much as that they're formulaic and, well, old. The fights follow the usual formula of learning each boss's repetitive movements, and then identifying key moments to launch an attack. All that time spent perfecting your combos and technique is simply of no use against them; you have to follow the plan or you die. They are at least a visually striking bunch, with the gruesomely bulbous and foul-mouthed Succubus being a particular standout.

The game peters out towards the end, both in its narrative and in its combat. The story takes a twist you can see coming a mile off, while later levels eschew combat for laborious platforming sections that don't live up to the excitement and action of what came before. Things fare a little better for completionists, who can check out the many trapped souls scattered in hard-to-reach places around each level, as well as the unlockable rooms that are filled with fun and sometimes very difficult challenges for you to complete. Those include trying to defeat a whole room of enemies without being hit, or platforming down a tricky obstacle course.

The great completionists, and indeed anyone up for a serious challenge, are catered to with a whole raft of different difficulty levels that are unlocked after you complete the game. You can, for instance, play levels with more-powerful enemies that come in different waves to the standard campaign. Or you can play a mode where every enemy dies with one hit, along with Dante. Or if you've really got it in for your own sanity, you can play a mode with the most difficult, hardcore, no-mercy enemies where it's game over after a single hit. Such is the joy of DmC's combat that even if you're not quite skilled enough to make it through those hardcore levels unscathed, it's still a lot of fun to try. And in those moments when the combo system clicks and you enter that Zen-like state of Matrix realisation to perform an epic SS-rated combo, little can raise a bigger smile or give you such a feeling of achievement.

DmC succeeds both in its story and in its brilliant combat, and it looks the business too. PC players get the benefit of enhanced resolutions, HD shadows and textures, and--most importantly for some--60hz and 120hz modes. The enhanced frame rate and visuals make for a very smooth experience, while the use of DirectX 9 means even older systems can get the best out of the game.

Sure, you may baulk at Dante's trendy new haircut, or maybe even miss a little of that B-movie Devil May Cry insanity, but the heart of what makes the series so enticing and so much fun to play holds true here. DmC pulls off that unlikely reboot trick of feeling fresh and inviting while still holding onto what made the original series so appealing and so special. There's no point in looking back: Dante has got a brand-new future in front of him, and if DmC: Devil May Cry is anything to go by, it's going to be a great one.

Mark Walton
By Mark Walton, Senior Staff Writer - Reviews

Writer, riff maker, purveyor of fine foods. Mark currently spends his days trying to overcome his small (large) obsession with high-top trainers and mobile games. He's known to respond well to Long Island Iced Tea, falafels, and karaoke, but not necessarily in that order.

72 comments
zvirsky
zvirsky like.author.displayName 1 Like

Now playing this game and I must say that the humor is amazing and the music is also a cherry on top,dont know why people are bitching about this its awsome!

KarloCam
KarloCam like.author.displayName 1 Like

I like the direction they have gone with this. And finally some proper storytelling. Ninja Theory are the epic tits. 

gouki236
gouki236

if only they didn't call that Dante "dante" I would've been cool with it

TrickySky
TrickySky

DmC..had an annoying Dante with a good Vergil. DMC4 as a whole was more confident and funny.

I enjoyed the game but I do miss the Resident Evil, "Gothic architecture" of the series.

Capcom did very well with these crappy consoles. I just wish the pc version could look even better! Game is sorta hard to mod.. Wish Capcom would be nice like Bethseda's Skyrim and let the players mod their games easier :/  Even simple things like letting users replace music files or whatever.

mac-shild
mac-shild

Omg those geeks at ninja theory really know how put a smile on the Devils face by fucking up Devil May cry 5...worst game ever.! . kmt

this is what you get when you take a Japanese masterpiece and put it in the hands of Hollywood : they light it up like horishima

faceless-mask
faceless-mask like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

@mac-shild Please, please, PLEASE do some research, or at least read SOMETHING about the game before you make ignorant and moronic comments like this.
1. It's not Devil May Cry 5, it's just DmC. But call it what you will.
2. Ninja Theory is a UK based company you twit.
3. It is spelled Hiroshima. 

asifah30
asifah30

Attention:

======

I feel the game like:

A long cut scence ==> fantastic combo fight ==> Jump and Jump ==> a long cut scence ==> fantastic combo fight ==> Jump and then Jump ......going on the same and game gets finished.


The Darksiders 1( which is considered as a clone of DMC) is way better than DMC because it has the same combo system but so many environmental puzzles and thrilling boss fights.

The_Godfather_
The_Godfather_

DmC is a fair action game. but it fails to capture the series soul and turns Dante a lousy son of a b*tch..

im-a-roustabout
im-a-roustabout

I liked this better than dmc3 if only for the music...the third one kept playing the same song over and over and over ad nauseum.

54KKU
54KKU

Great job by Ninja Theory. Though DMC 3 is still the best, but this reboot has its some own point to be included in the club. Good story & gameplay, appealing level design, and moreover excellent control. 

But in case of Dante's arsenal  devs seems to have gotten inspired by Darksiders Series. nevertheless really impressive arsenal witch opened some very eye catchy combos.

But Seriously WTF is wrong with Virgil ...... that was a total ... 

radikel
radikel

Okay i wanted to reserve judgement on this till i played. Just finished the game.

Honestly!...as a stand alone game its pretty awesome, and iam sure it wud have gotten rave reviews, if it wasnt titled 'Devil May Cry'. A very tripped out game, trippy visuals for sure!!They even managed to expand on the already superb combat system of the original series!!!!

The issue is, Crapcom decided to reboot the franchise just 5 yrs after it was closed. They should have waited for a whole generation to just forget about the classics, becuz thats where the problem is, we are constantly thinking about the classics when viewing the reboot.

While the new game is good, unfortunately i still think the new characters cant even come close to comparing against the original cast....and GUD GAWD...wat happened to Vergil!!

So...original series still wayyy better...DMC3 greatest of all time!!!!

And i do take objection with a statement of Mark's "schlocky, B-movie tales of adolescent fantasy"... most game stories that way pander to adolescent fantasy,totally not right. I just think the storytelling method of the original series is a type of 'fill in the blanks urself...if in any doubt, it will be explained through sequels', kinda like wat Dark Souls is.

Bottomline....i still feel kinda sad with wats happened to DmC, no matter wat, its totally wrecked for me!!!Will still carry sweet memories of the Original series though :)

matthewmtg
matthewmtg like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

For the life of me I simply do not grasp how people can get into games like this.  Ultra-'arcadey', with animations so fast one can't even appreciate the 'moves', everything moving at 85 mph, button-mashing, etc.  

Ninja-Gaiden was/is guilty of this as well.  If they were to slow down the animations to the speed of "Assassins Creed', than that could significantly change the entire flavor of the game.  It would immediately feel more 'adult-like' and 'real' by simply slowing down the time-scale of such game.  

COD's are guilty of this as well.  Ridiculous.  Feels cheap, thin, and shallow.  No sense of weight in titles like these.

Same ol' ridiculous & arcadey 'swooshes' that occur upon swinging weapons, etc.  Blue 'swooshes', magic red-balls of goo, and other 'kiddy, teenie-boppish' arcade elements that game developers continue to inject into their games...

Mind Boggling that individuals actually enjoy this garbage.  


Played the DMC demo for 4.3 minutes and became 100% bored.  Kiddy, weightless, generic, and paper-thin.  


Adults play games too, devs.  Not just kids who are 'lured to colorful objects, weapon-swooshes & boss battles'.



RyugGomba
RyugGomba

It's rather clear you have no taste in games. DmC is a dumbed down and story driven game that is prentiously bad. DMC has been an old school game and there is nothing wrong with that.

In fact, why would you slow down the speed of games like DMC and Ninja Gaiden when they perform optimally better than Assassin's Creed could ever dream? The control is much tighter, the combat is more fluid and skilled based and the A.I isn't filled with rocks like Assassin's Creed. Not to mention, Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden run at 60 FPS is a vast improvement over the 40 to 30 FPS, since FPS affect the intervals of input delay and how responsive control is. 

Don't you dare compared COD to DMC. DMC has had a light hearted story that's tongue in cheek and the reason why people love the previous games narrative was the over the top crazyness and mannerisms of the protagonist, Dante.

And if you think games like the old DMC's and Ninja Gaiden are "shallow" you have no clear idea what "depth" means. Play and game like God Hand and you'll understand. 

This comment has been deleted

jngbb
jngbb like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

@heydarusa2 Good call on warning people about spoilers, by the way.

RAMENN00DLE5
RAMENN00DLE5 like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

@heydarusa2 OMG OMG somehow you manage to pull off being the most annoying poster among this FUBAR ClusterEff and you even manage to convince me with certainty that you are even more annoying and  selfish in real life than the Ultra Combo levels displayed here. No one wants to know if Rocky wins or loses and I GUARANTEE you didn't spend a personal PENNY on any game in your lifetime. You suck at life.

heydarusa2
heydarusa2

@RAMENN00DLE5  now i'm convinced that u don't know much about video games and u certainly aren't a real dmc fan. dmc5 sucks and all dmc real fans know it. i hope capcom realize this too and take dmc away from those idiots who fu**ed up a great title.

heydarusa2
heydarusa2

@pazshepard OMG you really don't know shit about video games, you are the kinda person who will fuck up any title they are given. i'm so glad u aren't a developer your self, thank god for that.

pazshepard
pazshepard

@heydarusa2 
@RAMENN00DLE5  I'm a real DMC fan and I liked it so, your argument is invalid. Also this DMC is way better than DMC 2, 3 and 4. So, you are the one who don't understand much about games I think... You should grow up as well, respect others and spoil a little less people's experience.

Outatomomega
Outatomomega

I played all the DMC games, including this one and enjoyed it. It was definitely easier than the other ones but the style and combat remained true. Yes the story was bland, but so were the other games, but this stands out with better voice-acting. Every game has it's flaws, and this one is no different, but you shouldn't dismiss it because it doesn't look a certain way. Try the demo and if you're still not convinced then you don't have to buy it. Good review though. 

faceless-mask
faceless-mask

@Outatomomega Yeah, the default difficulties are pretty easy, but then you get to Heaven or Hell and Hell and Hell modes, and it becomes waaay more difficult.

Kickable
Kickable

i never played the older ones but will now after playing this. almost done with it

kashirski
kashirski

Liked it a lot. DMC4 is far superior in all aspects, but still this is one solid slasher.

hellotony
hellotony

Just beat one boss, combat is great, nice graphics on my old PC but less red would be better, don't like the free-style camera for this series indeed. Will play more tonight.

elessarGObonzo
elessarGObonzo

new character appearance is pretty g ay. looks like some disney channel pop star. combat feels like every other 3rd person action hack n slash. if you got nothing else at the moment it's worth playing.

khokon_trance
khokon_trance

This is bullshit graphics....i don't like this..actual my fb game DMC4......Graphics is red red red...............bullshit....

travisstaggs
travisstaggs like.author.displayName 1 Like

This game is damn good. I don't think it's as good as DMC3, but it's damn near it.


black_meg
black_meg like.author.displayName 1 Like

I used to play only demo and i watched some DMC gameplays and i really liked it. Its graphics is very nice and fights are impressive. I waited with buying it until it's got cheaper. And finally! I just bought it. I'm sure i won't regret! 

sinatra666
sinatra666

PS :)

Like I said before, this game is very good. I only forget to mention about few things :) First of all  the great optimization of this game. It runs smoothly on my NOT FROM OUT OF SPACE PC. Storyline is very interesting, combat is great and character development is also cool. You can dole your skill points almost whenever you want and however you want and if you don't like it, you can always change it. Only thing that actually disturbs me, is a large part of soundtrack... I'm quite young but even that, I think I'm just unable to understand the phenomenon of dubstep or whatever Noisia is..

twistedman
twistedman like.author.displayName 1 Like

I've been playing Devil May Cry since the original DMC came out 12 years ago and without a doubt--this is by far my favorite entry in the series... I liked a lot the new character design, the story is great from start to finish and the combat is superb; it actually made me sweat and hurt my hands. Incredibly immersive if you ask me. I just finished it in one day--I literally couldn't stop, pretty addictive. Highly recommended.

This comment has been deleted

Eraldus
Eraldus

@heydarusa2 @twistedman Any game can be finished in hours, if you got no life... Your argument is invalid as fuck...

heydarusa2
heydarusa2

@Eraldus  oh yeah? ok, so go finish metal gear solid 4 in hours, your opinion is invalid and stupid as shit ;)

gvidzix
gvidzix

Compared to the original DMC 1, this one is a lot better, cause c'mon first DMC was really awkward, but for that time it was enjoyable. Still I wouldn't say that this reboot is better than DMC4, still like it a lot, but my favorite stilll remains DMC4.

STP87
STP87 like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

I'm a quarter of the way through this game and I am loving the game play, I think it's amazing, however the change in the characters attitude compared to the original DMC games irks me a little bit. It doesn't bother me that his look has changed but the character that Dante has become doesn't seem as awesome as the original character. The original had class and even though he was cocky he showed that he had more than a reason to be. This new Dante however just seems like an arrogant, pretty boy who is trying a bit too hard to be cool and I'm finding it kinda annoying. Also the whole lifestyle involving sex, drinking and parting 24/7 that the character has at the start of the game cheapens the image of Dante, in my opinion, as it feels like a cliche. The whole partying, sex craving bad boy turning his life around to fight for something meaningful has been done to death and I think that the reason the original Dante was so likeable is because he had none of that in his back story and I feel he was an original character. I am aware that the new Dante is still young and immature in this game and that they are possibly going to mold the character through the new series to match the original character. I really hope that is what the game designers have planned for the series but at the moment I cannot see how the transition will occur. Other than that I am really enjoying the game and encourage everyone to give it ago with an open mind.

sinatra666
sinatra666 like.author.displayName 1 Like

This game is very good. I can't truly understand the hatred around this release. Maybe if I was DMC fanboy I would also hate this game only because of Dante's new look, but hey.. I'm not DmC fanboy and maybe that little detail makes huge difference between me and all of this mourning haters. Dantes look was always pretty L(g)A(y)ME to me and it still is, so that change doesn't make any difference. The gameplay though is fun and slicing everything that stands on my way can give a lot of pleasure. I recommend this game to everyone who is NOT DMC FAN BOY/GIRL :)

Formeniel
Formeniel like.author.displayName 1 Like

 It's SO much better than I expected. Deserves all the badges it got. Might even prefer this to the original. Who would've thought?.. Unless the ending ruins everything, that is. Will see.

ziv741
ziv741

This game is just crap just a copy of GOW go play the real thing

Eraldus
Eraldus

@ziv741 Buttmad fanboy throwing a tantrum... Nothing to see here.

panndemic
panndemic

@ziv741 The first 3 DMC games were released before the first God of War installement, so your point is invalid.

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