Series playthrough: Devil May Cry
Back story
This is a rather large undertaking for me, I played through the entire Devil May Cry series recently. Sometimes, I just think it's fun to get an entire franchise played consecutively, even doing the less popular and bad ones. Kind of a checklist OCD thing that just needs doing!For the DMC series, I went for all the versions available on my current platform, the Xbox One. A lot of them are enhanced from previous releases on older consoles. I have previously played DMC 1, 3 and 4. So, it was with great interest, not only to revisit the ones I had completed earlier, but also try the games I'd missed in this iconic Capcom series. Finally, arriving at this years release that is DMC5.
Let's take a look at each game. Be aware though, that I'm reviewing each title for what they are, not as the collection the first three games are in. As I understand, the HD collection was released last gen also and this new release is a quick and dirty cash grab from Capcom, boosting it from 720p to 1080p. But I'm not really here to speak about that, I'm here to look at each game for what they are in their own right.
Time to grab a sword and rock!
Review
Played on: Xbox One XReleased: 2018
Originally released: 2001 (PS2)
The first DMC was one of my earliest PS2 titles. I remember getting it for Christmas 2001 and absolutely loving it. I played through it multiple times and became a huge fan, even inspiring my ResidentDante username.
Weirdly though, I moved on and only returned to the series at a later date for DMC3, a decision that had a lot to do with the bad reviews of DMC2. Admittedly, I haven't stuck to the series consistently, even though I was a huge fan of this first one!
Going back, so many years later, has been a fun nostalgia trip. I kept recalling each area from my memory, as I played through this version. Visuals have gone from a 4:3 format, with a 480i resolution, to a sharp 1080p in 16:9 widescreen. 60fps is still retained and it's great to see all the areas in a sharper resolution with the high framerate.
Summarised, DMC1 was the beginning of a new franchise that span off experimental RE4 development and grew into something of it's own. I'd still recommend going back, simply to understand how the popularity of the series began. But it's not as polished and deep in gameplay as the recent releases.
Released: 2018
Originally released: 2003 (PS2)
I've known since it was released, that DMC2 received really bad reviews, but having never experienced it myself, I went in with a hope that it might be better than it's reputation. Turns out, those old reviews were right all along! DMC2 is a massive disappointment as a sequel to an excellent first release. Maybe it was troubled development or just bad design choices, but something went terribly wrong when developing DMC2.
The first noticeable change are the environment sizes, so much larger than DMC1, but at a cost: they're completely empty and lifeless. You're walking around in this huge, deserted world of seaside villages, castles and modern cities, not bad looking, but just so bland. Enemies are super slow and almost lack A.I. They'll attack in the most lazily manner I've yet seen enemies behave in any game. It's like they don't even acknowledge you're there, until you bump into them!
Visually, DMC2 does a fine job, it's focus is a larger world than DMC1 and holds up as an old PS2 title bumped up in resolution. What breaks the game though, is the lacklustre, slow gameplay and the incredibly bad story presentation. Sure, it might have had a fair amount of money thrown into it's development, and in hindsight, it doesn't look worse than most PS2 releases, but it lacks design direction.
It's like DMC2 was developed without even looking at the first title or knowing where on earth they wanted to take the series. Even worse, is that it features two main characters, so you can replay it as another character. Just like how Resident Evil 2 was structured, but unlike the excellent RE2, DMC is something you'll never bother to play twice.
Gameplay feels so sluggish too, I fear to think of how slow this felt back on a PAL version on the PS2, had I bothered to buy it. Chaining combos and holding enemies close to the fight feels like a pain to accomplish in these massive, empty areas with a tiny handful of enemies spread about.
I want to say I like DMC4 more, but the pretentious main villain and the way it's presented, with it's overly dramatic effect, makes it a hard presentation to swallow. Especially, when you want a DMC game to be a bit of mindless fun, with an edgy attitude and a dash of craziness to it.
It's a hit and miss title. Some areas, scenes and enemies work incredibly well, others don't. Relying on replaying the entire game halfway, just magnitudes the negative impression, you'll have to replay all the areas you didn't like.
New to DMC5, is a third character, added to the familiar roster of Dante and Nero. Namely, a dark and dim character, called V. He has a really different approach to combat and a rather refreshing and cool one at that. V relies on commanding two demons to attack. His bird has fast and shooter-like attacks, while his leopard does the more powerful ground attacks.
However, assets like CGI and pre-rendered cutscenes retain their horrid, old resolution and quality, looking like a messy 240p YouTube video from years gone by. The backdrop images, like the skyline from the outdoor areas, retain their original low resolution too, looking mighty blurry on a big modern TV. Textures are also from 2001, but they hold up nicely in the resolution boost, considering their age.
Overall, I found the port to be fine but extremely bare minimum. I would've preferred anti-aliasing to smooth out jaggy polygon edges and work done on low-res assets. Although, the latter would require them to remake lots of artwork and cutscenes. No bells and whistles, just a plain resolution boost and widescreen remaster. Capcom being a lazy here.
While the story is not too convoluted, like the later titles, it's rather simple in it's nature and the focus is clearly on the fast and smooth gameplay. Traversing the old familiar grounds of the castle in DMC1 has been a joy. It's a beautiful location with lots of variation. Some areas are super atmospheric and really well done, while others are a little messy and experimental side these days. The swimming sections are just plain bad, filler, for instance.
It's nice to see that such a experimental and new franchise of it's time hold up well and I find it way more fun than the drab coloured and stiff Resident Evil 4 in retrospect. Recalling that DMC actually was an early RE4 alpha build at some point, before spiralling into it's own game! I think DMC1 has held the test of time better than RE4, both are comparable from the same era and new concepts from Capcom.
Overall, I found the port to be fine but extremely bare minimum. I would've preferred anti-aliasing to smooth out jaggy polygon edges and work done on low-res assets. Although, the latter would require them to remake lots of artwork and cutscenes. No bells and whistles, just a plain resolution boost and widescreen remaster. Capcom being a lazy here.
It's nice to see that such a experimental and new franchise of it's time hold up well and I find it way more fun than the drab coloured and stiff Resident Evil 4 in retrospect. Recalling that DMC actually was an early RE4 alpha build at some point, before spiralling into it's own game! I think DMC1 has held the test of time better than RE4, both are comparable from the same era and new concepts from Capcom.
A lot of the fundamentals for the series are already in place here, but veterans will find the first title a little basic in it's gameplay. Devil Trigger seems extremely overpowered in normal mode and gets rid of bosses in no time. Lifespan is short too, granted I know the game well, but It took me like 3-4 hours to complete. A new player might hit 6-7 hours.
Summarised, DMC1 was the beginning of a new franchise that span off experimental RE4 development and grew into something of it's own. I'd still recommend going back, simply to understand how the popularity of the series began. But it's not as polished and deep in gameplay as the recent releases.
Review
Played on: Xbox One XReleased: 2018
Originally released: 2003 (PS2)
I've known since it was released, that DMC2 received really bad reviews, but having never experienced it myself, I went in with a hope that it might be better than it's reputation. Turns out, those old reviews were right all along! DMC2 is a massive disappointment as a sequel to an excellent first release. Maybe it was troubled development or just bad design choices, but something went terribly wrong when developing DMC2.
The first noticeable change are the environment sizes, so much larger than DMC1, but at a cost: they're completely empty and lifeless. You're walking around in this huge, deserted world of seaside villages, castles and modern cities, not bad looking, but just so bland. Enemies are super slow and almost lack A.I. They'll attack in the most lazily manner I've yet seen enemies behave in any game. It's like they don't even acknowledge you're there, until you bump into them!
It's like DMC2 was developed without even looking at the first title or knowing where on earth they wanted to take the series. Even worse, is that it features two main characters, so you can replay it as another character. Just like how Resident Evil 2 was structured, but unlike the excellent RE2, DMC is something you'll never bother to play twice.
Not to mention, the terrible enemy names and designs too. Hitting rock bottom of creativity when "infected tank" and, even worse, "infected attack chopper" turn up to fight you. Yes, that's a zombiefied, rusty helicopter if you're wondering. It's like they couldn't even be bothered to design anything close to acceptable anymore. Utter nonsense.
Mediocre at best, although those moments a far in between. A huge letdown considering the great fundamentals the first DMC lay down. Not a lengthy release this either, probably around 3-4 hours, double that for playing with both characters, though I doubt you ever will.
Mediocre at best, although those moments a far in between. A huge letdown considering the great fundamentals the first DMC lay down. Not a lengthy release this either, probably around 3-4 hours, double that for playing with both characters, though I doubt you ever will.
The DMC's series dark horse, move on and forget it existed, just like Capcom has done.
Released: 2018
Originally released: 2005 (PS2)
After DMC2, you'd think the franchise was dead, but low and behold DMC3 enters and what a release it is! In an incredible turn-around and return to greatness, DMC3 not only improved the quality, to the standards of DMC1, but outclasses it by far. It delivers probably the best Devil May Cry experience of them all and sets a blueprint for the genre to be followed in years to come.
DMC3 throws you into a tower of evil, as a young and inexperienced, albeit super cocky, Dante. Fighting your way through an ever moving and evolving tower you encounter huge bosses, tons of varied enemies, challenging you in new ways, all along your journey to the top of the structure. Capcom's choice in making it a prequel, helps keep down the notion of DMC2 ever existing too.
Aesthetically, DMC3 returns to it's goth and castle inspired roots, with a lot of neat visual effects and environmental variety. This is the sequel DMC2 should've been all along. Seeing it at all run in 1080p , brings some stunning environments back to life.
Review
Played on: Xbox One XReleased: 2018
Originally released: 2005 (PS2)
After DMC2, you'd think the franchise was dead, but low and behold DMC3 enters and what a release it is! In an incredible turn-around and return to greatness, DMC3 not only improved the quality, to the standards of DMC1, but outclasses it by far. It delivers probably the best Devil May Cry experience of them all and sets a blueprint for the genre to be followed in years to come.
DMC3 throws you into a tower of evil, as a young and inexperienced, albeit super cocky, Dante. Fighting your way through an ever moving and evolving tower you encounter huge bosses, tons of varied enemies, challenging you in new ways, all along your journey to the top of the structure. Capcom's choice in making it a prequel, helps keep down the notion of DMC2 ever existing too.
Aesthetically, DMC3 returns to it's goth and castle inspired roots, with a lot of neat visual effects and environmental variety. This is the sequel DMC2 should've been all along. Seeing it at all run in 1080p , brings some stunning environments back to life.
It's a great looking title for it's day, considering the hardware it derived from. There are some fairly basic, but neat and early, effects of depth of field blurring the distance and sparkly glow from light sources. Which in hindsight, were done well to replicate hardware taxing graphics effects of PC graphics cards of the time.
The massively upgraded gameplay pushes the player into a variety of styles with lots of moves to learn. It's combo heavy and deep game mechanics to fully master as a pro player, far beyond my skill set. DMC3 is considered the blueprint of this gameplay depth and difficulty, massively influencing popular and recent titles such as Bayonetta. If there's a title worthy of sinking your teeth into, to become good at, it's this one. It has been, over and over, warmly praised by fans.
I'd highly recommend DMC3 to anybody interested in the series, maybe after playing the first one. It's brutally hard, though, and newcomers should be warned to drop it to easy for a more normal DMC difficulty.
The massively upgraded gameplay pushes the player into a variety of styles with lots of moves to learn. It's combo heavy and deep game mechanics to fully master as a pro player, far beyond my skill set. DMC3 is considered the blueprint of this gameplay depth and difficulty, massively influencing popular and recent titles such as Bayonetta. If there's a title worthy of sinking your teeth into, to become good at, it's this one. It has been, over and over, warmly praised by fans.
When it comes to combining great gameplay, with an interesting world to explore, plus crazy, over-the-top dialogue and some truly memorable characters and bosses, DMC3 is the best in the series for players accustomed to the genre.
Released: 2015
Originally released: 2008 (X360, PS3 & PC)
I like DMC4. I played it back on the Xbox 360 and I'm still blown away that this game ran in 60fps, last generation. It still looks pretty and plays so smooth. My gripe with DMC4, however, is that it's not striking me as very unique. It pulls you in at the beginning, but quickly fades out with a boring story and repetitive level design.
Review
Played on: Xbox One XReleased: 2015
Originally released: 2008 (X360, PS3 & PC)
I like DMC4. I played it back on the Xbox 360 and I'm still blown away that this game ran in 60fps, last generation. It still looks pretty and plays so smooth. My gripe with DMC4, however, is that it's not striking me as very unique. It pulls you in at the beginning, but quickly fades out with a boring story and repetitive level design.
At times, it looks more like a Final Fantasy drama than a DMC title in it's cutscenes. It's not a combination that goes down so well compared to DMC3 wild and humouros take on the story. DMC4's story takes itself a bit too seriously, making it's edgy and funny scenes, that pop up now and then, forced and out of place.
In addition, incredibly bland looking level start showing up halfway. The jungle level, for instance, is a consistently bad looking art direction. Plus, the game makes you play halfway through with Nero, then lets you walk all the way back through the same areas as Dante. What a stupid and repetitive design.
The enemy designs, while detailed, take on a more theatrical and clean approach which take away the hellish and scary side of DMC. They compliment the beginning of the game well, bu not so much the halfway areas.
It's a hit and miss title. Some areas, scenes and enemies work incredibly well, others don't. Relying on replaying the entire game halfway, just magnitudes the negative impression, you'll have to replay all the areas you didn't like.
Overall, it's a visually stunning title, but lacks something engaging to keep me interested. It's neither good nor bad and you leave with a rather forgettable experience at the end of your playthrough.
Released: 2018
Originally released: 2012 (X360, PS3 & PC)
We arrive at the DMC title that started a civil war between fans. Let's get it out of the way: it's a reboot of the series. It was made in England and most people hated the emo styled, new Dante.
Review
Played on: Xbox One XReleased: 2018
Originally released: 2012 (X360, PS3 & PC)
We arrive at the DMC title that started a civil war between fans. Let's get it out of the way: it's a reboot of the series. It was made in England and most people hated the emo styled, new Dante.
However, without any strong fanboy feelings for the series, this was just another DMC I'd missed and I went in open minded and genuinely interested in what it was. I left smiling the party, to say the least.
DmC, that's a deliberate small M, is not only a fantastic DMC release, with it's own take on the lore, it's a great way to play the series if you're a complete newbie and just want to experience one single title from the franchise. Sure, the emo and smirky Dante is a little painful to swallow in it's first hour, but suddenly the story takes a twist and you get into liking him more and more.
The dialogue and main story arch is way better written by this development team, making it clearer and easier to grasp. Dialogue feels less awkward and retells the story of how Dante and his brother Vergil met as adults. Don't worry though, DmC still retains the craziness and madness of a hell infected, gothic world, but it does it in a more cohesive package.
I highly recommend console players the current gen version of DmC on PS4 or XB1, as it's bumped up from 30fps to 60fps, a game changer. The series always has been about fast paced and responsive gameplay and 60fps does DmC justice.
I highly recommend console players the current gen version of DmC on PS4 or XB1, as it's bumped up from 30fps to 60fps, a game changer. The series always has been about fast paced and responsive gameplay and 60fps does DmC justice.
DmC has it's own visual style too, utilising a lot of the colour red, but it stands out unique. Some of the environments are really cleverly designed, there's more focus on artstyle here, in comparison to DMC4 and 5.
By the end of my playthrough, I was blown away, what a fun ride it had been! I loved the platforming parts, with a pull and push mechanic, especially. Blending nicely with the many fighting encounters and the unique design takes on all the classic enemies.
DmC is right up there with DMC3, while not topping it off it's crown in difficulty and depth. It's a perfect way to experience the series in one single game and understand what Devil May Cry is about. I highly recommend it, don't listen to the grumpy old DMC fans that dislike it.
Released: 2019
DMC5 is the latest of the franchise and was released earlier this year. It continues after DMC4, but luckily, goes back to it's darker and goth inspired roots compared to DMC4. This time around it's set in a city, looking much like London, that has been taken over by huge tree-like structures from the underworld. These spawn hundreds of demons that take to the familiar, English, cobbled streets.
Using the recent RE engine, just like RE7 and RE2 Remake, DMC5 is a visually spectacular tour of the underworld. Presentation takes a move back to a crazy design, with characters and enemies. Cutscenes go for a wild and DMC3-like approach. It suits the realistic visuals nicely and you can't help but enjoy all the quirkiness of each of the main heroes.
DmC is right up there with DMC3, while not topping it off it's crown in difficulty and depth. It's a perfect way to experience the series in one single game and understand what Devil May Cry is about. I highly recommend it, don't listen to the grumpy old DMC fans that dislike it.
Review
Played on: Xbox One XReleased: 2019
DMC5 is the latest of the franchise and was released earlier this year. It continues after DMC4, but luckily, goes back to it's darker and goth inspired roots compared to DMC4. This time around it's set in a city, looking much like London, that has been taken over by huge tree-like structures from the underworld. These spawn hundreds of demons that take to the familiar, English, cobbled streets.
Using the recent RE engine, just like RE7 and RE2 Remake, DMC5 is a visually spectacular tour of the underworld. Presentation takes a move back to a crazy design, with characters and enemies. Cutscenes go for a wild and DMC3-like approach. It suits the realistic visuals nicely and you can't help but enjoy all the quirkiness of each of the main heroes.
Presentation is sublime all round, sadly it does drop framerate a little under 60 in the more crowded scenes on Xbox One X, you'll need a VRR TV to avoid the impact of the drops. The old city design and especially the characters are beautiful looking, with incredible detail.
V's devil trigger summons a third demon, which is a huge, stone-like, giant which does slow but massive damage attacks, with his powerful fists. Controlling V is a surprisingly entertaining and fresh approach.
Another fun feature, is the Devil May Cry van driven by crazy, Texas slang and adorable Nico. She can be summoned from telephone booths and will come crashing into the scene with her van. Inside the vehicle she runs an upgrade shop, which also offers ammunition to Neros robotic firing arm and health boosts. It's nice to see such a diverse set of personalities, familiar and new alike.
I found the gameplay, difficulty, setting and character gallery well executed and balanced, although the story passes a little fast and confusingly by. There's a little too much trickery with the time line. Jumping back and forth, with repeated scenes depicting a failed attack on the main villain, is confusing and a little messy presented.
Another fun feature, is the Devil May Cry van driven by crazy, Texas slang and adorable Nico. She can be summoned from telephone booths and will come crashing into the scene with her van. Inside the vehicle she runs an upgrade shop, which also offers ammunition to Neros robotic firing arm and health boosts. It's nice to see such a diverse set of personalities, familiar and new alike.
The visual presentation is top tier and perhaps the best in the series. Environmental variation is great too, some areas being better than others. I really enjoyed the London styled ones in the first part. Another win for the RE Engine!
A great playthrough and a positive sight to see the series still in top form, but it could have opened up a bit more from the strict corridor and predictable structure. It's new and fresh looking, but built on a overused formula. I would've preferred less jumping around in the story, from character to character, too.
A great playthrough and a positive sight to see the series still in top form, but it could have opened up a bit more from the strict corridor and predictable structure. It's new and fresh looking, but built on a overused formula. I would've preferred less jumping around in the story, from character to character, too.
Summary
Well, that was a massive undertaking to go through an entire franchise, although most of the DMC games aren't that lengthy burn through. I enjoyed them all, with the exception of DMC2.Like I mentioned, if you're new to franchise and want one, single DMC to play, go for the DmC reboot. While, if you're going all in for gameplay depth and difficulty challenge, then DMC3 is the best one.
So, after finally being able to complete every DMC. I can safely say I don't regret my username, it's entertaining franchise for sure! While, it may not completely be my genre, as much as I was a massive fan of the first release, it's definitely a series I'll check out when new titles arrive.
So, after finally being able to complete every DMC. I can safely say I don't regret my username, it's entertaining franchise for sure! While, it may not completely be my genre, as much as I was a massive fan of the first release, it's definitely a series I'll check out when new titles arrive.
Until our future encounter with Dante, let's continue rocking!