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The legendary demon hunter Dante first graced our screens 18 years ago, venturing into a secluded castle on Mallet Island to avenge his mother and brother. This humble beginning spawned a beloved franchise and ignited a passionate gaming genre. However, the Devil May Cry series has seen its share of ups and downs. While half of its history boasts excellence, the other half is marred by missteps and a decade-long hiatus. But fans remained faithful, and their faith was rewarded in March 2019 with the release of Devil May Cry 5.

“To see a world in a grain of sand,

And a heaven in a wild flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,

And eternity in an hour.”

A Devilishly Good Time

Rising From the Ashes

Devil May Cry is perhaps unique in that its protagonist’s personality often overshadows the narrative. Dante, with his signature white hair and devil-may-care attitude, has evolved significantly over the series. In Devil May Cry 4, he was portrayed as suave and stylish, a seasoned demon hunter unburdened by worry. This was a natural progression from his younger, more reckless self in Devil May Cry 3. Devil May Cry 5 introduces a surprising twist. For the first time, Dante is defeated at the game’s outset, showcasing the power of the main antagonist, Urizen. This older Dante is more subdued, leaving the spotlight to the younger generation. Nero reflects Dante’s youthful exuberance, especially after losing his demonic arm, the Devil Bringer/Yamato. Meanwhile, newcomer V delivers meticulously crafted lines, quoting William Blake’s poetry, hinting at a deeper conflict within the intertwined bloodlines. Pay close attention to V’s reactions to Nero; you might uncover his true identity before the game reveals it!

Devil May Cry 5‘s story leans heavily into fan service and lacks complexity, but it delivers. It’s a concise narrative punctuated by impactful moments, culminating in a poignant ending. The 18-year journey concludes not with triumphant fanfare, but with fragmented pieces mended. Perhaps the only slight drawback is the limited roles of Trish and Lady, who feel more like bystanders compared to the central quartet. The story serves its purpose, providing a satisfying conclusion to this chapter of the Devil May Cry saga.Devil May Cry 5

Blades Don’t Lie: Refined Combat

“Easy to learn, hard to master” remains the Devil May Cry mantra. Devil May Cry 5 continues this tradition with simple controls: melee attacks, ranged attacks, jump, and a character-specific ability (Devil Breaker for Nero, Styles for Dante, and summoning for V). However, combining these actions, especially through the lock-on mechanic central to Devil May Cry‘s combat, creates intricate and fluid combat sequences requiring practice and mastery.

Unlike the jerky animations and lackluster visuals of DmC: Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 5 delivers impactful combat with smooth, interconnected attacks. This is evident from the first moments with Nero. His limited arsenal is compensated by the versatility of his sword, Red Queen, and the Exceed mechanic, which differentiates skilled players from novices by allowing them to rev the blade, enhancing attacks and unlocking specific moves. Nero also gains new tools in the form of Devil Breakers, prosthetic arms crafted by Nico, offering diverse combat options. Each Devil Breaker has two primary functions, activated by pressing or holding the designated button. For example, the Punch Line can be fired as a projectile, but holding the button allows Nero to ride it like a hoverboard. The Gerbera offers four functions: blocking and reflecting projectiles, launching Nero upwards, firing a powerful energy blast, and shooting a bouncing energy beam.

Players can also detonate Devil Breakers for a small explosion to escape enemy swarms. Taking damage while using a Breaker destroys it without harming Nero. While the system isn’t perfect (the Mega Buster lacks lock-on functionality), these are minor flaws compared to the potential Nero gains.Devil May Cry 5

Dante’s versatile playstyle remains largely unchanged from Devil May Cry 4. Four Devil Arms, four firearms, and four Styles, each unlocking new moves, can be switched using designated buttons. A small but significant change allows players to customize weapon and firearm loadouts. The Devil Arms blend familiar weapons with new moves. Balrog, the evolved form of Ifrit and Gilgamesh, offers Kick Mode for close-range combos and Blow Mode for mobility and quick strikes. King Cerberus transforms into a fire staff or electric chain, while the motorcycle-like Caveliere splits into two blades, offering slow but powerful attacks.

V introduces a unique playstyle, summoning three familiars: Griffon, Shadow, and Nightmare. Griffon acts as ranged support, Shadow handles melee, and Nightmare acts as a powerful finisher. Controlling these familiars requires strategic positioning and awareness. V’s dodging mechanic recalls Griffon and Shadow (each with their own health bar), and near-death enemies require V to deliver the final blow. He replenishes his Devil Trigger by… reading. V’s playstyle is distinct, easily achieving high style ranks on lower difficulties, but becomes more challenging as the difficulty increases. While he might not be everyone’s favorite, he adds a refreshing dynamic to Devil May Cry 5.Devil May Cry 5

Demonic Encounters and Replayability

Combat dominates Devil May Cry 5, and Capcom has optimized the experience. Previous games featured platforming and puzzle segments that often felt tedious. Devil May Cry 5 streamlines level design, prioritizing combat and improving replayability. Secret Missions and cleverly hidden Blue Orb fragments offer additional challenges. While the latter half of the game within the Qliphoth tree suffers from somewhat repetitive environments, the focus on combat keeps the action engaging.

Like previous Devil May Cry titles and Capcom’s recent Resident Evil 2 remake, Devil May Cry 5 offers immense replay value. Each level is not just a hurdle to overcome, but a proving ground for honing skills and showcasing character progression. Achieving high style ranks, defeating bosses, and mastering specific combat techniques provide ongoing challenges. Whether it’s defeating the final boss using only Royal Guard or perfecting EX-Acts while taunting in mid-air, the depth of the combat system encourages experimentation and mastery.Devil May Cry 5

Devil May Cry 5‘s enemy design blends old and new. Familiar foes return with new twists, while new enemies like the teleporting Fury and Hell Judecca can disrupt the flow of combat. Bosses, mostly evolved forms of creatures from Devil May Cry 3, provide satisfying encounters. King Cerberus now wields ice, lightning, and fire, while Caveliere Angelo evokes memories of the Credo fight. The only disappointment? No chance to face the Elder Geryon Knight as Dante!

Devil May Cry 5 delivers a stylish and satisfying return to form. With its refined combat, engaging characters, and high replayability, it’s a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.