Whether you like Netflix’s Devil May Cry show or not, one thing is certain: it has made people get back to both DMC HD Collection and DMC 5, sparking an all-time peak for the former and some significant numbers for the latter, too.
I was one of those players waiting for an excuse to get back to the series, and I felt it was a good time to return to Devil May Cry 5 for the first time since release. I grabbed the Special Edition for PlayStation 5, and was slightly surprised by what I found: this game stands the test of time like few other action games.
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The first thing that catches you off guard is how it looks. Sure, I played an upgraded next-gen version with increased fidelity and framerate, but I still remembered being shocked by just looking at Dante and Nero’s facial expressions back in the day. And it happened again. Add the detailed scenarios and creature designs, and how smoothly the combat flows, and this could easily be a game releasing this year, and no one would bat an eye.
I still have mixed feelings about the prologue and first mission because of how it presents the supposedly main antagonist and the constant use of cutscenes, stopping you from playing. I believe Devil May Cry 4 did it better, facing you against Dante, whom you have known for years, and it works perfectly as the ‘boss you have to fail’ introduction.
However, the scene with Nero jumping out of a van and killing demons in slow-motion while the credits start appearing is still one of the sickest things I’ve ever seen in an action game. Once you get past that point and start learning about the different arms that you can equip and what they do, the game only gets better.
After a few minutes, I was already getting S combos, juggling enemies in the air with my gun, and trying my best to avoid taking any hits. It felt great, and it made me realize that most games don’t give you this much freedom and options to dispatch your enemies. While you start with very limited movement, just complete a few missions and you’ll quickly have enough Red Gems to expand your repertoire.
V, the new character introduced in this entry, ended up being a mixed bag for many players. His inclusion presented a new way of playing Devil May Cry, summoning monsters and playing the role of an active spectator. And I still have a blast sending my black panther out with its shadow attacks while my loyal bird attacks with projectiles and helps me get away from danger.
While his missions start as the easiest ones in the game, they quickly become tougher when you start facing creatures that can knock out your summons after a few hits, leaving you defenseless and asking for quick reactions. V might not be my favorite character, but I still find him to be a refreshing concept for the series and a change of pace that is always welcome.
After two hours, I still haven’t played as Dante, who has one of his most ridiculous movesets in this entry. As in DMC 4, you can change his styles on the fly by pressing a single button, creating endless possibilities. I also haven’t tried Vergil yet, who was introduced in the Special Edition, and is always the most broken and interesting character you can try with his unique Devil Trigger and flying swords. I can’t wait to see what’s new in this version, and I might want to get back to my old habits of trying to learn the sick combos you see from experienced players like SunhiLegend.
What started as a simple desire to boot up a game I haven’t touched in years, thanks to an online phenomenon, might make me want to reach the credits one more time. This is a testament to how good Devil May Cry 5 has been (and still is) as an action game for six years.
Earlier this year, we got the surprising launch of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, which already got my blood pumping for more action games of the kind. It feels like we have been swimming in the Soulslike waters for too long, so I’m very happy to see some love for more traditional action games with DMC’s return to popularity and the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 4, Lost Soul Aside, and Tides of Annihilation. My body is ready for them.
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