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Devil May Cry 5 does away with the criminally underrated DmC and returns to the previous continuity. Bringing with it the best qualities of the series as well as a few innovations.
Better the Devil You Know?
Protagonists Nero and Dante return with newcomer V, each with their own unique movesets and playstyles. Nero mixes new and old with his prosthetic arms, known as Devil Breakers. These allow you to pull enemies towards you as well as use an assortment of special moves depending on which model you have equipped. These significantly increase Nero’s playstyle from DMC4 and allow Nero to step out of Dante’s shadow and become his own character.
V is by far the most unique thing to come out of the original DMC series in a long-time. Using demonic familiars to fight rather than swords. V is able to dominate the battlefield for afar, waiting for the perfect moment to deliver final blows to weakened opponents. His playstyle requires patience and planning, which goes against everything previous titles have taught us.
An older and more grizzled Dante brings back his iconic brand of destruction. He can switch seamlessly between four combat styles, much like he did in DMC4, but he can now bring up to four guns too. Allowing for a greater array of combos and much more freedom and a distinct flow to combat.
The Devil is in the Detail
The campaign’s pacing slowly introduces you to this abundance of fighting systems so you’re never overwhelmed. You’ll be given plenty of time to learn and get to grips with each character before the more challenging enemies are introduce to test your skills.
DMC5’s story is thoroughly entertaining with gloriously over-the-top action sequences. Following the events of a single day, focus switches between characters and time in a non-linear fashion. It’s a fun mechanic to keep players engaged, but once you shuffle the events into the correct order you’re left with a fairly predictable story.
A definite highlight of the game is the roster of returning characters and nods to previous events and interactions throughout the series. Fan favourites Trish and Lady return, they don’t add much to the story but it’s nice that they showed up. Nico on the other hand is given more than her fair share of screentime and standouts even amongst the stellar cast of mainstays.
Final Thoughts
DMC5, for the most part, plays it safe and sticks rigidly the series’ traditions. For long-time fans this will be a welcome return to form. What the story lacks in creativity, it more than makes up for in charm and spectacle. The action and fighting systems have more depth and freedom than previous titles allowing for more creativity than ever before.