Introduction
Hello everyone, this is CastedForm, and today we’re diving into one of the most controversial games in the Devil May Cry series — DmC: Devil May Cry.
This was the first hack-and-slash game I ever played, and despite its reputation, it holds a special place in my heart. I first discovered it back in 2013, when I was just eight years old — definitely not the right game for my age, but oh well.
Let’s start with the gameplay, since that’s where DmC truly shines.
Gameplay
DmC: Devil May Cry is a combo-oriented hack-and-slash featuring 20 missions and a handful of secret ones. Each mission lasts about 5–10 minutes, keeping the pace tight and satisfying.
Combat is fast, flashy, and surprisingly beginner-friendly. Dante has access to five melee weapons and three ranged ones:
- Rebellion – Your balanced all-round sword.
- Arbiter – A heavy demon axe for high damage.
- Osiris – A graceful angel scythe for crowd control.
- Eryx – Powerful gauntlets for crushing enemies.
- Aquila – Twin chakrams that slice through groups beautifully.
For ranged options, there’s:
- Ebony & Ivory, the classic twin pistols — stylish but low damage.
- Revenant, a punchy shotgun (my favorite).
- Kablooey, a sticky-bomb gun introduced too late to truly shine.
Switching between Angel and Demon modes mid-combat is the key to mastering DmC. Holding the bumpers might feel awkward at first, but once it clicks, combat becomes incredibly fluid and fun.
Devil Trigger & Combo System
The Devil Trigger in this reboot works very differently from previous games. Instead of turning Dante into a demon, it slows time, lifts enemies into the air, and boosts your health and combo meter gain. It’s cool — and hilarious — that Dante’s hair turns white and his coat red during it, clearly referencing the original.
Filling the Devil Trigger gauge to max, however, is almost impossible without using items (which lower your final score).
As for the Combo Meter, it functions much like older DMC titles: keep attacking without getting hit, and you’ll rise from “D” to “SSS.” Use diverse moves, control the crowd, and watch that announcer yell “SAVAGE!” with pure passion. It’s addictive and satisfying.
Story & Characters
The story is… well, cliché. Dante’s on a revenge mission against Mundus — the evil demon king who killed his mother and imprisoned his father. The villain’s one-dimensional, his motives thin, and his henchmen forgettable.
Dante’s brother Vergil, leader of “The Order” (yes, that’s really the name), guides Dante through missions but feels detached. His character writing and design are underwhelming — especially that fedora. Even the developers seemed to agree, removing it in the Definitive Edition.
And then there’s Kat, the psychic medium who helps Dante navigate between the human world and Limbo. She’s kind, grounded, and has some genuinely touching moments that help Dante grow emotionally — something Vergil never manages to do.
Boss Fights & Level Design
The boss fights? Not bad — but not great either. Most are forgettable, except the Bob Barbas fight. Not because of the boss himself, but because of the presentation. The visual style — fighting inside a distorted TV broadcast — is fantastic.
It’s ironic: having enemies spawn during a boss fight usually ruins pacing, but here, it actually makes it better. If you can’t make the boss interesting, at least make the combat fun — and DmC nails that part.
The environments, on the other hand, are stunning. The penitentiary, the night club, and the twisted streets of Limbo all feel alive and creative. The shifting architecture makes every mission visually memorable.
And the music? That punk-metal soundtrack absolutely slaps. It’s loud, gritty, and fits the chaotic combat perfectly.
Additional Content
The game also includes the classic Bloody Palace mode — endless waves of enemies and bosses. It’s dangerously addictive and easily steals hours of your life.
There are also 20 Secret Missions, categorized as Copper, Ivory, Argent, and Gold. They increase in difficulty, but the real challenge is unlocking them. You need specific keys and weapons to access each, meaning you’ll revisit missions multiple times if you want 100% completion.
Final Thoughts
Despite its flaws, DmC: Devil May Cry is a solid game. It might not live up to the originals, but for many players like me, it was a gateway into the series.
It’s stylish, bold, and full of energy — even if it occasionally stumbles trying to reinvent itself.
I give DmC: Devil May Cry – 3/5 Skulls and a Legacy Badge, for being the game that started it all for me.
Author: Deniz YANAL
CastedForm Reviews 