Does the Original Devil May Cry Hold Up Today?

by

As a gaming enthusiast eagerly awaiting the upcoming Netflix Devil May Cry anime, I find myself pondering whether to dive back into the original series. Lucky for us retro gamers, Capcom has thoughtfully remastered these PS2 classics for modern consoles. So, if you’re up for a nostalgic trip down memory lane, don’t miss out on replaying not just the legendary originals but also the underappreciated DmC and, well, the less-than-stellar Devil May Cry 2 as well!

Since the hype for this anime is pretty high, does the PS2 original hold up?

Mostly.

2001 saw the debut of Devil May Cry, an extraordinary title that left a significant impact on gamers. In comparison to PS2 games from the same era, none boasted the same level of style and appeal as this Capcom creation. No other game could replicate its compelling combat mechanics with arcade-like scoring systems or its captivating gothic atmosphere.

This fight remains incredibly entertaining to this day, and fans might want to give it a try. Some camera angles for this aerial combat fighter can be frustrating, but decimating your opponents with slashes and gunfire never grows old. That became my preferred move in every game of this series, even the outstanding fifth installment.

Devil May Cry‘s bosses are quite impressive; from the fire-breathing spider at the start to the enigmatic Nelo Angelo, they all offer a challenging fight. Some boss battles, like the climactic clash against Mundus, might become frustrating, but that just adds to the difficulty. The combat-related aspects are fantastic, and it’s clear why this series has consistently emphasized this feature.

Interestingly, the cheesy dialogue in the game has surprisingly held up well, particularly in our contemporary culture that appreciates irony more. People are still amused by how Dante dramatically shouts, “I ought to have been the one to fill your dark soul with light!” when he thinks Trish is about to perish. Corny expressions like “Jackpot!” are also entertaining, and it’s become a sort of catchphrase for Dante.

Regrettably, the Resident Evil-esque puzzles and exploration seem less engaging now compared to when they were first released. Interestingly enough, this game was initially proposed to Capcom as a sequel to Resident Evil 4, but it was deemed too far from the horror series’ original concept. Although this franchise has evolved independently, certain remnants of its early Resident Evil roots can appear excessive. I prefer battling monsters directly instead of revisiting rooms and collecting keys.

One issue that can be frustrating in the original Devil May Cry is that towards the end, some gameplay adjustments feel unusual. In one stage, there’s an uneasy underwater first-person shooting segment and a shoot-em-up level just prior to the final boss. These parts don’t flow as smoothly, given how enjoyable the combat generally is.

Fortunately, future installments of this game series will benefit greatly from its lessons, streamlining certain bothersome features. Regrettably, the second game fell flat by attempting to please everyone, but the third, fourth, and fifth games made significant strides in combat difficulty. While some elements like collecting and exploration were still necessary, they became more manageable due to enhanced control schemes.

I’ve always found that, despite some of the later installments being top-notch, the original Devil May Cry stands tall on its own merits. Sure, the graphics may appear a bit outdated now, but its unique art style still manages to look sharp. The combat remains as addictive as it was in the subsequent games that surpassed it in quality. There might be some puzzles and exploration sections that can be frustrating, but true fans will persevere to savor this timeless classic.

As an ardent fan, I’m thrilled about that fresh anime release! If you’re equally enthusiastic, I’d highly recommend diving into the original Devil May Cry series. The HD remaster is accessible on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms. While fans might choose to start with the third game due to its prequel status and potential anime storyline continuity, I’d suggest revisiting the first entry, warts and all. It’s a timeless classic!

Read More

2025-02-27 17:42