DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition Review

By Benjamin Kelly on 29/04/2024 21:51 UTC

After a few years out of the spotlight, it seems that CAPCOM is determined to make 2015 count, and despite us only being three months into the year, they've already made quite the impression. Already we've seen the first couple of episodes of Resident Evil Revelations 2; I've already told you how much I am enjoying Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate; and we're looking forward to the PS4 exclusive of Street Fighter V. Add to that list DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition.

Yeah, I'll admit, the constant stream of remakes is beginning to frustrate me, but I can appreciate why it's happening - with the Playstation 4 and XBox One both being so wildly succesful this year, people may have missed some of last generation's gems. That's the theory, at least, but with some of the remakes, the logic seems questionable. DmC Devil May Cry, on the other-hand, was a ballsy reboot of CAPCOM's killer Devil May Cry franchise that proved almost every point about 'fanboys' ever made. Despite some very strong review scores, the game seemed to be lost under a wash of outrage from the community that CAPCOM had dared redesign the main character, Dante, losing his signature red leather coat and long silvery hair. Style over substance, folks. Remember, that's what's important, right?

Wrong. Personally, I think that the reboot's take on the 'half-angel half-demon all-badass' is the best of the lot. DmC Devil May Cry proved that you didn't need to take a character's design completely over the top into typical rehashed anime style to make him badass, it's all there in the gameplay and script, both things the game manages to do very well.

DmC Devil May Cry is an action game; it's all about beating up hordes of enemies with completely over-the-top combos of gun-fighting and sword-play with his blade Rebellion, and twin-pistols Ebony and Ivory; and then mixing in the demonic Arbiter (a slow, heavy axe) and angelic Osiris (a fast, wide-swing scythe). Swings launch enemies into the air, fire a few rounds into them as you leap into the air, blades spinning, launching the enemies into each other, before smashing the defeated foe aside as you soar blades first into your next victim. It's high octane, and has style amped up to 11. Of course, as is a staple of the genre, there are also speed sections, pseudo-platforming sequences and humongous boss-fights, and your performance is constantly rated, pushing for replayability in order to max out your scores.

Much like last year's amazing Bayonetta 2DmC Devil May Cry succeeds by not taking itself too seriously. The graphics may be gritty, and the storyline gripping and fairly dark, but curveballs like the villain's control methods including energy drinks, the way messages appear in the scenery of Limbo (things like "This is gonna hurt") and, of course, the brutally badass script, keep the game lively and action packed.

So, that's DmC Devil May Cry, but how does the Definitive Edition hold up? The box advertises that the game has reached that (almost pointless) 'gold standard' of '1080p and 60fps', and to it's credit, the game does look very fluid and runs smoothly. The graphics are improved from the PS3 game, but this isn't Uncharted 4 or The Order 1886, it still has a last-generation feel to it, despite the smoothing over of all the rough edges. It's pleasant enough to look at, but don't be surprised if it doesn't look all that different to the previous gen versions. Definitive Edition does also include all of the DmC Devil May Cry DLC, so if you really refuse to accept the new Dante design, you can run around in the old skin, with some weapon design options and a few new missions/modes, for free. It's one of those examples of where the DLC is pretty much purely aesthetic, but it's nice to have it all right there on the disc from the get-go.

8.8

“Dante returns to PS4 and XBox One with style and grace.”

In short, DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition doesn't really add all that much to the original mix other than graphical smoothing and an improved framerate, but then it doesn't really need to. The original game was a bombastic action packed romp, and that's only improved with it looking all the sweeter. If you missed the game last generation, this is the perfect excuse to give it a try, and is one of the strongest of the genre on PS4 and XO thus far.
Story85%
Gameplay91.99999999999999%
Graphics75%