Devil May Cry 5

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Title: Devil May Cry 5
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Website: https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/devil-may-cry-5
Genre: Action-adventure game, Hack and slash
Platform: Xbox One/PS4
Audience: Pegi 18 Bad Language, Violence
Release Date: 08.03.19
Price: £44.99 on Xbox Store – Rapid Reviews UK was very kindly provided with a review code for this title.

What The Developers Say

The Devil you know returns in this brand new entry in the over-the-top stylish action series! Prepare to get downright demonic with three unique, playable characters in this signature blend of high-octane stylised action and otherworldly imagery the series is known for. Director Hideaki Itsuno and the core team have returned to create the most insane, technically advanced and utterly unmissable action experience of this generation.

Bloody Palace

Rise to the challenge of Bloody Palace! This new game update is available to all players who have completed Devil May Cry 5 on any difficulty. Are you strong enough to fight your way to the bloody end?
Tear through hordes of demonic enemies wielding a deadly arsenal of weapons in a masterful display of stylish combat.
Humanity’s last hope rests in the hands of three lone demon hunters, each offering a radically different play style as they take on the city overrun with demons.

Introduction

Being a massive fan of the series, the announcement of Devil May Cry 5 meant the world to me. I think back to 2001, my brother and I was six years old, mesmerised in front of the TV seeing Dante on the PS2. It is a series that has stuck with me until this day. In my personal opinion, some of the games within the Devil May Cry series have been big misses, and this entry is not one of them. Hideaki Itsuno and his team at Capcom take everything that the series has been praised for and blended it to perfection into what I would call a gaming masterpiece. So how did I feel when I got the opportunity to play the fifth game in the series? Read on to find more.

Audio And Visual

Firstly the soundtrack of this game is incredible, and it compliments the high octane action brilliantly. I think when we first heard Devil Trigger, long term fans were unsure of the direction that composer Kota Suzuki was taking, but everything works. Each character’s combat music suits them so well to a point where you feel like an absolute badass when you hit those stylish ranks, especially as the music gets louder the better you play. Some surprises within certain songs will please loyal fans, throwing it back to 2001 where the franchise began.

Visually this game is stunning. After playing it on both the Xbox One X and the PlayStation 4 Pro, the visuals hold up very nicely. The game looks crisp, and the lighting/engine used in development keeps the game looking fantastic throughout. Thanks to the use of the new RE Engine, which they are using to run the new Remake of Resident Evil 2. Hitting a steady 60FPS its clear to see all of those years in development have more than paid off.

Comparing DMC5 to its 10-year-old predecessor, the visuals are massively improved thanks to the RE Engine. Taking a more photorealistic approach rather than an anime one has benefitted it for sure. There is a gorier demonic art style within the design of this game compared to previous entries. However, this could be more prominent due to engine improvement within the development.

The cutscenes are an utterly perfect representation of why I love this series as much as I do; It combines an ideal amount of over the top combat with well placed slowed down focal shots. I will say in some areas the environments can get a little too similar either in tone or texture, specifically when leading to the Urizen encounters, although this is the only minor issue I can find and it doesn’t deter me in any way from any part of the game.

Gameplay And Replayability

The game plays like a typical hack and slash combat game, encouraging you to mix up and experiment with different move sets and styles to increase your overall stylish rank per mission. Returning characters Dante and Nero stick to their familiar play styles, while series newcomer V adds a fresh, unique combat approach that I thoroughly enjoyed. Initially, I was sceptical regarding the addition of V however now understanding the context of him within the story, I have developed a fondness for him.

The story I feel is a fitting end to the ‘Sons of Sparda’ plotline that Capcom has told over the last 18 years: the number of throwbacks to the older games satisfied my inner nerd in such a way that has never happened before. From the bosses sharing names with previous Devil Arms to the final fight sharing uncanny similarities to another of my favourites, this game has it all for me, and I honestly cannot find any significant fault.

Although some people would say that single player games are a one and done situation, I would have to disagree with this opinion strongly. Many difficulties are unlocked as you progress through multiple playthroughs, each adding a new layer of challenge against the easiest and already difficult roster of enemies.

Also, Capcom released their free DLC Bloody Palace, a horde style combat challenge consisting of 101 floors. Starting with the simplest of enemies working up to the more challenging bosses of the game, you have to survive for as long as you can without running your health down. I have only tried this briefly with Nero, and his devil breaker ability adds an extra level of strategy that I don’t think you would get with the other two protagonists. Its an excellent little addition to the game and gives a reason for players to go back again if they do not want to run through the story again, or they want to kill a few demons to pass the time.

Conclusion

Overall, I think this review is more of a love letter from me to Capcom. When Devil May Cry 5 was announced, I burst into tears, completely overwhelmed that I would be seeing my all-time favourite video game hero in a new entry. Dante will always hold a place in my heart, and this game gives a fitting and well-composed conclusion to his story. It is a visual masterpiece of exaggerated Japanese combat, quirky characters and Smokin Sexy Style. I want to end this review with a personal thank you to Capcom, especially Hideaki Itsuno, for keeping this series alive; and creating this game that I will treasure and forever hold in my top 3 games of all time. Absolute perfection.

If you decide to purchase a Single Player game this year, this has to be the one, and I couldn’t recommend this title enough with the first ever five controllers golden review. If you are a fan of this genre of game types, then this is one that must not be missed.

Rapid Reviews UK Rating

You can purchase Devil May Cry 5 on the Xbox Live Store on the following link,https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/p/devil-may-cry-5/BNLG5J5KDVJ3?activetab=pivot:overviewtab