Zero Punctuation: DMC: Devil May Cry

[C117]

Okay let's see...

I really love the previous DMC games, especially #4, so going into this game I was a bit worried that it would completely botch things. Fortunately, it turned out to be a pretty good game, had it not been for the horde of nitpicky stuff that plagues it, which I only think of because I loved the other games so much.

Throwing up some spoilers because... spoilers.

Spoiler

Let's be getting into details.

PROS:
Limbo - I really like the aesthetic and feel of Limbo. The garish colours standing in sharp contrast to the dull grey of the real world, the random patches of black appearing, the way ordinary objects twist and turn when you go near them, and the way the enviroments suddenly change all give it the feeling of this being another world, but at the same time not. I also kind of like the idea that Dante can only access his powers while in Limbo, due to it not being the normal world.

Combat - The combat is great, in that it flows well and actually rewards altering your tactics a bit. At first it took me some time to adjust to the fact that there was no Lock-on button, but once that was done I was free to slaughter anything in my way, evoking the same feeling the previous DMC-games gave me.

Vergil - I actually really like this new version of Vergil. As I see it, he's very much the opposite of Dante in personality, but having roughly the same goal. Dante is very brash and outspoken, but would never leave anyone to die, while Vergil is very calm and collected, but doesn't even bat an eye at the thought of sacrificing someone else for the greater good. Unfortunately, this is all rendered moot by the last fudging level...

CONS:
Combos - There seems to be less different combos present in DMC: The Reboot. And depending on your viewpoint, this can be either good or bad. On the one hand, it makes the game easier to play, especially for people new to the series. On the other hand, it means you spend the whole game churning out the same seven combos over and over, because there are no more combos after that. Not a great con, but worth bringing up nontheless.

Dante - Okay, I for one don't particulary mind the new design of Dante, even though I prefer the old one. What I'm talking about here is his personality. I'm not about to complain because the new Dante is a smug douche, because let's face it, Dante has ALWAYS been a smug douche. But in the previous games he looked like he was having fun, and him being a douche was just a way to reinforce that. The new Dante feels more like he is a douche simply for the sake of being a douche. Also, what is up with the new design of his Devil Trigger? His hair turns white? Wow. Spectacular.

Nephilim - Okay, I like the idea of opposites making out and spawning offspring as much as anyone else, but the fact that Dante and Vergil where part human part demon used to have some kind of point beyond "they are awesome and the best of both worlds". Most demons they encountered were basically mocking them for being half-bloods, not realizing that the brothers were probably the most dangerous individuals out there. Also, it fit into the roles of each brother. Dante chose the path of the humans, and used his powers to protect them from the demons, whereas Vergil embraced his demonic heritage and attempted to gain more and more power through that. All of the above is, so far, completely thrown out the window in the new game, and them being nephilim has no impact on their characters beyond "they are the chosen ones" and "Vergil is a douche". Speaking of...

The Final Battle - Okay, so I should have suspected that something was up when the battle against Mundus took place on level 19, when these games have always had 20 levels. And yeah, the battle against Vergil is pretty awesome, but... it's just so stupid. It comes completely out of the left field, with Vergil suddenly proclaiming "MUAHAHA! I ARE GOING T00 TAEK TIS W0RLD OVA, LOL!" at the beginning of the level, and then you fight. And this is the first time in the entire game that it is even hinted that he wants to take over after Mundus (okay, some people in the game points out that once Mundus is gone, who will take over, but I just thought that was their way of saying "there will always be demons"), after you have spent a good part of the game working together with him to take down Mundus. Also, he suddenly has a great disdain for humans that wasn't present just a few minutes ago. It feels like they decided to put this fight in just for the heck of it. I mean, in DMC3 the final battle against Vergil makes sense. You have already fought this guy twice, and the only reason he hasn't scewered you already is that you were both preoccupied by this other douche trying to kill you. Also, in DMC3 Vergil was made out as a villian from the very start, not just in the last few minutes.

Mundus Was Right - All of this Vergil malarckey would probably be fine, if it hadn't been for one small tiny little detail: I actually agree with Vergil, and by extension Mundus. Humans are not fit to govern themselves on a global scale. Sure, Mundus's worldwide 1989-state was a bit extreme, but he points out that humanity would probably have been in worse shape had he not taken over and straightened things out. Dante spews out some bullshit that the people should govern themselves or some crap like that, but he doesn't seem to grasp the consequences. This DMC-world, for better or worse, has spent the last decades under the control of one single individual. And while that individual oppressed everything and everyone (speaking of which, the anti-consumerism in this game would be less blunt if a parade rolled by trumpeting it out), he also kept things running smoothly (after all, there is no mention of any war or conflict besides Mundus vs. Dante/The Order in the entire game). What do you think will happen when that one individual is gone? I don't think humanity is selfless enough to just work it out together. I expect major chaos and riots all over. On top of that, you assholes managed to break the border between Limbo and the real world, so now demons are roaming around in broad daylight, no doubt slaughtering countless individuals while doing so. Nice job guys. Hope you enjoy your freedom, in the few moments before demons eat you all of for breakfast.

And that's it. In the end DMC: Devil May Cry is a pretty good game, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't played the previous games already.

 

[Shadow-Phoenix]

I enjoyed the review but as a fan of the older series I will not be getting this game regardless of it's "decent writing" or "superb combat mechanics".

I just flat out dislike where this reboot is going.

We also may as well just say the old franchise is dead and the new reboot will just take over, I can't wait till this eventually happens to DS and see the fans get slapped down by the new players to the game as if it's their right of passage bullshit.

 

[CaptainMarvelous]

If this is how you "ruin" things, Ninja Theory, do you think you could "ruin" some other franchises?

It's quite funny how all reviewers and DmC defenders compare the new title to the old and dated game instead of it's vastly more challenging and fast-paced sequels (namely 3 and 4, 2 is absolute dogshit) and feel like they can weigh in on the subject.

3 is slow and clunky as hell. Dante moves slower, the combat is much slower paced, and the camera angles have a way of hiding enemies from you until they streak in to attack you. I know this because I tried playing it again alongside DmC over the past few days. Switching between weapons is awkward, chaining combos is slow and easily screwed up, and while getting "SSS" ranked combos is more difficult, part of that is because half of the time you end up half the screen away from an enemy with no way of closing the distance before your style meter has gone down. The boss fights are a lot better though, I'll give it that.

4 is a lot better, and arguably the only one I'd say compares on a gameplay level, but purely from a pacing perspective the game plays slower still than the newest one. Not that that's a bad thing, but it doesn't keep the adrenaline pumping nearly as effectively. And while the gameplay is the best of the four original titles and keeping up stylistic combos is easier and more fun because Nero has the Demon Grab and Dante has a lot more maneuverability overall, it stumbles drunkenly over the level design and makes the second half of the game backtracking through the first half of the game.

I've been a fan of Devil May Cry for a long time. You're damn right I feel like I can weigh in on the subject.

Hey! It's someone else who's actually played the games and remembers them accurately because they weren't 12 when they did! How's it going buddy, you are officially my new hero. /genuinely not sarcasm, trying to find someone else who actually remembers how those games played is like finding a pin in a needlestack

OT: I liked it, it played well, the level design was better than Room -> room -> room and I can actually remember most of the areas I went through which is a first for Devil May Cry (barring the stripclub in DMC3 because classy). Difficulty was low but they included a Hell and Hell mode which is Heaven and Hell without the heaven. If any enemy can one-shot you, please, continue to tell me how easy the game is.

Admittedly, I'm actually way more psyched for Metal Gear Rising (which judging by the demo is surprisingly light on cutscenes) but still, yeah. It wasn't that bad, fan complaints lose their edge when they keep repeating unbelievable opinions as facts.

 

[Headbiter]

Silent Hill: In Terror.

There, abbreviate that, publishers.

 

[xdiesp]

It's astounding how stupid gamers can be. Look at people mocking those who disliked the new Dante as if they were all rambling fanatics: of course people now like the new Dante, it was engineered by commitee to cater to the new fanbase. And that's retarded, because you are being played like a violin to be fed what you are expected to like. And on top of this, the raging xenophobia: japanese Dante is old, the future is murrican emo goth.

 

[anthony87]

The characters have the personality of a pre-teen who loves ICP, and it needlessly craps on a series that was much better before it got rebooted. Worth playing if you have zero attachment to the DMC series as a series and just want to hit things with a big sword while the characters randomly string together vulgarity cause that's what a 12yr old thinks is cool.

Were we watching the same video? Because I don't recall him saying any of that...

Yahtzee made fun of the plot enough to for you to realize that its all about the combat. And even there he said it does lack some challenge, the pistols are weaker than previous games tho.

As for characters, Yahtzee said that they are both assholes, but he forgot to mention that atleast the old Dante had some charm with those one liners and carefree attitude, this Dante is just a "I don't care about anything" nihilistic emo... with a lame haircut.

Well shit, it's a good thing you're here to tell us what Yahtzee really means isn't it?

 

[TheCommanders]

Silent Hill: In Terror.

There, abbreviate that, publishers.

(Those sensitive to profanity may wish to avoid this)

More relevantly, how about "Devils, Angels, and Men take Note: Cease Unconvincing Nephilim Tripe".

Not as concise, but equally unprintable, I think.

 

[Trippeh]

hey now, Team Ninja were also responsible for the ridiculously good Ninja Gaiden reboots (NG 1+2, and the variations thereof, not 3, which was wank). credit where it's due.

 

[Gunjester]

I want to burn every copy of this game for nothing more than "He's the product of a demon and angel"

I would argue that they don't use that angle enough actually, or rather that it doesn't matter because in most video games Angels suck. Why can't we have bad-ass angels? Most games now make it that they always get their asses kicked so hard humanity has to save them, and that's all fine and a dandy but it's all that happens with Christian-mythos games, why can't we play as a warrior angel for once?

I'm just asking.

 

[Gunjester]

hey now, Team Ninja were also responsible for the ridiculously good Ninja Gaiden reboots (NG 1+2, and the variations thereof, not 3, which was wank). credit where it's due.

Ninja gaiden 1+2 were good games, but his joke is still applicable, except that Ryu Hayabusa doesn't talk that much, it's always him doing cool shit while some significantly less cool women bounces around for your enjoyment.

 

[Acton Hank]

The characters have the personality of a pre-teen who loves ICP, and it needlessly craps on a series that was much better before it got rebooted. Worth playing if you have zero attachment to the DMC series as a series and just want to hit things with a big sword while the characters randomly string together vulgarity cause that's what a 12yr old thinks is cool.

Were we watching the same video? Because I don't recall him saying any of that...

Ironically that's also exactly what the original Devil May Cry games were like.

The sheer hypocrisy of that statement is agonizing.

 

[anthony87]

The characters have the personality of a pre-teen who loves ICP, and it needlessly craps on a series that was much better before it got rebooted. Worth playing if you have zero attachment to the DMC series as a series and just want to hit things with a big sword while the characters randomly string together vulgarity cause that's what a 12yr old thinks is cool.

Were we watching the same video? Because I don't recall him saying any of that...

Ironically that's also exactly what the original Devil May Cry games were like.

The sheer hypocrisy of that statement is agonizing.

Well it's not like there aren't some valid criticisms to be labelled against the game, particularly the ones regarding the lack of a lock on button and the easy as hell SSS ranks, seriously, having two separate buttons to evade and none for lock on is just stupid. Unfortunately the valid criticisms are being overshadowed by the stupid ones (Read: Anyone mentioning Dante's hair or the word emo) and as a result the people who dislike the game for valid reasons are getting lot of undeserved flak.

Kinda reminds me of Moviebob and his attitude towards Amazing Spider-Man really. He wanted to hate it as soon as it was first announced, even making a stupid hair comment at one point, same as the Devil May Cry fans who hated this game as soon as it was announced. Hell I WAS one of those people but I came around eventually.

 

[GrimHeaper]

Notice how easy it is?
Now, why are people saying DmC exists to be more accessible gameplay wise?

 

[anthony87]

This is the original devilmaycry 3.
Notice how easy it is? This is the game where normal was hard mode.
Now, why are people saying DmC exists to be more accessible gameplay wise?

Any way to prove that that's the original and not the special edition? Besides, it's being played on easy mode anyway.

 

[Acton Hank]

The characters have the personality of a pre-teen who loves ICP, and it needlessly craps on a series that was much better before it got rebooted. Worth playing if you have zero attachment to the DMC series as a series and just want to hit things with a big sword while the characters randomly string together vulgarity cause that's what a 12yr old thinks is cool.

Were we watching the same video? Because I don't recall him saying any of that...

Ironically that's also exactly what the original Devil May Cry games were like.

The sheer hypocrisy of that statement is agonizing.

Well it's not like there aren't some valid criticisms to be labelled against the game, particularly the ones regarding the lack of a lock on button and the easy as hell SSS ranks, seriously, having two separate buttons to evade and none for lock on is just stupid. Unfortunately the valid criticisms are being overshadowed by the stupid ones (Read: Anyone mentioning Dante's hair or the word emo) and as a result the people who dislike the game for valid reasons are getting lot of undeserved flak.

Kinda reminds me of Moviebob and his attitude towards Amazing Spider-Man really. He wanted to hate it as soon as it was first announced, even making a stupid hair comment at one point, same as the Devil May Cry fans who hated this game as soon as it was announced. Hell I WAS one of those people but I came around eventually.

Never said there weren't criticisms, what game doesn't have them after all?

I was simply pointing out the general stupidity and hypocrisy of Sylveria's statement which consists of deriding the childish attitude of "hit things with a big sword while the characters randomly string together vulgarity cause that's what a 12yr old thinks is cool"; an attitude which was very much present in the originals and I dare say was one of it's strong points.

I recommend Angry Joe for a review of the game that doesn't let trivial things get in the way of actual criticism.

 

[GrimHeaper]

This is the original devilmaycry 3.
Notice how easy it is? This is the game where normal was hard mode.
Now, why are people saying DmC exists to be more accessible gameplay wise?

Any way to prove that that's the original and not the special edition? Besides, it's being played on easy mode anyway.

Does it matter if it's being played on easy mode?
I don't really think it does.
I mean it HAS to be accessible.
DmC has one of those you get a gold star for next to no effort things going on.
That isn't accessibility, that's pandering.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ItsEasySoItSucks
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MercyMode
I think its the SE actually, the SE is the original as far as difficulty goes.

 

[Something Amyss]

But hating different things opens up a symphony of diversity! A rainbow of vitriol! a candy shop's worth of garden-variety insults and hasty comparisons! *'The Circle of Life' fades in, in acoustic form*

But a critic's job isn't to offer diverse points of view! It's to tell me my shit doesn't stink!

Honestly, I like the new Dante. He's fundamentally operating in the same mechanics and doing the exact same things as before; only he doesn't murder my hands anymore. That's honestly all I need.

Other than idle joking, I have no problem with Hobo Dante's design. I dislike the way they've written him for the South Park crowd, where screaming "fuck you" is a substitute for wit, but it still sounds like he's better written than prior DMC games.

Do I like it? Welllllll....I haven't played it yet. But media on the game, such as actual playthroughs and the like, have done more to arouse my interest than kill it. That's a plus.

The biggest problem seems to be that critics aren't prepared to hate it as much as fanboys are. I find it horrendously sad in this day and age where people accuse a game with aggregates in the mid-eighties of "paid scores." 10-15 years ago would be a different story, but these days that's pretty much an "average AAA" game.

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

It's astounding how stupid gamers can be. Look at people mocking those who disliked the new Dante as if they were all rambling fanatics: of course people now like the new Dante, it was engineered by commitee to cater to the new fanbase. And that's retarded, because you are being played like a violin to be fed what you are expected to like. And on top of this, the raging xenophobia: japanese Dante is old, the future is murrican emo goth.

You do get a lot of xenophobia coming from the Escapist forums; it's almost like reminding people that Japan EXISTS will cause them to break out into hives

Does it matter if it's being played on easy mode?
I don't really think it does.
I mean it HAS to be accessible.
DmC has one of those you get a gold star for next to no effort things going on.
That isn't accessibility, that's pandering.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ItsEasySoItSucks
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MercyMode
I think its the SE actually, the SE is the original as far as difficulty goes.

Thing is I never thought DMC was very hard to play. The mechanics were actually very straightforward and even the most complex maneuvers in terms of the basics required a few buttons presses. Now there WERE the Just Frame actions and Jump Canceling, but those were high level techniques. Point is the games were easy to play but hard to MASTER.

 

[Something Amyss]

I recommend Angry Joe for a review of the game that doesn't let trivial things get in the way of actual criticism.

Except his blatant fanboyism. Though I suppose one could argue that's not exactly "trivial."

His review for DmC was hillarious, though. Not intentionally. Unless his intent was to play a butthurt fanboy who was still willing to trip over himself to fellate Capcom even as he condemned it.

Kinda reminds me of Moviebob and his attitude towards Amazing Spider-Man really. He wanted to hate it as soon as it was first announced, even making a stupid hair comment at one point, same as the Devil May Cry fans who hated this game as soon as it was announced. Hell I WAS one of those people but I came around eventually.

And just like Moviebob, people are going to continue to try and justify it months after the fact. Possibly years.

 

[crimson sickle2]

The amount of Ninja Theory's ego in this game is enough reason for me to burn as many copies as I can. I'm kind of surprised Yahtzee gave it a thumbs up, guess he saw something I didn't. I thought for sure he would rag on enemy design or fixed grapple points.

Well, he's not a fanboy, so he can give a game a chance and play it, instead of advocate censorship.

Also, to everybody who liked the previous games: didn't Dante cuss like a sailor and act like a douchebag, too? This seems very faithful to that.

That censorship garbage is ridiculous, regardless of fanship. The group took down the poll, so just let it die down before every game website has published content about it.

Dante was always a douchebag, but he did it in such a way that it was hard to get angry at him. He almost stylized being a douchebag and acted that way for the lolz, or to hide his insecurity and generally sad, crappy life depending on how you look at it. New Dante acts like he's just trying to dust off any concerns by putting up a wall of "fuck you." He still has a pretty crappy life, but he tries avoiding it. Newbie might change later in the story, but the initial trash I've seen doesn't give me much reason to watch every cutscene. Old Dante didn't swear as much either, and if he did it was a part of a much larger joking insult (to my memory).