Calum Reviews DmC Definitive Edition on Xbox One DmC: Devil May Cry – Definitive Edition Review This is a review of a re-mastered title. It is not fair to call it a re-release because DmC was a last gen game; this is an updated title that could simply pass for a current gen game if you did not know any better. The games frame rate has been increased as well as introducing some new gameplay modes and features; it is more than just a re-release. I have been a fan of Devil May Cry since I first picked up the PS2 controller to play the original, I enjoyed (even if I was the only person on the planet) Devil May Cry 2 through all its flaws, Devil May Cry 3 was a brilliant telling of an origin story and Devil May Cry 4 was the first HD outing and was enjoyable if not a little predictable. For me it created the stylish and over the top combat and rating system that has been in so many games since like God of War of Bayonetta. When Capcom announced the Ninja Theory, who recently made games such as Enslaved and Heavenly Sword were taking over the IP (intellectual Property) of Devil May Cry there was a lot of raised eyebrows. When they released their first trailer for the series, there was an incredible amount of negative feedback from fans. I was one of the outraged fans, though I remember listening to a podcast with the developers and they pleaded to wait it out. It was hard to see a character you had spent so many hours with changing from this cocky white haired imposing figure changing into a skinny, dark haired “emo” wannabe. Though I waited and held out to see what happened with the game, the feedback they got from their original trailer changed the game. Though many of the things in the trailer made it into the end game, but just delivered in a different manner that was better explained. Though I fear my ramblings about the history of the games development is digressing from the point. DmC: Devil May Cry is a hack and slash style game they cleverly adds plat-forming and level navigation with fast paced combat to deliver an incredible story about 2 brother that set out on a path for revenge. If you are buying this for the first time, then you are in for a game that has some incredible and ferocious fighting but a story arc that is sufficient to fit the games 20 missions and then a horde of difficulty levels to increase you playability for quite a few replays of the game. For returning fans of the game, you are treated to the same loveable experience you will have encountered first time round but treated to the joy of Turbo Mode which increases all in game actions by 20%, increasing the already fast paced action of the game. Other things included in the definitive edition of the game are Virgil’s Downfall DLC and all the skin packs for Dante and his weapons that were released separately for the original game. As mentioned the game has 20 missions as standard (and then Virgil’s Downfall has a further 6), each mission has its own beautiful level layouts. The way the levels transform into Limbo is simply staggering to watch as the world around Dante is almost alive and can expand landscapes, crush walls behind you or even drop the world out from underneath where you stand. One of the best examples of showing off Limbo is possibly when Dante is under a lake and everything is warped and upside down; or when the nightclub is changed into a crude TV show spin off. Without giving too much away, the level design is incredible and the music is very nice accompaniment to the combat as level roaming sections of the game. When it comes down to truly memorable level design then DmC is up there with the best games, never have a played a game where I can say I have had more fun leaping, rappelling and gliding across beautiful level design. Dante still has his one liner’s that are delivered with Arnold Schwarzenegger like timing, but delivered nowhere near as camp or dramatically. The comedy timing in this game is so subtle that does not break your immersion from the game at all. Later in the game there are some funny moments between Dante and Virgil where some brotherly competitiveness starts to show between them that ends with a shocking but funny comment. The comedy never seems forced or that it tries too hard, it is delivered with just enough attitude that it never breaks from Dante’s actual character. The combat mechanics in this game work around 3 different combat styles. Standard human mode which has Dante use his Rebellion sword and guns, Demon mode involves holding in the right trigger and brings out demonic weapons that deliver slowly but powerful strikes and then Angel mode involves holing in the left trigger and uses extremely quick hitting weapons (even if they are a little weaker) cut use wide arcs to put distance between Dante and his enemies. Being able to switch between weapons seamlessly does not break concentration mid combat; it allows you to create some truly amazing combos and does not slow the flow of combat in and way, shape or form. This allows you to strive to gain the SSS rank in combat which increases your score multiplier as well as give you some sense of satisfaction at the same time. Guns are not available in Angel and Demon mode; instead the gun button becomes a grappling hook. In Angel mode the hook pulls you towards enemies and in demon mode it pulls enemies toward you. It is a great mechanic that does not slow combat down and allows the fighting to stay fast and ferocious as well as stylish. I could carry on and list the great things about this game, the sad thing is that there has been no announcement of a sequel at all for this reboot of the series. This is a sad thing after Ninja Theory made a truly great game, it is fun and memorable as well as having great re-playability and collectable to find in every level as well. There is no shortage of things to do in this game, yet no green light for any sequel means that this game was a stand alone moment for the series and that it was just have to remain something truly special. DmC: Devil May Cry Definitive edition is out on Xbox One Now.
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