Devil May Cry series
By Capcom
One of the best console-to-PC ports of a popular game is currently available on Steam, so why not look at it and its prequels? This is the kind of twitch-action I can get into, similar to the previously-reviewed Bayonetta by the same creator; it’s got a great style, a wise-cracking protagonist and interesting supporting cast, and lots of satisfying demon-slaying action!
It all started in 2001, on the PlayStation 2 with the launch title Devil May Cry, with protagonist Dante. This half-human demon hunter’s family was killed by the evil Mundus; Dante is enlisted by the mysterious woman Trish to find and slay the monster. Through a series of twists and turns Dante and Trish realize they work better as a team, and so the series is kicked off…
(A side note: both Dante and Trish figure into the crossover fighting game, Marvel vs. Capcom 3!)
Through three more games Dante fought against the evil that plagued the world, including the most recent, the fourth installment. In this game, a new player enters the arena; Nero, similarly half-human demon hunter and an erstwhile churchgoer in the Church of Sparda (the ancient hero who has acquired cult status) whose friend Kyrie is in the choir, is suddenly thrust into a quest he could not imagine before he started it, when the patriarch of the church, Sanctus, is murdered – by Dante!
Why would our supposed hero do this? What’s his agenda? And will Kyrie be safe while her brother Credo musters his soldiers against the ever-increasing demon hordes? Nero hopes to safeguard the lives of those he cares about while still finding answers behind the fellow demon-hunter’s assault.
Like the previous games, you’ll battle through many grotesque demons, solve puzzles and engage in some rather tricky platforming; but stick with it and you’ll be rewarded with more rich story and currency with which to purchase new and improved skills! These include more complex combos, the ability to double jump (a staple in modern platforming games anyway), and improvements to your sword and pistol.
This epic game will make you feel both accomplishment and severe frustration at times; pulling off combos is not quite as easy as it looks, it’s sometimes difficult to know which enemy you’re focused on, and a few interface quirks mar what could be a perfect game otherwise. But don’t overlook it; for $19.99 on Steam, you can’t go wrong! I’ll give this four stars, as it’s indeed a step away from greatness in my eyes.
