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DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition
Score: 89%
ESRB: Mature
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Ninja Theory
Media: Download/1
Players: 1
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Fighting

Graphics & Sound:
Ready for some more Rebellion? Dante sure is, and he’ll be raising hell again in DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition, but this time with glorious next generation power backing him. Courtesy of Ninja Theory and Capcom, DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition brings back the game you love with quite a few upgrades and tweaks to make it even better than before. Again, players will join Dante as he explores Limbo and develops into the awesome badass we know and love.

DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition looked pretty sweet on the last gen consoles, but in 1080p and running at 60 frames, this game runs and looks incredibly good. I never noticed any hiccups while carving paths through the demon horde either. The weapons also look even more glorious and the animations while swinging Dante’s Rebellion look beautiful. The biggest downside is that while everything looks really nice, some of those really ugly bosses look even uglier. Looking at you two, Succubus and Lilith.

The music is still just as badass as you remember. Combichrist’s heavy metal tracks and the dubstep from Noisia make every encounter even more epic. Dante’s actions go incredibly well with the tracks and even the more toned-down tracks made each level’s atmosphere feel very immersive. There’s just something about cutting through demons while heavy metal plays in the background; it’s very fitting.

If you didn’t know, DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition features the same voice acting as the original. Nothing changed there. The sounds effects still sound incredibly nice, whether it's the sound of Rebellion cutting through enemies or the lovely sound of gunfire filling the air as you maintain those combos. Even demons like to sound nice when they swing their sword…. Or get chopped to pieces. Sorry, Stygians!


Gameplay:
DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition plays pretty much exactly as the original, with just a few changes. Players guide Dante on his journey through different parts of Limbo as he learns who he is and begins his new demon fighting career. In DmC: Definitive Edition, players are granted access to all the DLC content from the get-go, such as the Vergil’s Downfall add-on and all the costumes. Veteran DMC fans will notice the inclusion of the new DMC1 Dante outfit and I do recommend you use it for your playthrough. Also included are the Arbiter and Osiris weapon skins for your use. Even weapons like to look cool while they’re tearing through baddies, and let’s not forget that Item Finder DLC either. Players can now unlock the Item Finder in the shop and toggle it on to have an easier time finding those collectibles. Better late than never, right? In addition, DmC: Definitive Edition brings a couple new changes to gameplay by making the enemies and bosses a bit tougher, as well as reworking how they perform actions. I noticed far too often that the enemies will work in tandem to take me down, which worked more often than not.

A new feature is the lock on ability. Using the (R1) Button, players are able to lock on to specific targets they’d like to take care of first. This is a very useful ability in boss fights and also makes Stinger type moves easier to execute thanks to a new function in the Options Menu. Players can change the way those types of moves are used with that new option, so instead of using the combo and praying you hit something, just set it to where you can lock on and hit your target that way. Thankfully, you can set it to have both the lock on function, as well as the original button input, so you can use whichever you’re more comfortably with or both at the same time.

If you thought DmC wasn’t difficult enough, DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition adds a new "perk" that mixes things up a little. The new Turbo Mode is for those fans who just fast gameplay. Turbo Mode can be toggled from the screen between missions where you can also access the store and check your skills. This perk increases the game speed by 20%, which makes an already fast-paced game even more hectic. I can barely keep track of Dante when there’s a horde on Normal, and now I can make things 20% faster? I got well acquainted with the death screen my first playthrough, but in my defense, I was playing on Nephilim! I haven’t played in a while, ok? Cut me some slack.

Worry not Vergil fans, DmC: Definitive Edition is giving him some love too! Thanks to the Vergil’s Downfall DLC, players were able to play as the younger brother as he went on a quest to basically become evil. He plays way differently from Dante, but on the new consoles, his tale got that much better. Players can enjoy Vergil’s tale as part of the collection with the new lock on system and updated graphics. In addition, Vergil is playable in the Bloody Palace for those of you who thought going through with Dante just wasn’t enough, or maybe you just want to let Vergil cut loose and slaughter some demons. It is up to you, after all.


Difficulty:
DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition features several difficulty levels for newcomers and veterans alike. The standard three are Human, Devil Hunter, and Nephilim which functions as the Easy, Normal, and Hard modes. The other difficulties are remixed modes which add new elements to the new gameplay and must be unlocked by completing the game, sometimes under different conditions. The first is Son of Sparda mode, which features stronger enemies and mixed up enemy waves. The next is Dante Must Die, which is a harder version of Son of Sparda with ridiculous enemies and differing enemy waves. A newcomer to the DmC: Definitive Edition is the Gods Must Die mode. This mode has all enemies spawn with a Devil Trigger active and items cannot be used. You’re either brave or foolish to try this mode. Heaven Or Hell allows Dante to slay enemies in one hit, but he also dies in one hit, and Hell and Hell mode spawns enemies with regular health, but Dante still dies in one hit. All the fun you had in DmC with something new. What more could you ask for?

Game Mechanics:
What’s that? You thought they couldn’t any new mechanics? Boy, were you wrong. DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition features a new game perk called Hardcore Mode. This activates a crazy version of the game where the Style System is rebalanced, enemies do more damage, the parry and evade timers have been adjusted, and your Devil Trigger works differently. Basically, it’s an all new hell for you to conquer. The Devil Trigger no longer launches enemies on activation, so you have to "work" for your kills. Obtaining higher Style ranks is more difficult while they drop very quickly and parrying simply takes more skill. Like you, I didn’t really understand what all that meant so I said "hey, let’s try this!" That night, I cried. Just kidding, it’s not THAT bad.

Did I hear you say the game’s still too easy? Why not try out the new Must Style mode? This mode forces players to attain an S rank or higher Style before they can even do damage to enemies. Just the sound of that makes my stomach hurt. What are you supposed to do on those stupid enemies that you can’t even get a B Style on? Yeah, I’ll leave that one for the hardcore players.

Don't you love quality of life updates? I sure do. To start, in DmC: Devil May Cry, Dante would have to use his Angel and Demon weapons to damage specific color-coded enemies, such as the Hell Knight or Ghost Rage. DmC: Definitive Edition has done away with that and Dante may now damage them with anything, but they’ll only be staggered or stunned by the correct weapon. Dante’s also decided to improve his agility and can now upgrade his Angel Evade with three more dashes. If you’re like me and like to disengage then re-engage quickly, this is the upgrade for you.

The DmC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition brings everything from the original game and adds on a bunch of new features along with the DLC for a low price. If you need a game to tide you over, or never got around to playing the original, I definitely recommend you give this a shot. Whether you’re looking for a harder challenge or just want to enjoy Dante in his classic looks, DmC: Definitive Edition has something for everyone. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to demon slaying.


-SS-54, GameVortex Communications
AKA Ren Plummer

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