Classic action returns…again.
Dante has returned…again. Devil May Cry is a series with a tumultuous past. The original game was a milestone for the action genre. The second game is considered one of the most disappointing sequels of all-time. The third game returned to form and is still heralded as one of the best action games ever created. Then the fourth game kind of came and went while the reboot seemed to anger the fan base with a lack of white hair. As I said, Devil May Cry’s past is a bit complicated.
With the influx of remasters hitting it was only time before Dante’s original trilogy landed on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. This collection is essentially the same one that released on 360 and PS3 with a sharper resolution. All three games still run at 60fps, but the relics from the PS2 originals are showing. The cut scenes and some menus render at the original 4:3 ratio and the some of the design decisions feel absolutely ancient when compared to modern games.
MSRP: $29.99
Platforms: XB1 (reviewed), PS4
Price I’d Pay: $29.99
Lest we forget these games came out a long time ago. The action genre has evolved, so going back to these three is jarring to say the least. Let’s start with the awkward camera. This game was revolutionary when it released for its static camera that adjusted based on the movement. This meant the character could be going forward and when the camera changes the controls swap, leading to many cases of quickly changing direction. It takes time to acclimate to.
It is also worth noting that after playing copious amounts of games like Bayonetta not having a dedicated dodge button is weird. Having to lock on before dodging takes some getting used to. The action is also not as fluid as contemporary games. This forced me to readjust my brain back to a different time. I get it, it keeps the games true to their origins, but it is still jarring at first.
Each game has its own history with me. The first game feels empty and confusing. It was like nothing else before it though. The gothic overtones are still excellent and once I got the controls down, I enjoyed it a lot. The second game is by far the hardest to go back to. It doesn’t look nearly as good as the other two games. The design is different and it just feels generic all around. The third game holds up the best, and goes back to the more comical approach with Dante.
I would have loved to have seen these games take advantage of these new consoles, but this is literally a straight port. This means the resolution maxes out at 1080p. Even on Pro and X, this game looks and feels like the decade it came from.
It is nice to have these three games to complete the entire DMC anthology on my shiny new console. I enjoyed revisiting all three games as they are definitely memorable parts of my past. For $30 it is hard not to recommend for those with fondness and want to revisit them. For newcomers I can see plenty of people wondering why these games are so cherished among the community.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
