The time has come, and so have I
The Devil May Cry franchise has experienced some strange happenings in recent years. After the release of Ninja Theory’s reboot and many debates among fans about what direction it should go next, the future of the franchise felt uncertain. Thankfully before the end of 2014, Capcom announced plans for a one-two punch of releases for its much-loved and hotly debated action franchise, with each one representing different ends of the DMC spectrum. Now just a month after the release of the excellent DmC: Definitive Edition, Capcom is readying its next hit with a revisit to the flawed but super fun Devil May Cry 4.
As the first DMC title on seventh-generation consoles (PS3 and Xbox 360), 2008’s Devil May Cry 4 had a lot of expectations to live up to following its amazing predecessor (DMC3: Special Edition). Initially, fans of the series weren’t too fond of the new central character Nero, along with the move to multiplatform, but in the end they were largely pleased with how the final game turned out.
Unfortunately, there was a sense that it felt a bit unfinished given the severe amount of recycled content and backtracking throughout. Despite this, many of the hardcore DMC fans still view it favorably and yearned for a continuation of this style of combat. Capcom seeks to do just that with the Special Edition for DMC4, which features the largest roster of characters ever in a DMC title.
With the release of Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition set for this summer, Capcom invited me out to a special hands-on session, and I got to experience just what the new roster brings to the table. With the same team behind Devil May Cry 4 returning, including director Hideaki Itsuno, they plan to reinvigorate DMC4 with some serious style and a sizable upgrade. And with fans still hoping for a brand new installment, this release will no doubt be the next best thing.
Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition (PC, PlayStation 4 [previewed], Xbox One)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Release date: Summer 2015
Set some time after the events of the original Devil May Cry, the devil-hunting half-demon Dante investigates the mysterious Order of the Sword, a religious sect that worships his demon father, Sparda, as a god. After an infestation of demons swarms the island of Fortuna, causing mass panic and bloodshed, the Order sends a young holy knight named Nero, who may have some demon lineage of his own, to find the source — whom they believe is Dante. But along the way, Nero discovers that things are not what they appear, and that the Order of the Sword may have sinister motives in mind for him and the son of Sparda.
Taking cues from Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition, the developers chose to include more supplementary features for DMC4:SE, while retaining the core structure of the original game. Using the excellent PC version of DMC4 as a base, the Special Edition now features Turbo Mode (20% increase to game-speed), Legendary Dark Knight mode (Hard mode with larger crowds of enemies), higher texture and visual fidelity, and tighter performance and framerate for both PC and console releases.
But of course, the SE also brings additions that are brand new to DMC4, such as playable Vergil, Trish, and for the first time ever, Lady — along with new cutscenes, new costumes for every character, some slight gameplay tweaks, new art to unlock, and some other surprises neat to find. However, it should be stressed that the core structure of DMC4 is almost exactly the same, and anyone expecting new bosses, monsters, and areas to travel to will likely be disappointed. It’s still DMC4 through and through.
I know many DMC enthusiasts were worried about what balancing tweaks were made to the game, particularly with Dante and Nero. With exception to general tweaks such as quicker Speed boost, faster Orb and Proud Soul acquisition, and some other minor tweaks and adjustments, the core gameplay for the original duo is largely untouched. So anyone who’s mastered the intricacies of Guard Flying, Interia, and the incredibly tricky DRI (Distorted Real Impact) should rest easy knowing that they’re intact and ready to take advantage of. Truth be told, though, I was a bit surprised by how much of the game was kept as is, even after eight years worth of feedback and cool PC mods that have surfaced. I’m bummed out that the new modes from DmC: Definitive Edition, such as Must Style, Hardcore, and Gods Must Die weren’t included either. It seems like a missed opportunity, and DMC4:SE could have really taken advantage of them in a cool way.
With that said, I was impressed with the new content that awaits players in the Special Edition, and the folks at Capcom have put in the work to make it just as rad as ever. The focus of my session was checking out how all of the playable characters stacked up in DMC4:SE, and I was quite pleased to see how much diversity was offered here. Rest assured, these aren’t some cheap additions to the game. The new characters feature their own unique playstyle and strategies that set them apart from the rest, which is a welcome change of pace for those who’ve clocked hundreds of hours into Bloody Palace. Moreover, they all have their own unique movesets to unlock, which is just as expansive as the original characters. I played with all five characters fully maxed out, so I got a pretty unique opportunity to see what they were like at their best.
As you no doubt saw from the many teases we’ve seen over the last few months, Vergil is back, and this time he’s more motivated than ever. Set many years before the events of DMC4, we find a young Vergil investigating the Order of the Sword. Not long after his arrival, demons invade the island and Vergil must put them in their place while uncovering the truth behind the mysterious group. Though his progression follows the Dante/Nero campaign beat for beat (sans original cutscenes), they feature all new opening and ending scenes to bookend his experiences. And we may even find some answers regarding his connection to series newcomer Nero.
Many fans adored DMC3‘s incarnation of Vergil, and DMC4:SE continues his stoic and composed sense of combat, while upping his versatility to new heights. Wielding his standard Yamato — along with the Beowulf gauntlets and Force Edge/Yamato combo from DMC3 — Vergil dispenses his calm and uncompromising style of action that sets him apart from the others. Though fans will likely have reservations about Vergil possessing these weapons at this point in the timeline (before DMC3), the developers hope that the ambiguity of the plot and his expanded moveset will give them a pass in the eyes of fans. And after playing with Vergil, I’m certainly cool with the liberties they’ve taken.
Essentially the antithesis to Dante’s bombastic and machismo combat style, Vergil feels more composed and cunning than his brother, which in essence lies the true genius of his style. This is reflected in the brand new Concentration meter, which rewards calm and precise combat. As you connect with strikes and dodge attacks, you build Vergil’s Concentration level, which boosts his attack power and speed. Once you build it up to the max level, Vergil becomes a serious force in combat, and even unlocks special moves to use in his Devil Trigger phase — such as the Judgement Cut End, an ultimate attack that slashes all foes at the cost of your DT gauge.
I was supremely impressed with how much the developers had expanded Vergil’s gameplay. The new Concentration meter makes combat feel more rewarding and satisfying, and keeping my meter full made fights more tense, as getting hit or missing an attack would decrease the meter. Thankfully, Vergil is still a beast even at the lowest concentration. In addition to incorporating DmC Vergil’s sword teleportation move, which allows Vergil to teleport to enemies hit with his sword illusion skills, his weapon combos have also been fleshed out more. With Yamato using new ground and aerial combos, including aerial variants of Judgement Cut and also Vergil’s take on Nero’s Roulette, Force Edge also employs new combos paying homage to DMC3‘s Agni and Rudra moveset. Not to mention, his DT phase enhances his abilities and combos, giving him faster charge time and reduced cooldown, along with replacing his side-roll with the Table Hopper evade.
I know I won’t be alone in saying this, but I would’ve been plenty satisfied with just having Vergil as a new character. But of course, Capcom decided to take things a step further by including two more characters to the roster with Lady and Trish. Though Vergil has the campaign all to himself, Lady and Trish will share a campaign mode similar to Nero and Dante’s story. With two new cutscenes, their story focuses on their exploits in the background as Nero and Dante are getting into trouble throughout the island. Lady’s portion takes her through Nero’s missions, using her grappling hook for traversal, while Trish cleans up in Dante’s later levels.
This is the first time Lady has been playable in the DMC series, and as the sole human character in the roster, the developers had to rethink how combat would work for her. Focusing more on her firearms, and employing a keep-away style, Lady is at her best while at a distance. With her only melee weapon being the massive and lumbering rocket launcher Kalina Ann, which feels fairly limited compared to other melee weapons, it’s quite clear that players will have to adjust how they engage their foes with Lady. Thankfully, her arsenal of firearms and gadgets, including the Kalina Ann’s grappling hook which pulls in enemies, offers more than enough stopping power to take down whatever comes her way.
While it’s easy to assume that her combat mechanics are a carbon copy of Dante’s gunslinger style, there’s definitely a lot of nuance to be found in the human devil hunter’s fighting style. Using pistols, a shotgun, and the Kalina Ann as her primary weapons, Lady’s focus on range gives her an edge that the other characters do not. Taking some inspiration from Nero’s exceed gauge, Lady is able to charge her weapons up to three levels, which boosts her attack power significantly. When charged, the bullet icon on the HUD will show how much juice is left in the charge, giving players an idea of how much time they have for their attacks. Not only is Lady able to charge her weapons much faster than the other characters, her weapons react differently with a full charge. For instance, a max-level charge for the Kalina Ann sends out a super-charged rocket that pierces through multiple foes. And yes, she does have a double jump and also a neat spin on the Devil Trigger phase. Her take on double jump has her rocket launcher firing off a shot, propelling her upward and damaging foes underneath (which has damage jump cancelling potential), and her spin on the Devil Trigger is essentially a volley of grenades that clears out all nearby enemies.
I adored the character in DMC3, and finally getting the chance to play as her was such a blast. Granted, it was an adjustment. I had to resist the urge to use melee attacks with Lady — it was quite clear they weren’t her strong suit — which in itself was a bit of an oddity for DMC. While every character thrives on getting up close and personal, Lady is the polar opposite. Many of her moves even focus on getting her in and out of the action when the need arises. For instance, her take on the shotgun’s gunstinger move has her charge in gun first for a deadly close-range blast, then follows up with another shot that her launches back out of the fray. Another example is her R1+ Back + Jump move, which replaces the typical backflip and causes Lady to jump backwards while tossing a number of grenades to the foes in front of her. Ultimately, I found Lady to be a very technical character, and she’s arguably the most unique choice in the roster. I’m usually a player that uses firearms somewhat sparingly, but playing as Lady offered some inventive ways to use them. Which I certainly appreciate.
Finally, the last new character to grace the Special Edition is long-time femme fatale Trish. She was last playable in Devil May Cry 2, and thankfully the developers sought to flesh her out. Using her fists, the sword Sparda (the Force Edge’s transformed state), the pistols Ebony and Ivory, the super weapon Pandora, and her demonic lighting powers, Trish is essentially DMC4: Special Edition‘s wildcard character. On the surface, she seems to be there just for eye-candy — but in truth, Trish is one of the deadliest characters in the roster.
With her focus being primarily on crowd control and group combat, many of her moves attack multiple foes at once, due in part to her range and lightning imbued attacks. To be totally honest, I initially I felt that Trish seemed overpowered, given that she has pretty easy access to such powerful weapons. Moreover, she’s an incredibly flashy character, which has her pulling off a number of elaborate combos with ease. While developing DMC4:SE, the creatives wanted to have a character that allowed newcomers to get in easily, which meant removing the weapon-switch options and keeping her arsenal present at all times. Now before you grab your pitchforks over the thought of accessibility tied to DMC, do know that selecting Trish does not mean you picked the “you win” character.
As I got more comfortable with her, I found a lot of nuance that required knowledge of enemy placement, range, and sheer timing on my part. Her moveset is very robust, and features larger depth in crowd control and focused attacks than the others. Her primary weapons are her fists, called Bare Knuckle, and it’s the most robust unarmed moveset the series has ever had. Bare Knuckle takes advantage of her lighting powers, and gives each of her attacks a serious boost.
Along with Sparda, which is set to the Style button (Circle on PS4), Trish uses the legendary sword as is with strikes and launchers, but she can also treat it like a boomerang to keep enemies locked in place with Round Trip, or to scoop up a group of foes towards her from a distance. Her ultimate move, however, is truly a sight to behold. As one of the longest combos in the game, Trish uses almost all of Sparda’s moves in an intensive flurry, finishing off with her calmly using the legendary weapon as a golf club against the unfortunate foe. Simply put, she’s a badass and an utter joy to watch cut loose.
Fans of her Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 appearance will be pleased to know they’ve incorporated her moveset into DMC4:SE. One of her Bare Knuckle moves called Inazuma is an aerial kick that leaves streaks of energy in the environment, which can trap enemies in their place. Add in Sparda’s round-trip ability, along with Trish’s glorious take on Chun-Li’s Spinning Bird Kick, and you’ve got potential to dish out some gnarly damage.
During a quick trip into Legendary Dark Knight mode, I went to Mission 17’s street area, which is notorious for featuring the largest number of enemies in the game. While other members of the roster may take some time to clear out the mobs, Trish was in her element and laid waste to the masses in a way that would make the characters from Dynasty Warriors sit down and watch her at work. Seriously, using Sparda’s round-trip, along with Inazuma and Pandora’s beam cannon (which uses some DT meter) against the mobs was like witnessing Satan’s weed wacker at work. It was brutal, incredibly satisfying, and it was clear they didn’t send enough enemies to fight.
I remember playing as Trish in DMC2, and I was really disappointed that she was a reskin of Dante. Thankfully, DMC4:SE does the character justice. With the entire roster in mind, I felt that they all complement each other, and bring levels of panache that feels special, especially if you’re willing to invest the time to learn and grow with them. But what truly impressed me the most was that each character brings something unique to the table. None of them felt half-baked or intended as a diversion from the other more established members. I was quite blown away by how much we’re getting here.
I spent about two hours tooling around with all the characters, and while Nero and Dante feel just as sharp and versatile as ever, I anticipate the newcomers will get all the attention come release, and with good reason. Although I was initially worried that the new characters would compound the tedium of the recycled environments, I was pleased to find that the new playstyles help to offer a refreshing take on the old encounters. That will certainly take the sting out of backtracking. Hopefully, anyway. But I still have to express my disappoint in that no new modes were added.
However, this is one of the great aspects of the remaster trend. Much like its companion title DmC: Definitive Edition, it’s allowing games from the previous gen that may have missed the mark to reach a greater potential and be the game fans want it to be. It’s been such a long time since Capcom came out with a follow-up to the original DMC series, and Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition shows that it hasn’t lost its touch one bit. It’s looking to be an incredibly enticing package that revels in gloriously stupid action, and ain’t that the best kind?
As the Street Fighter of the action genre, this franchise has a large legacy to uphold. And if you were among those who weren’t too keen on DmC Devil May Cry and yearned for a return to the classic series, you’ve now got your shot to do so. So take it.
And don’t forget to turn on Turbo Mode in the options menu.
