You will find yourself stuck trying to find and come up with something that feels exactly like Capcom’s Devil May Cry series. Other developers tried to mimic DMC’s formula, but sadly, they vanished overnight, and Capcom’s IP is still reigning to this day. The latter didn’t only change how we look at action hacking and slashing games but came out with an uncopied mechanic that still no developer managed to outperform to this day.
Whilst the hack and slash genre had a plethora of other amazing titles such as God of War trilogy, Shinobi on the PS2, Onimusha series, Conan: The Barbarian and other amazing titles. They simply did not bring what Capcom’s juggernaut brought to the table. Devil May Cry spawned tons of titles, and most of them are obscure due to the fact that they were either released in a specific platform or the fact that they were released exclusively in Japan.
Devil May Cry
Release Date: 2001
Developer: Capcom Production Studio 4
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PS2 | PS3 | PS4 | Xbox360 | Xbox One | PC | Nintendo Switch
Canonicity: Canon | 2nd in the timeline
The game that started it all back in the PS2 era. Devil May Cry happened as a coincidence when developers were working on Onimusha or Resident Evil, and a bug happened where an enemy was stuck in the air forever. Needless to say that this fine coincidence inspired the developers to be more creative with their new, and so Devil May Cry was born.
When it comes to the storyline, Devil May Cry acts as a sequel to Devil May Cry 3 which on the other hand is a prequel. The plot begins when Trish bursts into Dante’s shop asking for help. Our pizza boy has no other option but to accept the lady’s request and embark on a journey to face off against demons once again.
Devil May Cry was a financial and commercial success that went ahead and inspired other games to do the same. One fine example is God of War which I had talked about in one of my previous articles.
Devil May Cry 2
Release Date: 2003
Developer: Capcom Production Studio 1
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PS2 | PS3 | PS4 | Xbox360 | Xbox One | PC | Nintendo Switch
Canonicity: Canon | 4th in the timeline
After the success of the original Devil May Cry, Capcom went ahead and made a continuation. However, this one wasn’t created by Hideki Kamiya or Capcom Production Studio 4. This disappointed Hideki since he was not called by his superiors at Capcom to work on this continuation. Capcom’s plan was to make Devil May Cry 2 much bigger than its predecessor and much more fun of course.
Devil May Cry 2 took a dark direction compared to its predecessor. The plot begins when Dante encounters a lady called Lucia in a museum. After talking for a short period of time, she asks him to help her defeat Arius, an international businessman who is using demonic power in an effort to conquer the world.
Sadly, Devil May Cry 2 didn’t receive much appreciation compared to its predecessor. The game was criticized for its repetitive combat and the poor level design, but gamers praised the game for its dark approach and its easter eggs.
Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening
Release Date: 2005
Developer: Capcom Production Studio 1
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PS2 | PS3 | PS4 | Xbox360 | Xbox One | PC | Nintendo Switch
Canonicity: Canon | 1st in the timeline
After the epic flop of Devil May Cry 2, Capcom managed to bring the series from the bring of death. This time they went back to give us more story details about Dante, his family, and his true nature. Surprisingly, Devil May Cry 3 outsold both its previous predecessors and brought newcomers to the franchise. Needless to say that some view this entry in the series as their favourite one. And I’m one of them too.
Vergil, Dante’s twin, invites Dante to come to pay him a visit to the tower Temen-ni-gru. Vergil and his partner in crime Arkham, conspire to use Dante to unlock the gate to the demonic realm. Just like the previous games, Dante will meet a beautiful chick named Lady, who will ask him to stop her father from fulfiling his wicked dreams.
What made this entry so special is how it introduced new mechanics and different combos. Devil May Cry 3 introduced new styles that broke free of the repetitive button mashing that previous series had. Let’s not forget the ranking system which rewards players the more stylish they are. In brief, Devil May Cry 3 was a new entry that broke free of the overused hacking and slashing mechanism and went further beyond by introducing something that was not expected at the time.
Devil May Cry 3 Pachinko
Release Date: 2007
Developer: Rodeo
Publisher: Sega Sammy Fields
Platforms: Pachinko
Canonicity: Not CanonJapanese Name パチスロ デビルメイクライ3 Pachisuro Debirumeikurai Suri
Devil May Cry 3 (パチスロ デビルメイクライ3 Pachisuro Debirumeikurai Suri) is the first pachinko game of the Devil May Cry series. What’s surprising is why did Sega Sammy bother to publish this one, and why? Was it because of the success of the original game on the PS2?
Damn, Japanese people are a mystery I tell ya. I don’t have much information about the game since all I know is that the game takes place in DMC 3 and reuses assets and locations featured in the game.
Devil May Cry 4
Release Date: 2008
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PS3 | PS4 | Xbox360 | Xbox One | PC
Canonicity: Canon | 3rd in the timeline
It is obvious that after the success of Devil May Cry 3 Capcom will surely want to make a new game in the series. Because why not? the fanbase has been seeing an increase with each game, so it would have been a bad idea not to make a new entry. Just like Devil May Cry 3, this one has brought some new changes to the overall gameplay and introduced a new main character.
The player controls both Nero, a new character, and Dante. The story begins when Nero has attended a certain ceremony in the church when suddenly a mysterious man has appeared out of nowhere and began slaughtering everyone. Nero manages to defeat him, but is he? In the quest of investigating the true nature of this mysterious man, Nero will learn the truth about the Order and discover their intentional wicked plans that menace the safety of the world.
Devil May Cry 4 introduced a new gameplay element, and that is the Devil Bringer. This ability grants Nero the ability to grab enemies and slam them on the ground, throw them in the air, or execute a finishing move. Needless to say that this technique is useful against bosses, and holy shit, it’s epic I tell ya. Meanwhile, Dante was granted a new set of weapons, and different combo techniques in this one as well.
Devil May Cry 3D
Release Date: 2008
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: Mobile
Canonicity: Canon
This one had two versions, one is 2D and the other is 3D. Both are different in their own ways. This one will actually remind someone of God of War: Betrayal. A mobile depiction of the first God of War on the PS2. Sadly, it is quite difficult to find it these days.
The game is based on Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening and reuses pretty much most of the locations in the previous game. As I said earlier, the 2D version plays like God of War: Betrayal. Meanwhile, the 3D version follows a more traditional approach to the console release with few changes of course. Unlike the console game where Vergil is the last boss, in this one, the last final boss is Cerberus. In addition to an alternate plot where Dante has to save the city instead of climbing the aforementioned tower of Temen-ni-gru.
Devil May Cry 4 Refrain And the Java Version
Release Date: 2011
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: iPhone
Canonicity: Canon
Devil May Cry 4 refrain is a port of the console game. When the game was first released, it featured Nero as the only playable character. After an update, Dante was included as a second playable character.
The plot is largely similar to that of the console game, but luckily, Capcom has managed to tweak the story and added some minor changes to the overall plot. A fine example is that Nero and Dante’s stories are split into two different narratives rather than one continuous one.
One issue is the game is way shorter than the original game, but that’s understandable. There’s also a non-official Java version of this game which is 2D, and pretty much similar to the mentioned Devil May Cry 3 mobile in so many ways.
DmC: Devil May Cry
Release Date: 2013
Developer: Ninja Theory
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PS3 | PS4 | Xbox360 | Xbox One | PC
Canonicity: Reboot
DmC is Ninja Theory’s attempt to make a western Dante, a more edgy and cocky one. Sadly, this one was criticized for its poor plot, and at the same time, it was praised for its visuals and the combat mechanics. Yet, diehard fans hate this one to the bone. It irritates them when you mention it again to them, they can’t sleep during the night, it makes them want to full ” Savage ” on you. Speaking of irritation, I have to get out of here as I have mentioned this game to the fanbase once again. No worries, I can use my royal guard, so good luck damaging me.
You play as a different version of Dante with black hair ready to kick your ass if you insult his mother. The story takes place in a place called Limbo City, a contemporary metropolis, where humans are brainwashed and manipulated by demonic powers. Yet, Dante sees through the beautiful nightmare when he meets a girl called Kat who asks him to join their forces together with Vergil to stop the villain once in for all.
DmC introduced several new features like a complete 3D camera instead of the old fashioned Biohazard perspective seen in previous DMC games. While this version of Dante had known weapons like Rebellion, Ebony and Ivory. It introduced a couple of fantastic weapons that are as stylish as the previous original games.
Pachislot Devil May Cry 4
Release Date: 2013
Developer: Enterrise
Publisher: Capcom Fields
Platforms: Pachinko
Canonicity: Not Canon
Japanese Name: パチスロ デビルメイクライ４
This one is the second pachinko game in the series. This time it was published by Capcom itself. There’s nothing much to say about this one. It reuses pretty much all of the assets and locations of the original console game. However, there are two special stages in this one. One is the inside of the saviour, and the other one is the Devil May Cry office.
Surprisingly, the game sold pretty well for a pachinko game with 25.000 units sold. These numbers pushed Capcom to port the game to Android and iPhone devices.
Devil May Cry X: The Last Judgement
Release Date: 2016
Developer: Enterrise
Publisher: Capcom Fields
Platforms: Pachinko
Canonicity: Not Canon
Another pachinko game that uses Devil May Cry 4 as its template. There’s not much to say about this one as it is similar to the game mentioned above this section. This one sold 15.000 units and was also ported to mobile devices later on.
Despite this story being similar to Devil May Cry 4, there are few changes here and there, but it’s not a big deal. Unless if you are a diehard fan of this stuff.
CR Devil May Cry 4
Release Date: 2018
Developer: Macy
Publisher: Universal Entertainment
Platforms: Pachinko
Canonicity: Not Canon
Seems like Capcom has milked Devil May Cry 4 to the core with all those pachinko releases. However, while the previous pachinko games I have mentioned above use the same in-game assets and stages included in Devil May Cry 4. CR Devil May Cry 4 has its own stages and assets. Vergil is also included in this game, and while his looks are based on DMC3 design, his movements are based on the DMC 4 Special Edition release.
Though, I’m not going to lie the CGI cutscenes looks incredibly well-crafted. It makes you dream of seeing a full CGI Devil May Cry animated movie in the near future.
Devil May Cry 5
Release Date: 2019
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: PS4 | Xbox One | PC
Canonicity: Canon, 5th in the timeline
After a struggle that lasted for 6 years to make a new proper Devil May Cry game, in 2019, Capcom dropped a nuke on fans by revealing a proper sequel to Devil May Cry 4. Boy, it was a bomb I tell you.
After DmC: Devil May Cry, Hideaki Itsuno wanted to leave Capcom, but the latter refused to let him go. In return, they listened to Hideki’s demands. One of them was to make a Devil May Cry game the way he wanted. And you can see the results with your own eyes. Just like the situation with Devil May Cry 3, this new entry has adopted a wave of newcomers that instantly fell in love with the gameplay, the graphics, and of course, the music. (And let’s not forget waifus too).
Once again, the game follows Nero as he fights a myriad of the demonic invasion alongside Dante once again, but this time a new character is introduced that puts a further twist on things in the end.
Devil May Cry 5 introduced a couple of new gameplay mechanic like giving Nero a metal arm that acts like his previous Devil Bringer, but this one has other functionalities. In addition, Dante was also granted new weapons and familiar ones as well. And let’s not forget the new playable character, V.
Devil May Cry: Pinnacle of Combat
Release Date: TBA
Developer: Yunchang Game
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: iPhone | Android
Canonicity: Remake-Spin-off
Devil May Cry: Pinnacle of Combat is a remake of Devil May Cry 3 that uses assets from previous games and combines them together. This one actually is under development by a Chinese team, and the release is still unknown. This spin-off game came out as a surprise to so many of us. It was unexpected, to say the least.
Unlike previous mobile games, this spin-off will incorporate hack and slash elements with RPG. In addition, it will have an online mode such as team battles and PvP combat. While the game has the looks of DMC3, it was confirmed by the developers that the game will take place in DMC4. Other characters from the previous series will make an appearance including those from DmC.
Many are waiting for this game, and I believe they can’t wait to put their hands on it once it’s ready and loaded.
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