Capcom announced a new title in the Devil May Cry series in 2010, and longtime followers of the franchise cried in agony when they learned it was a reboot and not a sequel. Dante’s new look alone (with short black hair instead of white) sent gamers into a furious frenzy — some going as far as boycotting the release.
Being an enthusiast of the demon-hunting saga myself and having played DmC in its entirety, I can put your fears to rest by saying developer Ninja Theory did not stray too far away from the formula that made Devil May Cry such a huge hit on the PlayStation 2. Hardcore fans have nothing to worry about.
In the images below, you’ll see recurring themes and familiar features from classic Devil May Cry games that made it into DmC. Hover the cursor over the picture to launch the gallery.
Dante and Vergil’s demonic father, the legendary Dark Knight Sparda, makes a cameo appearance in DmC through cutscenes, just like he did in the original Devil May Cry. And just like before, his face is always hidden.
Sparda’s wife and the mother of Dante and Vergil also makes an appearance through cutscenes. This time we see more of her instead of just a portrait. In the original series, Eva was a human, but in DmC, she is an angel. Her forbidden romance with Sparda cost them their lives.
Dante’s necklace changed in shape and size, but it still serves as a reminder of the love of his mother, Eva. Vergil also wears an amulet around his neck although his is now blue.
Dante’s twin brother returns, and this time, he is trying to stop the demons instead of helping them.
Vergil’s outfit changed quite a bit from Devil May Cry 3’s version, but he still wields the powerful Yamato sword entrusted to him by his father.
The Demon King no longer hides in Mallet Island as a giant statue. Now Mundus walks the Earth disguised as a human. If you look at his forehead, you can see three odd marks, which are eyes in his demon form — the same as in the original Devil May Cry.
Devil May Cry 3 introduced Dante’s first human ally, Lady. While she’s not in DmC, Ninja Theory added a new female to help out the son of Sparda. Check out the next image to meet her.
A member of Vergil’s antidemon group called The Order, Kat is a medium capable of sensing activity in Limbo, the “other” world. She guides Dante through mazes with the power of her mind.
Kat is not capable of defending herself like Lady is, but her assistance as a psychic is crucial in stopping Mundus.
Mundus created Trish and gave her Eva’s likeness to manipulate Dante in the original Devil May Cry, but she eventually sided with the devil hunter out of her own free will.
I would have loved seeing her in DmC, but the trend of demonic allies continues in the form of Phineas.
An old and articulate demon, Phineas shares invaluable information on how to defeat Mundus if Dante helps him find his “eye,” a mechanical device that shows the correct way through Limbo’s endless mazes.
Trish is sexy and tough, but Phineas is wiser and more empathic.
Demons don’t like getting shot, and that’s why Dante has always carried handguns with him since the first game in the series. The custom pistols Ebony and Ivory make a return in DmC.
The guns look less realistic in DmC than in previous titles, but they work just as well. Special abilities such as the Rain Storm, which lets Dante shoot upside down in the air, are as effective as ever.
Besides Ebony and Ivory, Dante’s Rebellion sword also makes a comeback.
The tradition of unusual enemy designs continues in DmC, with demons looking more like dolls and machines than the typical pulsating lumps of bloody flesh that populate other mature games, such as Dante’s Inferno or Silent Hill.
Lesser monsters are mute, but bosses sure are chatty. High-ranking demons (like Phantom) don’t appreciate Dante’s sense of humor, and their verbal exchanges are often hilarious.
Bosses in DmC have plenty to say to Dante, like Poison the succubus here. Their conversation is short but memorable.
Dante’s demon form no longer resembles his dad, but the new Devil Trigger still works in the same way: enhanced strength, speed boost, and health regeneration.
Many consumable items from previous games make a comeback — like crystallized demon blood (orbs), Vital Stars, and Devil Trigger Stars.
Saving your progress still requires finding one of these cool Watcher of Time statues. And just like before, you may also purchase items and upgrade weapons or abilities.
In Devil May Cry 3, Dante stumbled upon a ravaged night club called Love Planet. It was deserted, unlike the cabaret from DmC. Proceed to the next image to see it.
Mundus’s mistress, Lilith, runs a huge night club in Limbo City. It has pulse-pounding music, seizure-inducing lights, and hot strippers. Sadly, Dante has no time to enjoy the show because the dance floor is full of monsters.
In Devil May Cry 3, the devil hunter gets pissed off when a demon steps on his pizza. In DmC, a slice of pepperoni pizza blocks our view of his Nephilim sausage while he gets dressed.
Phantom spawns baby spiders that Dante can shoot and collect red orbs from in the first Devil May Cry. Similar arachnids roam every corner of Limbo in DmC, as you’ll see in the next picture.
Every level of DmC is infested with little spiders that serve no other purpose other than handing out free orbs.
Demons sure love building ridiculously tall structures. In Devil May Cry 3, Vergil and Arkham lure Dante into the lofty Temen-ni-gru. In DmC, Mundus watches over Limbo City at the top of the Silver Sacks Towers.
Dante’s crib/shop has interesting decorations in the original series, like demon skulls, sexy pin-up girls, and oxblood Chesterfield couches.
Take a look at the next image to see DmC’s take on fancy red furniture.
In DmC, Dante doesn’t run a devil-hunting business, but at one point, he and Vergil meet in a secret hideout that has a familiar-looking sofa in the background.
Pretty much every game mode from previous Devil May Cry games made it into DmC, with the addition of the sadistic Hell and Hell mode.
Jumping across floating platforms was very tricky business before, but now it’s a cakewalk thanks to DmC’s excellent controls and abilities like the air dash and angelic lifts.
Love them or hate them, timed missions are back to test Dante’s skills and your patience.
DmC wouldn’t feel like a true Devil May Cry game without secret missions. Scattered throughout Limbo are big, shiny doors that lead to special challenges. Just make sure you have the proper keys to open them.
Ninja Theory took their favorite quotes from past Devil May Cry games and turned them into Achievement titles for DmC. How many of them do you remember?
If you enjoyed the twin demon hunters’ duel in Devil May Cry 3, you won’t want to miss the innevitable showdown between Dante and Vergil in DmC.
If you’re still grossed out or offended by Dante’s new look, you may purchase the Costume Pack DLC that includes Dante’s classic outfit from Devil May Cry 3, complete with white hair.
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