Now that Devil May Cry 5 is on the horizon, it got us thinking about the entire DMC series as a whole. Which games are the best and worst? There’s a lot to love about this franchise, like its over-the-top action, fast and fluid combat, and interesting enemy design. In total, there are six entries, which carry a legacy of 18 years since the original debuted in 2001.
The quality has remained relatively consistent, with the average Metacritic score sitting around 80 for the first five entries. The series has a few different protagonists, from Dante, Virgil, and Nero, all of which have various abilities that can be used in combat. The interesting mixture of melee combat, long ranged weapons such as handguns or rocket launchers, and various transformations make for compelling gameplay that you’ll probably enjoy.
Tying the series together is the Red Orb mechanic, in which every enemy drops Red Orbs as a form of currency. The orbs can be used to purchase more health, different abilities, and upgrades that will aid you in battle, which give you a reason to go back and replay missions in order to acquire more currency.
One unique indefinable feature found throughout the series is the way it ranks your combat. You start with a D rank and as you use different combos and chain together attacks, the rating can go all the way up to SSS, which results in more points, and a higher rank on that level.
The newest entry, Devil May Cry 5 keeps up with the previous games, but adds a bit more polish, with stunning visuals, even more intense action, and some absolutely wacky weapons that give it a sense of personality.
Keep in mind, this is just an opinion, so if yours differs, let us know in the comments. Please enjoy!
Devil May Cry Ranked
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Devil May Cry 2
Not surprisingly, the black sheep of the Devil May Cry series is the second entry, Devil May Cry 2. Even the worst DMC game is still a good time, but criticisms about it are warranted.
The biggest issue is with the way the combat was changed from the first entry, making for a more repetitive and easier experience, with fewer instances of rewarding player-skill.
The weapons were modified, as well, having less variety, which felt incomplete compared to the first game. Even Dante was toned down, having less of a personality than before.
Fans were also disappointed by the level design, since the stages weren't as intricate as ones from the previous installment.
It is a more accessible entry, due to the easier difficulty level, but this one is still regarded as the worst in the series.
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Devil May Cry 4
Devil May Cry 4 is interesting because it's a lot like Devil May Cry 2, but it does things better. It's tough to rank this one. While it is objectively better than DMC2, it still has some issues.
The level design is still somewhat lacking, which is disappointing after playing DMC3. The series has always been known for its music, but this entry is lacking in that regard, as well.
Aside from those gripes, Devil May Cry 4 is still a good game. It's got that fluid combat we love from the previous entries, as well as an opportunity to play as Dante and Nero.
This is the first entry to include Nero as a playable character, which added much needed variety to the game.
Devil May Cry 4 is definitely worth playing, despite its flaws. There's a lot to love with it and it does some really cool things with the gameplay.
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DMC: Devil May Cry
Okay, DMC: Devil May Cry gets a lot of flak and I'm not so sure it deserves it. This new take on the series was released in 2013, but was developed by Ninja Theory instead of Capcom proper.
Sure, the rendition of Dante in this game isn't great and the camera can be a tad finicky, but that doesn't take away from how much fun it is.
The monster/demon design is absolutely disgusting, featuring some of the most memorable enemies out of the series. It's just a shame that there are only a handful of bosses, which is one of the main criticisms of DMC.
Despite this, it's a fun time and, if you can look past the laughably bad version of Dante, you'll have fun. The combat is fast, fluid, and overall incredibly satisfying.
Plus, there are a wide variety of weapons that each have distinct features that encourage you to experiment with.
Don't listen to the hate for this game. The combat is as good as it's ever been, which more than makes up for its shortcomings.
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Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening
Fans were pleased with Devil May Cry 3, as it greatly improved on many of the issues with the previous entry. It's a fan favorite and, at the time, a lot of the community considered this to be the best game in the series.
The camera and controls received much praise, as well as the way the it took a darker turn than the previous two.
What makes this game so great is how over-the-top it is and, when combined with the top-notch gameplay and exciting bosses, you're guaranteed to have a good time with this one.
This game certainly won't turn you into a DMC fan if you didn't like the first two, but if you like fast-paced action with a hint of silliness, you'll probably enjoy it.
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Devil May Cry
Not surprisingly, the original Devil May Cry has a lot to love and almost takes the number one spot on our list. The fast, stylish combat, the interesting level design, and the intuitive controls are enough to make this one of the best action games of all time.
At the time, the emphasis on graded combat was not really seen much before. Also, much like the Resident Evil games, each level is graded, as well, giving players a reason to go back and replay the game to master the combat and levels.
The main character, Dante is also a fan favorite and was the foundation for what would become an even more interesting character in later installments.
Although Devil May Cry is 18 years old in 2019, it still holds up quite well, despite its minor flaws like the writing and wonky camera.
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Devil May Cry 5
Released during a time when Capcom was on an upswing, there was a lot riding on Devil May Cry 5. Thankfully, it delivered and then some. What's so great about this game is that it has a wide variety of gameplay styles, ranging from the more passive V, to the technical Nero and the more rounded Dante.
It's set up in such a way that nothing feels repetitive, because once you start getting comfortable with one character, the game throws a new one at you. It's so satisfying to upgrade the characters with different abilities that you've earned in-game as well.
The story itself has some twists that I genuinely wasn't expecting, which also added to the variety. That's sort of the theme of this game.
Towards the end, things go off the rails and I absolutely love it for that. It doesn't take itself too seriously, but still has its heartfelt moments that make for a balanced experience.
The music is catchy, the performances are excellent, and the pacing was just right. Aside from the bad writing and how V's passive nature, Devil May Cry 5 is proof that Capcom is one of the greatest developers in this console generation.
