Capcom and developer Ninja Theory have just released Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition, an updated version of the reboot (that sounds weird to say out loud), but is it any good? Well, for those of you who have already played DmC, you already know the answer to that. But first, a little about the story.

What can be said about the story other than you’ve seen this one a thousand times before and you’ll see it a thousand more times. We have your typical angsty, Hot-Topic goth young adult Dante who is what adults see as a “cool youth.” He’s fitted with a leather jacket and tucks his leather pants into his untied boots, so you know he doesn’t care! He drinks and parties and is introduced into the game by getting fellatio in the back of a limo by two girls, so you know he’s a ladies man. Oh and he also is nearly immortal and kills demons, so he is kind of like the badass with a heart of gold. It’s not long before an ancient demon in the form of a rich business tycoon hell bent on destroying mankind discovers Dante’s existence and orders him to be eliminated. However, there is a secret order called “The Order” (okay, seriously? They couldn’t think of anything to call it?) ran by his twin brother Vergil and shows Dante who he truly is. He receives help from Kat, his potential love interest who is a pale chick who wears all black and spray paints symbols for Dante to enter and exit Limbo (where the battles take place). This turns Dante’s ‘I don’t care’ attitude around and they set out to save the world. So at its root, the story is pretty unoriginal with every cliche from the genre tossed in there for good measure. I personally find struggles in playing as a thick headed dude whose only concerns are beer and pussy, but luckily the turn his personality will be taking is a welcome one. Vergil himself also goes through an obviously telegraphed change, but I won’t spoil that. You’ll be able to guess it within moments of meeting him. Overall, it’s a story you won’t really care about, but more go through the motions with. It’s not that I don’t care about the characters, I just don’t relate to them. Sure, Dante acts like a spoiled, loud mouth brat, but after the first two levels, his heart begins to show and you start rooting for him.

Having said that, it’s a pretty damn awesome game! Returning players are going to be pleased that plenty has been tweaked or added to the game to make it feel fresh again. The game is slightly more difficult and enemies may react differently than players remember and once the game is beat, even more tweaks can be made and the games difficulty can be ramped up to insane levels to make the game as challenging as you please. There are even bonus missions, like Vergil’s side story. Others included are unlockable skins for both Dante and his weapons to keep it interesting. The main story mode itself shouldn’t take you more than 10 hours, even with some sidetracking for hidden goodies, but once you beat the game, you’ll most likely be tempted to play through the levels again to unlock every hidden door or find every Lost Soul. So no worries, there is plenty of replay to be found. If you were to look at DmC simply, it would seem like a button masher, which it arguably is, but Dante has plenty of moves to unlock, all which control wonderfully. I think that is one of the best things about DmC are the controls. They feel smooth and fluid and respond incredibly well, which is essential when you are slaying demons and platforming.

As you upgrade Dante’s weapons and skills, the game will present more challenges for you to overcome, which you will learn as you progress. Enemies will also become more challenging with different techniques and armor or have very specific vulnerable parts that need to be hit. No worries, however, as these challenges increasingly become more difficult, the game will teach you how to use each of these tricks and gradually how to combine them and use them. It’s a very smart thing for the game to do, as some games lately seem to toss you in the thick of it and tell you, “sink or swim.” This is an old school method of gameplay that I have sorely missed.

Capcom also boasts the game plays at 60fps, so it’s fast as hell and you won’t miss a beat of it, as well as the graphics being sharpened. It’s a very nice presentation to look at and the sound effects give some joy as you slice and blast your way through demons. Fans of nu metal and club/techno remixes will get a kick out of the soundtrack as it plays pretty much nonstop., but as for people like me, I found solace in knowing that you are able to shut the music off.

Ninja Theory handled developing a great game well. Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition has a price tag of $39.99 and for as much as I did enjoy the game, I think that’s slightly a bit much. I would say if it were ten dollars less it would be a definite buy, but as it is, I would wait for a sale or a slight price drop. In the end, the game is an absolute blast with plenty to do and plenty to make you come back for, bonuses and challenges, that looks and plays fantastic, but the paper thin, cliched story tends to make it a little uninteresting.

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