After binging Netflix’s Devil May Cry (which I enjoyed), I reinstalled Devil May Cry 5 just to see how my muscle memory and skills held up, having not touched the game since its launch.
I jumped straight into the Bloody Palace to test myself—and man, it was rough. I’d completely forgotten most of Dante’s moveset, Nero’s rev timings, and even V’s summoning mechanics. I never really got to dive into Vergil, so I had nothing on him. That’s when it hit me: God damn, this game really was the best in the series, huh?
“Devil May Cry is back!”
Of course, this is just my opinion, but Devil May Cry 5 had something truly special. It arrived after nearly a decade of uncertainty, when the series seemed all but dead. The DmC reboot didn’t quite land with fans and ultimately split the community with its unusual design choices.
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+ 4It wasn’t until that iconic E3 2018 reveal that we knew the real DMC was back, especially with Hideaki Itsuno once again at the helm. Just seeing Nero rev up the Red Queen sent fans into a collective frenzy, shouting, “DMC is finally back!”
Peak of Combat
Devil May Cry 5 shines brightest in its combat. That’s always been the series's core identity, and here, it’s been pushed to its absolute peak. The high skill ceiling, the fast-paced action, the depth—it’s all here. Whether you’re playing as Dante, Nero, V, or Vergil, each character has a distinct playstyle that’ll put your fingers through a workout.
click to enlarge + 4I’ve always gravitated toward Dante—I’ve known his moveset since Devil May Cry 3—but V’s more gimmicky, hands-off combat really hooked me this time around. It’s weird, it’s fresh, and it’s fun.
Devil in the Details
The level of detail in DMC5 deserves its spotlight. Every animation, every taunt, every movement is dripping with personality. Nero brings that brash, youthful energy; Vergil, brooding and hyper-focused, is all about efficiency and discipline. Then there’s V—the wild card. A total contrast to the rest, and honestly, always a blast to play.
click to enlarge + 4Even though the story’s a bit barebones, it’s still fun to wade through the lore, especially watching the eternal sibling rivalry between Vergil and Dante unfold again. If you’ve been keeping up with the series, you’ll likely see where the story’s headed—but even then, the journey is still a wild ride packed with fan service and familiar faces.
click to enlarge + 4Looking back, Devil May Cry 5 really was a 10/10. It cemented itself as the best in the series. The first two games had their fair share of problems. DMC3 nailed the story, but can’t hold a candle to 5's combat. DMC4 came close, but its momentum was wrecked by its bizarre pacing and mission design in the second half.
So, where does the series go from here? Who knows. With Hideaki Itsuno having left Capcom for something new, we might never see another mainline Devil May Cry again. But honestly? I’m okay with 5 being the stopping point. It perfected the series’s signature formula. And if the next thing we get is yet another reboot… at least we got this one last perfect ride.
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