Devil May Cry 5 | PS4 Review

Smokin’ Sexy Style!! These are the words that define the vaunted “SSS” ranking in Capcom’s Devil May Cry 5. Keeping to that high watermark, it’s the words that describe the entirety of this entry in the long-running action franchise. Every smokin’ moment of this game is dripping in sexy style, and it’s a complete blast from start to finish.

Once More, With Style

You don’t often see a game series get rebooted then return to the pre-reboot days, but that’s exactly what’s happened with Devil May Cry 5. Ignoring the exceptional DmC: Devil May Cry, this game returns to old form. Exciting thing is, though, it doesn’t miss a beat. This feels every bit the sequel to Devil May Cry 4 that you would want.

Nero is the star of the show this time, and he does not disappoint. A fine character in past games, Nero has really grown into himself this time around. Quipping some of the finest one-liners in gaming; it’s joyous dumb fun. That’s really what this game is all about. Every character seems in on the joke, and it rides a tremendous tonal balance. And Nero is the perfect embodiment of that.

Not to ignore the other characters, as they’re a blast too. Dante returns as usual, and brings with him him typical charm. Devil May Cry 5 also allows him to come across as older in this game, and it projects a delightful “cool uncle” vibe. Newcomer V is over-the-top edgy, even going so far as to read poetry during life-or-death combat. But as with all of the writing, the game is well aware of how silly this is.

You Need to Treat a Lady Better

The only gripe I have about the characters is the treatment of Lady and Trish. These are two fan-favorite characters returning from past games, and those fans have been wanting to see them again. While it’s great that they are here, they don’t get to do anything at all. It’s perhaps the worst example I’ve seen of female characters existing only to further the male’s plot of our modern era. Their sole purpose is to be captured and stripped naked. It’s really bizarre, considering how pivotal a part these characters have played in past games. Nico is a whole hell of a lot of fun, and fits into the story perfectly. But it’s hard not to notice how useless Lady and Trish feel.

Outside of that, though, the game does a wonderful job of pulling you in. As dumb as the tone is, it knows when to hit serious notes. There are major revelations that upend series’ lore in interesting ways. Major players of the past return with significant fanfare. While V seems shoved in at first, he provides a constant sense of mystery. It’s actually a fairly enrapturing tale for fans of the series. The ending is certainly something you won’t be able to forget. It’s a nonstop thrill ride for a full hour or so, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Pull My Devil Trigger

There’s also combat. I suppose Devil May Cry is known for that, as well. Rest assured, it’s both layered and deep. The combo system should feel familiar to those that have played past games. For newcomers, it seems much more accessible than other character action games. It is exactly the kind of combat heavy, combo-focused game you’d want.

Each of the three playable characters has their own mechanics that switch things up. Nero has no right arm, so instead can cycle through several prosthetics, called Devil Breakers. Each of these has their own ability that can be cycled into combos in interesting ways. He also always has a grappling hook that keeps the enemies nearby, so you’ll never need to slow down. Dante brings with him a wide range of differing melee and ranged weapons, as well as four different combat stances. There’s a ridiculous depth to both of these characters, and it’ll be harder to get that “SSS” than you might think.

A Legion of Chaos

While Dante and Nero are similar enough in execution, V is a complete change of pace. V’s body is weak and frail, so he simply can’t fight like the devil hunters can. Instead, he summons creatures to fight for him. There’s a bird for ranged attacks, a panther for melee, and a massive creature called Nightmare for specials. These levels put you into a different mindset, where distance is key as your minions weaken enemies for you. V still has to go in for the finishing blow, and it makes for a satisfying kill every time.

I respect the hell out of Devil May Cry 5’s complete desire to be linear and old-school. Make no mistake, playing through this game feels very much a generation ago. I think that should be commended in this day and age. No gargantuan crafting trees, no open-world, and no unending content plans. Just a 12-to-15 hour linear, single-player game. There is some light online functionality that will allow you to see other players in the background, but it’s really just there for color.

Less commendable is the level design. Every level is either demon walls or city streets. I feel like that usually doesn’t stand out to me in games, but when it covers the whole time spent with a game, it stands out. There are a couple moments outside of these two aesthetics, but they are woefully brief. The levels seem more there to funnel you from battle to battle, than to provide interesting backgrounds or exploration.

It’s Time to Rock

Something I rarely mentions in reviews is music. Music isn’t something that stands out to me in a lot of games, but it sure does here. It’s as over-the-top as every other aspect of the game, and it is a complete delight. Each character gets their own banger of a song for combat, and I won’t soon be forgetting any of them.

Devil May Cry 5 is a treat. Games like this simply don’t get made at this budget anymore. It’s refreshing to see, and it was a joy to play through. The game may not be perfect, but it will stick with you. It’s safe to say Capcom is finally back.

This review is based on a purchased copy of Devil May Cry 5 on the PS4, and the game is also available on Xbox One and PC.