Devil May Cry

aka: DMC
Moby ID: 5086
PlayStation 2 Specs
Buy on PlayStation 2
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Description official descriptions

Legend has it that 2000 years ago in the depths of hell, a demon rebelled against the devil, waging a one-man war in support of the human world.

In the present, Dante, a private investigator of the supernatural, realises that the devil is rallying to rise again against mankind. Deep within Dante's blood lies the power of ancient demons and as his power builds he transforms into a demon state where he can use his power against evil he encounters.

Commencing his battle against the demonic legions with just a sword and his twin pistols, Ebony and Ivory, Dante will soon come across more powerful weapons, such as a shotgun to aid him in his mission. However, to defeat the devil Dante must also discover special weapons possessing various elemental powers. When channelled correctly these weapons will allow Dante to call upon demonic energy and launch powerful attacks against a range of enemies.

Spellings

  • デビルメイクライ - Japanese spelling
  • 鬼泣 - Chinese spelling (simplified)
  • 데빌 메이 크라이 - Korean spelling (Hangul)

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Credits (PlayStation 2 version)

135 People (129 developers, 6 thanks) · View all

Planning
Stage CG Artworks - Lead Modelers
Stage CG Artworks - Castle
Stage CG Artworks - Garden
Stage CG Artworks - Wrecked Ship
Stage CG Artworks - Underworld
Stage CG Artworks - Slums
Character CG Artwork
Conceptual Design - Stage Design
Conceptual Design - Character Design
Conceptual Design - Monster Design
Motion Animation - Enemies
Motion Animation - Player
[ full credits ]

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 88% (based on 43 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.9 out of 5 (based on 117 ratings with 7 reviews)

Player May Cry

The Good
How it got me... or how I got it
The reason this game got into my collection is by pure accidence. I actually went to local retail store to purchase Onimusha (or was it Veronica X, can't remember), but they were off-stock and I didn't wanna get back home empty-handed, so I ended up buying DMC. I had some high expectations towards the game as I played a demo from an extra disc I got with Veronica X (ah, that means I went to buy Onimusha after all). I didn't know what I missed by not getting Onimusha that very day only until I later got that game... but that's another story. Capcom here, Capcom there, it's all Capcom so I had no lack of trust in their titles. This one is no bad one either... but I was kinda expecting it to be good, then, which I also can't say with certain clarification.

Controlling your demon
One thing is absolutely fantastic when it comes to this game, it's its the sheer speed and velocity of the various moves Dante can make. Camera is static and doesn't let you to control it, but it rotates as you walk, and it all works with such a speed and smoothness I can't say I witnessed in many games (can't think of any up to date). Devil May Cry II isn't any slower either, by the way. So I'd say gameplay itself is the finest hour this game can provide you with, aside from loads of fun blasting your way through various demon hordes with either your sword or guns (either is upgradable and you get bigger and meaner weapons as you progress).

Not quite a saga
So, you're Dante, you're a P.I., and you're half-human (on your mother's side, duh). Lucky guess would be your father was a demon. Well, was, because it was ages ago, the name's Sparda, and he fought some really badguy when trying to help the human kind. Now, you're doing the same. Although, more like a Tex Murphy, sitting in your office, and trying to earn for a rent... or not. Until, one night, a mysterious woman blasts in on a motorcycle and all hell breaks lose. After she fails to kill you, you decide to render your services to her inspite of what just didn't happen (weird huh, but Dante wouldn't take any less of a case). There really isn't any of the meaningful dialogues to encounter and very little of exploration or chit-chats, maybe every 10 levels when you run into Trish. Other than that, you're battling constantly, and quite often with the same bosses you humiliated but not defeated in your encounters.

The Bad
Not a survival horror for sure
Unless you consider Rambo movies a horror-survival, this game ain't either. It's too fast to be considered one, and enemies seem to be afraid more of Dante then vice-versa. It's pretty much action action action, and very little exploration or puzzle-solving. Now why is this a bad thing? It isn't, but aside from mindless action, this game doesn't deliver other goods. The story is just enough to keep it going, and occasional conversations are just there so you're aware it features voice-acting. The world itself is... well, it's beautiful in the artful sense of the matter, but it all kinda seems... small and pretty much the same (uh, this brings ICO to mind). Hm, yup, good comparison actually, this game is no more fun than ICO, so if you liked that game, you may like this one (in whichever way may someone even see them as comparable, though). But no, really, there is something with the world game takes place in that bothers me. It lacks of some attraction or interest. It doesn't look like Dante is on some investigation case, but more like he's on some mayhem of blind justice mowing down anything he encounters and ask questions later. And all that to eventually lead to the final battle and story revelation which is just as interesting, duh. Also, the whole boss battles which were quite too often got you to think there aren't many things in this worlds, so those that are are automatically called bosses. But some were irritatingly hard to defeat (especially that last slimy thing), whereas ending boss was rather easy to pass, so you'll be able to replay the ending cinematic at your leisure.

The Bottom Line
Technicality over personality
This game is so obviously meant to technically show what PS2 is capable of, and how games can run pretty darn fast on that black box as they can on a powered-up personal computer. You can say it has a certain attitude and even a bit addiction to it (hey, I bought a sequel so go figure... even though for like $7 only, but shrinkwrapped new, was a special discount on that item, though), but isn't anything too serious. Don't expect it to be as entangling as any of Capcom's real horror-survivals, this is a mere stress releaser and a neat one to compensate instead of getting yourself a Doom or Quake.

PlayStation 2 · by MAT (240759) · 2012

Almost perfect.

The Good
Almost eveything about this game was perfect. How can you go wrong with a double-gun wielding, sword swinging, half-man, half-demon hero? The FMV's are brilliant, the bosses are challenging, and the gameplay is simply magnificent. There is a perfect variation in the enemies you encounter, from malicious puppets to demonic-lizards, and many more. Bosses include a spider the size of a gas-station store, and a bird the size of a blimp, all with unique powers that they all use very effectively. And if it seems a bit unfair, don't worry. As you fight, your "devil trigger" gauge will fill up, allowing you to turn into a demon with devastating powers. An all around great action game.

The Bad
The only problems in the game are the camera and the story. Capcom used a cinematic camera in the game, giving you no control over it, and sometimes causing you to stray of course when it switches angles. The story is another problem, and while it has its plot twists and surprises here and there, it doesn't live up to the caliber of the gameplay. But these problems are incredibly minor compared to the game as a whole.

The Bottom Line
The only way I could describe this game to another who hasn't played it is to say that it is unbelievable. I don't think there are many people out there who wouldn't like this game. I loved it, and I personally think it is one of the best games for the PS2 yet.

PlayStation 2 · by DarkDove (63) · 2003

A frightening Action adventure game.

The Good
I loved all the different weapons, and combos you can perform through out this game. Also some of the boss battles are quite fun and addictive. I loved the animation in this game, very well executed and very well thought out and put together. I also liked the fact that there were quite a few sub bosses. this game rocks with it's sound track also, really getting you into the game. Also did I mention that this game is a bit on the scary side. There are some boss battles that have bosses, that will scare the living crap right out of you. this game has wonderful presentation, and a huge fun factor. I suggest that you buy this game, to anyone who likes an addictive action adventure based game.

The Bad
I didn't like the fact that the camera angles were a bit hard to focus at times. And at times it was very difficult to turn around, when you had an enemy nibbling at your heals. Other than that not a bad game, quite good actually.

The Bottom Line
A very action packed, fun and addictive action adventure game. That keeps you thinking, as well as pushing the trigger button.

PlayStation 2 · by David Bryan (21) · 2007

[ View all 7 player reviews ]

Discussion

Subject By Date
How is this different from PS2 game entry? MAT (240759) Nov 23, 2019

Trivia

1001 Video Games

Devil May Cry appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.

Anime

There is an anime series Devil May Cry released in 2007 based off of this PS2 game.

Dante

DMC's main character is named after Dante Alighieri, a famous Italian poet in the 13th century who wrote the famous poem Divina Commedia (Divine Comedy), an epic about a journey through hell. The game also makes several references to someone called Virgil, Dante's lost brother. In real life, Virgil was a Roman poet who lived around 60b.c., and whose works had a profound effect upon Dante while writing Divina Commedia.

Development

Devil May Cry originally started out as Resident Evil 4 but the series creator (and current producer), Shinji Mikami, decided to start a new franchise when the game started going in a completely different direction than originally intended. A glitch in the game script made the enemies fly up when you would shoot them. They decided to make a new game instead of trying to fix this glitch. it became Devil May Cry and the glitch was changed into the High Time attack.

Sales

According to publisher Capcom, Devil May Cry has sold 2.16 million copies worldwide since its initial release (as of June 30, 2016).

Awards

  • EGM
    • February 2006 (Issue #200) - #161 out of 200 of the "Greatest Games of Their Time"

Information also contributed by Big John WV, David Roop, MAT and Tiago Jacques

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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Macintrash.

Nintendo Switch added by Rik Hideto.

Additional contributors: Unicorn Lynx, JPaterson, Jeanne, Maw, DreinIX, erbaltan, CalaisianMindthief, Patrick Bregger, Rik Hideto, FatherJack.

Game added October 23, 2001. Last modified January 30, 2024.