DmC Devil May Cry demo test: what’s in a look?

Absolutely loved the demo! Classim DmC gameplay remains and my worries are ALL but gone. my only complain would be the level design, huge levels which seem rather empty…Other than that, I will preorder this now, no doubt.

Grr. Can’t wait to finally play this. Won’t have the chance to play it till Thursday.

I’ll hold my judgment until then.

btw. Dave, does the demo feature the ‘Fuck you’ scene? Because if my encounters on Youtube with so called DMC Fans taught me anything, it’s that most people don’t get how ironic that scene was supposed to be.

I guess most people are unable to grasp the obvious.

The gameplay is there, I agree, even as a nay-sayer, I think I will enjoy the game a lot and will obviously love the experience.

But the humor and the character are gone. Putting fuck and shit into every dialog doesn’t make the script smarter or funnier. If you meant the story is smarter, then yeah, there are some themes, cliched and overused, but there are some. So it would count for smarter.
Dialogs are dreadfully unfunny and puerile, though.

In other words, this part of you preview is extremely unhelpful:
“Again, naysayers will likely sit there straining as they try to avoid laughing, but this is some seriously sharp stuff”

As a fan of the humor in previous parts of DMC series, I have to say this one lost the charm completely.

@3 ‘extremely unhelpful’

Everyone has a different sense of humour. Perhaps I’ll tone that bit down a little though.

I thought it was better than the cheesy dialogue of the old games personally.

I think the only time a DMC game made me laugh is the first scene in DMC1 where Trish comes crashing through his front door and Dante was completely unimpressed; “Wohooo! Slow down babe. Nature calls? It’s in the back.” It was funny how ordinary the situation seemed to him.

Oh no wait, there was also the famous LIIIIIIGHT! Scene. That also made me laugh for all the wrong reasons.

@5 there’s a line in the demo about church that you will like then. It’s him talking about an insane situation as if it’s an every day event. I thought it was delivered well

I played DMC4 after playing the demo and it was crazy how much better DMC 4 looks and plays compared to the new DMC.
How can ninja theory make a game that looks worse and runs at a lower frame rate than a game that came out 4 years ago.

There were lots of silliness and cheese, and I laughed a lot during the cut-scenes in previous parts of the game, because that’s totally my kind of humor.

But as Dave Cook mentioned, different opinions, different tastes. And the humor changed in the new part. There’s still some of the old bravado, but the whole fuck tis fuck that just grates on me.

@6: I know what scene you mean.

“That seemed to drag on forever… Church *smirk*”

I think i’ve seen every little gameplay footage of the game that is out there. And that scene definitely made me laugh.

@7 massively untrue on all counts. Stop trolling.

@8 I get what you mean buddy, swearing for swearing’s sake isn’t cool, smart or funny. I agree

I like how at first, Devil May Cry was all about Dante. And then they changed him and that turned this game into shit.

Then people realised it’s not that big of a deal. Then people complained that the gameplay was slow and horrible and that turned this game into shit.

Then people played it and realised it wasn’t so. Then people complain the script isn’t great and THAT turned this game into shit.

Really? Are you serious? Devil May Cry 1 is widely considered to be the best one and that game has among the most stupid, inane dialogue i have ever heard. If there is one thing DMC is not about, it’s the freaking dialogue and story. I have no doubt in my mind that Ninja Theory will outperform DMC 1-4 story-wise. If there is one thing they proved with Heavenly Sword and Enslaved, it’s that they know how to write great stories.

If you made your mind up about hating a game before you ever laid a hand on it, don’t keep searching for reasons to make it seem like you have a valid argument there. If you know you don’t like the game because you actually tried it, thats a whole different sotry. But this is just silly.

@12 absolutely brilliant comment Spot on.

Dave i am not trolling the character models and levels in
DMC 4 are more detailed than the new DMC.
If you compare the 2 you will see that.

“premature evaluations” a terrible affliction for today’s gamers, I blame Tim Berners Lee and his internet thingy.

“massively overblown sense of entitlement” is another 21st century disease.

Seems gamers are particularly vulnerable to these conditions and I for one don’t think the government are doing enough to help these poor souls…will someone please think of the children (and manchilds).

@14 I’m not sure how that can be said though. In what context is it more detailed?

@15 yeah it’s an unfortunate by-product of the internet isn’t it? It’s not always a good thing

I’ve never felt negative about this game to be honest, rather looking forward to it

Dave just play dmc4 you will see what i mean.

@18 I have played it and I own it dude. I just feel the DmC 4 environments were bland as all hell compared to the new ones. The way the new city shifts and moves is neat, and it has more colour and life.

Sorry we don’t see eye to eye on this one, but hey, we all have our opinions

@12 I’m not sure what Devil May Cry fanbase you’ve been talking to, but it’s consistently accepted amongst most fans that Devil May Cry 3 is the strongest highlight of the series.

Personally speaking, I recently picked up the HD Collection, and realised a few things about the games from a non-biased perspective, Namely, the first game has ridiculously limited and repetitive combat, and some utterly horrendous camera angles. It’s still better than 2 of course, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the variety and depth of the third game.

—

My thoughts on the gameplay…

It plays differently that the previous games. This is a very different control system than the older games, guns and main attack button notwithstanding. If you want something that feels exactly like the previous games, you’ll probably want to give this a pass.

It definitely plays smooth. We can go on about the 60 vs 30 FPS debate until we’re blue in the face, but at the end of the day, the combat is snappy, fluid, and dramatic. It isn’t a patch on Bayonetta (then again, what is?), but it’s no slouch either. The weapons have very specific uses that need to be applied judiciously on the fly to take out the different types of enemies, or you’ll be beaten down pretty damn fast. Especially on the higher difficulties. Comboing will take a lot of initial practise to get good at.

I’m unsure about the platforming. I feel like it could break the flow of the game way too much. It does seem like they’ve shortened some platforming segments from previous previews that we’ve seen though, which is a sensible decision. They’re fun in small doses, but I get the feeling they’re something thatdefinition credibly tedious in excess.

One other complaint I feels like they are way too many buttons necessary to play. A separate button for launchers? Really? I simply don’t understand why they needed to do that.

I’m perfectly okay with the look of the game, but I won’t deny that is something of a bias for me. I grew up surrounded by the punk stylings and musical influences prevalent throughout the game, so it’s honestly something of an aesthetic dream come true for me. I love it to pieces, and I’ve wanted something that presented itself in this style for years.

The story has a lot of potential, but it also have plenty of potential to be a completely ham-fisted, tacky mess. It’s hard to judge that one until the full game is released, but the demo has impressed me enough that I’m going to be pre-ordering it and picking it up on day one.

@20 great summary, I think few people would disagree with your rationale there, even if they might disagree with the points therein.

I’m well behind you in saying that DmC 3 is the best one. The first game’s combat is limited and yeah Bayonetta – personally is the pinnacle of this genre – I firmly believe that no hack n’ slash can match it, even if DmC 3 comes closest.

The bit about each weapon have a very precise use is spot on too. I think NT has been clever in that department, but I do worry that the same enemy types will cycle too often.

All in all it’s a great effort so far, and hope the full game throws more pleasant surprises our way.

#12 Dialogue/story are far from a deal-breaker, certainly. But I don’t like where they’ve gone with it. It was all part of a DMC package, to me, and they went a different way. If you didn’t care for it fine, but I do care. It doesn’t mean the game will be terrible, because it looks and feels to be rather great. But let’s not act like this is not an issue and shouldn’t be an issue to anyone.

(Or am I missing some larger discussion where people are really saying the game will be terrible because story/dialogue?)

thanks for the article. really liking this demo impressions. for a game like DmC, where gameplay is king, it makes sense to talk about the changes. i am downloading now. i love DmC……BUT it´s a franchise well known for having some of the most legendary über cry baby fans.
i for one absoluteley liked what i´ve seen of the game this far, this demo impressions sound great too, cannot wait to check it out but i am pretty sure already that i will hit the preorder button for this in the next few days.

@ 20: Don’t you mean “post-punk stylings”?

@22

“(Or am I missing some larger discussion where people are really saying the game will be terrible because story/dialogue?)”

Anyone who claims the old games had a deep story really needs to have a re-think.

I agree with you 100% on this.

Right, played through the demo now (360), my thoughts…

I’ve always liked the DMC series but am not an absolutely huge fan (for the record!)

Ever since I saw the new art direction this had taken, I was disappointed.

After trying the demo, I can honestly say its much worse than I could have ever imagined.

This game and the new Dante completly lack charm and style.

It’s the most boardroom style example of ‘cool’ I think I’ve ever seen. It would actually make more sense if you we’re playing as Skrillex. Who knows, maybe he’ll be a DLC?

The combat is pretty much how I remember DMC, so that’s not too bad.

For a reboot though, it completly misses its chance to bring the gameplay upto date. This genre is really starting to show its age now. What was amazing on the PS2 now looks seriously outdated.

I think a good example of bringing this gameplay slightly upto date is Prototype 2. Not the best game ever, but least it let you explore abit while engaging in combat DMC style. You may argue that they are different styles of game: sandbox / beat em up, but they share very similar combat.

Going from arena to arena just fighting a few enemies then watching a cut scene really doesn’t work anymore.

All the cool looking stuff is scripted and the huge levels lack ANY interaction atall.

The platforming elements are woeful, why give the player intricate jumps to do when Dante moves like he’s got bricks in his pockets while jumping?! He’s nimble as fuck in combat then suddenly a moose when trying to make a jump? Come on!!!??

The new Dante must also rank as one of the dooshiest annoying Charecters in gaming at the moment. Maybe they should have made him a bit older. He just comes across as a hipster twat with mild twilight undertones! Awful!

This was there chance to do something a bit different in my eyes, especially as a re-boot is supposed to be courting a new audience a long with older fans, this demo proves they have completly missed the mark.

Style and marketing cool over quality. At least old Dante was camp as hell, and it was fun!

The biggest thing it has made me realise though is how out of date this genre has become. QuickTime events and bad platforming interspersed with ‘cool’ combat and dub step do not a good game make IMO…

@26 What quick-time events?

Also, old Dante was a douche too, I find it odd that people forget this. The old dialogue tried so hard to be cool that it was embarrassing at points.

Have to disagree with most of what you’ve said dude, but hey, I’m respectful of your opinion

@27

Sorry, I call those events where you have to latch onto the blue orbs, QuickTime events as they require no gameplay skill once you’ve latched on.

It’s like watching a mini cut scene. Although, I’m sure the final game will have some actual button press quick time events in there too!

In a way, I’m not just ragging on this game, although I do think the style is abhorrent, it’s the genre itself I feel needs a shake up.

I was looking forward to the new God of War, now I’m not so sure, this seemed very out of date to me.

@26 There is no dubstep int the demo as far as I noticed.

@28 Yeah no worries man, I got that from what you said

I personally feel Bayonetta really the genre forward in terms of control. It’d be nice to see the genre take a similar step with another game. Something that really surprises us.

@29 during the boss fight there is a little bit aye.

@29

Boss battle with the annoying Puke demon (second demo level)?

That was dub step to me, or is it called Grime Core or something by hipsters now?

Basically, in a nut shell, I think games like the original DMC’s, Bayonetta etc… work because, although the gameplay is highly polished, they don’t take themselves too seriously.

There camp and fun to play. This however smacks of trying too hard, and it exposes the gameplay issues IMO.

I also think they have made Dante British and a bit older if the punk angle was going to work.

He just comes across as a little twat, wearing a punk / emo COSTUME. That’s a big difference… We can all play dress up, but you need to believe in the character.

@30

I would love to see the quality and level of combat, in a more populated world with less quick time boss battles.

In a weird way, I think Dragons Dogma was kind of a step in that direction for me.

3rd person action RPG with exploration and epic combat! (Def my fav game this year, I highly recommend it for the combat if you haven’t tried it yet!)

I think Ninja Theory could have done a brilliant Zelda style game in the DMC universe. People may have complained, but it least it would shake things up a bit!

i played it now. i really enjoyed it. it was cheesy!!! i didn´t feel like it tried to take itself too serious. i had that feeling playing halo 4 (and still have issues with that, though i truly like that game too now).
the boss battle was great. what an ugly boss. it has a very old school vibe to it AND I LOVE THAT.
the gameplay is rock solid if you ask me. maybe i am just too old. i don´t give a shit about the hipsters. to me the look and sounds and vibes of the game doesn´t feel try hard cool. it´s trashy….it all feels very cheesy and stupid (but in a good way) to me. maybe they really do try hard to be cool. but if so i don´t get it. good for me i guess.
the combination of that techno minimal dub whatever sound with that sick boss screams and dantes stupid tough guy teenager egomaniac bs talking is just great comedy if you ask me. cheesy as can get.
liked the metal tunes as well. had a smile on my face the whole playthrough and the disgusting boss really made me laugh. good sign.

EDIT: also really liked the parts they showed in the trailer after the actual demo. looks like an interesting mix of levels.

Does the *new* Dante have a 9 foot long fire sword called Hymen Pierce?

If not I don’t see how Capcom expect me to take this seriously :-/

Never been a fan of the series, but my brother is a die hard one. I am honestly loving Ninja Theory’s direction more than Capcom’s.

I just hope it turns a profit for them to put them on track to develope their own IPs. Enslaved was an underrated game with some flaws but a very good game.

I gave it a shot. Did not like it. For one, the graphics look more like Enslaved than anything. I agree that it’s not as smooth or as detailed looking as Devil May Cry 4 was. Yes, the environments have more going on, but what’s there is really meh.

The gameplay is changed for the worse. Two dodges? A launcher button? And two grab moves? What is the point? Really feel like the gameplay was a huge case of dropping the ball. It feels like a game trying really hard to emulate Devil May Cry-style gameplay, but failing. If this was a fighting game, it’d be World Heroes, trying really hard to be Street Fighter II.

And the dialogue, especially during the boss battle, Jesus… It’s like they figured as long as they had the boss (who was nicely designed, though) saying vile things, they didn’t have to write anything else.

I will not be buying or even renting this. After playing the demo, I hope now, more than ever, that this game underperforms for Capcom.

@37 well that’s nice, hoping a developer loses money and their game flops just because you didn’t like it.

I do, because I would rather see the Devil May Cry series die than be dragged down to this level.

There’s not even a lock-on button, yet they put in two dodges? What the hell?

I actually hate it more now that I’ve gotten a chance to try it because, if they had, at least, gotten the gameplay down, I would’ve been able to deal with the redesign and “boardroom cool” storyline.

My hope is that if this underperforms, Capcom will see the need to go back to the original series. The disaster of DMC2 created the beauty that was DMC3.

And if they don’t, and the series just dies outright, then that’s fine too. You don’t let something you love suffer on life support.

@39 then that’s the wrong attitude I think. You’d be happy for people to potentially lose jobs over this?

As someone who has run things, in a both a small business and a band (which is really another small business, just a fun one), I believe that if you don’t deliver, you don’t get to stay. I don’t feel this game delivered, so if people lose their jobs over it, then that’s what happens.

@41 even if they’re just doing their job as told? I’m not sure dude. I just feel that’s a tad harsh when many people are liking the game. I agree that weak companies die for a good reason, but this seems like a personal thing. I could be wrong but again, we all have our opinions and such.

“Many” people are not liking the game. I’d say some people and the majority of journalists, for whatever reason. Maybe because it’s easier to get through that the older ones. Looking at several sites, I definitely see more negative opinions than positive ones. And I count on one hand, the amount of people I’ve seen say that the gameplay changed their mind for the better.

My opinion of it this: if this was a new IP, I’d be a lot more lenient. I’d still consider it a weaker DMC-rip off, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Lords of Shadow rips off God of War’s gameplay style, but it does it in a fun way and mixes in enough new elements to make it one of my favorite games of the year it came out.

If this was a new IP, I’d say it was a decent try and maybe they can one day make a better sequel.

But this is an established IP, which means it has a pedigree to honor. This game does not do that. Yes, the design is bad. Yes, the dialogue is awful. BUT the most important part is the gameplay, because that’s what the old school DMC series was all about, and this dumbs down that gameplay to an unacceptable level. If this had played as well as DMC3, I’d be the first to eat my words.

I’ve certainly gone into movies expecting to hate them and been blown away by how good they were. There were definitely games where I saw trailers and thought, “That looks lame,” and then played the demo and then found myself pre-ordering it that day.

What they have done is not only not reach the bar set by previous titles, but to fall far far below it. That should have repercussions.

Thank god opinions are just that.

Just got round to playing it. Had an absolute blast, and is now a day 1 purchase. I really hope it does well and gives them (Ninja Theory)a chance to improve with their next version.

My only issue, Dante looks a bit to much like Hayden Christian when Anakin is fighting Obi Wan….

@43: So far i’ve only read positive previews about the game. Youtube is usually not a good source for opinions. Especially if the people complaining never played it. It’s funny but whenever i see a DmC Video the hateful comments are made by the same people, checking out their comment history and you discover that they only write in DmC Videos.

Desperate, pathetic.

And quite honestly, you’re opinion just sucks.

I have little to no respect for people who cheer for other peoples failure. You disgust me.

I hope this game sells shitloads and that NT get to redesign all of Capcom’s IP’s *just* to piss of the whiny entitled fanboys here.

You cunts make me sick.

@46 – Well, that’s funny because I’ve found your opinions equally idiotic, so we’re equal. Blow me.

Devil May Cry Harder.

@47 – I have to admit, seeing a dark, gritty reboot of Megaman with tons of cursing and middle-aged men’s ideas of what was cool would actually be really, really funny.

A complete pissing on the legacy of the character and they’d deserve every bit of hate they’d get for it, but it’d be funny, nonetheless. Certainly be funnier than this game’s attempts at humor.