Devil May Cry

The Good
The graphics of this game were truly eye popping then, its gothic style was hauntingly beautiful, gameplay was simple, but very satisfying and the atmosphere was unique. I loved the way the camera moved. It gave me the distinct impression of an anime with all its visual power and flair. And this game was all about power and flair.

The Bad
Well, not much. Maybe the voiceovers could be better. Capcom has a long tradition of less than perfect voiceovers, but this game is excellent by their usual standards. Some of the platform stunts might prove a little frustrating, especially the optional ones.

The Bottom Line
This is the game that made me buy a Playstation2. It was the first time I actually gaped at a game's visuals and I've been a gamer for as long as I can remember (that's a quarter of a century now). When I saw a friend of mine playing the game for the first time I found myself asking: "Are you actually playing now?". And that's a question I heard many times while I was playing. Combat looks more like a surreal dance than a game, and though it sounds improbable, the double gun/ sword combination was a sight to behold.

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.

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.