There are few games that better represent Capcom's renaissance than Devil May Cry 5. The franchise that was created out of Hideki Kamiya's wild take on a potential (and eventually discarded) Resident Evil game underwent some grim times, with dips in quality in subsequent entries and a controversial spin-off that was perhaps treated too harshly.
By the time DMC5 rolled around in 2019, it all but confirmed one thing: Capcom was back. Resident Evil VII (2017), the rising popularity of the Mega Man Legacy Collection sub-series (2018), and Resident Evil 2 Remake (2019) had fans excited about the prospect of the Japanese developer stopping their trend-chasing approach that led to some absolute duds created for "Western audiences."
If you somehow haven't played this seminal action game, I'm happy to report that the Nintendo Switch 2 version is an excellent way to enjoy it, with incredible performance both docked and handheld, at the slight expense of a visually downgraded experience compared to other platforms.
There's no denying the original Switch was a rather underwhelming console specs-wise, even back in 2017. It was a little hybrid novelty that third-party developers abandoned quickly once they realized the compromises required to put their software on it were barely worth it, since Nintendo users wanted to play only Nintendo games.
The Switch 2, on the other hand, has proved to be a much better console, at least during its first year on the market, with Capcom's continuous support standing as testament that this upgraded system can handle new releases as they come out (I've personally reviewed Pragmata and Monster Hunter Stories 3 on Switch 2 if you're curious).
Most of my game time has been on handheld mode, as I've been traveling this past week. Capcom targets and nails a rock-solid 60 FPS, an absolute necessity to properly enjoy the madness that is a fast-paced, combo-heavy game like Devil May Cry 5. There are very slight dips that only those with a keener eye will spot, and as I mentioned, graphically, Capcom made sacrifices that are by no means game-breaking, albeit still noticeable if you've played it on other platforms. Still, it's a testament to how incredibly flexible the RE Engine is when Capcom can port an action game with such incredible performance, yet other developers stick their turn-based RPGs on the system, locked at 30 FPS, and call it a day.
The one major gripe I found was that you can't really pause during cutscenes. Even if you press the Home button and load the game back up, the cinematic will be skipped, and you'll be put right back into gameplay. It's a small issue, but considering many players value the portability of the Switch 2 and want to use it on the go, sometimes you simply have to stop at awkward times.
Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition is the complete package, with the Vergil DLC and a few more trinkets at your disposal right from the get-go. If you haven't played DMC before, there's nothing stopping you from starting with the fifth entry—just don't expect the story to make a lick of sense.
If you're curious about DMC but never played one before, they are what are known as character-action games. Essentially, they are combo-heavy action games where you'll be rewarded for mixing different moves, creating flashy combo chains, and avoiding damage, all while an adrenaline-infusing OST plays in the background.
As per the story, which I don't want to spoil (not that it matters if you've never played DMC before), you'll be able to play with a wide variety of characters, including Nero, Dante, and newcomer V. Then there's Vergil, who was added as a major DLC bonus after the game originally released, and as such I recommend you wait until a normal playthrough to experience.
The story is divided into different stages, making you rotate which characters you take control of. The great thing that makes DMC5 such a fresh experience, even if you've played it before, is how different each character is. Nero, who acts as the de facto protagonist of this entry, has Devil Breakers—special modifiers on his right hand that give him a variety of moves you can use in your combos. They can go from basic projectiles all the way to a Mega Buster or even a banana drill that somehow doesn't break every time he tries to stab a demon with it.
V is like a puppeteer. He's not as nimble or athletic as the other Demon Hunters, but being able to send hordes of beasts and demons to do your dirty work is such a contrast to the high-octane gameplay DMC is usually known for that it works as a perfect palate-cleanser. Of course, there's also a bit of Dante sprinkled in, who is by far my favorite (alongside Vergil), letting you mix different fighting styles in a single combo, going from hand-to-hand and immediately swapping to Cavaliere, Dante's bike that splits into two giant buzzsaws. Yes, it's as cool as it sounds.
The appeal of a game like DMC5 isn't to experience the story or eliminate waves of enemies; it's how you do it. You have a style meter that is designed to constantly push the limits of your skills and creativity. You'll always want to strive for those dopamine-inducing SSS ranks because trying to get them is fun. There are no skill trees per se, although you can acquire new moves, but you're never looking at a progression system that focuses on incremental upgrades, but rather picking what best suits the style of play you want to focus on.
Almost 7 years after its original release, Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition makes it clear that Capcom's action game stands the test of time. Playing on a Nintendo Switch 2 comes with little to no compromises, so if this is your first time experiencing it, know you'll get the real deal and a game worth absolutely every penny.
Stick with us at Gfinityesports.com: your go-to source for all things Capcom.