With the Netflix Devil May Cry anime coming out soon, fans wonder if they should go back and play the first game. Capcom had the foresight to release HD versions of these PS2 games on modern consoles so fans could replay them all—yes, even the underrated DmC and the terrible Devil May Cry 2.
Since the hype for this anime is pretty high, does the PS2 original hold up?
Mostly.
Released in 2001, the original Devil May Cry was a spectacle and gave fans a major shock to the system. Compared to other games released on PS2 then, none had the style or cool factor this Capcom experience had. No other game could match its addictive combat with arcade-style scores or the amazing gothic setting it went for.
The combat remains incredibly fun to this day, and fans should probably pick it up. Some camera angles for this spectacle fighter can be annoying, but slashing your enemies into the air and shooting them never gets old. That became my go-to combo for every game in this series, including the amazing fifth entry.
Devil May Cry’s bosses are also pretty great; from the lava-spewing spider at the beginning to the mysterious Nelo Angelo, they all put up a fight. Some boss fights, like the final battle against Mundus, can be frustrating, but that’s part of the challenge. Everything related to the combat is great, and it’s easy to see why this franchise has continued to focus on that aspect.
Funnily enough, the game’s campy writing has also aged decently, especially in our more irony-loving society. Everyone loves how Dante melodramatically screams, “I should have been the one to fill your dark soul with light!” when he thinks Trish is going to die. Corny quips like “Jackpot!” are also great, and that one essentially became Dante’s catchphrase.
Sadly, the Resident Evil-style puzzles and exploration haven’t aged as well. Fun fact: this game was originally pitched to Capcom as Resident Evil 4 but was seen as too much of a departure from the horror franchise. While this series became its own thing, some of the older Resident Evil DNA can feel like padding. I don’t want to return to rooms and get keys; just let me slash monsters.
Another annoying aspect of the original Devil May Cry is that some odd gameplay changes were made near the end. In one level, we get an awkward underwater first-person shooting sequence and a shoot-em-up sequence right before the final boss. These segments don’t play as well, especially since the combat is so good.
Luckily, future entries would learn a lot from this game, ditching some more annoying aspects. Granted, the second game is trash and tried too hard to appease everyone, but the third, fourth, and fifth games focused a lot on challenging combat. Sure, some collecting and exploration were mandatory, but they were easier to focus on, thanks to improved controls.
Even if some of the sequels are better, the original Devil May Cry does hold up in its own right. The graphics might be dated, but its art style keeps it looking good. Combat is just as addictive as in the superior sequels. Some puzzles and exploration can be annoying, but fans should push through that to experience this classic.
If you’re excited about that new anime, check out the original Devil May Cry. The HD version is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Fans could skip to the third game since that’s a prequel, and the anime will likely follow that story, but the first entry is worth a revisit, flaws and all.