WayTooManyGames’ 2019 Game of the Year was Capcom’s Devil May Cry 5, a triumphant return to form for the franchise. Even though I’m in the minority that still believes that Ninja Theory’s DmC: Devil May Cry was actually a pretty freaking good game, I couldn’t help but love being able to play as OG Dante and my actual favorite character, Nero, once again. Not to mention being audio/visually blasted with ludicrous set pieces and one of the sexiest metal soundtracks in gaming history. To my surprise, Devil May Cry 5 was actually being planned as a launch title for the PS5 as well. In the shape of a definitive edition of sorts, with graphical improvements and more gameplay-related content. Let’s see if Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition is worthy of said name, or if you should just stick to playing the PS4 version on your next-gen console.

Unlike my previous review of the PS5 version of DIRT 5, there is more to Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition than just pretty visuals and better performance. Sure, ray tracing is a welcoming feature and the option to run the game at 120fps is great if you can afford a TV that actually features said frequency, but if you want to pick this game up, it’s not for the graphical enhancements. Let’s be honest, you’re here for something else. You’re here for the brand new modes and the chance to play as fan favorite Vergil once again.

Playing as Vergil is, well, amazing! As expected, he is stupidly overpowered, starting out with two types of sword, as well as Nero’s Devil Arm from Devil May Cry 4. He also has a basic long-range attack meant to extend your combo streak, and two amazing powers. He can teleport towards the enemy you’re currently locked on, making an already stupidly fast-paced combat system feel even faster, and conjure a clone for a few moments, essentially doubling your damage output. More combos and abilities can be unlocked later through Vergil’s journey, but that’s his core gameplay. For as much as I love playing as Nero, and for as much as I love Dante’s Michael Jackson-esque hat, I actually think that Vergil features the best combat system in this entire game. He does not feature the best campaign, however.

Vergil’s campaign is short and almost completely devoid of a story or cutscenes. You’re not going to see crazy set pieces like the ones featured in the main campaign with Nero, Dante, and Sassy Kylo Ren. His campaign feels like an afterthought of sorts at times. The other addition included in this version is the return of the Legendary Dark Knight mode from Devil May Cry 4. In theory, it’s almost the same thing as the game’s normal Hard Mode, but with more enemies onscreen. And by that, I mean A LOT more enemies onscreen, all of them dealing more damage than usual. Do you want to turn your Devil May Cry experience into a borderline Dynasty Warriors knockoff, all while testing how many enemies your PS5 can render at once? Legendary Dark Knight is the mode for you.

Besides these new modes and the next-gen graphical improvements, this is, by and large, the same fantastic game from 2019. Nero’s brand new look and attitude are as amazing as before. Dante’s arsenal of weapons is as stupid as it has always been. V is still the controversial new character that some hate, while others, myself included, love. “Devil Trigger” is still one of the best theme songs in video gaming history. Finally, the level of replayability is still off the charts.

While Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition can easily be considered the definitive edition of this masterpiece of a game due to its improved visuals and amount of content, I don’t think that everything that has been added here elevates the game to a new scale that makes it become a fully-fledged next-gen game. As it stands, this is a stupidly gorgeous PS4 game receiving a few new buffs due to the PS5’s hardware, but it’s still the same Devil May Cry 5 from 2019, through and through. It’s still one of the, if not the best hack ‘n’ slash games ever made, however. It’s still the same over-the-top madness I fell in love with last year, so it’s still well worth your time. A worthy launch title for the PS5, that’s for certain.

 

Graphics: 8.5 Even though it received neat little buffs in the shape of ray tracing and a 120fps mode, this is basically the same game released last year for Xbox One and PS4. Pretty gorgeous for the time, but I am more than sure that isn’t everything the PS5’s hardware is capable of.	Gameplay: 10 Vergil’s combat might actually be the most entertaining out of the four playable characters. The silky smooth framerate is even more stable in next-gen hardware.
Sound: 10 The same soundtrack from before, with the addition of a brand new theme for Vergil. What was already fantastic is now even better, if you can believe that.	Fun Factor: 9.0 While the core game is still phenomenal, the Legendary Dark Knight mode isn’t exactly that impressive. Playing as Vergil is incredibly fun, even if his story is lacking when it comes to crazy cutscenes. All in all, it’s still Devil May Cry 5. It’s still one of the, if not the best hack ‘n’ slash games ever made.
Final Verdict: 9.0

Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition is available now on PS5 and Xbox Series S/X

Reviewed on PS5.

A copy of Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition was provided by the publisher.