The original Devil May Cry for the PlayStation 2 was one of the best 3D action game for the PS2. Many hailed the game as a "3D game that possess 2D gameplay." The sequel that was released soon after disappointed many fans of the first. Some of the reasons being that the game was too easy, Dante lacked a personality, and the gameplay felt slower. Fortunately, Devil May Cry 3 redeems the series by taking elements from the first game and evolving it to a higher level. It is only fitting that it does this because the game is a prequel to the first.

Graphics
Overall, the graphics are really good. The big improvement it has is with its level designs. It is much more detailed as opposed to Devil May Cry 2's bland uninspired levels. There is also a good combination of large and small open spaces. The framerate is very smooth, I have never experienced any noticable slowdown. The cutscenes in this game are amazing to watch. They are very over the top and stylish (alot of Equilibrium gun kata and Matrix style cutscenes). You will probably want to watch some of
them several times. Enemies and bosses are very nicely designed as well.
9/10










Sound
The music for the game is very fitting. When you are traversing the gothic environments, the music is creepy and ominous. However when the action starts, upbeat rock music starts playing. Although I am not that big of a fan of rock, I have to say it did get me in the mood to kill demons. The voice acting is surprisingly good (Capcom lately seems to be getting their act together in terms of voice acting). The voices suit the characters well.
8.5/10


Gameplay
Combat is the best aspect of the game. The game requires you to have quick reflexes to dodge enemy attacks and to create your own combos if you want to do well. By creating more stylish combos, you will earn more red orbs to upgrade Dante's life, weapons, etc. It introduces a new aspect to the game known as style. There are four basic styles when you start out in the game and two more that you obtain later.
<i>Swordmaster</i> gives Dante extra moves when wielding melee weapons such as a sword, dual swords, a guitar, nunchakus, and gauntlets.
<i>Gunslinger</i> makes Dante more efficient with handguns, a shotgun, a rifle, a beam rifle, and a grenade launcher. It introduces more moves and increases the firing rate.
<i>Trickster</i> emphasizes evasive manuevers such as dashing and running up on walls. A style that is very valuable in boss fights.
<i>Royal Guard</i> is all about defense. By correct timing, Dante can block enemy attacks and then unleash an attack of his own.
Along the way you have puzzles that will help break out the flow of the game abit. None of them are too difficult to solve though. The boss fights are excellent. Unlike Devil May Cry 2
's boss fights, you cannot just stand back and shoot at them. Like most other enemies in the game, the bosses will constantly rush and attack you. Defeating them requires your ability to exploit their weaknesses. Speaking of the difficulty, a lot of people who play this game seem to say that it is extremely hard. I do not really think this is the case. If you are having trouble, go back to previous missions and kill enemies to buy upgrades. The story is actually pretty interesting this time around. The story focuses on Dante's trying to stop his brother, Vergil, from allowing demons to come into the human world. Along the way, he meets other central characters such as a female demon hunter named Lady and a man known as Arkham who is helping Vergil.
10/10


Replay
The game's length is pretty decent for an action game. It is alittle over 10 hours. Of course it will take longer if you die alot so it is dependant on how good you are. You want to play through it several times to unlock all the moves and to upgrade your weapons. But mostly the reason you want to play it more, is because the combat. So you will probably want to play through the game again on the various difificulties.
8.5/10


Overall
9/10
I highly reccomend the game to anyone with an interest in action games.

Looks sweet. Wanna play -and buy- it.

He can fight with a guitar??? I am so getting this game

Love the reviews Cloud

Does he play cool guitar riffs while charging it up for an attack?

Those graphics are pretty ugly. Because it's a PS2 I'd say that would have given them an excuse, but I saw GT4 screenshots.

You betcha. Although sometimes in the middle of a combo, the guitar is turned into a scythe.


The game looks alot better in motion, believe me. The screenshots make the graphics seem a bit more jaggy then it is.