Since DmC: Devil May Cry was announced to be made by Ninja Theory, the main thing that has interested me was whenever they talked about the new combat system so I figured I’d give the demo a try. Also before I start I’d like to point out at I won’t be giving it any scores because this game is still a work in progress.
The demo itself features two levels for you to try with three difficulties available from the start with the hardest setting named “Son of Sparta” getting unlocked after you clear the two levels once each first. The first level is the level that was shown in the E3 trailer for the game way back in 2010. Here Dante and the female lead are I think going to see Vergil when Dante gets seen by a camera after knocking a drink out of a fat guys hand and keeps getting sent to Limbo where both demons and the world itself is trying to kill him. The level itself is only around 15 minutes long but there are things hidden in the level to find like keys to open doors which are small challenge rooms like getting an S style rank in a certain time limit and there are collectables lost souls to find.
The games combat is based on switching between three different weapons mid-combo to get as high a style rank as possible. Using normal attacks makes Dante attack with rebellion and when you hold LT Dante will attack with his angelic scythe and when you use RT Dante will use his demon axe and of course the angel scythe is faster but weaker than the axe You will also of course have Dante’s two guns Ebony and Ivory as well as the angel and demon version of the whips which besides being used for the platforming sections can also be used in combat either to bring enemies to you or so you can go over to them.
All three of the weapons have a launch attack as well but interestingly along with allowing you to slow down the world Dante’s Devil Trigger, you know the thing that colors his hair white and his jacket blood-red also launches all your enemies into the air. The game also has a levelling up system but you can’t use it in the demo. The one thing at mine curious about is how will unlocking different weapons be handled. It will most likely be where you change your weapons load out before you start the level like in previous DMC games. So far the only other weapon I’ve seen is a shotgun in the games trailers.
The other half of your time in the first half of the demo will be spent platforming so you can either reach the cameras so you can destroy them to move on or to get away from the environment which is currently trying to kill you. The world in this game is just as much your enemy as the demons you’ll be fighting as it will try to crush you or just lengthen your way to the exit while sentences appear on the walls saying things like “Crush Dante” or when you look at a sign and what’s it changes to the opposite when you move the camera.
The platforming itself is pretty standard as you can jump or do a double jump to get to platforms but you also have an angel boost to help get you to out-of-the-way platforms around the level. You will also have to sometimes use the two types of whips to interact with the world to either pull out platforms or the angel one to pull you towards it and yes the parts you can interact with are color coded white and red for which is needed.
The second part of the demo is called Secret Ingredient where Dante fights gaming’s ugliest succubus. The dialog that takes place before the fight can basically be summed up with both Dante and apparently a succubus to be start yelling fuck you at each other because why not. The boss fight itself involves you attacking it/her legs to you can hit it in the head for maximum damage. The boss will also occasionally throw up one the platform you’re on so you’ll have to swing to one of the other two platforms in the area although as the fight goes on the boss will destroy the platform you’re on although she’ll hold the punch long enough for you to get away because she’ll be yelling at Dante.
As the fight goes on Dante will kick her and leave her dangling so you can use the whip to grab the things holding her up and no this thankfully doesn’t involve a quick time event. The boss fight itself is fine. It’s not great or unique with the exception of the boss design but it’s not terrible either and does make me wonder what the other bosses will look like.
So that’s the DmC: Devil May Cry demo and honestly I liked the demo. The combat is fun and easy to learn and the idea of the world itself trying to kill Dante is definitely unique but the boss fight itself is just fine. The demo itself is free to download so I’d suggest giving it a shot especially if you’re not quite sure about the game yet.
