Devil May Cry – Switch | Review

By Jordan Demoulpied
| 4th July 2019
| Review, Switch
| 0

In August this year, Devil May Cry will be 18 years old. Here in the UK, that means it’s old enough to buy cigarettes, buy alcohol and get a tattoo. What DMC has decided to do instead is allow itself to be played on the Nintendo Switch, with the help of Capcom, how thoughtful of them.

This is Dante’s first time on a Nintendo platform, so where better place to start than his first appearance. You play as Dante, a fresh young demon hunter who also happens to be the son of a demon and possess demonic powers. You are hired by Trish (Who looks like she’s from The Matrix films) to stop a dangerous Demon named Mundus, that wishes to return to the human world. All the action takes place in a Gothic castle on Mallet Island, you’ll slay demons, collect keys and defeat bosses all to put a stop to the king of the underworlds plans.

Devil May Cry’s combat is the star of this demonic show, although sequels and other games in a similar vein to DMC have vastly improved the combat since this game, this was the starting point of it all. It’s stylish use of combos allow for some lovely sequences to unfold, how Dante can easily go from slashing demons to juggling them with his pistols is still a sight to behold. Keep that combo going to earn a ‘Stylish’ ranking, which will help achieve the best rank at the end of each mission. Boss battles really allow you to show off your combat skills, to which this game has a few and are easily some of the best moments in the game. While not as developed as the rest of the franchise, the combat is still impactful especially when combined with the games punchy metal soundtrack.

Due to the fact that Devil May Cry started life as a Resident Evil title, you’ll notice a lot of similarities between the two, from the collection of keys to progress through the castle, various backtracking and the puzzles Dante encounters along the way. It does add up to a very atmospheric surrounding, the castle itself is filled with strange paintings and alters, you’ll have plenty of time to explore without feeling forced to continue.

As with the original Resident Evil games, DMC is plagued by it’s fixed camera angles. Although it was serviceable back in its original release, today not so much. Camera switches would often have my plough Dante into the nearest wall, or worse yet, back the way I came. I did eventually get over it, but it did add some unnecessary challenge to an already tough game.

Final Impressions

Although this Switch port is bare-bones and highlights the uglier side of this classic, I still enjoyed my return to Dante’s adventures.

It performs at a solid 60fps, and from what I could tell no technical hiccups what so ever. Capcom is doing a tremendous job in supporting the Switch with their games, I just hope we get to see more of Dante soon…and maybe the first Dead Rising.

*Code kindly provided by the publisher for review*

Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom
Release date: 25/06/19
Platforms: Switch (eShop)
Platform Reviewed: Switch