Devil May Cry HD Collection
- March 12, 2018
- CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
- 13h median play time
Dante is back, with his floppy hair, big sword and flair. Arguably some of the best games ever made finally appear on one disc. An HD collection well worth having
The Devil May Cry HD Collection includes the first three games in the series, where you play as the demon hunter Dante, battling against various enemies and bosses in stylish action-packed combat. Each game features unique characters, moves, and abilities, with the third game introducing Dante's twin brother Vergil and customizable combat styles. Experience the series' signature over-the-top action in high definition and smooth 60fps gameplay.
Reviews
- story802 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The "story" aspect of the Devil May Cry series receives mixed reviews across its titles. While Devil May Cry 1 is noted for its engaging yet simple narrative that introduces iconic characters like Dante, it suffers from minimal storytelling and clunky presentation. Devil May Cry 2 is widely criticized for its lack of a coherent plot and character development, making it the weakest entry in terms of story. In contrast, Devil May Cry 3 is praised for its rich narrative, character depth, and the compelling sibling rivalry between Dante and Vergil, establishing it as the standout title in the series for its storytelling. Overall, while the series emphasizes gameplay, the narrative quality varies significantly, with DMC3 being the most well-received for its story.
“The story is really good, Dante's personality in DMC 3 is one of the best things in the game, and now we meet his brother, Vergil.”
“DMC 3 is easily the best game in this bundle, sometimes it shows its age but not as much as the previous two, great story, Dante's moveset, extra weapons, and styles are super fun.”
“Devil May Cry 3 has come to define the modern story of DMC, and with the help of exceptional scenario design, it creates an endearing, yet somewhat complex tale of two brothers fighting for power.”
“Dante's personality is stripped away; he gets like 1 good line, it's way too easy with enemy AI being lobotomized, and most of the story makes no sense.”
“The second title is the worst in the series as there is little to nothing that matters in the story.”
“The story is absolutely predictable, cheesy, and I can't help but smile every cutscene I watch.”
- gameplay456 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay across the Devil May Cry series is characterized by its fast-paced, stylish hack-and-slash mechanics, with DMC3 often hailed as the pinnacle of the franchise due to its dynamic combat system and depth. While DMC1 retains a nostalgic charm despite some dated mechanics, DMC2 is generally criticized for its lackluster gameplay. Overall, the series offers a rewarding experience for players who enjoy mastering complex combat systems, though newcomers may find the learning curve steep, particularly in the earlier titles.
“Dmc3 is easily one of the best games in this collection, both in terms of story and gameplay.”
“Dmc3 is truly one of the video games of all time: presentation, pacing, gameplay, music, characters arcs.”
“The gameplay is solid and combat is already complex and has a lot of room for experimenting and progression.”
“The gameplay was bad, the music was okay and most bosses were annoying to fight.”
“Some of the levels are so confusing to traverse the first time and the mechanics are dated.”
“The gameplay is a jarring departure from the first, the story is forgettable, and it has a very bland design for the world you explore.”
- music243 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the Devil May Cry series is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting the soundtracks as exceptional and integral to the gaming experience. Particularly, Devil May Cry 3 is frequently noted for its standout tracks that resonate even outside of gameplay, while earlier titles like Devil May Cry 1 and 2 also feature memorable music, albeit with some criticisms regarding diversity and quality. Overall, the soundtracks are described as energetic, atmospheric, and perfectly suited to the game's intense action, contributing significantly to the franchise's appeal.
“The soundtrack is absolutely amazing; I can't believe a game from 2001 was able to produce such a masterpiece soundtrack.”
“DMC3 is truly one of the video games of all time: presentation, pacing, gameplay, music, character arcs.”
“The soundtrack is full of absolute bangers, and most importantly, the combat is breathing with a lot more depth.”
“The music accompanying the fighting is really weird and sometimes it breaks the atmosphere.”
“If you buy this 'HD' collection then you're basically ruining half of your experience by listening to the lowest quality version of these soundtracks ever made; I'm serious, it's so bad that the original PS2 versions from 20 years ago are of noticeably higher quality.”
“The story is even worse than DMC's story and yet it has lost all its atmosphere, soundtrack and even Dante as a character is just dull and poor.”
- graphics223 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics in the "Devil May Cry" collection show a mix of nostalgia and dated visuals, with some players appreciating the slight enhancements and higher resolution support, while others note that the improvements are minimal and the games still exhibit the limitations of their original PS2-era graphics. Many reviews highlight the charm of the original art style and atmosphere, but also point out various graphical issues and a lack of significant remastering, leading to a consensus that while the gameplay remains enjoyable, the visuals may not meet modern expectations. Overall, the collection is seen as a nostalgic experience, with graphics that are adequate for fans but may disappoint those seeking contemporary standards.
“The enhanced graphics breathe new life into the stylish action of the original titles, while the seamless transition between games provides a cohesive and engaging experience.”
“The graphics look really good and they have improved quite a bit and they fit the theme for Devil May Cry.”
“Despite a few problems with the HD remaster of Devil May Cry 1, including some graphical glitches, this contains the definitive DMC experience for PC players interested in the first three games.”
“The graphics of the game aren't bad; it doesn't lag, but you can tell you're playing a game from decades ago.”
“The graphics looked outdated, yet the structure and composition of the scenes were phenomenal.”
“The only disappointing points about this game are the graphical errors that didn't transfer well when doing the HD collection.”
- humor94 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the "Devil May Cry" series, particularly in "Devil May Cry 3," is widely praised for its sarcastic and over-the-top nature, with Dante's goofy personality and witty one-liners providing a comedic contrast to the intense action. Players appreciate the blend of humor with engaging storytelling, memorable characters, and absurd scenarios, making the experience both entertaining and enjoyable. While earlier titles like "DMC1" and "DMC2" have their moments of humor, they are often described as more primitive, with some aspects being humorously bad rather than intentionally funny.
“Devil May Cry 3 is the best regarding the humor of the DMC series; the story is good, and Dante is at his peak.”
“Dante's personality is far more goofy this time, but he genuinely made me laugh.”
“These games are action-packed and filled to the brim with funny, quirky humor.”
- atmosphere81 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the Devil May Cry series, particularly in the first game, is widely praised for its gothic design, eerie ambiance, and strong ties to its Resident Evil origins. Reviewers highlight the game's unique ability to create a haunting and immersive experience, enhanced by a compelling soundtrack and diverse enemy design. While later installments like DMC3 offer improved gameplay, they often lack the atmospheric depth that defines the original, making DMC1 a standout in the franchise.
“The music, combining an orchestral score, dark ambient soundscapes, heavy guitars, and trance or breakbeat beats, adds to the atmosphere of both mystery and intensity.”
“Dmc1 has an oppressive horror atmosphere that gets only scarier the more the game goes on.”
“The atmosphere and level design also deserve praise as they're top notch here, probably the best in the series honestly.”
“To be fair, the series itself moved away from horror and none has captured that atmosphere again.”
“The camera is fixed, often restricting you from seeing what you are doing or where the enemies are; the movesets are limited and not as stylish, music accompanying the fighting is really weird and sometimes it breaks the atmosphere.”
“A window-dressing story that was still entertaining became practically nonexistent, the enclosed areas that made the enemy and boss encounters in the original so frantic and fun were massively opened up, which leads to a ton of empty space, the atmosphere of the original became nothing more than brown and drab environments.”
- replayability47 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is highly praised, with many reviewers noting its depth, skill ceiling, and variety of gameplay mechanics that encourage multiple playthroughs. Despite some criticisms regarding certain titles in the series, the majority highlight the engaging combat, diverse character styles, and the challenge of higher difficulty levels as key factors contributing to its significant replay value. Titles like DMC3 are particularly noted for their exceptional replayability, making them standout entries in the collection.
“This game's replayability combined with its high skill ceiling and difficulty creates a masterpiece you can pump multiple hours into, which is impressive considering the game only has twenty missions.”
“The fighting styles mechanic really adds to the game, as it improves the replayability.”
“DMC3 especially has insane replayability.”
“Awful story, cheesy lines, basic combat, horrible camera angle, too easy to beat, short, and no replay value.”
“For DMC 1 there isn't a lot of replayability though, so you probably won't play that much, and DMC 2 is the same way.”
“Trust me, they split 1 game into 2 discs and by doing so they had to move half the story to the 2nd disc, thus the no story whatsoever in disc 1 and even in disc 2 there is no story and the missions are just reversed replayable missions of the main campaign or disc 1.”
- optimization45 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game collection has received mixed reviews, with many users criticizing the implementation of DRM that negatively impacts performance, causing stuttering and crashes, particularly on the Steam Deck. While some players report smooth performance and good optimization for certain titles, others highlight significant issues with older games, leading to a recommendation against purchasing the collection due to its poor optimization and lack of mod support. Overall, the experience varies widely, with some enjoying stable performance while others encounter frustrating technical problems.
“Overall very enjoyable experience, no stuttering and didn't see any port over bugs.”
“This compilation is well-optimized and ran without any caveats with a couple of minor inaccuracies in DMC1 here and there.”
“From my experience it was perfectly optimized, not even one time framerate dropped below 60fps.”
“Game performance is garbage now.”
“This DRM causes performance issues, crashes, and has broken Steam Deck support on some games.”
“The collection just happens to be poorly optimized for the PC platform.”
- stability30 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
Overall, the stability of the game collection is mixed, with many users reporting minor bugs and glitches, particularly with Devil May Cry 2 and 3, which can lead to freezes and crashes. While some players experienced smooth gameplay with no major issues, others noted significant problems, especially when using certain hardware configurations. Despite these inconsistencies, many still found the games enjoyable and playable, particularly for fans of the series.
“Runs great in '23, the graphics don't go in expecting great visuals, part 3 has the better graphics but these games are old and it shows, great for nostalgia though.”
“They are ports directly from consoles, it runs great with Windows 10, but there are not many things to customize in the options and I found 1 'bug' so far (alt+tab makes the game stop working for me).”
“Runs great, just as smooth as on Xbox 360 or PS2.”
“It also has some magic ritual you need to complete if you simply want to exit the game and it freezes when alt+tabbing out.”
“DMC2 just freezes and can't be played.”
“I have been able to complete the original Devil May Cry with little to no issue, have not tried Devil May Cry 2, and have had numerous crashes and freezes with Devil May Cry 3 which has led to me not yet being able to complete it.”
- grinding28 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring multiple playthroughs to achieve full character development and unlock all achievements. While some appreciate the challenge it presents, many express frustration with repetitive combat and the need for extensive grinding to progress, leading to a sense of boredom and tedium. Overall, grinding is seen as a necessary but unenjoyable part of the experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“However, since the combat is repetitive and slow, it gets tedious and boring really quick.”
“Grinding through boring easy difficulties is ridiculously time consuming and boring.”
“Most of the achievements are grindy and require 3-4 playthroughs per game and can get tiresome.”
- emotional26 mentions
- 96 % positive mentions
- -8 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game series is highlighted by strong character development and impactful storytelling, particularly in the interactions between Dante and Vergil, which evoke deep feelings of empathy and sadness. Players express a range of emotions, from joy and nostalgia to frustration and disappointment, with some titles eliciting tears due to their poignant moments and character arcs. While some entries, like DMC2, are criticized for lacking emotional depth, others, especially DMC3, are praised for their ability to resonate with players on a personal level.
“I expected a strong sidekick with her own personality, values, and reasons to be there, yet also shows emotional sensitivity, leading to the most touching moments of the game.”
“The story of this game is actually pretty good and takes advantage of its simplicity, providing two emotionally strained characters in Dante and the rival twin Vergil who are both coping with their mother's murder in entirely different ways.”
“Story: one of the best in the series, it's simple brother vs brother stuff we've heard of since Cain and Abel, but the context surrounding it and the character interactions really helps it feel emotionally impactful.”
“The story felt flat and uninspired, lacking any emotional depth.”
“I found the puzzles to be tedious, which detracted from any emotional engagement.”
“Overall, the game failed to evoke any real feelings or connections with the characters.”
- character development17 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 12 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Character development in the series varies significantly across titles, with "Devil May Cry 3" praised for its intense character arcs, particularly Dante's rivalry with Vergil, while "Devil May Cry 2" is criticized for its lack of depth and engaging story. The reboot is noted for improved character development and storytelling, contrasting with earlier entries that often prioritized style over substance. Overall, while character designs are consistently lauded, the narrative and character growth are hit or miss throughout the series.
“DMC3 is personally my favorite as Dante's character development is intense and his rivalry with Vergil is at its peak.”
“This game is a masterclass of action games with great story and character development.”
“The DMC reboot has better combat, better (although more forgiving) rating system, better story, actual character development, much better level design and platforming.”
“No interesting story or character development, no interesting weapon concepts or combo tools, no cool characters that are introduced in that game--literally just skip it.”
“There's so little in the way of plot or character development (Dante probably has 4 sentences of dialogue, total) that you just speed by everything and it ultimately ends.”
“The DMC reboot has better combat, better (although more forgiving) rating system, better story, actual character development, much better level design and platforming, with the only downside being Dante looking like a garbage can - which is why some fans berate it.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy has been criticized as a cash grab, with users expressing frustration over the focus on selling skins and microtransactions at the expense of modding and overall game quality. Many feel that the effort put into these monetization tactics is minimal and detrimental to the gaming experience.
“Do not support this anti-consumer company; they want to destroy modding to sell you skins and microtransactions!”
“Anyway, it feels like a cheap cash grab that the least amount of effort was put into.”
“Do not support Capcom's lazy attempt at a cash grab.”
Critic Reviews
Devil May Cry HD Collection Review
Dante is back, with his floppy hair, big sword and flair. Arguably some of the best games ever made finally appear on one disc. An HD collection well worth having
80%Devil May Cry HD Collection Review – 66.6% Quality
Devil May Cry HD Collection is one of the most lackadaisical remasters that I’ve ever played – featuring little improvements on the same collection that released for older consoles back in 2012. That being said, the sheer strength of the games included (Devil May Cry 2 notwithstanding) and the modest asking price still make it a more than viable way to experience these games before an inevitable sequel.
70%Devil May Cry HD Collection Review
Available on Xbox One, PS4 (version tested) Devil May Cry deserves better. Six years ago, Capcom delivered Xbox 360 and PS3 remasters of the classic brawler trilogy. The visual upgrades were minimal, bar a hike in resolution to 780p, while the three games came complete with fuzzy 4:3 ratio video sequences, ugly pixelated fonts, and blotchy low-res textures throughout.
60%