In this series, we talk about some of the older games from a variety of years. These games might have been forgotten, considered classics or one of our personal favorites. Very rarely do we talk about a game that might not be remembered so fondly. There is a first time for everything, as we take a look at a misfire from Capcom and Ninja Theory. DMC: Devil May Cry was a reboot or a reimagining of the series, and the result was nothing anyone really wanted.
In an alternative universe, Dante lives in Limbo City. The humans of this world are being controlled by unseen demons. Dante is attacked and dragged to Limbo where the demons primary reside. Aided by a mysterious woman named Kat, Dante escapes and is introduced to Virgil. Virgil explains that his Order will destroy the demons, especially Mundus, and free the humans. Dante joins up, learning more about his history and his connection to Virgil.
Remakes and reimagining are fine. Sometimes a series needs something new to restart the franchise. The problem with DMC is that no one was really asking for the series to get a makeover. The adventures of Dante was still a strong seller. So why the order to do something different? From all the data out there, Capcom decided that Devil May Cry 4 did not sell as well as it could. A redo was thought to bring Dante and company to the next level. The problem with this is that the series had a story that was being advanced with every installment. This redo would have stopped the story.
DMC also changed how the characters looked and how the game played. Dante became a younger man with black hair and a much more reserved attitude. Most people went crazy over the redesign and not in a good way. I had no problem with it. My main problem was the game changed how it was played. Things became much more simple in regards to fighting. Devil May Cry was built with a very sharp learning curve and the game became much easier. Added to the fact the game was a little short to begin with and you had a recipe for disaster.
DMC was a wash in all respects. Critics loved the game, fans not so much. Sold well, did not meet expectations. Did not take the series to the next level. everyone involved still works in the industry. This is one of those rare tales where it could have destroyed a series and the people involved, but everyone walked away pretty unscathed. It serves as a tale that just because you can do something, does not mean you should.
