
Devil May Cry 5 is a frontrunner in the race for PlayStation 4’s flashiest game, so it’s no surprise that Capcom’s turning up the style for its PlayStation 5 upgrade. Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition – unlike so many next-gen re-releases – is a premium remaster, so there’s no free PS4 to PS5 path here. Fortunately, the Japanese publisher has incorporated some pretty huge new features and modes, including the addition of fan favourite Vergil as a playable character.
We’ll bring you a full review later this month, but for now we wanted to deliver some very brief first impressions, as we continue to knuckle down with our next-gen coverage. The title includes a multitude of graphics configurations – in fact, you’ll spend a good five minutes upon initially booting the title purely adjusting settings, although you can change any of these later if you like. Among the new options is raytracing, improving the overall look of the title.
Capcom says that its 4K raytracing mode reduces the release’s framerate to 30 frames-per-second, but based on our three to four hours with the campaign thus far, it still feels very responsive even with the advanced graphics technology enabled. There is an option to lower the resolution to 1080p for a better framerate while still keeping raytracing enabled, or you can just shut it off completely for 4K at 60 frames-per-second. Those with a compatible display can even enable a 120Hz option.
We’ve actually been enjoying the game in 4K with raytracing on; as already alluded, the gameplay feels smooth enough for our casual combat skills. Obviously, your mileage may vary. One thing’s for definite: raytracing improves the overall look of every scene. While this is far from the best implementation of the technology we’ve experienced thus far, the title’s drizzly interpretation of London pops with its many reflective lights visible in puddles on the floor.
Other additions to this re-release include a Turbo mode, which presumably is where the 120 frames-per-second mode will come into its own. We’ve been focusing on the new PS5 specific features, however, and there’s undoubtedly superior sound quality made possible by the next-gen console’s Tempest audio processing engine. Pay attention, and you can detect the position of demons through audio alone, which actually aids gameplay.

One feature we’re less sure about is how the title leverages the DualSense controller. The haptic feedback is fine – although obviously not as involved as Astro’s Playroom – but it’s the adaptive triggers that have us scratching our chin. Playing as Nero, one of his mechanics involves charging his sword like you’re revving a motorbike. On the PS5’s pad, this really does feel like you’re twisting a motorbike handle, which in concept is awesome – it’s just difficult to do mid-combat.
It’s a minor niggle overall, though, and we’re generally satisfied with what we’ve played. We reckon the presentation with raytracing enabled is pretty stunning overall, but Capcom’s provided more than enough options for you to tinker with the experience if you want a better framerate. As this is a paid remaster, the title’s true test rests with its new content, and we’ll have a review soon. Based on our first impressions, though, this looks like another sturdy addition to the PS5’s launch lineup.
Is your Devil's Trigger itching to hack through Devil May Cry 5 once again? Set your demon attack dog on us in the comments section below.
Comments 61
I'm excited to see how haptic feedback is used on these titles. Could lead to me opting for PS5 ports over PC.
How I hate this game... stupid story, boring level design, cringy characters and a combat system that demands much more effort to master than the game deserves...
I was extremely disappointed to buy this game even on sale since the glowing reviews made it to be a must-play.
I understand tastes differ, but I really fail to see what can be so generally seen as fantastic in this game. Honestly, DMC was better in term of design and story...
Welcome new improvements, I can't wait to pick this up 👍👍
Never played any of these games, so would the normal Joe be lost picking this game up? Or is it self contained story? Looks great.
@Olmaz haha Vergil go powerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Is $499.99 USD/625.99 CAD the price to pay, for power?
@Olmaz I'm not going to lie, I feel similarly about it so far. (I'd never played it before either!) I actually went and looked up the PS4 version's Metacritic because I feel like I'm playing a different game to other critics.
Probably a good thing I'm not reviewing this one.
@Snick27 There's a recap video if you really want to know the lore, but I think you can play it and allow its nonsense to wash over you.
@Olmaz I suppose if your not into big action games it's not for you- nor if you don't like the normal Devil May Cry storylines. And if you mean the DmC 'reboot' then no, these games aren't for you.
I loved the first half of the game, but the last half, replaying those tight tentacle corridors over and over was incredibly dull.. no amount of ray tracing can fix that... totally unnecessary remaster...
@get2sammyb That's perfectly ok. DMC isn't everyone's cup of tea. It requires a lot more dedication and mastery over its mechanics compared to something like Bayonetta or Metal Gear Rising in my experience
@AllTheReddist I am all for bir action games! I prefer GOW3 than NuGOW, I love Bayonetta and Dante's Inferno, and as I said I find DMC (the "reboot" as you say) very enjoyable.
But in all these games, 2 things always stand out : 1-diversity and originality in the level design / 2-an interesting and well played main character. DMC5 doesn't have either.
A good combat system is expected and not something that will elevate an action game for me. As for storyline, I don't get it : I love weird stories, I love stories about demons and angels and I love horror B-movies or games... but the story in DMC5 is just very uninteresting... to me at least but I manage to generally see what other see, even if I don't agree. But here, I just can't see any of the qualities other people are talking about...
@Olmaz Thanks for the comment. I was on the fence for this as I missed it the first time round, but you've saved me £30. I'm sure it'll be on ps+ eventually and I'll get to try it then.
@Olmaz Sorry but you're just bad at the game if you think DMC 5 of all games has a bad combat system.
@Old-Red You're welcome but beware, I am the outlier here (and apparently, so is @get2sammyb )
So I wouldn't tell you to make your decision just based on my one and only comment, that wouldn't be fair to this game!
I love Devil May Cry 3 and mostly liked 1 and 4 but tbh, couldn’t get more than about 10 hours into 5. I quite liked the gameplay changes but it didn’t grab me and I don’t know why. Maybe this version would help me get into it.
@Nepp67 Have I said that DMC5 has a bad combat system? Can you please show me where as I may have mispoke?
@Nepp67 There's really no need for that. He's articulated his opinion thoughtfully, as have others. It's okay to have an opinion!
@Olmaz Judging from your comment I'll take it that you haven't played DMC1-4 which honestly doing so boosts up DMC5 to a much higher level with the characters. But these kind of over the top games aren't for everyone so I can't blame you for it, but I love it lol
Really enjoyed this game but I am a fan of the originals (not the DmC reboot), I really wanted to platinum this but an S rank on all difficulties was just a step too far for me.
I wont be playing it again on PS5 but it does sound great, it looked great on PS4 Pro so to think it is even better is good news.
@get2sammyb with regards the dual sense I don't understand how a button can replicate a motorbike throttle!?!? Do you have to twist the pad whilst pressing the button or something? Sounds very strange if so!
@Olmaz Sorry man, I misread and was speaking out of bein tired. I still very much disagree with your comment on DMC 5 though. It's clear you enjoy the casual gameplay of the reboot more in comparison to 5 from what I am reading.
@get2sammyb Sorry, my bad
@Olmaz @get2sammyb I feel like there was such community groupthink about DmC (the remake) that the scoring of this game was influenced by the excitement of getting back to the main series.
Having played all the DMC games only after DmC, I must say that the remake (DmC) is much, much better than DMCV or any of the numbered series.
@AllTheReddist I've dabbled long ago in DMC1, and I played DMC3 but wasn't very impressed at the time.
It's not the "over the top" aspect, it is the boring and unoriginal aspect of the game that puts me off. But hey, everyone likes different things and it's good that way!
@Old-Red pretty sure it won't be on ps+, it's like saying you'll make the special edition DOA, it might be on psnow though and I'm still waiting for the game to come there
@Nepp67 No problem, it happens to all of us, I'm just glad its not my English that's being rusty!
My problem with DMC5 is not about the gameplay, but about everything else.
Are you in the opinion that the gameplay in DMC5 is so well above other action games that it balances a bad story, weak characters and bland level design? For me, that would mean completely revolutionary gameplay mechanics that would blow my mind, and frankly I can't see that in DMC5. The gameplay is good (great even when you put some time into it), but it's not enough to balance the rest of the game for me.
@Olmaz No, I find it a 9/10 just because of the characters, story and the gameplay. I love Dante, Nero, Vergil, I love the level design even though it's repetitive. Only issue I have with DMC 5 is Trish and Lady taking a backseat and(as you said) the level design being lackluster.
@Mega-Gazz I went to watch a playthrough of DmC and see if I could get my mind to change after playing it years ago but unfortunately I still hate it, a lot.
@get2sammyb I don't see how anyone can call DMCV boring lol, but I will put my input in it cuz this is something I'm passionate about, it gets into that 'gamepla'y over 'story' debate (style over substance would fit better here I guess) especially since my man sammyb said he doesn't quite 'get it' either.
First off, DMCV level design IS lousy, it's one of the main critiques of the game, alongside loading, and to a lesser extent it's sub-par cookie-cutter story. What it is praised for, and what many of it's shortcomings are ignored for is simple - the combat engine. Mastering Nero, V(although I dislike him) and Dante is basically the equivalent of learning to play a character well in a Street Fighter game. There is a large sense of player agency and accomplishment over simply getting good at the game which excuses or at least overshadows its flaws. You just can't complete DMCV on higher difficulties without understand the combat engine, particularly with Dante and weapons switching.
As for the DMC reboots comparison and its initial negative feedback (it garnered a lot of goodwill with the re-release), it came down to not respecting the essence of what makes DMC adored. The game initially released at 30fps, and while a more causal person might not notice the community that appreciated the gamplay of the series certainly did. Along with other changes like color coded enemies, easier timing on counters, etc... It took away from mastering the combat, and therefore the sense of accomplishment and player agency for doing so. It also rather overtly, Americanized Dante, in a series that's known for being "anime corny". Having a nonsense whacky story is part of the series' history, it may not be everyone's preference, but the story doesn't take itself seriously. It could be improved IMHO with better comedic writers and storytellers, but I overall don't have much issues with it. This is a game with missions after all, not a ND epic.
Hope I helped clear up some of it from the players that much prefer the original installments of the game over what NT did with the IP. I think level design is universally agreed upon to be a weak point, but hopefully with SSD this won't be the case anymore!
@Olmaz I finally got round to playing DMC4 this year and I gave up on it after a few days because it just irritated the heck out of me. Nothing worse than something that thinks it's cool and just isn't. The combat system felt so awkward and outdated as well (to me personally). I really loved DMC1 back in the day, even finished DMD mode on that... but 4 just left me cold. So I was already hesitant about DMC5 and I think your comment has confirmed my suspicions and convinced me to give it a swerve.
I'm quite interested to try out the DMC reboot though (it's in my ridiculously large 'still to play' pile... somewhere...).
While there’s some cheese and ridiculousness to it, the story of DMC3/5 is actually pretty good. There’s a good bit of depth and character development as you look for it. Don’t let the dramatic nature fool you.
Good to hear though, as I pick this up to replace my normal PS4 version. I’ll wait for physical, though.
@Olmaz "Honestly, DMC was better in term of design and story..."
But that was just a side non canon project from an American company, the biggest mistake Ninja Theory did was calling it DmC. It could have succeeded if it was named something else.
If you weren't into the DMC lore which includes the main four games and the anime then I don't know why you bothered with 5 to begin with, V gave the fans more of what they wanted and I certainly was happy.
@olmaz 100% agree. Really wanted to like this game... Had some fun with combat, but the boring story and characters and SUPER bland environments sucked the fun out. Not sure what happened here—Capcom is usually the bomb at designing awesome locations. Maybe they thought we’d be so enamored with the action we wouldn’t notice...
I enjoyed the very first devil may cry when it was still "edgy", but now it's about as cool as Bart Simpson rapping.
DMC understood the Zeitgeist and was unfortunately hated.
Dante offered too many options. V is the best with his sulky disintegrating poet lifestyle. I'm stuck on the boss at the farm or wherever he is. I'd play it again for fast frame rates and Virgil.
@TimeDelayedGamer "Nothing worse than something that thinks it's cool and just isn't."
You nailed it! That's exactly what it looks like to me...
@get2sammyb I have been a huge fan of dmc, since the original title, and was really eager to play the demo of 5, prior to deciding to buy it. Man, what can I say? I still haven't bought it. Somehow, the way it plays just feels totally out of whack with the familiarity and ease that I'm able to play most other arcade, action slashers (and quite competently, too!) The way lock-on, dodging, and a few other mechanics, worked all just felt hindered or a bit overcomplicated.
But then, I had that issue with red dead 2, to start with, so I'm half tempted to revisit this...
@Nepp67 All good!
I usually hate prequels with a passion but I would love another game with DMC3 Dante, my god he was so freaking badass in that game. I would give half my life for DMC3 Part II 🤤
@Omnistalgic the colour coded enemies was really one of the things I hated about that game, as I feel it took away the luxurious aspect of just having fun and creating your own demon-killer style through the myriad of weapons and stances. I felt like dmc 3 really hit a peak for me, and though I still enjoyed 4 greatly, in terms of style, story and mechanics, 3 really nailed it. I had been hoping to pick up 5, but after playing the demo, I just couldn't get into the controls again and felt like there were some things that really set it apart from other, action games, that admittedly, probably use more similar layouts. (L1 block, □ to slash, etc.)
@get2sammyb "I actually went and looked up the PS4 version's Metacritic because I feel like I'm playing a different game to other critics"
You guys gave DMC5 a 9/10 so maybe you can turn your head around ask Robert if he was playing something else by mistake 😂
@Omnistalgic You know what, that was a wonderful post, thank you for that.
If only the "professional" reviewers at the time did their job and described the game as well as you did, I wouldn't have been misled into thinking it was an epic action adventure with good combat mechanics, but a very technical fighting game with a very weak storyline. I completely respect people loving the game for that, and from that point of view, the game is not for me.
Just from this site (and PushSquare's review was part of the better ones, putting a lot more emphasis on the fighting mechanics than other reviewers, even making the same comparison with fighting games) :
Simply put, this is a masterfully designed release, and the pacing is absolutely on-point as well. The game retains the series' traditional structure of cutscene, mission, boss, cutscene, but you're never out of the fight for too long. What's more, the cutscenes themselves raise the bar for the franchise. Don't get us wrong, this is still schlock of the highest order, but Devil May Cry 5 pulls it off with such swagger that you can't help but love every minute. Plenty of games mistake over-the-top craziness for personality, but Devil May Cry 5 has perfected its blend of badass action and unapologetically dumb jokes.
That is not an opinion I can agree with.
Have you ever thought about doing your own game reviews, it seems you'd do quite a great job?
@Olmaz Except while the level design is, simply put, boring, I would argue the game has good story and characters. There's actually quite bit of symbolism and subtle character growth and change in the game. The characters to many of us are, are also just cool. From the moment I saw the swagger Dante had in the opening cutscene of DMC3, I was in love. The story also meant more because I had played the other games, but I'd say it's more of style problem than anything else. You could also argue it's harder to notice the depth with the flash, even though I love how they coexist.
My point is that I wouldn't say reviewers didn't do their job, so much as the story and characters come across differently to them. In fact, if DMC5 had a bad story and didn't do the character justice, then I'd be a bit upset about it and it'd bring the whole game down for me.
@Olmaz I love dmcv but I can definitely understand how some things put you off. What do you enjoy about bayonetta?
@Jaz007 I get that opinions can be very different, and most of the time I can understand why other people think a certain way, even if I don't agree with them. That's my job as a teacher, so yeah, I'm used to that.
But with DMC5, I can't manage it. That's on me I guess, but when I look at the main 3 characters, I see :
I get that other people will see them differently, and I'm sure that if you've followed the franchise very closely, you won't see the flaws I see in them, but it's a hard pill to swallow for me.
It reminds me of people praising Atreus in NuGOW when he was, in my opinion, an unsufferable brat from beginning to end.
But I guess everyone sees something different in every character, let's just at least admit that the ones of DMC5 are divisive...
@ronb44 So what I like about Bayonetta :
@TheFrenchiestFry @Omnistalgic @Olmaz Hi there fellow gamers. It has been very interesting reading your comments regarding DMC5 as well as the other DMC games.
When I first saw the original game on PS2 all I could think about was:"this games ozzes style in every way".
It was over the top, brass, nonsencical and awesome at the same time. I mean you can use SWORDS and GUNS. How cool is that right?
This series has ahd it´s ups and downs and many fans consider DmC the black sheep of the family. they are wrong. That title belongs to DMC2. Now that is a bad, bad game. The only redemable thing? Having a second playble character
(bring Lucia back Capcom. Do it) with a different route that dante. Kinda like the original RE2 on PSone.
DMC5 was a comeback to the mainline series and fans of the characters loved every second of it(myself included).
It is like watching an anime. And maybe that is why some people dislike it.
As for DmC, I thought it was a pretty good game. You can do some really crazy air combos like never before and I loved the whole Limbo thing with the scenario shifting and changing to either attack or prevent Dante form progressing in the game.
Personal highlights: the disco level and the newscaster Boss fight. So good.
Bayonetta is another game in the same vein as DMC.
Crazy, over the top, super sexy(it is a japanese game mind you), weird, but interesting level design, as well as the enemies and Bosses and the best part for me, as a SEGA fan, all the references they make.
That´s my two cents on the matter that you guys just compelied me to write.
Cheers, stay safe out there and happy gaming to us all
@RaZieLDaNtE DmC honestly isn't that bad
The story was terrible and bastardized a lot of the established character traits for both Dante and especially Vergil, but in terms of gameplay I honestly like it more than DMC4
@Olmaz Honestly not to discredit those points but they kind of elicit exactly why people like DMC so much. Bayonetta was even made by staff members from the first three games
@Olmaz Couldn't that be said a loooot about DMC? Especially the last point about not taking itself too seriously?
@Juanalf Aren't Ninja Theory a UK based company? I thought they were just down the road from me in Cambridge.
@Olmaz The characters are more dramatic. V being like that fits the story, and there's symbolism behind all of that and it fits the over the top style of cool the series.
Nero was actually the punk emo kid lol.
I guess Dante isn't your thing, but again, it's all about the over the top nature of it. How much Dante doesn't take it seriously its what makes it so great. You may think of him as Uncle Joe, but the rest of us are happy that he never grew up like that. He's still acting like he's 20 lol.
Your interpretation of Bayonetta is largely whypeople like DMC in a nutshell honestly. One of the praises give it is that it reminds them of DMC, for the reasons you listed and liked.
I think I would put it down to cultural differences, some people don't like anime for those differences., what you mentioned.
@Jaz007 Just for clarification : I love anime in general, and shônen especially, so that isn't the "anime" side of DMC that rubs me off the wrong way.
But for the rest, I guess there is a fine line between "over-the-top cool" and "just plain ridicule", and that line is not at the same place for everyone. To me, Dante from DmC is cool, and Nero from DMC5 is ridicule, but in the end, it doesn't really matter.
In conclusion, I'm glad that the people that enjoyed DMC5 get an even better version of it on PS5, and I hope for myself that games like Bayonetta or GOW (the old ones) will flourish on that console too, so everyone is happy at the end!
@Nepp67 Well, I can't speak about the previous entries, since I either haven't played them, or quite a long time ago, but to me DMC5 takes itself too seriously. It doesn't say : "ok guys, let's get crazy in a way you've never seen before", but instead screams : "look at how cool I am" all the time. As I've just said in another comment, that's a fine line, and not the same line for everyone I guess.
But in the end, I'm happy for anyone who liked DMC5 that you're getting a new shinier and better version of it, enjoy!
@Olmaz Gotcha, nevermind on that theory then lol. We could fight over that DmC comment, but nah, it's all good 😂
DMC seems to have that polarizing effect a bit. Good talk!
@Panic_Attache You're right my fault. Anyway people should move on from DmC as there will never make another one. It's in the same pile as Resident Evil Raccoon City, a nice little side experiment that was a one off.
Stopped playing it on PS4. I got sick of sitting around waiting on loading screens.
Played this not long ago on the one s. Absolutely nuts game, insanely ridiculous moves but at the same time, great fun. Will be looking to get this eventually on the ps5.
@Olmaz Thanks! my pleasure, and yeah I've always liked writing, but never really committed to anything. In today's Youtube age and everyone having masters in journalism, I'm not sure I would stand out in any way lol.
@Jaz007 Good talk indeed, I'm so glad we all managed to have it without resorting to insult or aggressivity. I love it when people disagree about what they're passionate about, and that just shows how incredibly lucky we are today as gamers with so many diverse games of superb quality.
@Olmaz who the heck plays these games for the story?
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