Overview
Devil May Cry 5 launched on March 8, 2019, developed by Capcom's Development Division 1 using the RE Engine, the same technology behind Resident Evil 2's remake. The result is a game that looks genuinely striking, with photorealistic character models and lighting that holds up years after release. More than a visual upgrade, though, DMC5 represents a return to the mainline continuity after the divisive DmC reboot, picking up five years after the events of Devil May Cry 4.
The story follows three warriors with demonic abilities: Nero, Dante, and a new character named V. The Demon King Urizen has unleashed a massive demonic tree on Red Grave City, and the three hunters arrive with very different agendas and very different ways of fighting. V is the wildcard here, a frail man with a walking cane who summons familiars to fight on his behalf, making him play nothing like the other two. The narrative ties directly into Devil May Cry 2's plot threads, so longtime fans will find plenty to chew on.
Gameplay and mechanics: how does the combat actually work?
Devil May Cry 5's combat system is built around style ratings. The game grades your performance in real time, pushing players to chain attacks, weapons, and abilities without taking hits or repeating moves. Each character demands a completely different approach to hit those S and SSS ranks.
Key mechanics across the three characters:
- Nero uses the Devil Breaker prosthetic arm for grabs, counters, and ranged attacks
- Dante cycles between four combat styles and a wide weapon arsenal including the Cavaliere motorcycle
- V commands three familiars (Griffon, Shadow, Nightmare) and delivers finishing blows personally
- All three characters share the same style-rating system
- The game supports online co-op for up to 3 players in certain missions
Nero's Devil Breaker system is particularly inventive. Nico, his engineer, builds him interchangeable mechanical arms with wildly different functions. Some pull enemies in, others fire energy blasts, and one turns his arm into a rocket. The arms break after heavy use, which forces players to manage their loadout mid-combat rather than relying on a single tool.
Dante, meanwhile, has access to four combat styles (Swordmaster, Gunslinger, Trickster, Royal Guard) that can be switched on the fly, plus a roster of weapons that expands throughout the game. Getting fluent with Dante takes real time investment, which is part of why the game structures his missions later in the campaign.
Visual and audio design
The RE Engine does serious work here. Character faces are modeled after real actors, and the lighting in Red Grave City gives the demon-infested streets a genuinely oppressive atmosphere. The game runs at 60 frames per second on base hardware, and the Special Edition on PS5 and Xbox Series X pushes to 120fps with ray tracing options.
The soundtrack leans heavily into metal, with each character getting their own musical theme that dynamically intensifies as your style rating climbs. Nero's "Devil Trigger" became something of a meme after release, which says a lot about how well it works in context.
Content and replayability
Beyond the main campaign, Devil May Cry 5 includes the Bloody Palace, a 101-floor survival gauntlet that serves as the game's primary endgame challenge. The Special Edition adds Vergil as a fourth playable character, bringing his own distinct moveset and a new campaign segment. The game also supports online Void missions where up to three players can team up across certain story chapters.
The style-rating system naturally drives replayability. Missions are graded and replayable from the menu, and chasing SSS ranks on higher difficulties like Son of Sparda or Dante Must Die is a completely different experience from the base campaign playthrough.
Devil May Cry 5 is available on PlayStation, Xbox, PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. The Special Edition, which includes Vergil and the enhanced performance modes, is available on PS5 for $39.99.
Devil May Cry 5 is one of the strongest entries in the hack-and-slash genre, and arguably the best the series has ever been. Three distinct combat systems, a story that pays off years of franchise continuity, and a style-rating framework that rewards mastery make it worth playing whether you're new to demon hunting or a longtime fan. The RE Engine visuals and metal soundtrack are just bonuses on top of a game that already knows exactly what it wants to be.
