Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition Review – Back in Style

When Devil May Cry 4 launched in 2008, it quickly became a fan favorite and a critical success. Now, after rebooting the franchise with DmC: Devil May Cry, Capcom is giving players a more traditional Devil May Cry experience with Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition. With additional modes, new playable characters, and upgraded visuals, Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition is the definitive version of the game – and it’s worth picking up if you’re a fan of fast, stylish hack and slash action.

The basic elements that make up the story mode of Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition aren’t too different from those found in the original game – across twenty missions, you’ll destroy countless hordes of demons, take down monstrous bosses, and uncover the mysteries of the Order of the Sword as Nero and Dante. What’s new here, though, is the ability to play through the game as characters other than Nero and Dante – you can play through the game as Lady and Trish or as Vergil. Depending on which characters you choose for your playthrough, you’ll see different cutscenes that, when put together, further explain the story of Devil May Cry 4. However, just as in the original game, completing multiple playthroughs is unattractive to many players due to the repetition of the game, especially when going through the same environments over again in the second half of the game is so tiring. This repetition is a flaw that has carried over from the original game to the special edition, along with awkward camera angles and a soundtrack that, while decent, tends to sound the same in battles all throughout the game.

Luckily, the core gameplay of Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition is fun enough to make multiple playthroughs worthwhile. The fast, reliable, and addicting hack and slash action of Devil May Cry is undeniably fun, and the game’s style meter will have you constantly looking for new ways to take down your enemies. Part of the appeal of the special edition is the upgraded graphics, which make every kill look amazing. There are still frame rate issues and visual hiccups during certain cutscenes, but it still looks much better than the original, which will help DMC4 veterans get more out of replaying the game. Just as in the original, you’ll unlock new modes as you play through the game on different difficulty settings (or you can unlock all modes at once by purchasing a DLC pack). When all is said and done, there are seven difficulty modes for playing through the twenty missions in addition to the Bloody Palace mode and the turbo mode setting. All of the modes from the original are here (including Son of Sparda, Dante Must Die, and Heaven or Hell), plus a few that were only available on the PC version of Devil May Cry 4 (Legendary Dark Knight mode and turbo mode). The harsh difficulty – even on easier modes – is one of the best things about the Devil May Cry series, and this applies to Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition as well. No matter what mode you’re playing on, the game will challenge you to consistently criticize your play style and make your demon slaying more effective, more varied, and, above all, more stylish.

Whether you’re ripping through demons in the Bloody Palace or attempting to clear the game in the vicious Hell or Hell mode, Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition is a lot of fun. Though it won’t bring any new converts to the hack and slash fanbase or change established opinions about the series, fans of the genre and newcomers can all find something to enjoy in this title. It might have all of the same flaws as the original version, but Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition is the definitive version of one of the best games in the series, and it’s a great addition to your Xbox One, PlayStation 4, or PC library.

Review copy provided by Capcom