I know it can be daunting looking at a long-running series like Devil May Cry and trying to decide where to start and what to play. With over 15 years of demon-slaying action spanning multiple games, you may be wondering if you need to play every entry to fully enjoy DMC‘s legendary gameplay and storytelling.
Well friend, I‘ve been analyzing action games for over a decade, and I can confidently say the answer is no – you can have an amazing experience with just a few key DMC titles! Let me walk you through the highs and lows of each game so you can determine which ones are worth your time.
The Origins – Devil May Cry (2001)
This is the game that started it all, introducing us to the iconic half-demon Dante and his signature blend of stylish combat and cheeky attitude. DMC1 lays the groundwork for future entries with its gothic environments, clever puzzles, and satisfying hack-and-slash gameplay.
While a bit dated today, it still shines in areas like exploration and atmosphere. It‘s worth playing to see the genesis of the series – just expect some old-school difficulty spikes!
The Prequel – Devil May Cry 3: Dante‘s Awakening (2005)
Considered by many fans to be the peak of the series, DMC3 is a prequel set before the first game chronologically. It adds so much depth to Dante‘s character while featuring the deepest combat system yet.
Between weapons like Rebellion and Cerberus, multiple fighting styles to master, and creatively designed bosses, DMC3 exemplifies the series‘ signature slick action and difficulty. I highly recommend playing it near the start of your DMC journey.
The Odd One Out – Devil May Cry 2 (2003)
Frankly, DMC2 sticks out like a sore thumb in the series. Dante feels oddly subdued personality-wise, the environment and level design is monotonous, and the combat lacks the trademark responsiveness and depth of other entries.
Fans widely consider it the black sheep of the franchise. With no major connections to the overarching story, feel free to skip DMC2 entirely!
The New Blood – Devil May Cry 4 (2008)
DMC4 shakes things up by introducing Nero, a new, younger demon hunter with a brilliantly designed robotic arm. His playstyle feels faster and more technical compared to Dante‘s combos.
The story does a great job developing Nero while still involving Dante in clever ways. With its fresh ideas and evolved combat, DMC4 is a must-play entry in the series.
The Triumphant Return – Devil May Cry 5 (2019)
It took over 10 years, but DMC5 was worth the wait. With three playable characters, bombastic new weapons, and cutting edge visuals, DMC5 offers the most content and polish in the series.
Dante‘s finesse, Nero‘s punk attitude, and mysterious new addition V make for an ideal blend of styles. From start to finish, DMC5 exemplifies the series‘ signature blend of eye-popping action and campy, over-the-top fun. It‘s arguably peak DMC.
The Reboot – DmC: Devil May Cry (2013)
To close out the mainline series, I have to mention the divisive DmC reboot developed by Ninja Theory. It provides an alternate take on Dante and the DMC universe with some controversial changes.
The snappy combat still feels great and the nightmarish Limbo environments are unsettlingly cool. But many fans disliked the new direction for characters like Dante being more vulgar and aggressive. Approach DmC as a standalone experience from the main continuity.
The Essential Games
If you want the best blend of story and gameplay, I recommend playing DMC3, DMC1, DMC4, and DMC5 in that order. This lets you see both the genesis and pinnacle of the series across four fantastic games.
DMC2 can easily be skipped as the outlier of the franchise. Play the reboot DmC anytime for an alternate universe take.
Now let‘s take a deeper look at some key data and evolution across the series:
Critics‘ Scores and Sales for Main Series:
| Game | Release Year | Metacritic Score | Sales (Lifetime) |
| DMC1 | 2001 | 94 | 2.16 million units |
| DMC2 | 2003 | 68 | 1.7 million units |
| DMC3 | 2005 | 94 | 1.3 million units |
| DMC4 | 2008 | 84 | 3 million units |
| DMC5 | 2019 | 88 | 5 million units |
This data shows the consistency of critical acclaim for the series aside from DMC2. Sales also increased over time as DMC found its audience and perfected its winning formula of action and style.
Evolution of Core Gameplay:
A key reason for DMC‘s long-term success is how well it evolves and builds upon its gameplay foundations:
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DMC1 established Dante‘s signature melee and ranged weapons and introduced core combat mechanics like juggling enemies.
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DMC3 added more weapons and depth via multiple fighting styles to enhance combo potential. The combat still shines today for its responsiveness and style.
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DMC4 sped up the pace of combos and introduced exceed systems to maximize damage. Playing as Nero added another unique style.
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DMC5 perfected the balance of control and depth with three diverse playable characters and the largest arsenal yet.
Across two decades, DMC continually refined its combat to stay king in the stylish action genre. That amazing evolution is worth experiencing firsthand by playing the key titles.
Growth of Dante as a Character:
On the story side, following Dante‘s journey across the main four games lets you witness some incredible character development:
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In DMC3 you meet Dante as a brash, teenage punk with more attitude than sense. But you see him accept responsibility by the end.
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In DMC1 he‘s matured into a confident devil hunter but still has a flippant mouth and playful charm.
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By DMC4 and DMC5 he’s a seasoned veteran and mentor figure, but keeps his carefree spirit.
Seeing Dante evolve across his multiple adventures adds emotional impact that you‘d miss by skipping around. Growing alongside Dante through the main games is part of what endears the DMC series into the hearts of fans worldwide.
The Bottom Line
So in summary friend, while you don‘t have to marathon the entire franchise, playing DMC3, 1, 4 and 5 will give you the essence of what makes Devil May Cry so special. You‘ll experience the genesis, peak, and evolution of its world-class combat systems, unforgettable characters, and demon hunting thrills. Just be ready for challenging action that will push your skills!
Feel free to hit me up with any other DMC questions. Happy slaying!
