Devil May Cry 5 Review

Combat: Three Masterclasses in One

Nero's Devil Breaker system creates disposable high-impact tools that reward risk management — use them for big moments, lose them when grabbed. Dante's Style system creates a meta-game of mode management: Swordmaster for combos, Gunslinger for flashy ranged style, Trickster for mobility, Royal Guard for perfect parries. V's familiar-commanding approach is the most unusual in action gaming — positioning Griffon for lightning, Shadow for physical, and landing the killing blow yourself for the best style score.

Gameplay and Missions

The 20-mission structure mixes character assignments with escalating boss encounters. Missions rotate between characters, keeping the experience fresh throughout. The Bloody Palace adds 100 floors of continuous combat for players who want to push their mastery further. Mission replays with full score tracking provide endless replay motivation for style-hunters.

Story and Characters

DMC5's story is earnest, bombastic, and entertaining — exactly what the franchise needs. Nero's emotional arc involving his father's identity, V's tragic history, and Dante's relationship with his brother Vergil are handled with surprising depth. The final missions are some of the most spectacular in the genre — V Mission 17 in particular is an extraordinary experience.

Graphics and Performance

RE Engine produces stunning results — character models are extraordinary, enemy design is imaginative, and boss battles are visually spectacular. The PC version runs at 60fps+ on modest hardware. The Special Edition adds 120fps support on PS5. One of Capcom's best-looking games.

Verdict

Essential for action game fans. DMC5 is as good as the genre gets — buy it immediately at any price.

Pros & Cons