Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening

by Capcom

Product Features

• Pick from 4 styles of combat, Gunslinger, Swordmaster, Trickster and Royal Guard, all offering greatly improved skills in each area
• More powerful bosses and enemies that act independently and react more realistically
• New range of weapons - Battle your enemies in style with the enchanted Electric Guitar, Nun-Chucks, and newer swords and firearms
• Advanced game engine with all new Shadow Effects, weather conditions, graphics and sharper gameplay

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002A6CNW
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: March 3, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (96 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,001 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: PlayStation2 | Edition: Standard

Amazon.com

The good news is that we no longer have to worry about the Devil May Cry franchise falling into generic action game obscurity; Devil May Cry 3 rises from the ashes of the series' sophomore slump with a vengeance that cannot be ignored. The bad news is that it seems pretty angry. Offering improvements that add a brand new dimension to the combo-driven demon meat carving, this title takes the concept of a hardcore action experience and contorts it into a humiliating position before administering a handgun enema.

Devil May Cry 3 is, without a doubt, the most difficult game I have played this generation. Yes, it's even harder than Ninja Gaiden (pre Hurricane pack). However, it lacks the same strategic finesse of Tecmo's infamous title, often requiring you to earn your victories through pure blood and sweat rather than art and precision – it's the working man's ruthlessly challenging game. Some victories are just made sweeter by working hard to earn them, and the game allows you to replay previous missions to collect orbs and style points to make sure those triumphs are within reach. The sense of accomplishment you get when you master your skills and beat one of the insane bosses into submission makes all the toil worthwhile. That is, if you consider performing outstanding feats of supernatural combat "toil."

Of all the new tools at Dante's disposal, the ability to switch armaments at the press of a button does the most to add new depth to the battles. Given the versatility of each weapon, I was frequently impressed by my own overwhelming awesomeness as I effortlessly switched swords mid-air and seamlessly kept the combo going with a barrage of new attacks. The game masterfully blends form and function to create situations that look incredibly stylish and complex while keeping players intently focused on the frantic action at hand.

In an utterly unexpected turn of events, even the story commands the player's attention. With cutscenes before and after each mission, Dante's purpose and intentions are much clearer and the sequences provide the perfect venue for him to showcase his unique talents. The only gripe I have in this department is Dante's recent attitude adjustment; his one-liners and party dude demeanor were so clearly brewed in the early ‘90s that I expected Bebop and Rocksteady to show up for a boss fight.

The game has its fair share of problems: the difficulty is an obvious hurdle, your demon form isn't available until you've completed the seventh of 20 missions, and the camera remains a consistent problem (though it is thankfully better than in DMC 2). Even though Devil May Cry 3 hasn't entirely renewed that indefinable spark of the first game, it is still relentlessly entertaining, and has certainly established DMC as an enduring and dynamic franchise as opposed to a one-trick demon-pony.

Concept:
Dante is back, and he wants to kick your ass for badmouthing his last game

Graphics:
The looming gothic environments return, setting the stage perfectly for the outstanding, over-the-top cutscenes

Sound:
An ideal combination of rockin' metal and eerie choral compositions

Playability:
Even the coolest looking combo can be pulled off with ease, but the game has a prohibitive learning curve

Entertainment:
Always stylish and satisfying, though it is sometimes an unbalanced mix of frustration and fun

Replay:
High

Rated: 9 out of 10
Editor: Joe Juba
Issue: March 2005

2nd Opinion:
Gluttons for punishment, rejoice! The ass-kicking of a lifetime has just arrived! Devil May Cry 3 beat me senseless, poured salt on my wounds, and told me to go home and cry to my mommy. As my blistered fingers and frazzled hair are testament to, there hasn't been a game quite as arduous as this in a long, long time. Some people may view the unrelenting difficulty as a major turn off, but I tip my hat to the developer for not bowing down to the masses. You have to master the arts and prove that your skills are truly worthy to reap its benefits. The implementation of different fighting styles, ability to switch weapons on the fly, and multitude of new weapons really opens up the options that players have at their fingertips. It's combo heaven. Level designs are very reminiscent of the first chapter in the series, boss fights are larger than life, and the story breaks are just flat out cool. This is the sequel that you have been waiting for, but only the greatest of gamers will truly embrace it.

Rated: 9 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner


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Product Description

Devil May Cry 3 brings a new story element to the usual upgrades & improvements that come with gaming sequels. In this prequel set 20 years before the first Devil May Cry games, you become Dante - a half-demon who loves his job as a warrior. Jump off walls, fly through the air and shoot as you go flying through enemies. Focus your demonic powers to perform outstanding attacks and remarkable maneuvers.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent game, revitalizes the series, extremely difficult, March 7, 2005

By 

Dmg (Southern California) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Devil May Cry 3 (Video Game)

I must say Devil May Cry 3 is an incredibly awesome game. I loved the original DMC immensely, and like a ton of other people, I was very disappointed with the sequel. This game lives up to the original, and expands upon it in every way.

DMC3 is a prequel to the series and focuses on the relationship between Dante and Vergil. The game actually has story behind it, unlike the other two games that felt like they had a little story tacked on. The cut-scenes are great, and everything's still over-the-top and cheesy, but in a good way. With the new Style moves, the game has depth beyond button-smashing; it even encourages it with Combo style points that are awarded for your flashiness on screen, and are decreased as you use the same move over and over, much like in the Tony Hawk games.

This game is extremely difficult. The PS2's Ninja Gaiden. The American "Normal" mode, which is the only difficulty mode available in the beginning, is the Japanese "Hard" mode. After you get your butt kicked a few times, the "Easy" mode becomes unlocked, which isn't that much easier. Trust, this game is freakin' hard. Your skill, reflexes, and brain will definitely be up to the test with this one.

The graphics are completely redone and it shows. Nice graphics and special effects, and the levels are greatly detailed and the gothic theme is superb. On the sound front, the music really pumps you up and puts you in the midst of the action. Sound effects fit the bill, especially melee clings and clangs.

Replay value for this game is pretty good, since with the different Styles (with two unlockables), you can play through completely different every time. The multiple difficulty levels also add to the replay, along with secret missions and weapons. Seriously, this game is going to eat up a lot of your time, and you're going to love it.

Overall, this is an extremely fun game, and I'm glad Capcom did the series right with this one. If you like action games, pick it up. But if you get frustrated easily, skip it since you'll be dying. A lot.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you don't wimp out it's fantastic, March 7, 2005

By 

Terry Mesnard (Bellevue, NE) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Devil May Cry 3 (Video Game)

First off a caveat, I am not finished with DMC3. I am on level 7, about 8 hours into the game. If I change my opinion or have to add information I will do that when I've finished the game. I just want to pass on my experience with this game for those on the fence about it.

This is to PS2 what Ninja Gaiden is to Xbox. And I don't mean that they are both kick ass action games and are the kings of the genre (which they are, by the way). But they are both two of the hardest games I've played on either in a long time. And not hard in "the controls are wonky" kind of way. If you aren't the top of your game, you will die. All the time. And even when you think you are the top of your game, DMC3 will remind you that you are definitely not and you will die.

And yet, through all of this, you will be having fun. Capcom has managed to wipe the slate clean with the abysmal failure that was DMC2. This game follows the gameplay of the first DMC, that is small rooms with lots of creatures, gothic architecture and insane monsters who keep coming. DMC3 takes these conventions and kicks it into high gear. The biggest and by far the most welcome change is that you go into a mission being able to select two long range and two short range weapons (from those you have acquired) and your attack style.

In the mission you just hit L2 and R2 to switch between your two guns and 2 melee weapons. What this means is that 1) there's no more going into your inventory just to switch your weapons and 2) since it's so fluid your combos become amazing. Imagine throwing an enemy up in the air with your sword, juggling him with your hand guns, switching to your shot gun to blast him, switching to your three headed nunchucks to finish him up, then jumping on his prone body and use him as a skate board and sliding around the level blasting the other creatures. You can and will do this if you want a high combo rating (and more red orbs of experience).

The four beginning styles are an awesome addition too. The beginning four are Trickster (evasion), Gunslinger (shooting), Sword Master (swords) and Guard Royale (defensive, counter attacks). I am currently using Trickster and I think that's probably a great beginning start for this game because with a push of the circle button you zoom out of harms way, you can run up walls, run across walls, and (at higher levels) zoom while jumping. I haven't use the other styles yet, but Trickster is very helpful in a sticky situation, which you will be in a lot.

My problem with the game is not the high difficulty level. It's the fact that there isn't a check point in any of the levels I've been through. Unless you have a yellow orb, if you die you will start back at the beginning of the level. This can be frustrating for some. Take for instance, the level I'm currently at Level 7. Not only is it a long level but towards the end you are fighting creatures that summon more creatures so you have to kill them before any others, then the boss from the second level shows up only he's not a boss (even though he has the same amount of life). After you finish off these hard encounters you have to fight the real boss. And if you die you're doing it over again. For some this will be a major turn off.

My recommendation is to save during the level if you find the fights turning sour. This way, when you do die you will save all of the red orbs and items you've collected during the level. For me, dying isn't THAT big of a deal then because you aren't losing any of the xp progress you've made.

The graphics are great, the sound is a nice heavy metalish sound. Sometimes the voices can't be heard over the music so it's a good idea to have subtitles on. It supports Pro Logic II for the game and 5.1 for the cutscenes.

As it stands, I think this game and Ninja Gaiden are the pillars of action excellence. They definitely aren't for everyone and those who don't want a hard game should definitely look elsewhere. But for those who are tough enough to stick it out, this game is excellent bar none on the PS2. It's fun, moves fast and will blow you away.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars .... party time...!, March 5, 2005

By 

nemesis (colorado) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Devil May Cry 3 (Video Game)

Well, capcom has made an attempt to wipe from our memories the mess that was Devil May Cry 2... and have done a pretty good job of it. Here we have DMC3, a prequil to the first, legendary game. Lets start with the good stuff first: The game has great controlls... a fusion from the first and second games, this instalment has a control scheme that just feels natural. You will find pulling off slick, super stylish moves almost second nature. The story line is more involved this time, but is still nothing too impresive... this is a hardcore action game after all, so a great story isn't tradationally required, but you can tell the developers spent more time on the story for this game then they did for previous installments. Also, and probably most improtantly, you have RPG elements in this game. Think back to previous games..... what did you like the best? The awesome sword play and killer combos? The barking blasts of gunfire you could lay on your enemies from all directions? The awe-inspiring acrobatic moves that allowed you to dodge enemy attacks? Well, now you can have more in this game with the "my Dante" system, that allows you to pour attribute points into any of 6 catagories (2 of which are secret and need to be unlocked) including gunslinger, swordmaster, and trickster. This allowes you to customize Dante with more of what you liked about the past games, and offers more replay value. Now to the not-so-good stuff... The game has some pretty bad graphics. Sure, the PS2 is ancient, but still, the second game looked smoother than this. Also for some, the "stylish crazy action" may be a little over the top, as cut scenes have Dante doing things and saying things that are so over the top, crazy and insaine, they may make you cringe (think Neo meets Shinobi). Now... the game's largest downfall... the difficulty. Don't worry, the game is not too easy like the second game, but rather too hard. The first game was insainly difficult for newbies, but it offered fair challenge. This game is equally as hard, but crosses the line between changeling and cheep by throwing wave after wave of fast moving, strong enemies that have an extreme advantage over you. The funky camera doesn't help either... although mysteriously, the camera seems only to have awkward angles in the begining half of the game. Sure... just like the first game, there is an easy mode, but there is very little difference between easy and normal, as both are just as frusterating. Don't let this steer you away however, as you can now revisit past levels at any time to level up your abilities and collect more currency to purchase power ups (believe me... your gonna' need 'em)and the game is still one hell of a ride. Some of the most intense and visceral combat ever witnessed by human kind is locked inside this game. Once the game sucks you in, you will have very little problem looking past the flaws the game has. more or less, the game follows in the footsteps of the original while offering enough changes to make it different and memorable in it's own right. just expect to be cussing and swearing at the game as much as you love it. If you have the spare cash however, I highly recomend it.

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