Devil May Cry (video game)

{{Short description|2001 video game}} {{About|the 2001 game|the 2013 game|DmC: Devil May Cry}} {{Infobox video game | title = Devil May Cry | image = DMC1FrontCover.jpg | caption = North American PlayStation 2 box art | developer = Capcom Production Studio 4<ref name="studio4">{{cite web|url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/studio4/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206023353/http://www.capcom.co.jp/studio4/index.html|title=Production Studio 4|language=ja|archive-date=February 6, 2005|publisher=Capcom Co., Ltd}}</ref> | publisher = Capcom | director = Hideki Kamiya | producer = Hiroyuki Kobayashi | writer = {{ubl|Hideki Kamiya<ref name="dmcscenario" />|Noboru Sugimura<ref name="dmcscenario2" />}} | artist = {{ubl|Makoto Tsuchibayashi|Yoshinori Matsushita|Sawaki Takeyasu}} | composer = {{ubl|Masami Ueda|Masato Kouda|Misao Senbongi}} | series = ''Devil May Cry'' | engine = | platforms = {{ubl|PlayStation 2|PlayStation 3|Xbox 360|PlayStation 4|Windows|Xbox One|Nintendo Switch}} | released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|August 23, 2001}}|'''PlayStation 2'''{{vgrelease|JP|August 23, 2001|NA|October 17, 2001|PAL|December 7, 2001}}'''Nintendo Switch'''{{vgrelease|WW|June 25, 2019|JP|June 27, 2019}}'''''HD Collection'''''|'''PlayStation 3, Xbox 360'''{{vgrelease|JP|March 22, 2012|NA|March 29, 2012|EU|April 3, 2012|AU|April 5, 2012}}'''PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One'''{{vgrelease|WW|March 13, 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capcom-unity.com/dubindoh/blog/2017/12/07/devil-may-cry-hd-collection-coming-to-pc-ps4-and-xbox-one-on-march-13-2018|title=Devil May Cry HD Collection coming to PC, PS4 and Xbox One on March 13, 2018|author=Capcom|date=December 7, 2017|access-date=December 7, 2017|archive-date=August 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808215409/http://www.capcom-unity.com/dubindoh/blog/2017/12/07/devil-may-cry-hd-collection-coming-to-pc-ps4-and-xbox-one-on-march-13-2018|url-status=live}}</ref>}}}} | genre = Action-adventure, hack and slash | modes = Single-player }}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Devil May Cry'''''|デビルメイクライ|Debiru Mei Kurai|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 2001 action-adventure game developed and published by Capcom for the PlayStation 2. Set on a remote island, the story centers on Dante, a demon hunter who uses his business to carry out a lifelong vendetta against all demons. He meets a woman named Trish who takes him on a journey to defeat the demon lord Mundus, who is responsible for the deaths of Dante's brother and mother.

''Devil May Cry'' was conceived by Capcom developers as a possible concept for ''Resident Evil 4''. Due to the staff feeling it would not fit the ''Resident Evil'' franchise, the project became its own title. Several gameplay elements were also inspired by a bug found in ''Onimusha: Warlords''. It is very loosely based on the Italian poem ''Divine Comedy'' by the use of allusions, including its protagonist Dante (named after Dante Alighieri) and other characters like Trish (Beatrice Portinari) and Vergil or Nelo Angelo (in later games revealed to be a brainwashed Vergil, who represents the Roman poet Virgil).<ref name="interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/news/postmortem-dmc3se |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130624224635/http://www.1up.com/news/postmortem-dmc3se |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 24, 2013 |title=Postmortem on DMC3:SE |publisher=1UP.com |access-date=June 23, 2013 |author=Mielke, James }}</ref>

''Devil May Cry'' received prominent coverage in the video game media due to the impact it had in the action-adventure genre, its high difficulty, and the high overall scores given to it by professional reviewers. It has sold more than three million copies,<ref name="devilmaycry">{{cite web|url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=4737 |title=Matt's Somewhat Serious Bit |access-date=2008-07-20 |date=2006-06-09 |author=Matt Keller |publisher=Palgn |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513183309/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=4737 |archive-date=2008-05-13 }}</ref> spawned multiple sequels and a prequel, and is considered among the greatest video games ever made.

''Devil May Cry'' would go on to spawn a franchise, consisting of four sequels and a reboot, and two animated series. It has been cited as the beginning of a subgenre of arcade-style hack and slash melee focused action-adventure games called "character action" or "Extreme Combat", which focus on powerful heroes fighting hordes of foes with a focus on stylish action using a variety of attacks and weapons.

==Gameplay== ''Devil May Cry'' consists of levels called "missions", where players must fight numerous enemies, perform platforming tasks, and occasionally solve puzzles to progress through the story. The player's performance in each mission is given a letter grade, starting with D, increasing to C, B, and A, with an additional top grade of S. Grades are based on the time taken to complete the mission, the amount of "red orbs" gathered (the in-game currency obtained from defeated enemies, destroyed objects, and exploration), how "stylish" their combat was, item usage, and damage taken.<ref name="booklet">{{cite book|title = Devil May Cry Instruction Booklet|publisher = Capcom| year = 2001}}</ref>

thumb|Dante attacks an enemy using the sword Alastor. The word "Cool!" qualifies the player's performance in combat. "Stylish" combat is defined as performing an unbroken series of varied attacks while avoiding damage, with player performance tracked by an on-screen gauge. The more hits the player makes, the higher the gauge rises. The gauge starts at "Dull"; progresses through "Cool", "Bravo", and "Absolute"; and peaks at "Stylish". Repeatedly using the same moves causes the gauge to stop rising, encouraging the player to use every move in their arsenal. The gauge terms are similar to the grades given at the end of the missions. When Dante receives damage, the style rating resets back to "Dull". Players can also maintain their style grade by taunting enemies at close range.<ref name="booklet"/>

The player can temporarily transform Dante into a more powerful demonic creature by using the "Devil Trigger" ability. Doing so adds powers based on the current weapon and changes Dante's appearance. The transformations typically increase strength and defense, slowly restore health, and grant special attacks. The ability is governed by the Devil Trigger gauge, which depletes as the ability is used, and is refilled by attacking enemies or taunting in normal form.<ref name="booklet"/>

''Devil May Cry'' contains puzzles and other challenges besides regular combat gameplay. The main storyline often requires the player to find key items to advance, in a manner similar to puzzles in the ''Resident Evil'' games, as well as optional platforming and exploration tasks to find hidden caches of "orbs". Side quests, called "Secret Missions" in it, are located in hidden or out-of-the-way areas and are not required for completion, but provide permanent power-ups. They typically challenge the player to defeat a group of enemies in a specific manner or within a time limit, or solve a puzzle.{{Citation needed|date=December 2025}}

==Plot== {{See also|Characters of the Devil May Cry series}}

''Devil May Cry'' begins with Dante (Drew Coombs) being attacked in his office by a mysterious woman named Trish (Sara Lafleur). He impresses her by easily brushing off her assault, and explains that for years, he has hunted demons in pursuit of the ones who killed his mother and brother. Trish explains that her attack was a test, and that the demon emperor Mundus (Tony Daniels), whom Dante holds responsible for the deaths of his family, is planning to cross over into the human world after centuries of imprisonment. The scene jumps to their arrival at an immense castle on the mysterious Mallet Island, where Mundus has steadily grown his power and influence over the years in preparation for his ascension. Trish quickly abandons Dante, who is forced to continue on his own.

Dante explores the castle, fighting off demons summoned by Mundus to attack him and overcoming all sorts of devious puzzles, traps, and tricks. He also obtains two magical weapons, a sword called Alastor and a pair of gauntlets known as Ifrit, and encounters the first of Mundus' servants, a giant spider/scorpion demon known as Phantom. Dante wins their battle, but Phantom escapes and swears revenge before Dante eventually impales and kills him. Dante goes on to defeat the other servants: a giant demon bird known as Griffon (Howard Jerome), a living bioweapon referred to as Nightmare, and a masked "dark knight" known as Nelo Angelo (David Keeley) who impresses Dante with his confidence. In their first battle, Dante manages to defeat Nelo Angelo and is about to deliver the final blow when his opponent suddenly overpowers him. Nelo Angelo prepares to kill Dante, but hesitates and then flees upon seeing the half-amulet Dante wears, which contains a picture of his mother. After two more encounters, his true identity is revealed as Dante's identical twin brother, Vergil, brainwashed by Mundus and made one of his minions. After Vergil seemingly dies, his amulet joins with his brother's half, and "Force Edge", Dante's primary sword which he inherited from his father, changes into its true form and becomes the Sparda sword.

When Dante tries to save Trish from Nightmare, she betrays him and reveals that she is a spy for Mundus, but when her life is endangered, Dante chooses to save her. Claiming he did so only because of her resemblance to his mother, he warns her to stay away. Yet when he finally confronts Mundus, who is about to kill Trish, Dante again chooses to save her and is injured. Mundus fires a beam to kill him, but Trish takes the attack instead. This unleashes Dante's full power, thus allowing him to take on the form of Sparda. Dante and Mundus then battle on another plane of existence.

Despite Mundus' overwhelming power, Dante is victorious, and, believing her to be dead, leaves his amulet and sword with Trish's body before departing. Returning to the island, Dante finds that the castle is collapsing, and is cornered by the injured Mundus, having used the last of his power to cross over into the human world. Dante fights Mundus, but is unable to defeat him until Trish suddenly appears and infuses Dante's guns with her magic. Dante banishes Mundus back to the demon world, and the emperor vows to one day return and finish his conquest. When Trish tries to apologize, she begins to cry, and Dante tells her it means she has become human and not just a devil, because "devils never cry". Dante and Trish escape on an old biplane as the island falls into the sea. After the credits, it is revealed that Dante and Trish are working together as partners, and have renamed Dante's business "Devil Never Cry".

==Development== {{See also|Resident Evil 4#Development|l1=Development of Resident Evil 4}} {{multiple image | footer = Director Hideki Kamiya (left) based ''Devil May Cry'' loosely on the Italian poem ''Divine Comedy'' by Dante Alighieri (right). | image1 = Hideki Kamiya in 2014.jpg | alt1 = Hideki Kamiya | caption1 = | image2 = Dante03.jpg | alt2 = Dante Alighieri | caption2 = | perrow = 2 | total_width = 320 }} First hinted at in early December 1999,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/072/072895p1.html |title=Resident Evil Series to Haunt PlayStation 2 |author=Douglass C. Perry |date=3 December 1999 |work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. |access-date=17 July 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213020356/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/072/072895p1.html |archive-date=13 December 2010 }}</ref> ''Devil May Cry'' started out as the earliest incarnation of ''Resident Evil 4''.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Kevin Gifford, Mark MacDonald |date=April 2005 |title=Afterthoughts: Resident Evil 4 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis Media Inc. |issue=190 |pages=51–52}}</ref> Initially developed for the PlayStation 2, it was directed by Hideki Kamiya after producer Shinji Mikami put him in charge of crafting a fourth entry in the ''Resident Evil'' series.<ref name="dmcbegin">{{cite web|url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/devil/column/vol002.html |title=新しいバイオ |author=Hideki Kamiya |author-link=Hideki Kamiya |date=July 2001 |work=Devil May Cry Column |publisher=Capcom |access-date=17 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306002045/http://www.capcom.co.jp/devil/column/vol002.html |archive-date=6 March 2010 }}</ref> Around the turn of the millennium,<ref name="dmcscenario">{{cite web|url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/devil/column/vol010.html |title=シナリオの話 |author=Hideki Kamiya |author-link=Hideki Kamiya |date=July 2001 |work=Devil May Cry Column |publisher=Capcom |access-date=17 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306002121/http://www.capcom.co.jp/devil/column/vol010.html |archive-date=6 March 2010 }}</ref> regular series writer Noboru Sugimura<ref name="dmcscenario2">{{cite web|url=http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20010411/capcom.htm |title=カプコン、深作欣二監督を招き「クロックタワー3」を制作 |author=Minoru Funatsu |date=11 April 2001 |work=Game Watch |publisher=Impress Watch Corporation |access-date=8 July 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630004745/http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20010411/capcom.htm |archive-date=30 June 2013 }}</ref> created a scenario for the title, based on Kamiya's idea to make a stylized action-adventure game that would break from the usual slow-paced action of ''Resident Evil''.<ref>{{cite book |title=Devil May Cry Graphic Edition |date=December 2001 |publisher=Kadokawa Shoten |isbn=978-4-04-707071-4}}</ref> The story was based on unraveling the mystery surrounding the body of protagonist "Tony",<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=PG_kamiya |author=Hideki Kamiya |author-link=Hideki Kamiya |number=24941810134 |date = 2010-09-19 |access-date = 2015-07-13 |title=But in the 1st plot the hero's name was Tony. }}</ref> an invincible man with skills and an intellect exceeding that of normal people, his superhuman abilities explained with biotechnology.<ref name="dmcscenario" />

As Kamiya felt the playable character did not look brave and heroic enough in battles from a fixed angle, he decided to drop the prerendered backgrounds from previous ''Resident Evil'' installments and instead opted for a dynamic camera system.<ref name="dmcbegin" /> This new direction required the team to make a trip to Europe where they spent eleven days in the United Kingdom and Spain photographing things like Gothic statues, bricks, and stone pavements for use in textures.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/devil/column/vol009.html |title=背景 |author=Hideki Kamiya |author-link=Hideki Kamiya |date=July 2001 |work=Devil May Cry Column |publisher=Capcom |access-date=17 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306002116/http://www.capcom.co.jp/devil/column/vol009.html |archive-date=6 March 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=James Mielke |date=18 August 2006 |title=Retro/Active: Hideki Kamiya -- The Okami Family Tree |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3152913 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927202000/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3152913 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |access-date=20 July 2008 |work=1UP.com |publisher=UGO Entertainment, Inc.}}</ref>

Upon viewing the team's progress, Mikami decided against using their work as he felt a fast-paced "stylish" action game was inconsistent with the survival horror aspects of ''Resident Evil''. Instead, he advised them to turn their work into a separate game with its own identity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/094/094860p1.html |title=E3 2001: Interview with Shinji Mikami |author=Douglass C. Perry |date=17 May 2001 |work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. |access-date=20 July 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061229181518/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/094/094860p1.html |archive-date=29 December 2006 }}</ref> Kamiya eventually rewrote the story to be set in a world full of demons, inspired by the Italian epic poem ''Divine Comedy'' by Dante Alighieri;<ref name="dmc3interview">{{cite web |author=Mielke, James |title=Postmortem on DMC3:SE |url=http://www.1up.com/news/postmortem-dmc3se |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130624224635/http://www.1up.com/news/postmortem-dmc3se |archive-date=24 June 2013 |access-date=23 June 2013 |publisher=1UP.com}}</ref> he changed the hero's name to "Dante".<ref name="dmcscenario" /> The title character from Buichi Terasawa's manga series ''Cobra'' served as the basis for Dante's personality.<ref name="DMCgraphic">{{cite web |url=http://www.survivhor.com/morbidcreations/dmc_behind/int_hideki/dmc_int_hideki_3.htm |title=Devil May Cry director Hideki Kamiya Interview: Translated from ''Devil May Cry: Graphic Edition'' |access-date=3 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928065052/http://www.survivhor.com/morbidcreations/dmc_behind/int_hideki/dmc_int_hideki_3.htm|archive-date=28 September 2007}}</ref><ref name="cvg_kamiya">{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=17957 |title=PS2 News: CVG goes straight to hell with Devil May Cry director |access-date=3 March 2007 |work=Computer and Video Games |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070113012026/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=17957 |archive-date=13 January 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Kamiya based his idea of Dante on what he perceived as stylish: wearing a long coat to make the character "showy" and having him enjoy food rather than smoking.<ref name="DMCgraphic" /> The character wears red because, in Japan, it is a traditional color for a heroic figure.<ref name="cvg_kamiya" /> Kamiya has also stated he perceives Dante as "a character that you would want to go out drinking with", someone who was not a show-off but would instead "pull some ridiculous, mischievous joke" to endear people to him. He added that this aspect was intended to make the character feel familiar to audiences.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://platinumgames.com/2009/04/01/greetings/ |title=Greetings |author=Kamiya, Hideki |publisher=PlatinumGames, Inc |date=1 April 2009 |access-date=3 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100721220933/http://platinumgames.com/2009/04/01/greetings |archive-date=21 July 2010 }}</ref> Its new title was revealed as ''Devil May Cry'' in November 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/087/087835p1.html |title=New From Capcom: Devil May Cry |date=15 November 2000 |work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. |access-date=17 July 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014180414/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/087/087835p1.html |archive-date=14 October 2010 }}</ref>

''Devil May Cry'' was developed by Team Little Devils, a group of staff members within Capcom Production Studio 4.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Devil May Cry |developer=Capcom |publisher=Capcom Entertainment, Inc. |date=October 17, 2011 |scene=staff credits}}</ref><ref name="studio4" /> Some of the major gameplay elements were partially inspired by a bug found in ''Onimusha: Warlords''. During a test-play, Kamiya discovered that enemies could be kept in the air by slashing them repeatedly; this inspired him to incorporate juggling enemies with guns and sword swings in ''Devil May Cry''.<ref name=egm>''Electronic Gaming Monthly'', December 2001 issue, p. 56.</ref> According to the director, ''Devil May Cry'' was designed from the ground up around Dante's acrobatics and combat abilities.<ref name="Kamiya Touch">{{cite web |last=Mielke |first=James |date=2006-08-18 |title=The Kamiya Touch |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3152880 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208193142/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3152880 |archive-date=2012-12-08 |access-date=2008-07-20 |publisher=1UP.com}}</ref> The decision was made late in the development process to change it to a more mission-based advancement, instead of the more open-ended structure of the ''Resident Evil'' games.<ref name="Preview1">{{cite web |last=Ike Sato |first=Yukiyoshi |date=2001-05-24 |title=Capcom changes Devil May Cry gameplay |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/devilmaycry/news.html?sid=2765132 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208003803/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/devilmaycry/news.html?sid=2765132 |archive-date=2008-12-08 |access-date=2008-07-20 |publisher=GameSpot}}</ref> ''Devil May Cry''{{'}}s difficulty was intentional, according to Kamiya, who called it his "challenge to those who played light, casual games".<ref name="top200">{{cite web |title=Greatest 200 |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3147448 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130116132710/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3147448 |archive-date=2013-01-16 |access-date=2008-07-20 |publisher=1UP}}</ref> According to ''Eurogamer'', an earlier Capcom arcade video game, ''Strider'' (1989), was a vital influence on ''Devil May Cry''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fahey |first=Rob |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/strider-1-2-review |title=Strider 1/2 • |website=Eurogamer.net |date=2007-01-01 |access-date=2020-08-09 |archive-date=2021-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127162324/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/strider-1-2-review |url-status=live }}</ref> According to ''Retro Gamer'', the over-the-top action of ''Devil May Cry'' draws from ''Strider''.<ref name="RetroGamer">Jones, Darran (24 Apr 2010). "The Making of... Strider". ''Retro Gamer'' (76). pp. 48-53.</ref>

==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = PS2: 94/100<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/devil-may-cry/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Devil May Cry for PlayStation 2 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=July 20, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824065451/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/devil-may-cry |archive-date=August 24, 2010}}</ref><br />NS: 74/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/devil-may-cry/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Devil May Cry for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=June 20, 2020 |archive-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625160951/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/devil-may-cry |url-status=live }}</ref> | Allgame = 4/5<ref name="allgamereview">{{cite web |url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=29114&tab=review |title = Devil May Cry - Review |author = Thompson, Jon |publisher = AllGame |access-date = August 18, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141115082116/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=29114&tab=review |archive-date = November 15, 2014 |url-status = dead }}</ref> | EuroG = 9/10<ref name="Eurogamer">{{cite web|author=John Bye |date=2001-08-12 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=2281 |title=Devil May Cry Review |publisher=Eurogamer |access-date=2008-07-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035826/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=2281 |archive-date=2007-09-30 }}</ref> | Fam = 9/10, 8/10, 9/10, 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine|title=PlayStation 2|magazine=ファミ通クロスレビュー2001パーフェクトガイド|trans-magazine=Weekly Famitsu Cross Review 2001 Perfect Guide|year=2002|publisher=Enterbrain|language=Japanese|location=Tokyo|author=''Famitsu'' staff|page=62}}</ref><ref name="Famitsu">{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/097/097284p1.html |title=Devil May Cry Scores Big in Famitsu |date=2001-08-09 |author=IGN staff |publisher=IGN |access-date=2008-07-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208055835/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/097/097284p1.html |archive-date=2008-12-08 }}</ref> | GI = 9.5/10<ref name="gameinformer">{{cite web|author=Andrew Reiner|date=October 2001|publisher=Game Informer | title= Devil May Cry Review|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200110/R03.0805.1448.29918.htm?CS_pid=280142|access-date = 2008-07-20|url-status=dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080209182230/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200110/R03.0805.1448.29918.htm?CS_pid=280142| archive-date = February 9, 2008}}</ref> | GamePro = 5/5<ref name="Review3">{{cite web|author= Major Mike|date= 2001-10-16|title = Devil May Cry review| url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/17343.shtml|access-date = 2008-07-20 | publisher=GamePro|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704131337/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/17343.shtml |archive-date=2008-07-04 }}</ref> | GSpot = 9.1/10<ref name="Review1">{{cite web|last=Ahmed |first=Shahed |date=2001-10-17 |title=Gamespot Devil May Cry review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/devilmaycry/review.html |access-date=2008-07-20 |publisher=GameSpot |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318093212/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/devilmaycry/review.html |archive-date=2007-03-18 }}</ref> | GSpy = 4.5/5<ref name="Gamespy">{{cite web|url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/devil-may-cry/557968p1.html |title=Devil May Cry Review |date=2001-10-15 |author=Russell Garbutt |publisher=GameSpy |access-date=2008-07-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509130858/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/devil-may-cry/557968p1.html |archive-date=2008-05-09 }}</ref> | IGN = 9.6/10<ref name="Review2">{{cite web|last=Perry |first=Doug |date=2001-10-16 |title=Devil May Cry review |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/165/165620p1.html |access-date=2008-07-20 |publisher=IGN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070323020727/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/165/165620p1.html |archive-date=2007-03-23 }}</ref> | NGen = 4/5<ref name=nextgenmag/> | rev1 = ''The Electric Playground'' | rev1Score = 9/10<ref name="ElectricPlayground">{{cite web|author=James Tapia| url=http://www.elecplay.com/reviews_article.php?article=7180| title=Devil May Cry Review| publisher=The Electric Playground| access-date=2008-07-20| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610080414/http://www.elecplay.com/reviews_article.php?article=7180 | archive-date=2008-06-10}}</ref> | rev2 = ''GameCritics.com'' | rev2Score = 9/10<ref name="Gamecritics">{{cite web|author=Mike Doolittle |date=2001-11-28 |title=Devil May Cry review |url=http://www.gamecritics.com/review/devilmaycry/main.php |access-date=2008-07-20 |publisher=Gamecritics.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922214620/http://www.gamecritics.com/review/devilmaycry/main.php |archive-date=2008-09-22 }}</ref> }}

''Devil May Cry'' received a "Gold" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),<ref name=goldelspa>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319031650/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3943 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3943 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Gold |work=Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association |archive-date=March 19, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> indicating sales of at least 200,000 copies in the United Kingdom.<ref name=gamasutrasales>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |title=ELSPA: ''Wii Fit'', ''Mario Kart'' Reach Diamond Status In UK | author=Caoili, Eric | date=November 26, 2008 |work=Gamasutra |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> By July 2006, ''Devil May Cry'' had sold 1.1 million copies and earned $38 million in the United States alone. ''Next Generation'' ranked it as the 48th highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or GameCube between January 2000 and July 2006 in that country. Combined sales of the ''Devil May Cry'' series reached 2 million units in the United States by July 2006.<ref name=nextgensales2>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028115051/http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1 |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3537&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=1 |title=The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century|author1=Campbell, Colin |author2=Keiser, Joe | date=July 29, 2006 |work=Next Generation |archive-date=October 28, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

''Devil May Cry'' received critical acclaim, with reviews typically praising its gameplay innovations, action, visuals, camera control, and gothic ambience.{{Efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref name="Eurogamer"/><ref name="Review3"/><ref name="Review1"/><ref name="Gamespy"/><ref name="Review2"/><ref name="ElectricPlayground"/><ref name="Gamecritics"/><ref name="metacritic"/><ref name="gamerankings">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/445101-devil-may-cry/index.html |title=Devil May Cry Reviews |author=Game Rankings staff |publisher=GameRankings |access-date=2008-07-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307134714/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/445101-devil-may-cry/index.html |archive-date=2009-03-07 }}</ref>}} Andrew Reiner at ''Game Informer'' summarized their review by saying the game "makes ''Resident Evil'' look like a slow zombie".<ref name="gameinformer"/> It was nominated for ''GameSpot''{{'}}s annual "Best Action/Adventure Game" prize among console games, which went to ''Grand Theft Auto III''.<ref name=bestworst2001>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020803185618/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/ | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/ | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Best and Worst Video Games of 2001 | author=''GameSpot VG'' Staff | date=February 23, 2002 | work=GameSpot | archive-date=August 3, 2002 | url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Devil May Cry'' also frequents several Top Video Games of All Time lists. ''Gamefury'', for instance, listed ''Devil May Cry'' at #31 in their Top 40 Console Games of All Time feature.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gamefury.net/headline/top-40-console-games-of-all-time-40-31|title=GAMEFURY's Top 40 Console Games of All Time (#40 – #31)|publisher=GAMEFURY|access-date=2009-11-20|archive-date=2009-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202131809/http://gamefury.net/headline/top-40-console-games-of-all-time-40-31/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, ''IGN'' listed it at #42 in their "Top 100 PlayStation 2 Games".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ie.ign.com/top/ps2-games/42 |title=Top 100 PlayStation 2 Games |publisher=IGN |access-date=November 16, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201231437/http://ie.ign.com/top/ps2-games/42 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 }}</ref> Dante also received noteworthy praise to the point of becoming one of the most famous characters in gaming.<ref>{{cite web|title=Readers' Top 30 Characters Results Revealed |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/12/03/readers-top-30-characters-results-revealed.aspx |publisher=Game Informer |author=Vore, Bryan |date=December 3, 2010 |access-date=July 18, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525011450/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/12/03/readers-top-30-characters-results-revealed.aspx |archive-date=May 25, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The 25 best new characters of the decade |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-25-best-new-characters-of-the-decade/a-20091221171910974007 |publisher=GamesRadar |access-date=2010-01-04 |date=2009-12-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002234420/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-25-best-new-characters-of-the-decade/ |archive-date=2012-10-02 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3177896 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716172411/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3177896 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |title=Snake Beats Mario, Is Coolest Video Game Character Ever |author=Glifford, Kevin |publisher=1UP.com |access-date=March 10, 2010 |date=February 10, 2010 }}</ref>

''Devil May Cry'' was also subject to criticism, however. ''Next Generation'' objected to the difficulty level, wondering if the challenge was added to prolong the gameplay.<ref name=nextgenmag>{{cite magazine|last=Lundrigan|first=Jeff|title=Finals|magazine=Next Generation|volume=4|issue=11|publisher=Imagine Media|date=November 2001|pages=96–97}}</ref> James Tapia at ''The Electric Playground'' pointed to the unusual control scheme and lack of configuration options.<ref name="ElectricPlayground"/> Russell Garbutt ''GameSpy'' cited the camera's behavior, the learning curve for the controls, and graphical shortcomings such as flickering and jagginess.<ref name="Gamespy"/> Shahed Ahmed at ''GameSpot'' criticized its conclusion for its dramatic change in gameplay to a rail shooter-like style at the story's climax, as well as a leveling-off of the difficulty.<ref name="Review1"/> Mike Doolittle at ''Gamecritics'' felt that the story was overly short and the characters were underdeveloped.<ref name="Gamecritics"/>

== Legacy == ''Devil May Cry'' spawned a sequel, ''Devil May Cry 2'' and a prequel, ''Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening''; both of which have sold more than two million copies. ''Devil May Cry 4'' was released on February 5, 2008, in the United States for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. Total sales for all versions as of February 10, 2016 is well over 3 million copies. It has likewise resulted in the release of two novels by Shinya Goikeda,<ref>{{cite book|last=Goikeda |first=Shinya |title=Devil May Cry Volume 1 |date=13 June 2006 |publisher=TokyoPop |isbn=1598164503 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last= Goikeda|first= Shinya|title = Devil May Cry Volume 2|date= 7 November 2006|publisher= TokyoPop|isbn=1598164511}}</ref> and an anime series. On October 15, 2004, three years after its release, a soundtrack containing its music was released alongside the soundtrack to ''Devil May Cry 2''. Plans for a PlayStation Portable installment,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/games/devil-may-cry-psp/psp-683105 |title=Devil May Cry PSP - PlayStation Portable |publisher=IGN |access-date=July 2, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029184449/http://uk.ign.com/games/devil-may-cry-psp/psp-683105 |archive-date=October 29, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/capcom-hopes-for-handheld-hits/1100-6126708/ |title=Capcom hopes for handheld hits |publisher=GameSpot |last=Niizumi |first=Hirohiko |date=June 1, 2005 |access-date=March 27, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421160729/https://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/devilmaycry/news.html?sid=6126708 |archive-date=April 21, 2009 }}</ref> tentatively titled ''Devil May Cry Series'', and a live action film adaptation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/422/422228p1.html |title=Games-to-Film: Devil May Cry |publisher=IGN |access-date=July 2, 2012 |author=Brian Linder |date=June 3, 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206100512/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/422/422228p1.html |archive-date=December 6, 2011 }}</ref> have been announced, although it was later confirmed in 2009 that the PSP adaptation of ''Devil May Cry'' was officially cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/972/972989p1.html|title=Devil May Cry Canned |publisher=IGN |access-date=March 27, 2021 |author=IGN Staff |date=April 15, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419061109/http://psp.ign.com/articles/972/972989p1.html |archive-date=April 19, 2009 }}</ref> A reboot titled ''DmC: Devil May Cry'' was released in 2013 by Ninja Theory and Capcom.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2012/04/16/capcom-giving-ninja-theory-frame-by-frame-guidance-on-dmc-devil-may-cry/ |title=Capcom Giving Ninja Theory Frame By Frame Guidance On DmC Devil May Cry |publisher=Siliconera |date=April 16, 2012 |access-date=April 16, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419231821/http://www.siliconera.com/2012/04/16/capcom-giving-ninja-theory-frame-by-frame-guidance-on-dmc-devil-may-cry/ |archive-date=April 19, 2012 }}</ref> Kamiya considers his 2009 video game ''Bayonetta'' to have evolved from ''Devil May Cry'' although he played the sequel ''Devil May Cry 4'' when developing it.<ref name="gamespot-qanda">{{Cite web|last=Ramsay |first=Randolph |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6207621.html |title=Q&A: Hideki Kamiya on Bayonetta |publisher=GameSpot |date=April 8, 2009 |access-date=October 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091228001200/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6207621.html |archive-date=December 28, 2009 }}</ref> In a 2017 interview with ''Dengeki PlayStation'', Kamiya expressed interest in making a remake of ''Devil May Cry''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.siliconera.com/2017/11/20/hideki-kamiya-wants-viewtiful-joe-dmc-remake-dante-x-bayonneta-crossover/ | title = Hideki Kamiya Wants To Do A Viewtiful Joe Or DMC Remake, And A Dante x Bayonetta Crossover | date = 20 November 2017 | work = Siliconera | access-date = 27 November 2017 | archive-date = 23 November 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171123075157/http://www.siliconera.com/2017/11/20/hideki-kamiya-wants-viewtiful-joe-dmc-remake-dante-x-bayonneta-crossover/ | url-status = live }}</ref> A fifth installment, ''Devil May Cry 5'' was released on March 8, 2019.<ref name="Xbox news">{{cite web|url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2018/06/10/e3-2018-announcing-devil-may-cry-5-for-xbox-one-an-insane-over-the-top-stylish-action-game-like-no-other|title=E3 2018: Announcing Devil May Cry 5 for Xbox One, an Insane, Over- the-top, Stylish Action Game Like No Other|publisher=Microsoft|website=Xbox Wire|author=Yuri Araujo|date=10 June 2018|access-date=19 June 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623173032/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2018/06/10/e3-2018-announcing-devil-may-cry-5-for-xbox-one-an-insane-over-the-top-stylish-action-game-like-no-other/|archive-date=23 June 2018}}</ref> ''Devil May Cry'' was ported to the Nintendo Switch on June 25, 2019, worldwide and on June 27, 2019, in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=June 19, 2019|title=Devil May Cry for Switch launches June 25 in the west, June 27 in Japan|url=https://gematsu.com/2019/06/devil-may-cry-for-switch-launches-june-25-in-the-west-june-27-in-japan|website=Gematsu|access-date=June 19, 2019|archive-date=June 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620040849/https://gematsu.com/2019/06/devil-may-cry-for-switch-launches-june-25-in-the-west-june-27-in-japan|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Devil May Cry'' has been cited as the beginning of a subgenre of arcade-style hack and slash melee focused action-adventure games called "character action"<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hovermale |first1=Chris |title=How Devil May Cry's arcade inspirations shaped character action games |url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/how-devil-may-cry-s-arcade-inspirations-shaped-character-action-games-545783.phtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210518055447/https://www.destructoid.com/stories/how-devil-may-cry-s-arcade-inspirations-shaped-character-action-games-545783.phtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |access-date=30 April 2021 |work=Destructoid |date=2019-03-10 }}</ref> or "Extreme Combat", which focus on powerful heroes fighting hordes of foes with a focus on stylish action.<ref>{{cite book | last = Bateman | first = Chris | author2 = Richard Boon | title = 21st Century Game Design | publisher = Charles River Media | pages = [https://archive.org/details/21stcenturygamed0000bate/page/246 246–247] | date = 2005-08-29 | isbn = 978-1-58450-429-0 }}</ref> It has also been described as being the first game that "successfully captured the twitch-based, relentlessly free-flowing gameplay style of so many classic 2D action games".<ref name="Review1"/> The series has become the standard against which other 3D action-adventure games are measured, with comparisons in reviews of games including ''God of War'',<ref>{{cite web|title=God of War |publisher=IGN |url=http://ps2.ign.com/objects/661/661321.html#previews |access-date=2008-07-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914173536/http://ps2.ign.com/objects/661/661321.html |archive-date=2008-09-14 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2005-06-16 |publisher=Playstation World |title=God of War Review |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=120641&site=psw&skip=yes |access-date=2008-07-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080629102145/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=120641&site=psw&skip=yes |archive-date=2008-06-29 }}</ref> ''Chaos Legion'',<ref>{{cite web|last=Varanini |first=Giancarlo |publisher=GameSpot |date=2003-08-04 |title=Chaos Legion review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/chaoslegion/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;review |access-date=2008-07-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930160819/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/chaoslegion/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary%3Breview |archive-date=2007-09-30 }}</ref> and ''Blood Will Tell''.<ref>{{cite web|last= Bedigian|first= Louis| publisher= Gamezone| date= 2004-09-29| title= Blood Will Tell review| url= http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22035.htm | access-date= 2008-07-20| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080617143442/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22035.htm | archive-date= 2008-06-17}}</ref>

==See also== *''Bayonetta'', another hack and slash game directed by Hideki Kamiya *''Dante's Inferno'', another game based on ''Inferno'' by Dante Alighieri with similar gameplay {{Clear}}

==Notes== {{Notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{moby game|id=/devil-may-cry}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Devil May Cry (Video Game)}} Category:2001 video games Category:Action-adventure games Category:Capcom games Category:Dark fantasy video games Category:Devil May Cry games Category:Hack and slash games Category:Nintendo Switch games Category:PlayStation 2 games Category:PlayStation 3 games Category:PlayStation 4 games Category:Single-player video games Category:Video games about demons Category:Video games about twins Category:Video games based on mythology Category:Video games developed in Japan Category:Video games directed by Hideki Kamiya Category:Video games scored by Masato Kouda Category:Video games set in castles Category:Video games set on fictional islands Category:Windows games Category:Works about twin brothers Category:Xbox 360 games Category:Xbox One games Category:Video games based on the Divine Comedy