Dante, the mysterious half-man, half-demon action hero is back to battle the legions of the underworld with stylish sword and gunplay.
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AmazonDevil May Cry 2 brings us back to Dante's world, and this time his fellow demon-fighter friend, Lucia, has her own disc. OK, she sounds a bit like Celine Dion, and her plot's a little silly, but she has her own disc with a reasonable 13 missions. She's refreshingly clothed for a female character, and like Dante, she can transform using "devil trigger"--the equivalent of rampage mode in other games. Dante's disc holds 18 missions, with a few redundant maps between the two characters.
Visually stunning, Devil May Cry 2 offers minute details that envelop the player. For example, when walking on the roof in a little Italian villa, you can hear the distinct sound of tiles under your feet.
As with the original Devil May Cry, this is not a game for children. It comes with a gore warning, but in this game some of the gothic elements--like the Demonochorus (possessed cherubs) or Infestants (energy-sucking insectlike things)--might disturb even an adult's sleeping pattern.
This is one game where it really pays to pick up the strategy guide, and here's why: Players need to complete the mission in as little time as possible. Since lots of great power-ups are found in secret rooms, you would waste a lot of time endlessly inspecting doors without it, and never reach the coveted S status that comes with a fast run through a level. The overall grade is a combination of your rankings in style, collected number of orbs, the number of items you used (the fewer the better), damage, and your overall clear time. This isn't just an attempt to get you to buy more, we promise: you'll get far more orbs, find many more secret chambers, and enjoy the nuances of the game better with the guide.
Characters can jump off the walls Matrix-style, shooting from midair. The game allows for limitless ammo and energy. These and many other facets recommend Devil May Cry 2, even if some fans find it less engaging than the original. In our opinion, it's as addictive as other sequels from successful franchises--Final Fantasy comes to mind--and we're hoping for more reincarnations. --Jennifer Buckendorff
Pros:
- Great, creepy enemies: Blood goats, Noctpteran (with larva), Sargasso
- Cool powers available through amulet stones
- Stellar maps, including inspired underwater fighting
Cons: - Not a good game for inventory freaks
- Goofy "Don't worry" and "Showtime!" announcements detract from atmosphere
- Ultracheesy Diesel product tie-in when you finish
The Gothic thriller taken to a new level; Much broader environment than the original; Play as Dante or a new heroine; Difficulty level auto-adjustment; Enhanced Devil Trigger.
