Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening

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Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening
'Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening box cover Capcom Production Studio 1
Developer(s) Capcom
Publisher(s) Capcom, Ubisoft
Release date(s) Dante's Awakening
JPN February 17, 2005
NA March 1, 2005
EUR March 24, 2005
Special Edition (PS2)
NA January 24, 2006
JPN February 23, 2006
EUR September 29, 2006
Special Edition (PC)
EUR June 28, 2006
JPN June 30, 2006
NA October 16, 2006
Genre(s) Hack and slash, Action
Mode(s) Single player, Multiplayer
Rating(s) ESRB: Mature (M)
PEGI: 16+
Platform(s) PlayStation 2, PC
Media 1 DVD, 5 CDs, Steam download
System requirements 1.0 GHz CPU, 256 MB RAM, 128 MB video card RAM, 16X CD-ROM drive, DirectX 9.0c, 1.2 GB available hard disk space, Windows 2000/XP
Input Dual Shock 2, Keyboard

Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening (frequently abbreviated to DMC3) is an action game developed by Capcom Production Studio 1 and published by Capcom in 2005 for the PlayStation 2 (also ported to PC in 2006). The game is a prequel to Devil May Cry, and is the first game in the series storyline's chronological order. Upon release, Devil May Cry 3 was widely criticized for its high level of difficulty,[1][2] but was praised for improvements over its predecessor, and a return to the challenging gameplay of Devil May Cry.

Set in modern times in an enchanted tower named Temen-ni-gru,[3] the story centers on the dysfunctional relationship between Dante and his brother Vergil.[4] The events of the game take place just as Dante has opened up the Devil May Cry agency,[5] and before Dante's demonic heritage has reached its full potential.[6] The story is told primarily through a mixture of cutscenes using the game's engine with several pre-rendered full motion videos. A manga prequel to the game was first published in Japan in 2005.[7]

Contents

[edit] Gameplay

Gameplay in Devil May Cry 3 consists of levels called "missions", in which 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 graded from D (dope) to A (alright!!!), with a top rank of SSS (ssstylish). 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), "stylish" combat, item usage, and damage taken.[8]

Dante attacks demons with the Agni and Rudra scimitars
Dante attacks demons with the Agni and Rudra scimitars

"Stylish" combat is defined as performing an unbroken series of varied attacks while avoiding damage, which is tracked by an on-screen gauge. The longer the player attacks without repeating techniques and evades damage, the higher the gauge rises.[8] The gauge starts with no grade, becomes "Dope" after a minimum number of attacks, and peaks at "SSStylish"; if the character receives damage, the style rating resets. The game's battle system allows the player to chain attacks together, with each weapon having a number of unique attacks. Although the game mainly focuses on an aggressive approach to battle, the player must employ some strategy as the enemies have a wide variety of artificial intelligence tactics, and will respond to a number of events.[9]

The Devil Trigger ability enables the player's character to change into a demonic form. This alters the character's appearance, increases attack and defense, slowly restores health, and enables special attacks. The Devil Trigger state lasts as long as there is energy in the Devil Trigger gauge, which is refilled by attacking or taunting enemies in the normal state, and decreases when using the Devil Trigger transformation or other abilities which draw on Devil Trigger power (such as the Quicksilver and Doppelganger styles discussed below).[8] Devil Trigger mode is not available to Dante until one third of the way through the game, while Vergil (who is playable in the Special Edition) has the ability at the outset.

The major difference from previous Devil May Cry titles is the combat system, which allows the player to choose one of six different combat styles with different special techniques related to the style's focus. Style selection is available at the start of each level, as well as during gameplay at checkpoints. The styles available are: Trickster, for dodging and agility; Swordmaster, with extra abilities for swords and other melee weapons; Gunslinger, which has more techniques for firearms; Royal Guard, which allows the player to repel attacks with a properly-timed button press, and thereby charge energy for retaliation; Quicksilver, which slows down enemies while the character attacks at normal speed; Doppelgänger, creates a shadow double that fights alongside Dante. A second player can also control the shadow double by pressing "Start" on a second controller. A two-player mode, similar to Doppelgänger style, is accessible while fighting against Arkham.[10] In the special edition of Devil May Cry 3, the character Vergil has one style called Dark Slayer with techniques similar to Trickster.

[edit] Plot

See also: Characters in Devil May Cry
Panoramic view of the Temen-ni-gru tower
Panoramic view of the Temen-ni-gru tower
Dante uses his Devil Trigger for the first time
Dante uses his Devil Trigger for the first time

Devil May Cry 3 opens in Dante's as-of-yet unnamed shop as a mysterious man called Arkham appears to offer an invitation from Dante's brother Vergil, in the form of a brutal demon attack.[11] After Dante defeats the monsters inside and outside his shop, an immense tower erupts from the ground a short distance away. Sensing Vergil atop the structure, Dante takes the situation as a challenge.[12]

At the tower's entrance Dante encounters Cerberus, defeats him and claims the monster's soul, which transforms into a new weapon.[13] In what becomes a recurring game mechanic, the souls of some defeated boss monsters are transformed into new weapons for Dante's arsenal. Dante is then attacked by a woman on a motorcycle, whose name later becomes Lady. It is revealed in subsequent cutscenes that Arkham is working for Vergil and they plan to take Dante's half of the amulet their mother gave them, and use its power to reactivate the tower's ability to connect the human and demon worlds.[14] It is also revealed that Arkham is Lady's father, that he murdered her mother, and that she is pursuing him to seek revenge.[15][16]

After numerous battles, an encounter with a being calling itself Jester,[17] and another run-in with Lady, Dante attains the tower's summit and battles Vergil. Vergil soundly defeats Dante, steals Dante's amulet, and departs. As a result of his defeat Dante's dormant devil powers emerge, and he sets off in pursuit. He eventually catches up in the control room located in the tower's basement, where Vergil is having no luck reactivating the tower. The brothers battle again and seem evenly matched, until they are interrupted first by Lady and then Jester. Jester reveals that he is in fact Arkham, and has been manipulating them all to reactivate the tower. Arkham's plan is to cross over to the demon world and steal the Force Edge, the dormant form of Sparda's original sword which contains the bulk of Sparda's old power, and use it to rule over a demon-infested Earth.[18][19] The tower then transforms as the spell is broken, carrying Arkham upwards to the summit, while Vergil vanishes in the confusion.

Dante battles his way back up the tower, and eventually fights Lady for the right to pursue Arkham. Dante wins, and Lady lends him her most powerful weapon. Reaching the summit once again, Dante crosses over to the demon world and catches up with Arkham, who has assumed Sparda's demonic form. Overwhelmed by the power, Arkham transforms again into a blob-like creature and battles Dante. Halfway through the fight, as Arkham is gloating that Dante has no chance, Vergil reappears and the brothers work together to bring down Arkham. Arkham is thrown out of the demon world in a weakened state and lands atop the tower, where Lady kills him. In the demon world, Dante and Vergil battle over ownership of the Force Edge and the amulet halves. Dante is victorious. As the portal closes, Vergil decides to stay behind and vanishes into the darkness with one half of the amulet.[20]

Returning to the human world, Dante meets Lady outside the tower where she coins the phrase "devil may cry" while trying to comfort Dante over the loss of his brother. They form a friendship and the beginnings of a partnership in demon-slaying, and he names his shop "Devil May Cry".[21][22] A scene after the credits reveals a weakened yet determined Vergil, still in the demon world, where he charges into battle against his father's old foe, Mundus.[23]

[edit] Development

Kazuma Kaneko's design of Dante's Devil Trigger for the game
Kazuma Kaneko's design of Dante's Devil Trigger for the game

Following the mixed reception that Devil May Cry 2 received, Capcom decided to develop Devil May Cry 3 in a manner closer to the successful first game. Gameplay elements such as the size of environments and the game’s battle engine were reconsidered. Other criticized aspects of Devil May Cry 2, such as Dante’s character and the game’s difficulty, were brought more in line with the first title.[24]

The game's production was handled by Capcom Production Studio 1, the same studio that developed Devil May Cry 2.[25] According to a pre-release interview with the game's producer Tsuyoshi Tanaka, the thrust of the game's design was the creation of a new battle system allowing the player to control weapons in new and "stylish" ways. This went along with the design of a new type of in-game camera designed to keep the character in focus to avoid disorienting the player in crowded battle scenes. According to Tanaka, the difficulty of Devil May Cry 2 was toned down to get wider acceptance in the Japanese market, but this move made the game lose support in other markets. To deal with this situation the Japanese release of Devil May Cry 3 had a lower difficulty than the North American and European releases. Dante’s attitude was emphasized to reflect a younger and more arrogant character than in previous intallments.[26] Capcom also produced a second version called the "Special Edition", which was released on January 24, 2006 in North America. A personal computer version of Devil May Cry 3, with slight graphical changes, was developed by SourceNext and published by Ubisoft on February 1, 2006 in North America.

Capcom promoted Devil May Cry 3's release with a multi-million dollar television campaign, as well as with prominent ads in video game magazines. The marketing campaign focused on the game's plot and its multiple fighting styles.[24]

The Devil Trigger forms for Dante and Vergil were designed by Kazuma Kaneko, who previously worked on Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner, Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne and Persona.[27][28]

[edit] Reception

Reviews
PlayStation 2 version
Eurogamer 8/10[29]
GamePro 4.5/5[30]
GameSpot 8.6/10[2]
GameSpy 4/5[1]
IGN 9.6/10[31]

Devil May Cry 3 was highly successful commercially, being placed in eighth among Japan's top selling games during the first week after its release.[32] The game sold over 1,300,000 units worldwide; this success made the game deserving of a "Platinum Title" recognition by Capcom for its first release.[33] Devil May Cry 3 scored 84/100 at Metacritic and 84.2% at Game Rankings.[34][35] It was also included in Game Informer's "Top 50 Games of 2005" list and later received a "Game of the Month" award when the Special Edition was released.[36]

Reviews typically praised the game for not repeating the mistakes of the previous title, the storyline, the degree of customizability and "over-the-top" nature of the gameplay, as well as the new combat engine. The styles based combat engine was quoted as being able to produce fighting sequences that make the ones in other games such as Ninja Gaiden and Prince of Persia appear unimpressive.[37] Other aspects such as the camera and controls were also reviewed positively.[30][38][2][39][40]

However, the first North American and European release was criticized for its difficulty even in reviews that gave it a high score. Reviewers took issue with Capcom's decision to turn the Japanese version's "Hard" mode into the North American and European "Normal" mode.[29][31]

The Special Edition release (see following section) was ranked 9th in GameSpy's Game of the Year selection for the PlayStation 2 in 2006, and was praised for rebalancing the difficulty. Other aspects of the game such as the inclusion of a survival mode called "Bloody Palace" and the addition of Vergil as a playable character received positive reviews.[38]

The personal computer version was widely criticized as being inferior to the PlayStation 2 version. Issues included the game engine, which was considered rough and underworked, the controls, and the inability to save the game anywhere during a level and restart from that point in a subsequent "loading", a convenience that most personal computer games have.[41][42]

[edit] Connected releases

Following the release of Devil May Cry 3, Capcom released merchandise based on the game, including a manga written by Suguro Chayamachi and published by Tokyopop in North America, as well as a Dante action figure made by Revoltech. A source book entitled "Devil May Cry 3 Material Archive - Note of Naught" was released in 2006, containing previously unreleased production and CG artwork, storyboards, and a UMD video disc for the PSP with trailers and videos (region 2 only).[43] A three-disc Devil May Cry 3 soundtrack was released on March 31, 2005 shortly after the game's release, with Tetsuya Shibata and Kento Hasegawa credited as the producers.[44] The lyrics for the vocal songs from Devil May Cry 3 were written, and the rough vocals performed, by Shawn "Shootie HG" McPherson of heavy metal band Hostile Groove, with David Baker performing the more melodic vocals.[45]

[edit] Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition

At the 2005 Tokyo Game Show, Capcom announced there would be a special edition of Devil May Cry 3.[46] It included a number of gameplay changes and additional content. Most notably, players could now choose to play as Dante's twin brother, Vergil. Other changes included an added survival mode called "Bloody Palace" with a total of 9999 levels; a new boss fight early in the game, with optional fights later; a "Turbo Mode" for 20 percent faster gameplay; and a continue system which can revive the character instantly, or allow the player to restart the fight they just lost as many times as they like. The game also has rebalanced difficulty.

Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition PAL cover
Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition PAL cover

Vergil has only one style, "Dark Slayer" (similar to Dante's "Trickster" style), which includes evasive maneuvers, and can be leveled up twice, just like Dante's initial four styles. He has three weapons: his O-katana called Yamato, the Beowulf gauntlets and greaves, and the Force Edge broadsword. He has only one ranged attack, "Summoned Swords", which creates magical swords that can be used for a variety of effects.[47]

The new boss is a character from the first version, Jester. In the first edition of Devil May Cry 3, Jester was a plot-important character who was encountered several times during cutscenes, but never actually fought. In Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition, Jester is a semi-optional boss (insofar as the first fight with him is mandatory but the later encounters can be skipped) who can be fought three times.

Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition was released on January 24, 2006 for US$19.99 as part of the PlayStation 2 Greatest Hits Collection. It was later confirmed that the PlayStation 2 version of the game would also be released in Europe.[48]

On February 1, 2006, Ubisoft announced that they would be publishing a PC version of the game developed by SourceNext.[49] The European PC version was the first to come out, even before the Special Edition was released for the PlayStation 2 in that region, being released on June 28, 2006. The North American version was released on October 16, 2006. The game was published in Japan on June 30, 2006.

In Europe, the PlayStation 2 version came out on September 29, 2006 for GB£14.99 and was slightly different from the North American version. Vergil and Bloody Palace mode were unlocked from the start, but the Turbo mode was taken out of the game.

Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition was also included in a 5th Anniversary Collection of Devil May Cry games, a collection of the first three games.[50]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Lopez, Miguel. Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Review. GameSpy. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  2. ^ a b c Kasavin, Greg. Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening for PlayStation 2 Review. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  3. ^ Arkham: Well? Doesn't it excite you? The Temen-ni-gru has revived. The Great One who once ruled this earth as the medium between the Human world, and the Demon world. Isn't it a magnificent view? The greatest minds of their time, those who revered Evil, constructed this glorious edifice. Now after two milleniums of confinement it can at last fulfill the purpose for which it was intended - Vergil: That's... none of my concern. Did he have it? (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  4. ^ Lady: I met the sons of Sparda - Both of them. Though the same blood of their father flow through their veins, the two battled each other fiercely like arch enemies. (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  5. ^ Dante: Damn it! you guys totally wrecked my shop and I haven't even named it yet! (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  6. ^ Vergil: Why do you refuse to gain power? The power of our father Sparda? Dante: Father? I don't have a father. I just don't like you, that's all. Vergil: Foolishness, Dante, foolishness. Might controls everything. And without strength, you can't protect anything. Let alone yourself. (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  7. ^ Devil May Cry 3 Manga. Anime New Network. Retrieved on 2007-03-23.
  8. ^ a b c (2005) Devil May Cry 3 Instruction Booklet. Capcom. 
  9. ^ Palisano, Michael. Devil May Cry 3 review. the-laser.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-14.
  10. ^ List of styles in Devil May Cry 3. devilmaycry.org. Retrieved on 2007-04-03.
  11. ^ Arkham: Is your name Dante? Son of Sparda? Dante: Where did you hear that? Arkham: From your brother. He sent this invitation to you. Please accept it. Dante: Invitation huh? (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  12. ^ Dante: It's been nearly a year since we last met. Where does the time go? No doubt you've got some fun planned for me. Right Vergil? (Devil May Cry) Capcom, 2005
  13. ^ Cerberus: You are not a human, are you? Dante: Who knows? I'm not even sure myself. Cerberus: Regardless, you have proved your strength. I acknowledge your ability. Take my soul and go forth. You have my blessing. Dante: Too easy! (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  14. ^ Vergil: Why isn't this working?! is there something missing? Must more blood be shed? Dante : You seem to be in a bad mood. Vergil: Dante. Dante: So my mother's amulet is the key that unlocks the door to the Demon World. Good Plan, Pop. Vergil: Just the opposite actually... Originally it was the key to the Demon World but was given to humans as a gift. Dante: It doesn't matter to me one way or the other. More importantly I've came all this way. I'm sure you have time for one more game, right? Vergil: Why not? After all we share the same blood. I'll just use more of yours to undo daddy's little spell. Dante: So you want a piece of me. literally. Okay, bro. come and get it, if you can! (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  15. ^ Vergil: Why didn't you kill her? Perhaps, because she is your daughter? Did some pesky fatherly love get in your way? Arkham: That is none of your - Vergil: To further your study of the black arts, you sacrificed your loving wife, to become a devil as well. Knowing this I thought you'd be more useful to me, but I was wrong. No wonder your attainment of power is incomplete. (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  16. ^ Lady: Shut up! He was obsessed with becoming a devil, so much he killed his own wife. For that he butchered innocent people too. He's the most vile kind of creature. To top it off, that filthy scum... is my father. Dante: Well, we have something in common. I have a dysfunctional family too.Lady: And what would you know about family? You're a demon! This is my father. My family! This was all supposed to end by my hand! (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  17. ^ Jester: That could be a problem. Just hear me out. You got nothing to lose, right? My name is Jester, and I know a thing or two about this place. That thing there, is a power generator for this entire sector. In order to open the door, you need to apply a little something to it first. Do you know what that is, kid? Or is that too difficult for you? Ahahahahahaha - (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  18. ^ Jester: It was quite a ride, you know! If any of you had died before getting here, our little plan would have gone to waste! Therefore, my job was to get you to battle each other in order to weaken you. But at the same time, I needed to guide you here and make sure you were kept alive. I even went so far as dressing like a complete idiot! (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  19. ^ Arkham: He plucks the threads that make us dance, finger and toe! We surrender in joy to the lowest of the foul and rank; we submerge through darkness, rancid filth. Hour by hour, we move downward, ever closer to Hell, in a slow, steady gait. Now, let the world resonate! Sloth! Gluttony! Greed! Envy! Lust! Wrath! And pride! A bell of chaos that tolls human desires! After two thousand long years, the once sealed gate to the demonic world will open! Destruction! Carnage and Despair! Let your instincts drive you! Entrap this world in fear! As its very name Temen-ni-gru strikes terror into the heart of mankind. Then I will become the ultimate ruler of this wasteland engulfed with pandemonium. The demonic power that Sparda once imprisoned... will be mine! (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  20. ^ Vergil: No one can have this Dante. It's mine. It belongs to a son of Sparda. Leave me and go, if you don't want to be trapped in the demon world. I'm staying. This place, was our father's home. (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  21. ^ Lady: Are you crying? Dante: It's only the rain. Lady: The rain already stopped. Dante: Devils never cry. Lady: I see. Maybe somewhere out there even a devil may cry when he loses a loved one. Don't you think? Dante: Maybe. (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  22. ^ Lady: Oh, speaking of a kind devil, he finally decided on a name for his shop. It took him quite a while to pick one. Want to know the name? Devil May Cry. (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  23. ^ Vergil: It would be fun to fight with the Prince of Darkness. If my father did it, I should be able to do it too! (Devil May Cry 3) Capcom, 2005
  24. ^ a b Brightman, James (2005-04-06). Devil May Cry 3 Poised for Success. GameDaily. Retrieved on 2007-04-12.
  25. ^ Capcom Production Studio 1. IGN. Retrieved on 2007-04-12.
  26. ^ Interview with Tsuyoshi Tanaka. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2007-04-18.
  27. ^ Devil May Cry 3 PS2 Preview, Devil May Cry 3 Playstation 2 Preview. 1Up. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  28. ^ Atlus designer Kazuma Kaneko working on Devil May Cry 3 - News at GameSpot. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
  29. ^ a b Reed, Kristan (2005-04-29). Devil May Cry review. Eurogamer. Retrieved on 2007-04-06.
  30. ^ a b Clockwork Crow (2005-03-01). Devil May Cry 3 review. GamePro. Retrieved on 2007-04-06.
  31. ^ a b Dunham, Jeremy (2005-02-25). Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening review. IGN. Retrieved on 2007-04-06.
  32. ^ Japanese Sales Charts, Week Ending March 6th. Gamasutra (2005-03-11). Retrieved on 2007-04-20.
  33. ^ Platinum Titles. Capcom (2007-01-17). Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
  34. ^ Metacritic Devil May Cry 3 Reviews. Metacritic. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  35. ^ Game Rankings Devil May Cry 3 Reviews. Game Rankings. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  36. ^ (2006) Game Informer (Issue #153) - January, 84. 
  37. ^ (2005) Games TM (Issue #30) - March, 120–123. 
  38. ^ a b GameSpy's Game of the Year 2006. GameSpy. Retrieved on 2007-03-21.
  39. ^ Jones, Scott (2005-05-25). Devil May Cry 3 review. Gamecritics.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-14.
  40. ^ Devil May Cry 3 review. G4. Retrieved on 2007-04-14.
  41. ^ Kasavin, Greg (2006-10-21). Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition for Personal computer review. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2007-04-19.
  42. ^ Dunham, Jeremy (2006-10-22). Devil May Cry 3 for PC review. IGN. Retrieved on 2007-04-19.
  43. ^ Devil May Cry 3: Note of Naught artbook. Devil's Chapel. Crystal. Retrieved on 2007-04-03.
  44. ^ Listing for DMC3 OST. Amazon. Retrieved on 2007-03-26.
  45. ^ McPherson, Shawn. Shawn McPherson's Web site. Shootie HG. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.
  46. ^ TGS 2005: Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition Confirmed. GameSpot (2005-09-14). Retrieved on 2007-04-14.
  47. ^ Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition Review. Gameslave. Retrieved on 2007-04-03.
  48. ^ Release dates and production teams of Devil May Cry 3. IGN. Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
  49. ^ Ubisoft To Publish Capcom Titles On PC. Gamasutra (2006-02-01). Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
  50. ^ Capcom Issues Anniversary Treats. IGN (2006-10-24). Retrieved on 2007-04-03.

[edit] External links

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