Devil May Cry 2

Dante?s back, and he?s not alone! Devil May Cry 2 is one of the biggest games of the new year, but is it on par with the first adventure?

When Devil May Cry burst onto the scene in 2001, it gave action junkies what they really craved: Dante?a cool-as-hell gunslinger with an attitude and fancy moves right out of The Matrix. It was a very tough game that shoved novice players aside and bulldozed those who stuck around with a barrage of oh-so-cool character techniques, eye-popping special effects, relentless monsters, and rewarding thumb-taxing gameplay. Like the recent Shinobi (albeit to a lesser degree), DMC was difficult?but not impossible?to complete, and one got a true sense of accomplishment from beating a tough boss on the umpteenth try or executing a "Stylish!" combo. The sequel, Devil May Cry 2, tries to appeal to a broader gamer base, with a "friendlier" enemy A.I. and action reduced from boil to simmer. In this case, however, "easier" doesn?t equal "better."

Devil in the Blue Disc
For the unfamiliar, Devil May Cry was basically a playable big-budget action movie: The plot didn?t really matter and once the lead started flying all you could think about was the next target. The methods of mayhem at your disposal were awesome and unique, whether it was juggling enemies in mid-air with a steady stream of gunfire, shattering armor with a well-timed punch, or delivering a double-barreled shotgun blast that propelled an enemy across the screen. DMC2 picks up where the original left off, as demons are once again running amok, and devil-hunter-for-hire Dante returning to the scene to do what he does best. However, he?s joined by a second playable character, the knife wielding Lucia, who has her own unique moves?and motives. Lucia is the more challenging of the playable pair; she relies more on hit-and-run tactics and has a better selection of exotic weapons.

Running With the Devil
DMC2 uses the original?s Mission-by-Mission approach, as you obtain various orbs that can be cashed in for weapon upgrades and assorted power-ups. However, the level design is completely new and that?s a big problem: Several Missions take place in huge, wide-open outdoor spaces that reduce your character to dot-size as they move at what seems like a snail?s pace. Creepy gothic structures and settings are interspersed with urban landscapes, cities, and factories, which don?t exactly create a demon-hunting atmosphere.

What?s really missing is the intense, edge-of-your-seat close-quarter combat that made the first game so arresting. Here the action isn?t as layered, there?s no rush from smashing or drilling enemies, and the limited combo system ("Show Time!") is unrewarding. The few and far between ferocious battles are peppered with an expanded plethora of puzzle-solving and platform-hopping tasks, the latter of which are all the more frustrating thanks to haphazard and awkward camera angles. Ultimately, you never really get immersed in the game; it feels more like simply passing through levels and fighting bosses, sans rhyme or reason.

Dante Lite
Not that DMC2 lacks favorable new aspects. The graphics are sharper than before, and Dante?s been given some new moves such as the ability to fire dual weapons in two different directions and hike up walls. The new playable character, Lucia, adds diversity and replay value, and it?s interesting to watch her and Dante?s intertwined scenarios play out.

The soundtrack, though, lacks punch?especially the sound effects. Weapon discharges are muted and not as intense as they should be, and the inappropriate disco music that starts whenever you engage in combat will set your teeth to "grind." Competent voice acting lends life to various characters.

Angel Food
Devil May Cry 2 is still an interesting second installment in Capcom?s new franchise. Those who were turned off by the ramped-up difficulty may find this sequel to be more "player-friendly," while the camp of hardened Devil vets may find this game to take one step forward, but two steps back. Overall, Devil May Cry hasn?t lost its edge, but the blade is somewhat dulled.

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Sac077

I Actually Enjoyed Dmc2 But I Have to Admit It's Nowhere Near As Good As DMC 1,3 & 4

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