History YMMV / DmCDevilmayCry

** Many fans say that the ''[=DmC=]'' "preboot" being called an AlternateContinuity is clearly [[http://www.siliconera.com/2011/10/31/dmc-devil-may-cry-takes-place-in-a-parallel-world-with-a-different-dante/ this]] due to the backdraft caused by the initial announcement. Basically, this means that it's a reboot, but it's still canon to the previous games as it takes place within the same {{multiverse}}, so the classic Dante and lore still "exist". This would be proven true later with the announcement of ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'', which continues the story of the original continuity.

* VindicatedByHistory: ''[=DmC=]'' was controversial for many things, but one of them stemmed from the game being initially announced as a reboot. Fans of the classic continuity feared that the original story might not continue anymore if it's going to be rebooted, but after Capcom [[{{Unreboot}} returned to the classic continuity]] with ''[=DMC5=]'' several years later, fans generally consider ''[=DmC=]'' to be a [[SoOkayItsAverage decent game in its own right]], but just not a good ''Devil May Cry'' game. It's been argued that the game would've had a much better reception if it were a new IP instead of having the ''Devil May Cry'' name attached to it. It also helps that [[https://www.gameinformer.com/gamescom-2018/2018/08/24/capcoms-hideaki-itsuno-on-ninja-theory-nico-and-the-difference-between some]] [[https://www.vg247.com/2018/07/25/devil-may-cry-5-will-expand-combat-philosophies-established-dmc1-4/ interviews]] had Hideaki Itsuno and Matt Walker (the Director and Producer of ''[=DMC5=]'', respectively) [[ApprovalOfGod think highly]] of some concepts in this game. Certain mechanics and features from this game did make their way into the mainline series (particularly Vergil's massively expanded moveset in ''4:SE'' and ''5:SE'', or the HitStop cinematic effect and a voiced Style announcer in ''5''), so some veteran ''DMC'' fans are more forgiving of ''[=DmC=]'' in retrospect, at least in terms of specific [[PlayTheGameSkipTheStory aesthetic and gameplay]] elements, strictly speaking.

* UnderusedGameMechanic: The first mission allows Dante to launch enemies into unique environmental hazards such as spinning sawblades or rides. You don't see such unique environmental hazards anymore in the next levels as they are mostly simple BottomlessPits.

*** Many players found the Demon/Angel Weapon system to be almost completely unnecessary. There aren't enough variations (no heavy Angel weapons or no light Demon weapons), which wouldn't be a problem at first, but the game's combat favors heavy weapons a lot -- the Arbiter pretty much blows away every other weapon in the game, so you only ever pull out an Angel weapon for the stuff that absolutely requires them or if you like [[ComplacentGamingSyndrome spamming a specific combo]]. Another criticism mentions how the player character gets staggered if they use the inappropriate melee weapons against the color-coded enemies.
*** These weapons justify the existence of the Fire and Ice demons, which fans perceive as GoddamnedBats that can stagger the character if the wrong weapon type is used. They limit playstyles and the freedom to use any weapon. While some players consider the gameplay of ''[=DmC=]'' to be okay or average on its own, the color-coded enemies broke the enjoyment of the game for others.

* PlayTheGameSkipTheStory: For most, the gameplay is generally pretty solid (if somewhat easy for veterans of the previous games. At least, most cite that it's better than the [[TroubledProduction technically-flawed]] ''2'') and is still fun on its own. The level design also receives a lot of praise, mostly because the environment is alive, and the platforming segments can be justified. Unfortunately, a majority also find the story and dialogue cringe-worthy and laughably bad in their attempts to be "edgy".

** Many players found the Demon/Angel Weapon system to be almost completely unnecessary. There aren't any heavy Angel weapons or light Demon weapons, which wouldn't be a problem at first, but the game's combat favors heavy weapons a lot -- the Arbiter pretty much blows away every other weapon in the game, so you only ever pull out an Angel weapon for the stuff that absolutely requires them or if you like [[ComplacentGamingSyndrome spamming a specific combo]]. Another criticism mentions how the player character gets staggered if they use the inappropriate melee weapons against the color-coded enemies.

* WinBackTheCrowd: After the [[TaintedByThePreview backlash following the game's initial announcement]], the next previews slowly tried to win the classic series' fans back over by showing off the combat, boss battles, new environments, familiar movesets, and fan favorite characters like Vergil. Some classic fans gave ''[=DmC=]'' another chance, but the general reception is mostly PlayTheGameSkipTheStory.

** Hardcore ''Devil May Cry'' fans find the ''Vergil's Downfall'' DLC to be actually better than the [[ItsEasySoItSucks base game]] in terms of gameplay (and not considering its 2D cutscenes). Because of the increased difficulty brought about by Vergil's unique and focused playstyle, ''Vergil's Downfall'' plays much like the classic ''DMC'' games. The two new enemy types are actually engaging, while the final boss of the DLC was way more challenging and difficult compared to the final boss of the base game.

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: A number of aspects of the game weren't popular among fans of the original series. These include:

** Being a ContinuityReboot[=/=]AlternateContinuity in general.

** The usage of Unreal Engine 3 instead of Capcom's MT Framework game engine.

** The increased use of profanity.
** Running at 30 frames per second rather than 60 on [=PS3=] and 360.

** Not to mention the obvious politicization.
* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: This universe has confirmed Angels and they are established as a sworn enemy to demons. This opens up a lot of cool possibilities. Perhaps an angelic counterpart to the Devil Trigger? How does Dante struggle with the idea that he doesn't have a single drop of human blood? Are the Angels present as a force for good or maybe [[KnightTemplar a different]] [[HolierThanThou breed of evil]]? Sadly, outside of Eva and the angelic weapons, not much is done with them.
* UncertainAudience: A big contributor to the game's divisive reception (more so in terms of plot, tone and characterization than gameplay). ''[=DmC=]'' has a notably DarkerAndEdgier tone and attempts to deal with some much heavier topics than the original continuity; while the latter does have some serious and dramatic moments, overall the games tend to be more campy and whimsical. Ninja Theory were specifically instructed to make a 'different' ''Devil May Cry'' game, but the end result is that ''[=DmC=]'' bears little resemblance to the rest of the franchise and either doesn't use any of the classic characters or radically changes them. Many fans of the original games weren't onboard because it was InNameOnly, while the ''Devil May Cry'' title may have been off-putting to potential players who ''were'' into what ''[=DmC=]'' has to offer, resulting in ''[=DmC=]'' underselling in some markets. To this day, it's common to hear players say stuff like "It's not a bad game ''per se'', just not a good ''Devil May Cry'' game".
* UnintentionallySympathetic: Lilith was obviously not intended to be 'nice', but [[spoiler:after seeing her fearing for her and her babies' life, and then seeing her reaction to Vergil shooting her stomach to kill her child, a few players felt sorry for her]].

* {{Wangst}}: Vergil in the ''Vergil's Downfall'' DLC. He spends the entire DLC complaining about how everything went wrong and blames Dante for everything and ends up whining about how their mother loved Dante more than him. [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools Tropes Are Not Bad]] kicks in here as that petty envy and rage gives him the susceptibility to taking power at any cost, in line with his descent into villainy.

* WinBackTheCrowd: After the [[TaintedByThePreview backlash following the game's initial announcement]], previews slowly tried to win series fans back over by showing off the combat, boss battles, new environments, and fan favorite characters like Vergil.

* RonTheDeathEater: Dante gets this [[HeroWithBadPublicity In-Universe]] and out. Some critics, particularly those who dislike the reboot, took some of [[UnreliableNarrator Bob Barbas']] [[MaliciousSlander talking points]] about Dante being a "disgusting, degrading, and generally nauseating" person with "a history of physical violence and a known sexual deviant" [[MisaimedFandom at face value]]. This gets especially ridiculous when discussing the infamous scene in which Dante taunts Mundus over the death of Mundus's baby. Dante's detractors argue that this makes him come across as a sociopath, conveniently ignoring Mundus's murder of Dante's mother, his condemning Dante's father to eternal torture and his repeated attempts to kill Dante throughout the game. Compared to Mundus's own trespasses against him, Dante's mocking the death of Mundus's baby[[note]]Which was Vergil's idea not Dante's and even then it was only to allow Vergil to sneak into Mundus's office and close the Hell Gate.[[/note]] is far more understandable if not justified than the cruelty Mundus displays.

* ScrappyMechanic: Plenty. Several of these issues would go on to be fixed in the Definitive Edition, along with a complete rebalance of the game via Hardcore Mode. This was done to encourage sales of the game among the older fans who they insulted during this game's promotion.
** The reworked Style System is one of the most common fan complaints as it is now [[ItsEasySoItSucks easier]] to reach SSS Rank compared to the previous titles. This is also the first ''Devil May Cry'' game to utilize a checkpoint system by ''a large margin'', making some of the notably difficulty levels such as "Hell and Hell" to become easier than they should be. Also add the fact that the game actually records the number of times you died in a mission (which negatively affects your overall Style Ranking post-mission). This becomes less of a problem in the Definitive Edition where dying or using items penalizes your score. On the flip side, in either edition, restarting a checkpoint counts as a death. In games of a similar genre such as ''Metal Gear Rising'' where restarting a checkpoint does not count as dying, this is a source of frustration when going for a no death run on the hardest difficulty. More so if playing the updated version.

** A good number of people found the Demon Weapon/Angel Weapon system to be almost completely unnecessary. There aren't any heavy Angel weapons or light Demon weapons, which wouldn't be a problem except that the game's combat favors heavy weapons a lot -- the Arbiter pretty much blows away every other weapon in the game, so you only ever pull out an Angel weapon for the stuff that absolutely requires them. Another criticism mentions how the player character gets staggered if they use the inappropriate melee weapons against the color-coded enemies.

** The coat animations are done by hand instead of the physics engine, resulting in it awkwardly snapping back over Dante's legs whenever he stops. However, this only occurs in segments where Dante restricted to walking.

* TakeThatScrappy: Bob Barbas's Raptor News commentaries on [[ReplacementScrappy Dante]] could be seen as this, which perhaps also contributes to Barbas's EnsembleDarkhorse status.
* ThatOneLevel: Even many hardcore ''Devil May Cry'' fans find the "Vergil's Downfall" DLC to be actually better than the base game in terms of gameplay (and not considering its 2D cutscenes). Some note that due to the increased difficulty brought about by Vergil's unique and focused playstyle, the DLC plays much like the previous titles of the main series. The two new enemy types are actually engaging, while the final boss of the DLC was way more challenging and difficult compared to the final boss of the base game.

* CaptainObviousReveal: [[spoiler:Dante and Vergil will eventually fight each other in the end]]. ''DMC'' veterans already expected this plot point under the possibility that this game would retread some of the tropes used in the classic continuity, especially the [[spoiler:overarching SiblingRivalry between the brothers. Besides, Vergil's act of sniping Lilith's child was seen as a catalyst of the rift because Dante didn't expect his brother to act like that]]. While the ending was sudden or surprising to series newcomers, the veterans already expected it as a ForegoneConclusion.

** Drekavac also has also received positive appraisal even if it's just a [[RecurringBoss recurring]] [[KingMook mini-boss]] who has no lines, no backstory, and no characterization.

* HarsherInHindsight: Bob Barbas calling Dante a "sexual deviant" becomes this if you factor in the news from 2017 wherein Bill O' Reilly (who Bob is a [[NoCelebritiesWereHarmed parody of]]) was revealed to have sexually harassed five women, resulting in his firing from Fox News.

** A major criticism of the change in gameplay, especially with how easy it is to achieve SSS rank (points are based on damage, so it's possible to get high ranks just by spamming Arbiter's attacks), air combos making most enemies completely helpless (with none of the skill or effort required to achieve this in older entries), and the boss fights requiring less skill and strategy than in the previous entries. It doesn't help that the hard difficulty isn't nearly the difficulty you expect from the hard mode of a ''Devil May Cry'' game.
** There's also the implementation of the {{Checkpoint}} System. While the previous titles indeed have a way to continue from a specific point of the mission, this game turns their number UpToEleven. The sheer abundance of automatic checkpoints even decreases the challenge posed by the "Hell and Hell" difficulty as compared to the previous titles. It becomes less of a problem in the Definitive Edition as dying is penalized and you drop ranks real fast if multiple deaths occur on a mission (i.e. dying drops what would have been SSS rank to a SS, and so on). While this does increase the challenge, it can also be rather aggravating to have to restart a mission after a single death to get the SSS.
* JerkassWoobie: While Dante is a brash hedonistic {{Jerkass}}, his life has genuinely sucked compared with Vergil's. He lost his parents when he was seven, was raised in an orphanage run by demons, chased by and battling them for years without a clue why using powers he doesn't understand, and to top it all off, no one knows about his struggles with the demons only he can see or do anything about. He was told that he was delusional, and questioned his own stability after some particularly bloody battles. Hell, in one of his flashbacks, he's shown ''tearing open his own chest'' to make sure he had a heart.

* LoveToHate: Bob Barbas is one of the most memorable of the new cast because of Creator/LouisHerthum's performance as a hammy despicable pundit oozing with greasy charm.

** Half of the stuff Vergil does is a slow descent across the line: [[spoiler:not caring about Kat's safety, shooting Lilith and her child when she was completely defenseless, his plans after Mundus' death, and his "revenge" in the DLC chapter.]]
** Some see Dante as crossing it as well, when he [[spoiler: mocks Mundus about his dead child. Even though he only does it to get Mundus away from the Hellgate, it's rather divisive.]]

** Dante and Succubus' trashtalk, which devolves into playground-style exchanges.
** Vergil's screams of pain during gameplay can be hilarious; case in point, when he gets hit by a Ravager enemy's chainsaw attack.
** Vergil's [[spoiler: attempt at a WhamLine comes off as being painfully obvious and unnecessary. Many found that Dante's response completely undercuts it as well.]]

* NoSuchThingAsBadPublicity: The controversy over this game caused an upsurge in the original series' popularity and online exposure. Averted for this installment, however, where the poor fan reception caused the game to sell poorly, both on its initial release and the later ''[[UpdatedRerelease Definitive Edition]]'' release.
* ObviousJudas: Fans who played the previous ''DMC'' games knew that [[spoiler:Vergil]] would ultimately betray Dante.

** One detail of ''[=DmC=]'' Vergil's personality that has been noted/criticized is him belittling humans as being as [[HumansAreMorons stupid]], [[HumansAreBastards murderous]] hypocrites. Despite claims that this is a distortion of his character, Vergil being a misanthrope was very much an aspect of his classic iteration in ''Devil May Cry 3'' -- there was a reason he and Dante weren't on the same side. It was, then as now, a contrast with his [[KnightInSourArmor brother]], who had an [[RousseauWasRight optimistic view of humanity]] and opposed Vergil's [[JadeColoredGlasses hierarchical]] "{{might|MakesRight}} [[TheSocialDarwinist controls]] [[{{Ubermensch}} everything]]" [[ByronicHero ideology]].
** Also some details of this continuity, such as this Dante's dark hair and this version of Vergil using firearms, had already occurred in the non-canon ''Devil May Cry 1'' novel. The former is that Dante, while using the alias of "Tony Redgrave" at the time, dyed his hair brown to keep his past/heritage hidden. Vergil, posing as Gilver, used a shotgun against Dante in one encounter. Some observers even believed that the game would be an adaptation of that novel, but it was eventually shown to be {{Jossed}}.
** In regards to Poison the Succubus, there are several people who don't realize that succubi who are beautiful by default (ala [[VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}} Morrigan Aensland]]) are a [[NewerThanTheyThink recent invention]]. In the original myths and medieval demonology texts, they were hideous beings that used {{Glamour}} to appear as [[EnthrallingSiren beautiful women]] to seduce men in their sleep — thus, ''[=DmC=]'' did an accurate depiction of a Succubus.
** It was surprising to see Dante's Devil Trigger suspend enemies instead of how it usually works in the classic games, but a time-stopping ability has been in every game in one form or another: the hidden Bangle of Time in ''1'', the Chrono Heart in ''2'', the Quicksilver Style in ''3'', as a stage-exclusive mechanic in ''4''

* PlayTheGameSkipTheStory: For most, the gameplay is pretty solid (if somewhat easy for veterans of the previous games. At least, most do cite that it's better than ''2'') and fun. The level design also receives a lot of praise, mostly because the environment is alive, and the platforming segments can be justified. Unfortunately, a majority find the story cringe-worthy and laughably bad at points in trying to be "edgy".
* PolishedPort: No matter which side of the controversy you put yourself at, one thing is clear: The guys at QLOC did one hell of a good job when working on the PC port of ''[=DmC=]: Devil May Cry'' (the other consoles were made by Ninja Theory). The game truly shines in the graphic department when played on a PC, and there is also the fact that the game is actually playable and doable, even on higher difficulties, with keyboard and mouse, without control issues of any kind (very much not what you would expect of a spectacle fighting game). Not to mention that it can be played at 1080p and at 60 fps. Though only time will tell if there will be a PC port of Definitive Edition, which has the 1080p/60fps bonus ''and'' tons of extra contents.

* RonTheDeathEater: To go with DracoInLeatherPants, of course. Meta example in that Dante gets this [[HeroWithBadPublicity In-Universe]] and out. Some critics, particularly those who dislike the reboot, took some of [[UnreliableNarrator Bob Barbas']] [[MaliciousSlander talking points]] about Dante being a "disgusting, degrading, and generally nauseating" person with "a history of physical violence and a known sexual deviant" [[MisaimedFandom at face value]]. This gets especially ridiculous when discussing the infamous scene in which Dante taunts Mundus over the death of Mundus's baby. Dante's detractors argue that this makes him come across as a sociopath, conveniently ignoring Mundus's murder of Dante's mother, his condemning Dante's father to eternal torture and his repeated attempts to kill Dante throughout the game. Compared to Mundus's own trespasses against him, Dante's mocking the death of Mundus's baby[[note]]Which was Vergil's idea not Dante's and even then it was only to allow Vergil to sneak into Mundus's office and close the Hell Gate.[[/note]] is far more understandable if not justified than the cruelty Mundus displays.

** While there is no debate that Mundus is [[CardCarryingVillain an asshole]], there has been debates on the degree of his villainy. Some regard him as a NecessarilyEvil, but nonetheless a Selfish Neutral seeking to profit from his scheme because of Humanity's [[HumansAreBastards inherent]] [[HumansAreMorons nature]], while others see him as only barely avoiding being pure evil (with using humans as livestock) by way of PragmaticVillainy. The [[BlackAndGrayMorality black and gray]] nature of the game makes it all the more a contentious issue.
** Is Vergil merely out for power? Or does he, albeit being cold and arrogant, actually care about others? When he [[spoiler:proposes that he and Dante rule together, he does mention "protecting" humanity - But is that his true intention, or he just said it to convince Dante?]] He does have a few PetTheDog moments, like saving Kat, and in his DLC story, at least it ''seems'' like he's [[spoiler:running after Kat to save her]]. On the other hand, he has no qualms causing the deaths of many people, including those who trust him. And while he [[spoiler:kills Hollow Kat]], that's only after she attacks him, ''and'' it sounds like he fully expected her to understand his reasoning for doing what he did.

** Many fans say that the ''[[VideoGame/DMCDevilMayCry DmC]]'' preboot being called an AlternateContinuity is clearly [[http://www.siliconera.com/2011/10/31/dmc-devil-may-cry-takes-place-in-a-parallel-world-with-a-different-dante/ this]] due to the backdraft caused by the initial announcement. Basically, this means that it's a reboot, but it's still canon to the previous games in that it takes place within the same {{multiverse}}, so the classic Dante and lore still "exist". This would be later proven true with the announcement of ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'', which continues the story of the original continuity.
** The [[UpdatedReRelease Definitive Edition]] re-release removes a lot of the {{Scrappy Mechanic}}s that made the game derided among longtime ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' fans, changes the playstyle and difficulty to be a lot more like the previous games, as well as adding new game modes and alternate skins for Dante, including his ''[=DMC1=]'' design. Unfortunately, one particular marketing decision created another, albeit smaller, BrokenBase problem.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeAnimation: The game gets praise for its stage/level design creativity, something that the long-time fans of the series even admit wanting to be implemented more in the mainline titles. The demonic city shifting around you in the first few parts, the journey to and the boss fight against Bob Barbas (which is practically inside a news ticker), and Lilith changing the club into a living Equalizer visual set to the music of the stage, are some of the memorable stages of the game.
* BaseBreakingCharacter: The game presents its own unique spin on ''DMC''[='=]s classic characters, so comparisons to the originals are inevitable. Whether these comparisons are fair or not is up to the fan.
** This version of Dante is incredibly divisive, and is a major part of what makes or breaks the game. Fans of the original series find him too unlikable, too different, and too edgy to the point of {{Narm}}. Fans of ''[=DmC=]'' feel that the critics dismiss Dante's narrative arc (wherein he becomes a better person later on) and further feel that this version of Dante is more compelling because he undergoes [[CharacterDevelopment character growth]] while the original Dante did not (the latter is also debated upon and disputed by the classic series' fans and this game's fans). His design is also argued upon, with some feeling that it's a downgrade to Dante's classic look, while some feel that it's a good direction that makes this Dante more distinct, and yet others feel that the design didn't change enough and wasn't as unique as it could have been.
** Vergil's AdaptationalVillainy is a major point of contention. A lot of the original's fans found the old games' NobleDemon version of Vergil to be much more interesting of a character and compelling of a villain than the ''[=DmC=]'' version whom they see as pathetic and petty. ''[=DmC=]'' fans feel that it's unfair to judge him against his old incarnation rather than on his own terms, and feel that the critics dismissed the more subtle moments of his character and his ability to BaitTheDog. Although, Vergil's arc and FaceHeelTurn are divisive amongst ''[=DmC=]'' fans and critics as well, with some seeing it as a sensible progression and his DLC was a fun addition, while others feel that it came [[AssPull with too little foreshadowing]] and made him less interesting.
** Mundus's portrayal in ''[=DmC=]'' is a major departure from his original portrayal. To fans, it's a good case of AdaptationExpansion to give Mundus much more characterization and plot-relevance compared to original Mundus (who was seen as too generic for a [[MaouTheDemonKing Demon King]] archtype and too much of a background character until the end). Others feel that the corrupt banker re-imagining made him less-threatening than the demon overlord version of the original, and that this Mundus ended up overshadowed by his more-charismatic/memorable henchmen like Barbas and Drekavac. A big part of it is whether or not you liked the game's themes considering how deeply Mundus is woven into them.
* BestBossEver: Bob Barbas is often cited to be one of the more enjoyable bosses fought, not only in the game, but in the entire ''[=DMC=]'' series as well. Seriously, you're fighting him in a news ticker graphic seen in television news networks like [=CNN=], and at one point, you're suddenly warped into a fairground wherein Bob slanders you while you fight a few demons while there's a hovering news helicopter that serves as your in-game camera's point of view.
* BreatherBoss: Most bosses except the final one, [[spoiler:Vergil]], are this. Certain regular enemies and {{Elite Mook}}s from the preceding levels pose a bigger challenge than the bosses at the end.

** Sure, the [[UpdatedRerelease Definitive Edition]] improved the game significantly and it's really is the optimal way to play this entry, hands down. The problem? [[NoPortForYou It was never released on PC]], which means that UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} and Microsoft Store users can only buy the original release. Considering how a lot of fans wanted the balance changes and extra content on top, PC players being left out to dry has rubbed them the wrong way ''hard'', compared to the console players who can have it for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and UsefulNotes/XboxOne.
* CaptainObviousReveal: [[spoiler:Dante and Vergil will eventually fight each other in the end. ''DMC'' veterans already expected this plot point under the possibility that this game would retread some of the tropes used in the classic continuity, especially the overarching SiblingRivalry between the brothers. Besides, Vergil's act of sniping Lilith's child was seen as a catalyst of the rift because Dante didn't expect his brother to act like that. While the ending was sudden or surprising to series newcomers, the veterans already treated it as a ForegoneConclusion.]]

* ComplacentGamingSyndrome: Each weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses, and some are tailored to crack open specific environmental barricades, but players would mostly use the Angel/Demon weapons for certain popular {{combos}}; Osiris is best known for its version of the Prop Shredder combo, Aquila for its Buy In + Tornado combo (which can [[CheeseStrategy cheese]] some crowded fights), while the Arbiter, even if [[NecessaryDrawback it's slow and clunky to use]], is remembered for its high damage potential, especially the Trinity Smash combo.

* ContestedSequel: Fans of the reboot call it a fun, accessible title with great art direction, a protagonist that actually develops and grows rather than remaining static (though ''[=DMC1=]'' & ''[=DMC3=]'' does in fact contain character development), and a story that's more than a somewhat-confusing ExcusePlot. Non-fans criticize the gameplay, which is much easier than previous titles and sorely lacks the depth of ''[=DMC3=]'' and ''[=DMC4=]'' , a story that's very [[{{Anvilicious}} ham-fisted with its themes]] to the point of being [[{{Narm}} difficult to take seriously]], and that the drastically-altered characterization of the leads, particularly how Dante starts the game as a tool without any of the charisma or likability of the original version (bar ''[=DMC2=]''), and takes time to become more heroic, all drain a lot of the fun from the experience. In short, some consider it worth playing, while others feel it simply doesn't match up to the legacy of the older games, or it could've been generally well-received if it wasn't attached to the ''Devil May Cry'' IP.

** Critics have generally been very positive about the game, while some fans of the previous ''Devil May Cry'' games did not like the changes made (particularly the characterization of Dante and Vergil). The [[http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/dmc-devil-may-cry metacritic score]] says it all.
** The reverse happened with the ''Vergil's Downfall'' DLC and the ''Definitive Edition'' re-release; old-school fans liked them more than the main game for being closer to the franchise's roots in terms of difficulty and gameplay, but some critics bashed them for those same reasons, which just goes to show how different the tastes of these two groups are and how polarizing the game is.
** If the reactions between critics and fans towards ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'' is anything to go by, it still persists even up to 2018 and beyond when ''[=DMC5=]'' and this game are compared in retrospect. At this point, though, it's gotten heated enough to charitably be called a FandomRivalry.
* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy: What upsets many of the old fans is that few of the characters do much to seem initially likable. Though they reveal further depths of character as they go on (especially Dante, whose development as a character is essentially the story's primary arc), their first impressions make it harder to get invested in their doing so.
* DesignatedHero: Both Dante and Vergil are questionable freedom fighters. Dante can come off as a brash {{Jerkass}} for mocking Mundus [[spoiler:when he's mourning the death of his newborn son]] and is more interested in killing demons than helping humans. Vergil [[FantasticRacism views humans as lesser beings]], doesn't care about Kat's well-being, and [[spoiler:tries to enslave humanity in the end just like Mundus did]].

** [[spoiler:Vergil]] gets this more than any other reboot character. His end goals are the same as Mundus' (and therefore can be dismissed with the "humans would be better off with a ruler" idea seen above); it's left ambiguous how much of his kindness was genuine and how much of it was a facade to manipulate others; and he's also much, much more attractive than Mundus is.

** Drekavac also has also received positive appraisal in spite of only being a [[RecurringBoss recurring]] [[KingMook mini-boss]] who has no lines, no backstory, and no characterization.
** The Style Announcer. It's gotten to the point that fans have modded the ''[=DmC=]'' announcer into [[https://youtu.be/vkR6sMN_v3I?t=35 the PC version]] of ''[=DMC5=]''.

** In general, Aquila can do this if utilised properly with a {{combo}}; Using "Buy In" can bring a lot of enemies close to you, then use "Tornado" for a spin attack that does wonders for you combo scores and stun locks most of the enemies at any given moment, reducing any damage that can potentially come your way. You can steer it so you can pick up more, and depending on the environment and the affected enemies, it allows for easy ring outs (a OneHitKill for non-teleporters. Witches and Dreamrunners are resistant to the trick for that reason; it ''can'' work, it's just not very reliable).
** Summoned Swords for Vergil; on Heaven Or Hell, it equals InstantDeathRadius. Combine with Rapid Slash to reduce the odds of enemies thinking to block it and only flying enemies will give you any pause for thought. Works as a great combo score booster outside HOH too.

* GoddamnedBats: A few enemies particularly stand out as being irritating:
** Fire and ice enemies at the same time. As they can only be hurt with demon or angel weapons respectively, if one gets in the way while you're attacking the other, you'll be staggered instantly. [[AuthorsSavingThrow Remedied]] to some extent in the Definitive Edition, where both enemy types can be hit with any weapon, but will only take full damage and hitstun from the corresponding color type.

** The initial previews, which focused largely on Dante's redesign, were panned by many fans of the series. It still receives an '''astronomical''' amount of taint years later, with several fans [[FanonDiscontinuity refusing to acknowledge its existence]]. We're talking about even more flak than what ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry2'' got.
** The initial announcement of ''[=DmC=]'' being identified as a {{Reboot}} didn't sit well with the classic continuity's fans, especially to those who were anticipating for a sequel to ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4'' or feared that the original characters will never return. This opinion subsided over time as Capcom eventually [[FlipFlopOfGod changed their statement]] and called ''[=DmC=]'' as an AlternateContinuity, while a [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry5 true sequel]] to ''[=DMC4=]'' was released later on.

* VindicatedByHistory: ''[=DmC=]'' was controversial for many things, but one of them stemmed from the initial announcement of the game being a reboot. Fans of the classic continuity feared that the original story might not continue anymore if it's going to be rebooted, but after Capcom [[{{Unreboot}} returned to the classic continuity]] with ''[=DMC5=]'' several years later, fans generally consider ''[=DmC=]'' to be a [[SoOkayItsAverage decent game in its own right]], but just not a good ''Devil May Cry'' game. It's been argued that the game would've had a much better reception if it were a new IP instead of having the ''Devil May Cry'' name attached to it. It also helps that [[https://www.gameinformer.com/gamescom-2018/2018/08/24/capcoms-hideaki-itsuno-on-ninja-theory-nico-and-the-difference-between some]] [[https://www.vg247.com/2018/07/25/devil-may-cry-5-will-expand-combat-philosophies-established-dmc1-4/ interviews]] had Hideaki Itsuno and Matt Walker (the Director and Producer of ''[=DMC5=]'', respectively) [[ApprovalOfGod think highly]] of some concepts in this game. Certain mechanics and features from this game did make their way into the mainline series (particularly Vergil's massively expanded moveset in ''4:SE'' and ''5:SE'', or the HitStop cinematic effect and a voiced Style announcer in ''5''), so some veteran ''DMC'' fans are more forgiving of ''[=DmC=]'' in retrospect... at least in terms of specific [[PlayTheGameSkipTheStory aesthetic and gameplay]] elements, strictly speaking.

** The initial previews, which focused largely on Dante's redesign, were panned by many fans of the series. It still receives an '''astronomical''' amount of this years later, with several fans [[FanonDiscontinuity refusing to acknowledge its existence]]. We're talking about even more flak than what ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry2'' got.
** The initial announcement of ''[=DmC=]'' being identified as a {{Reboot}} didn't sit well with the classic continuity's fans, especially to those who were anticipating for a sequel to ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4''. Capcom eventually [[FlipFlopOfGod changed their statement]] and called ''[=DmC=]'' as an AlternateContinuity, while a [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry5 true sequel]] to ''[=DMC4=]'' was released later on.

* VindicatedByHistory: Several years after its release, fans generally consider ''[=DmC=]'' to be a [[SoOkayItsAverage decent game in its own right]], but just not a good ''Devil May Cry'' game. It's been argued that the game would've had a much better reception if it were a new IP instead of having the ''Devil May Cry'' name attached to it. And even if Capcom returned to the original continuity, it also helps that [[https://www.gameinformer.com/gamescom-2018/2018/08/24/capcoms-hideaki-itsuno-on-ninja-theory-nico-and-the-difference-between some]] [[https://www.vg247.com/2018/07/25/devil-may-cry-5-will-expand-combat-philosophies-established-dmc1-4/ interviews]] had Hideaki Itsuno and Matt Walker (the Director and Producer of ''[=DMC5=]'', respectively) [[ApprovalOfGod think highly]] of some concepts in this game. Certain mechanics and features from this game did make their way into the mainline series (particularly Vergil's massively expanded moveset in ''4:SE'' and ''5:SE'', or the HitStop cinematic effect and a voiced Style announcer in ''5''), so you'll find some veteran ''DMC'' fans who are more forgiving of ''[=DmC=]'' in retrospect... at least in terms of specific [[PlayTheGameSkipTheStory gameplay]] elements, strictly speaking.

** Sure, the [[UpdatedRerelease Definitive Edition]] improved the game significantly and it's really is the optimal way to play this entry, hands down. The problem? [[NoPortForYou It was never released on PC]], meaning to this day, UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} and Microsoft Store users can only buy the original release. Considering how a lot of fans wanted the balance changes and extra content on top, PC players being left out to dry has rubbed them the wrong way ''hard'', compared to the console players who can have it for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 and UsefulNotes/XboxOne.
* CaptainObviousReveal: [[spoiler:Dante and Vergil will eventually fight each other in the end. ''DMC'' veterans already expected this plot point under the possibility that this game would retread some of the tropes used in the classic continuity, especially the over-arching SiblingRivalry between the brothers. Besides, Vergil's act of sniping Lilith's child was seen as a catalyst of the rift because Dante didn't expect his brother to act like that. While the ending was sudden or surprising to series newcomers, the veterans already treated it as a ForegoneConclusion.]]

* CaptainObviousReveal: [[spoiler:Dante and Vergil will eventually fight each other in the end. ''DMC'' veterans already expected this plot point under the possibility that this game would retread some of the tropes used in the classic continuity, especially the over-arching SiblingRivalry between the brothers. Besides, Vergil's act of sniping Lilith's child was seen as a catalyst of the rift because Dante didn't expect his brother to act like that. While the ending was a surprise to series newcomers, the veterans already treated it as a ForegoneConclusion.]]

* UncertainAudience: A big contributor to the game's divisive reception (more so in terms of plot, tone and characterization than gameplay). ''[=DmC=]'' has a notably DarkerAndEdgier tone and attempts to deal with some much heavier topics than the original continuity; while the latter does have some serious and dramatic moments, overall the games tend to be more campy and whimsical. Ninja Theory were specifically instructed to make a 'different' ''Devil May Cry'' game, but the end result is that ''[=DmC=]'' bears little resemblance to the rest of the franchise and either doesn't use any of the classic characters or radically changes them. Many fans of the original games weren't onboard because it was InNameOnly, while the ''Devil May Cry'' title may have been off-putting to potential players who ''were'' into what ''[=DmC=]'' has to offer, resulting in ''[=DmC=]'' underselling in some markets. To this day, it's common to hear players say stuff like "It's not a bad game ''per se'', just not a good ''Devil May Cry game''".

* ComplacentGamingSyndrome: Each weapon has their own strengths and weaknesses, and some are tailored to crack open specific environmental barricades, but players would mostly use the Angel/Demon weapons for certain popular {{combos}}; Osiris is best known for its version of the Prop Shredder, Aquila for its Buy In + Tornado combo (which can [[CheeseStrategy cheese]] some crowded fights), while the Arbiter, even if [[NecessaryDrawback it's slow and clunky to use]], is remembered for its high damage potential, especially the Trinity Smash combo.

** Sure, the [[UpdatedRerelease Definitive Edition]] improved the game significantly and it's really is the optimal way to play this entry, hands down. The problem? [[NoPortForYou It was never released on PC]], meaning to this day, UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} and Microsoft Store users can only buy the original release. Considering how a lot of fans wanted the balance changes and extra content on top, PC players being left out to dry has rubbed them the wrong way ''hard'', compared to the console players.

** The [[UpdatedReRelease Definitive Edition]] re-release removes a lot of the {{Scrappy Mechanic}}s that made the game derided among longtime ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' fans, changes the playstyle and difficulty to be a lot more like the previous games, as well as adding new game modes and alternate skins for Dante, including his ''[=DMC1=]'' design. Unfortunately, one particular marketing decision created a new, albeit smaller, BrokenBase problem.

** The reverse happened with the ''Vergil's Downfall'' DLC and the ''Definitive Edition'' rerelease; old-school fans liked them more than the main game for being closer to the franchise's roots in terms of difficulty and gameplay, but some critics bashed them for those same reasons, which just goes to show how different the tastes of these two groups are and how polarizing the game is.

** A good number of people found the Demon Weapon/Angel Weapon system to be almost completely unnecessary. There aren't any heavy Angel weapons or light Demon weapons, which wouldn't be a problem except that the game's combat favors heavy weapons a lot -- the Arbiter pretty much blows away every other weapon in the game, so you only ever pull out an Angel weapon for the stuff that absolutely requires them. Another criticism mentions how the player character gets staggered if they use the inappropriate melee weapons.

** A good number of people found that the Demon Weapon/Angel Weapon system was almost completely unnecessary. There aren't any heavy Angel weapons or light Demon weapons, which wouldn't be a problem except that the game's combat favors heavy weapons a lot -- the Arbiter pretty much blows away every other weapon in the game, so you only ever pull out an Angel weapon for the stuff that absolutely requires them.

* TaintedByThePreview: The initial previews, which focused largely on Dante's redesign, were panned by many fans of the series. It still receives to this day an '''astronomical''' amount of this, with several fans [[FanonDiscontinuity refusing to acknowledge its existence]]. We're talking about even more flak than ''Devil May Cry 2'' got.

* VindicatedByHistory: Several years after its release, fans generally consider ''[=DmC=]'' to be a [[SoOkayItsAverage decent game in its own right]], but just not a good ''Devil May Cry'' game. It's been argued that the game would've had a much better reception if it were a new IP instead of having the ''Devil May Cry'' name attached to it. And even if Capcom returned to the original continuity, it also helps that [[https://www.gameinformer.com/gamescom-2018/2018/08/24/capcoms-hideaki-itsuno-on-ninja-theory-nico-and-the-difference-between some]] [[https://www.vg247.com/2018/07/25/devil-may-cry-5-will-expand-combat-philosophies-established-dmc1-4/ interviews]] had Hideaki Itsuno and Matt Walker (the Director and Producer of ''[=DMC5=]'', respectively) [[ApprovalOfGod think highly]] of some concepts in this game. Certain mechanics and features from this game did make their way into the mainline series (particularly Vergil's massively expanded moveset in ''4:SE'' and ''5:SE'', or the HitStop cinematic effect and a voiced Style announcer in ''5''), so you'll find veteran ''DMC'' fans who are more forgiving of ''[=DmC=]'' in retrospect... at least in terms of specific [[PlayTheGameSkipTheStory gameplay]] elements, strictly speaking.

* VindicatedByHistory: Years after its release, fans generally consider ''[=DmC=]'' to be a [[SoOkayItsAverage decent game in its own right]], but just not a good ''Devil May Cry'' game. It's been argued that the game would've had a much better reception if it were a new IP instead of having the ''Devil May Cry'' name attached to it. And even if Capcom returned to the original continuity, it also helps that [[https://www.gameinformer.com/gamescom-2018/2018/08/24/capcoms-hideaki-itsuno-on-ninja-theory-nico-and-the-difference-between some]] [[https://www.vg247.com/2018/07/25/devil-may-cry-5-will-expand-combat-philosophies-established-dmc1-4/ interviews]] had Hideaki Itsuno and Matt Walker (the Director and Producer of ''[=DMC5=]'', respectively) [[ApprovalOfGod think highly]] of some concepts in this game. Certain gameplay mechanics and features did make their way into the mainline series (particularly Vergil's massively expanded moveset in ''4:SE'' and ''5:SE'', or the HitStop cinematic effect and a voiced Style announcer in ''5''), so you'll find veteran ''DMC'' fans who are more forgiving of this game in retrospect... at least in terms of [[PlayTheGameSkipTheStory gameplay]], strictly speaking.

* VindicatedByHistory: Years after its release, fans generally consider ''[=DmC=]'' to be a [[SoOkayItsAverage decent game in its own right]], just not a good ''Devil May Cry'' game. It's been argued that the game would have had a much better reception if it were a new IP instead of having the ''Devil May Cry'' name attached to it. Some of the gameplay mechanics and features did make their way into the mainline series, particularly Vergil's massively expanded moveset in ''4:SE'' and ''5:SE'', or the HitStop cinematic effect and a voiced Style announcer in ''5''. And even if Capcom returned to the original continuity, it also helps that [[https://www.gameinformer.com/gamescom-2018/2018/08/24/capcoms-hideaki-itsuno-on-ninja-theory-nico-and-the-difference-between some]] [[https://www.vg247.com/2018/07/25/devil-may-cry-5-will-expand-combat-philosophies-established-dmc1-4/ interviews]] had Hideaki Itsuno and Matt Walker (the Director and Producer of ''[=DMC5=]'', respectively) [[ApprovalOfGod think highly]] of some concepts in this game.

* WhatMeasureIsANonBadass: Poor Kat seems to get thrown into the [[Manga/YuYuHakusho Keiko]] and [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters Yuki]] club by the haters, utterly ignoring the fact that she endured similar torments to Dante but without his supernatural resilience and [[spoiler:successfully holds out under Mundus's torture to protect Dante and Vergil, then goes on to give them a detailed interior plan of the building she was held in after her rescue as well as specifics of how to get around security.]]

** The Classic Skin also has a much lower res texture for Dante's bare chest than the rest of the skin.
** The DMC[=1=] skin for Dante, and the DMC[=3=] skin for Vergil, have a weird tendency for letting the legs phase through the coats. And they just look of place with the overall tone of the game.

* ThatOneLevel: Even many hardcore ''Devil May Cry'' fans find the "Vergil's Downfall" DLC to be actually better than the base game in terms of gameplay (and not considering its 2D cutscenes). Some note that due to the increased difficulty brought about by Vergil's unique and focused playstyle, the DLC plays much like the previous titles of the main series. The two new enemy types are actually engaging and that the final boss of the DLC was way more challenging and difficult compared to the final boss of the base game.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: This universe has confirmed Angels and they are established as a sworn enemy to demons. This opens up a lot of cool possibilities. Perhaps an angelic counterpart to the Devil Trigger? How does Dante struggle with the knowledge he doesn't have a single drop of human blood? Are the Angels present as a force for good or maybe [[KnightTemplar a different]] [[HolierThanThou breed of evil]]? Sadly, outside of Eva and the angelic weapons, not much is done with them.
* UnintentionallySympathetic: Lilith was obviously not intended to be 'nice', but [[spoiler:after seeing her fearing for her and her babies' life, and then seeing her reaction to Vergil shooting her stomach to kill her child, a few players felt sorry for her.]]
* VindicatedByHistory: A downplayed example. Nowadays, fans generally consider ''[=DmC=]'' to be a [[SoOkayItsAverage decent game in its own right]], just not a good ''Devil May Cry'' game. It's been argued that the game would have had a much better reception if it were a new IP instead of having the ''Devil May Cry'' name attached to it. Some of the gameplay mechanics did make their way into the mainline series, particularly Vergil's massively expanded moveset in ''4:SE''.

* TheScrappy: While both Dante and Vergil have considerable hatedoms, even people who defend the game dislike Vergil for being a condescending Jerkass and [[RichIdiotWithNoDayJob wealthy snob]] who lacks Dante's tragic childhood or character development. On top of that, fans of the original Vergil despise ''[=DmC=]'' Vergil for being an ''absolutely pathetic weakling''. While Classic Vergil was one of Dante's most ferocious fights every time they clashed, be it as himself in ''[[VideoGame/DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening DMC3]]'' or as Nelo Angelo in ''[[VideoGame/DevilMayCry1 DMC1]]'', ''[=DmC=]'' Vergil has trouble with what amounts to an EliteMook and needs Dante to save him, and by the end of the game, it's clear he's ''vastly'' outclassed by Dante. There's a reason why Classic Vergil fans refer to ''[=DmC=]'' Vergil as "Vergin".

** The reworked Style System is one of the most common fan complaints as it is now easier to reach SSS Rank compared to the previous titles. This is also the first ''Devil May Cry'' game to utilize a checkpoint system by ''a large margin'', making some of the notably difficulty levels such as "Hell and Hell" to become easier than they should be. Also add the fact that the game actually records the number of times you died in a mission (which negatively affects your overall Style Ranking post-mission). This becomes less of a problem in the Definitive Edition where dying or using items penalizes your score. On the flip side, in either edition, restarting a checkpoint counts as a death. In games of a similar genre such as ''Metal Gear Rising'' where restarting a checkpoint does not count as dying, this is a source of frustration when going for a no death run on the hardest difficulty. More so if playing the updated version.
** The absence of a hard lock-on function makes the aim for guns, grapples, and dash attacks a bit dodgy. This also makes dash attacks like Stinger harder to execute, as you have to tap the left stick in a direction twice instead of simply holding it towards the enemy you're locked on.

* ObviousJudas: Fans that played previous games knew that [[spoiler:Vergil]] would ultimately betray Dante.

** Something that has been pointed out in retrospect after the announcement of ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'' is the modern-day city setting that's interpreted to be inspired by this game. In fact, the entire ''Devil May Cry'' franchise has its UrbanFantasy roots, so even if ''[=DmC=]'' used it a lot, this game didn't "invent" the modern-day city shtick at all since it predates this game. There is also the city of Vie de Marli in ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry2'', which had a corporate skyscraper that acts as a catalyst for a demon invasion. Though that city had an odd combination of being vintage and modern.

* PlayerPunch: [[spoiler:At the end of Mission 12, Dante is desperate to help Kat, who is on the verge of being captured by Mundus's SWAT forces and is terrified. With Dante on the other side in Limbo, all he can do is give Kat some instruction on how to seem non-threatening when the SWAT team breaks through the door. But as soon as they do, they shoot her anyway on sight (albeit nonlethally, although they enact some {{police brutality}} for good measure), leaving Dante to curse his inability to do anything in his current state]].
* PlayTheGameSkipTheStory: For most, the gameplay is pretty solid (if somewhat easy for veterans of the previous games. At least, most do cite that it's better than ''2'') and fun. But a majority find the story cringe-worthy and laughably bad at points in trying to be "edgy".
* PolishedPort: No matter which side of the controversy you put yourself at, one thing is clear: The guys at QLOC did one hell of a good job when working on the PC port of ''[=DmC=]: Devil May Cry'' (the other consoles were made by Ninja Theory). The game truly shines in the graphic department when played on a PC, and there is also the fact that the game is actually playable and doable, even on higher difficulties, with keyboard and mouse, without control issues of any kind, very much not what you would expect of a spectacle fighting game. Not to mention that it can be played at 1080p and at 60 fps. Though only time will tell if there will be a PC port of Definitive Edition, which has the 1080p/60fps bonus ''and'' tons of extra contents.

* RonTheDeathEater: To go with DracoInLeatherPants, of course. Meta example in that Dante gets this [[HeroWithBadPublicity In-Universe]] and out. Some critics, particularly those who dislike the reboot, took some of [[UnreliableNarrator Bob Barbas']] [[MaliciousSlander talking points]] about Dante being a "disgusting, degrading, and generally nauseating" person with "a history of physical violence and a known sexual deviant" [[MisaimedFandom at face value]].
** This gets especially ridiculous when discussing the infamous scene in which Dante taunts Mundus over the death of Mundus's baby. Dante's detractors argue that this makes him come across as a sociopath, conveniently ignoring Mundus's murder of Dante's mother, his condemning Dante's father to eternal torture and his repeated attempts to kill Dante throughout the game. Compared to Mundus's own trespasses against him, Dante's mocking the death of Mundus's baby[[note]]Which was Vergil's idea not Dante's and even then it was only to allow Vergil to sneak into Mundus's office and close the Hell Gate.[[/note]] is far more understandable if not justified than the cruelty Mundus displays.
* TheScrappy: While both Dante and Vergil have considerable hatedoms, even people who defend the game dislike Vergil for being a condescending Jerkass and [[RichIdiotWithNoDayJob wealthy snob]] who lacks Dante's tragic childhood or character development. On top of that, fans of the original Vergil despise [=DmC=] Vergil for being an ''absolutely pathetic weakling.'' Where Classic Vergil was one of Dante's most ferocious fights every time they clashed be it as Vergil in [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening DMC3]] or Nelo Angelo in [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry1 DMC1]], [=DmC=] Vergil has trouble with what amounts to an EliteMook and needs Dante to save him, and by the end of the game it's clear he's ''vastly'' outclassed by Dante. There's a reason Classic Vergil fans refer to [=DmC=] Vergil as "Vergin."

** In ''Anime/DevilMayCryTheAnimatedSeries'', which came out in 2007, Dante was frustrated having to deal with debt he owed while operating his shop Devil May Cry. In this game, debt is the method that Mundus uses to keep people ranging from average citizens all the way to Heads of State under his control.
** This Continuity's iteration of Vergil, voiced and motion captured by David de Lautour, is part angel. Back in the nineties on Series/XenaWarriorPrincess, de Lautour played an angel.

** There's also the inclusion of the Checkpoint System. While the previous titles have indeed a way to continue from a specific point of the mission, this game turns them UpToEleven. The sheer abundance of automatic checkpoints even decreases the challenge posed by the "Hell and Hell" difficulty as compared to the previous titles. The check point system becomes less of a problem in Definitive Edition as dying is penalized and you drop ranks real fast, if multiple deaths occur on a mission. I.E, dying drops what would have been SSS rank to a SS, and so on. While this does increase the challenge, it can also be rather aggravating to have to restart a mission after a single death to get the SSS.

* MisBlamed: As noted by the ExecutiveMeddling entry on the Trivia page, some of the changes made were at Capcom's insistence to Ninja Theory that they "go crazy with it."

** Some see Dante as crossing it as well, when he [[spoiler: mocks Mundus about his dead child. Even though he only does it to get Mundus away from the Hellgate. It's rather divisive.]]
* SugarWiki/MostWonderfulSound: The deep-voiced guy going "Savage! [=SSadistic=]! [=SSSensational=]!" when you're doing well.

* NoSuchThingAsBadPublicity: The controversy over this game caused an upsurge in the original series' popularity. Averted for this installment, however, where the poor fan reception caused the game to sell poorly, both on its initial release and the later ''[[UpdatedRerelease Definitive Edition]]'' release.

** In general, Aquila can do this if utilised properly; Using Y, Y, pause, Y, can bring a lot of enemies close to you, then hold Y for a spin attack that a) does wonders for you combo scores and b) stun locks most of the enemies at any given moment, reducing any damage that can potentially come your way. You can steer it so you can pick up more, and depending on environment and enemy in question, allows for easy ring outs (a OneHitKill for non teleporters. Witches and Dreamrunners are resistant to the trick for that reason; it ''can'' work, it's just not very reliable).
** Summoned Swords for Vergil; on Heaven Or Hell it equals InstantDeathRadius. Combine with Rapid Slash to reduce the odds of enemies thinking to block it and only flying enemies will give you any pause for thought. Works as a great combo score booster outside HOH too.

** Fire and ice enemies at the same time. As they can only be hurt with demon or angel weapons respectively, if one gets in the way while you're attacking the other, you'll be staggered instantly. Remedied to some extent in the Definitive Edition, where both enemy types can be hit with any weapon, but will only take full damage and hitstun from the corresponding color type.

* GoodBadBugs: This iteration [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFLUE2kdemEis is full of these.]] In-game cutscenes (not the full cinematic ones) would, for most of the time, deactivate the red/white filter and sound effects of Devil Trigger when played. However, there are actually a few cutscenes where you can activate Devil Trigger ''just before'' a scripted cutscene starts and its visual effects would carry over. Notable instances include [[https://www.technobuffalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/dmcde_screens_04-470x310@2x.jpg the scene where Dante is about to smash a wall in the ending of Mission 18]], and the scene just after you loosen the Succubus' grip from a rock on Mission 6.
* HamAndCheese: Spanish Dante's VA is, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPKHxbOg19s as shown in this clip]], clearly having the time of his life and treating the game the same way DMC fans did.
* HarsherInHindsight: Bob Barbas calling Dante a “sexual deviant” becomes this if you factor in that, in 2017, Bill O’ Reilly, who Bob is a parody of, was revealed to have sexually harassed five women, resulting in his firing from Fox News.

* NeverLiveItDown: Vergil's act of [[spoiler:sniping Lilith and her child in Mission 16 is a WhamEpisode that's mostly brought up whenever he is discussed, giving the [[MemeticMutation "Sniper Abortion"]] fanspeak. It has a strong shock value on its own; for one thing, Vergil didn't go along with Dante's plan, while other points of view treat it either as a proof that Vergil is pragmatic, or a foreshadowing of how he has his own agenda. Nonetheless, this act also infuriated Mundus UpToEleven]].