History YMMV / DmCDevilmayCry

* AuthorsSavingThrow:
** As shown in the TGS 2010 reveal trailer, the initial version of Dante was a scrawny, bruised, smoker. In order to sate the fans who were TaintedByThePreview, he was later given a well-toned build, while the bruises and smoking were [[WhatCouldHaveBeen scrapped]].
** The game being called an AlternateContinuity is seen as a clear [[https://www.siliconera.com/dmc-devil-may-cry-takes-place-in-a-parallel-world-with-a-different-dante/ saving throw]] due to the backdraft caused by the initial announcement of it being a reboot. 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.
** For hardcore ''Devil May Cry'' fans, the ''Vergil's Downfall'' DLC is a short improvement over the [[ItsEasySoItSucks easy main campaign]]. Vergil's unique and focused playstyle is refreshing, the two new enemies are engaging, while the new FinalBoss is more challenging and difficult than the final boss of Dante's story. In other words, the difficulty of ''Vergil's Downfall'' is reminiscent of the classic ''DMC'' games.
** The [[UpdatedReRelease Definitive Edition]] fixes many {{Scrappy Mechanic}}s that made the game derided among veteran ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'' fans, changes the playstyle and difficulty to be a lot more like the previous games, and adds new game modes and alternate skins for Dante, including his ''[=DMC1=]'' design. Unfortunately, one particular marketing decision created a BrokenBase between the PC and console gamers.
* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XynTyxleH1Q "Empty"]], the final boss theme. It sounds like TranquilFury in musical form, an excellent backdrop for the duel between Dante and [[spoiler:Vergil]].

** For the vanilla version, the guys at QLOC did 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 it can be played at 1080p and at 60 FPS. It's also great that the game is actually playable and doable using a keyboard and mouse, without control issues of any kind (very much not what you would expect of a spectacle fighting game), so it's comfortable to play for PC gamers in contrast to the PC ports of the first four ''Devil May Cry'' games which are [[PortingDisaster criticized for their control schemes]] not having proper mouse support. [[note]]All in-game camera and combat controls are mapped on the keyboard, and the user interface and tutorials display [=PS2=] or Xbox buttons instead with the assumption that you're going to play with a controller[[/note]]

** The [[UpdatedRerelease Definitive Edition]] significantly improved the game and it's really the optimal way to play this entry. Problem is, [[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.

** For the vanilla version, the guys at QLOC did 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 it's also great that the game is actually playable and doable using a 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 the Definitive Edition, which has the 1080p/60fps bonus ''and'' tons of extra content. Given the passage of time and the success of ''Devil May Cry 5'', a PC port of DE will most likely not happen.

** QLOC also did the ''Defintive Edition'' on 8th generation console. Carrying the 1080p/60fps with it. In addition, re-balanced gameplay, Turbo mode, Must Style Mode (enemies only take damage and die when at S-SSS), and a new difficulty called Gods Must Die Mode. This version is mostly polished, but still contains some odd glitches bugs. The game can sometimes crash at random too. This is rare, but it seems to happen more so on [=PS4=] than [=XBox=] One.

** Regarding Poison the Succubus, some people don't realize that succubi who are beautiful by ''default'' (just like [[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 beautiful women and seduce men in their sleep. Thus, ''[=DmC=]'' did a mythologically-accurate depiction of a Succubus.

* PolishedPort: The guys at QLOC did 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 it's also great that the game is actually playable and doable using a 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 the Definitive Edition, which has the 1080p/60fps bonus ''and'' tons of extra content. Given the passage of time and the success of ''Devil May Cry 5'', a PC port of DE will most likely not happen.
** QLOC did the ''Defintive Edition'' on 8th generation console. Carrying the 1080p/60fps with it. In addition, re-balanced gameplay, Turbo mode, Must Style Mode (enemies only take damage and die when at S-SSS), and a new difficulty called Gods Must Die Mode. This version is mostly polished, but still contains some odd glitches bugs. The game can sometimes crash at random too. This is rare, but it seems to happen more so on [=PS4=] than [=XBox=] One.

* 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 [[FanNickname refer to]] ''[=DmC=]'' Vergil as "Vergin".

* PolishedPort: The guys at QLOC did 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 it's also great that the game is actually playable and doable using a 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 the Definitive Edition, which has the 1080p/60fps bonus ''and'' tons of extra content.

** Regarding Poison the Succubus, some people don't realize that succubi who are beautiful by ''default'' (just like [[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]] and seduce men in their sleep. Thus, ''[=DmC=]'' did a mythologically-accurate depiction of a Succubus.

** Sword Illusions for Vergil. On Heaven Or Hell, it equals InstantDeathRadius. If combined with Demon state to pull the impaled enemy towards you, Spiral Swords to shred nearby enemies, and Rapid Slash to reduce the odds of enemies thinking to block it, only the flying enemies will give you any pause for thought. It also works as a great combo score booster in all difficulty modes.

** 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 the flying enemies will give you any pause for thought. It also works as a great combo score booster in all difficulty modes.

* VindicatedByHistory: ''[=DmC=]'' was controversial for being initially announced as a reboot, so fans of the classic continuity feared that the original lore and characters might be replaced. But after Capcom [[{{Unreboot}} returned to the classic continuity]] with ''[=DMC5=]'', it's now common to view ''[=DmC=]'' as a [[SoOkayItsAverage decent game in its own right]], but just not a good ''Devil May Cry'' game, or that it would've had a 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 ''[=DmC=]'' did make their way into the mainline series, [[note]]Particularly Vergil's massively expanded moveset in ''4:SE'' and ''5:SE'', or the HitStop cinematic effect and a voiced Style announcer in ''5''[[/note]] so some veteran ''DMC'' fans are more forgiving of ''[=DmC=]'' in retrospect, at least strictly in terms of specific [[PlayTheGameSkipTheStory aesthetic and gameplay]] elements.

** With the ''Vergil's Downfall'' DLC and the ''Definitive Edition'' re-release, veteran 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 the same reasons. It just goes to show how different the tastes of these two groups are and how polarizing the game is.

** As [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFLUE2kdemE this video shows]], a glitch allows Dante to clip through the entire stage and freely fly around.

** As [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFLUE2kdemEis this video shows]], ''[=DmC=]'' is full of these.

* ComplacentGamingSyndrome: Each Angel/Demon weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses, and some are tailored to crack open specific environmental barricades, but players would mostly use them for certain popular {{combos}}; Osiris is best known for its 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.

** There's a small faction who also wished that the Dante shown in the TGS 2010 trailer, with the scrawnier, bruised look, and the smoking habit, remained on the final product, on the basis that it would've been interesting to see how ''that'' version of Dante would've developed as a character. [[AuthorsSavingThrow Changes were mostly made to sate the old fanbase]], but even that wasn't enough to do so.

** One detail of ''[=DmC=]'' Vergil's personality that has been noted/criticized is him belittling humans as [[HumansAreMorons stupid]], [[HumansAreBastards murderous]] hypocrites who have to be ruled over. Despite claims that this is a distortion of his character, Vergil being a misanthrope was an aspect of his classic iteration in ''Devil May Cry 3'' -- He shows disdain for human weakness and is [[BerserkButton pissed]] when Arkham calls him an "incomplete being" due to his half-human heritage. In that game, his "{{might|MakesRight}} [[TheSocialDarwinist controls]] [[{{Ubermensch}} everything]]" [[ByronicHero ideology]] hints that he is a [[JadeColoredGlasses young cynic]] who's willing to embrace his demonic heritage to protect something, which is in contrast to Dante who has an [[RousseauWasRight optimistic view of humanity]]. It's like using the old tropes, but in a new context.
** Also some details of this continuity, such as this Dante's dark hair and this version of Vergil using firearms, already occurred in the non-canon ''Devil May Cry 1'' novel. Dante, while using the alias of "Tony Redgrave" at that 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 {{Jossed}}.
** Regarding Poison the Succubus, there are people who don't realize that succubi who are beautiful by ''default'' (just like [[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]] and seduce men in their sleep. Thus, ''[=DmC=]'' did a mythologically-accurate depiction of a Succubus.
** It was surprising to see Dante's Devil Trigger suspend enemies instead of how it usually works as a straightforward SuperMode in the classic games. 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''.
** When ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'' was announced, some fans retroactively thought that perhaps the modern-day urban setting of Redgrave City is inspired by ''[=DmC=]'' and Limbo. However, the entire ''Devil May Cry'' franchise had its UrbanFantasy roots way before this game existed, so even if ''[=DmC=]'' used it a lot, this game didn't "invent" the modern-day city shtick for the franchise. 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.

* OnlyTheCreatorDoesItRight: Some fans wrote the game off for being a [[ContinuityReboot reboot]] developed by Ninja Theory instead of by an in-house Capcom team -- despite Capcom being the ones who suggested Ninja Theory develop the game.
* 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 non-lethally, although they enact some {{police brutality}} for good measure), leaving Dante to curse his inability to do anything in his current state]].

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

** 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.]]

* 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 Rifle 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]].
* NoSuchThingAsBadPublicity: The controversy over ''[=DmC=]'' caused an upsurge in the classic continuity's popularity, hype and online exposure. Unfortunately, It doesn't apply to this single installment as the poor fan reception caused ''[=DmC=]'' to sell poorly, both on its initial release and the later ''[[UpdatedRerelease Definitive Edition]]'' release.

** The harpies do heavy damage, are immune to grabs until they attack, and quickly grow back their wings if you shoot the things off.

** For another exploitable and interesting glitch, the in-game cutscenes (not the full cinematic ones) would usually deactivate the red/white filter and sound effects of Devil Trigger when they play, but there are actually a few moments 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: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPKHxbOg19s As shown in this clip]], Spanish Dante's voice actor is clearly having the time of his life and treating the game the same way ''DMC'' fans did.

** Dante says "Not in a million years." when a white-haired wig falls on his head in a [[TakeThatAudience jab toward fans]] who disliked this redesigned Dante. Come the announcement of the Deluxe Edition for ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'', and one of the [[https://i.redd.it/6js46asp1fn11.jpg alternate costumes included]] is ''Classic'' Dante with dark hair and the Reboot Dante's color scheme.

** 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 did he just say 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.
* AntiClimaxBoss: If you play your cards right, [[spoiler:Vergil]] is probably the easiest boss of the lot; only his PuzzleBoss section at the end may throw newbies, but otherwise, he still goes down far too quickly to really pose a challenge, even at the higher difficulties.

** Many fans say that the game being called an AlternateContinuity is clearly [[https://www.siliconera.com/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.

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

* SugarWiki/AwesomeAnimation: The game is praised 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 [[EldritchLocation demonic city]] shifting around you in the first few parts, the journey to Bob Barbas' station and his boss fight (which is practically inside a news ticker), and Lilith changing the club into a living Equalizer visual set to the background music, are some of the game's memorable stages.

** 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 topic is also largely debated upon and disputed by the classic series' fans and the ''[=DmC=]'' fans). His design is also argued upon; some feel that it's a downgrade to Dante's classic look, 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.

** Mundus's portrayal in ''[=DmC=]'' is a major departure from his original counterpart. To fans, it's a good case of AdaptationExpansion to give him much more characterization and plot-relevance compared to the original Mundus (who was seen as too generic for a [[MaouTheDemonKing Demon King]] archtype and is mostly a background character until the end). Others feel that the corrupt banker re-imagining made ''[=DmC=]'' Mundus less-threatening than the demon overlord version of the original, and that he 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 Mundus is deeply woven into them.
* BestBossEver: Bob Barbas is often cited as one of the more enjoyable bosses fought, not only in this game, but in the entire ''[=DMC=]'' series as well. It's mostly attributed to the fight's context; you're fight him in a news ticker graphic seen in television news networks like [=CNN=], and at one point, you're suddenly warped into a fairground where Bob slanders you as you fight a few demons while there's a hovering news helicopter that serves as your in-game camera's point of view.

** Fans are either glad to see a reboot for the ''[=DMC=]'' series, or [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks hate every last thing that's been changed]]. Compounded by the fact that a ''lot'' of the reboot's fans openly dislike or even hate the original series and characters, especially when it comes to the original Dante's bombastic persona. This [[CriticalDissonance extends to the critics]]. It's not just that the reboot broke the base, it's that the reboot attracted critics with ''very'' different tastes and sensibilities who otherwise would never bother with the franchise.

** The [[UpdatedRerelease Definitive Edition]] improved the game significantly and it's really the optimal way to play this entry, hands down. Problem is, [[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.

** Given Dante's more brutal fighting style, this game encourages you to torture the smaller demons, and taking out a larger one with a well-placed axe swing or aerial combo can be incredibly satisfying, especially if you do it without taking a hit.
** What is the most effective weapon to use against [[spoiler:Bob Barbas]]? [[PowerFist The Eryx]]. Not only is the weapon required to disable certain "weak spots" on the stage, [[spoiler:Bob Barbas' demon form is a giant head, so the game encourages you to literally punch a face]].
* ComplacentGamingSyndrome: Each Angel/Demon weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses, and some are tailored to crack open specific environmental barricades, but players would mostly use them 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 for most of the time (though ''[=DMC1=]'' and ''[=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 barring ''[=DMC2=]'', and takes time to become more heroic) all drain a lot of 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 were generally very positive about ''[=DmC=]'', 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. It just goes to show how different the tastes of these two groups are and how polarizing the game is.
** If the reactions 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. It's gotten heated enough to charitably be called a FandomRivalry between critics and fans.

* DesignatedVillain: [[BrokenBase Some]] [[DracoInLeatherPants see Mundus this way]] -- banishing Sparda forever and ripping out Eva's heart before eating it may have been horrible fates to inflict, but they were a blood-brother-turned-traitor and a sworn racial enemy, respectively. And doesn't he have a right to be angry when Dante taunts him over the death of his child? What makes it divisive was that he did all of those acts right in front of Dante while the latter was still a small child.

** Mundus is a major recipient of this. Some genuinely believe that humans are better off with his rule than without, completely ignoring the fact that humans were being burnt alive, locked in eternal thought-prisons, slowly poisoned, and casually massacred by him -- purely because Dante is initially kind of a jerk. Not to mention brutally murdering Dante's mother right in front of him.
** [[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 aforementioned "humans would be better off with a ruler" idea); but how much of his kindness was genuine and how much of it was a facade to manipulate others were left ambiguous; and he's also much, much more attractive than Mundus.

** Phineas, for being an example of a kind-hearted demon, which was a major theme of the original series.

* EvilIsCool: Mundus has been considered one of the most badass characters in the game, but the character that really takes it home is his bodyguard Drekavac. A mask-wearing badass demon dual-wielding katanas was an instant hit, and the fact that he's [[SilentAntagonist wordless]] only adds to his mysterious awesomeness.
* EvilIsSexy: [[spoiler:Vergil looks a lot like his MrFanservice brother, and that attractiveness bleeds over even when he turns villainous, even if he's [[TheScrappy generally considered pathetic]] because of his actions.]]

** Aquila if it's utilised properly with a {{combo}}. Using "Buy In" can bring a lot of enemies close to you, then following up with the "Tornado" spin attack does wonders for your combo scores and stun locks most 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).

** 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), [[SuperMode Devil Trigger]] and 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 hard difficulty modes aren't nearly that difficult when compared to the previous ''Devil May Cry'' games.
** There's also the implementation of the {{Checkpoint}} system. While the previous titles have ways to continue from a specific point of the mission, ''[=DmC=]'' turns their usefulness UpToEleven. The sheer abundance of automatic checkpoints and the ability to resume from the main menu greatly decrease the challenge posed even by the "Hell and Hell" difficulty as you ''can'' brute-force the mode 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 increases the challenge, it can also be rather aggravating to have to restart a mission after a single death to get the SSS.

* 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 the game's general attempts to be "edgy".
* PolishedPort: 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 it's also great that the game is actually playable and doable using a 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 the Definitive Edition, which has the 1080p/60fps bonus ''and'' tons of extra contents.

* ScrappyMechanic: Plenty. Several of these issues would be fixed in the Definitive Edition, along with a complete rebalance of the game via Hardcore Mode. These were done as an AuthorsSavingThrow to encourage sales of the game among the older fans who [[TakeThatAudience they insulted]] during this game's promotion.
** The reworked Style System is one of the most common complaints as it's [[ItsEasySoItSucks easier]] to reach SSS Rank compared to the previous games. 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" easier than they should be, even if 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. This is also compared to other StylishAction games such as ''VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance'' where restarting a checkpoint does not count as dying. In ''[=DmC=]'', this is a source of frustration when going for a no death run on the hardest difficulty, more so if playing the updated version.

* 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. After Capcom released ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'', it's common to hear players say stuff about ''[=DmC=]'' like "It's not a bad game ''per se'', just not a good ''Devil May Cry'' game".

* 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 [[note]](particularly Vergil's massively expanded moveset in ''4:SE'' and ''5:SE'', or the HitStop cinematic effect and a voiced Style announcer in ''5'')[[/note]], 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.

* 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 like Dante but without his supernatural resilience, [[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.]]

* DarknessInducedAudienceApathy: What upsets many of the old fans is that few of the characters do much to be initially likable. Though they reveal further depths of character as they go on (especially Dante, whose {{character development}} is essentially the story's primary arc), their first impressions make it harder to get invested in later on.

** ''[=DMC5=]'' turned Vergil's regular Devil Trigger into a Doppelganger mechanic, which is retrospectively reminiscent of his ''[=DmC=]'' counterpart's Devil Trigger mode. It makes sense because the classic Vergil never had a DoppelgangerAttack mechanic prior to the reboot, but it's easy to forget that ''[=DmC=]'' Vergil's Doppelganger actually takes cues from Dante's Doppelganger Style; the ability to alter the after-image's input lag already existed in ''[=DMC3=]''.

* FandomRivalry: One brewed with ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'' because [[{{Unreboot}} Capcom went back to the original continuity]] rather than continuing the reboot's storyline.

** Many fans say that the ''[=DmC=]'' "preboot" being called an AlternateContinuity is clearly [[https://www.siliconera.com/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.