Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition

"A Special Edition Worth the Extra Cash"

I'll start off by saying that this review is my opinon; it's not professional by any means nor is it a fact. I don't need people flaming me about how I'm full of crap about this review, or that the game sucks. I never played the original Devil May Cry 3. I bought it way late, as the Special Edition, but I do know what wasn't included.

This game has so many extras that it's ridiculous, between the videos and concept galleries, not to mention a whole new playable character: Vergil. The special edition also contains a new bonus mini-mission: Bloody Tower, which from what I hear was started in Devil May Cry 2, which I (fortunately?) never played.

As you complete the game on various difficulties, you unlock new things, such as Dante's various costumes, concept art, ending art, and bonus videos. When you complete the game on whatever difficulty as Dante, or if you have Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening save data on your memory card, you can unlock Vergil. Vergil plays very similar to Dante, but to his story there's no storyline, and no extra weapons. He's armed with Yamato, his katana, Beowulf, the gauntlets and greaves you recieve from defeating Vergil a second time in Dante's mode, and Force Edge, which is the combination of Yamato and Force Edge that Vergil uses in the final boss fight. His moves aren't unlike Dante, he has similar upgrades and his style, DarkSlayer, is like a different version of Trickster, but his "guns," Summoned Swords, are very different. You can attack with both the Summoned Swords and your equipped Devil Arm at the same time, and there are upgrades that allow you to summon them faster and use a new technique with them. The item system is the same as Dante. You can buy Blue and Purple Orbs with your Red Orbs, you can buy Devil Stars, Vital Stars, Holy Water, and Gold Orbs as well. Vergil also has Devil Trigger from the start of the game, which is basically the same as Dante's, but faster. When you get later costumes for Vergil, you can get an infinite Devil Trigger which turns Vergil into Nelo Angelo, an antagonist from Devil May Cry 1. The music that plays when you play as Vergil is the same tunes as Dante's, but with a bit of a techno in the background.

But enough about Vergil.

The main character, Dante, plays through a great story line, complete with twists, turns, and more. You play through a game that's hard enough to make you scream, but that's it; it's CHALLENGING. You won't find a game that's this hard that's good. If you've played Kingdom Hearts II, for example, you'll see that proud mode on that is almost Normal mode for Devil May Cry 3. I haven't found many games that are this challenging, which is good. I like challenges.

The replay value is great, as you unlock difficulties, and new costumes. If you play through Normal mode like I had, you probably won't get all the upgrades without use of a guide, so you'll discover secrets and new weapon skills as you play through the harder difficulties. I've gone from using at least 5 different combos of weapons and styles throughout my times through the game, and I still haven't gotten bored of it. This game is AWESOME, and easily one of my favorites.

Regards,
Fulcan A. Ryst

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 04/21/08

Game Release: Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Special Edition (US, 01/24/06)