Game reviews: DmC: Devil May Cry, PC/PS3/Xbox 360

THE DEVIL May Cry franchise has a special place in the hearts of many gamers, so it’s not surprising that this reboot of Capcom’s series – developed by British studio Ninja Theory – has been handled with extreme care.

DmC: Devil May Cry

£44.99, PC/PS3/Xbox 360

Set in a world where reality co-exists with a demon-infested limbo, wayward thug Dante is invited into a movement called The Order, a rebel group that hopes to topple the demonic dictatorship manipulating humanity.

Half demon, half angel, Dante can unleash light and dark attacks on his foes in what is a deep, intricate combat system full of rhythmic combos, juggles, parries and a barrage of firearm assaults. Together you can hack and slash your way through enemy lines feeling powerful, and looking stylish.

It’s a trait that the old games were championed for, and it stands up here.

The process of switching between weapons mid-combo gives rise to huge, damaging attacks, and by using two variations of grappling hook, Dante can flit between enemies at speed or pull them close, giving him dominance over battles. Despite his power, the game becomes brutally challenging on higher difficulty tiers, something fans of the original games will enjoy.

This coming-of-age story shows Dante’s origins perfectly, with moments of comedy giving way to a plot full of purpose as it progresses. Set to a lightning pace with stellar visuals and a pounding soundtrack, you have an aesthetic marvel worthy of the DmC legacy.