Been taking a bit of a break from RPG'ing and clearing some shorter games in the old backlog. Devil May Cry was next up after finishing Touhouvania.
I knew pretty well going into this one what I was in for. And DMC1 delivered on a game that's about as much of a mixed bag as it gets.
For every good and fun moment, there was also a moment or three that felt tedious and frustrating. Most notably, the fixed camera consistently worked against the kind of mobility the player is given to mess around with, often being entirely disorienting. Backtracking wasn't particularly enjoyable, nor were the numerous tight corners and sections you have to trek through and fight in. Boss quality was also all over the place. Not only were a small pool of boss fights repeated again and again, but the quality of the fights never got to a point I'd call great, or even good for the most part.
That said, my overall opinion on the game is still positive, because the basics of what DMC1 established are very solid. Dante's movement and combat feel consistent and fairly snappy, despite the player having to fight with the camera. Mixing gunplay with swordplay is never not satisfying, and Devil Trigger makes you feel as powerful as you'd expect and want from a character with abilities like Dante's.
Likewise, the music and tone capture decently well the kind of over-the-top edge and camp I can vibe with. There are a decent amount of items that can reduce the frustration of certain boss designs (thought it doesn't excuse them, it just helps ease annoyance). And the generally short length of the missions prevents any tedium from getting too overwhelming.
DMC1 is a classic example of a first entry in a series. Flawed potential, through and through, especially when its age is taken into consideration. And it's that potential that makes me want to explore more of DMC as a series.
