When Resident Evil creator, Shinji Mikami realised that the formula he was using for his "survival-horror" games was simply too old-fashioned, too slow and far too predictable, he went back to the drawing board and came up with Devil May Cry.

This game takes players straight into the the business of killing monsters. Sporting a mop of streaky white hair and a silky blood-red trech coat, Dante Sparda is the son of a legendary warrior who single-handedly dispatched an army of bloodthirsty demons. He now has to finish the job, taking to the fight to (don't laugh, Monkey Island fans) Melee Island.

His sword, which would dwarf any normal man, cuts through the zombie hordes like a hot knife through butter. His "Stinger" move is a solid dash-and-stab that smashes zombies into pieces. The uppercut slash sends monsters floating into the air, during which he draws a pair of Desert Eagles and blasts them. Some very nice moves that you'll never forget.

With unlimited ammo, Dante really lets fly with the John Woo gunplay. He runs, backflips, rolls sideways to avoid blades twice his size, and dances around a dozen monsters as he pumps lead.

Dante can earn new weapons and moves, mostly by collecting orbs that are traded between levels. The shotgun has extra power and is by far the most devastating weapon, although its firing speed is slower. The sword can be switched for a pair of fiery gauntlets when Dante fancies some hand-to-hand combat. Dante can also transform into a winged devil and disintegrate his enemies with lightning bolts from his fingertips.

The game is fully rendered in 3D and features some amazing "camera" work and stylish set designs. Say goodbye to the crusty old rotation system of Resident Evil - Push the stick one way and that's the direction in which Dante runs. Simple.

Devil May Cry's attitude, punishing style and angst-ridden hero is exactly what the PS2 community has been craving. It is without question the coolest and most exiting game to hit the market in a long time.

Recommended: Yes