Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening (Sony PlayStation 2, 2005)

DMC Timeline

Before I begin, for those serious gamers, that have done their research on the Devil Ma Cry game series, they will understand that even though Devil May Cry 3, or DMC 3, DMC short for Devil May Cry; is the third installment to the DMC game series, for the story line, it is actually the prequal to the first DMC game. 

Dante's Awakening

This game begins with the opening credits of our demon slaying hero, Dante, as he sits on his desk, awaiting yet another phone confirming the password for him to spring into action. He is approached by a mysterious man, who tells Dante, he was sent to deliver him a message from his brother. Thus, flipping the desk Dante was resting his feet on, and disappearing. To Dante's dismay, he is suddenly attacked by several seemingly vicious demons. 

However, he effortlessly defeats them, as wells as, the hoard of demons that are eagor to kill our hero. This being Mission 1, will end in Dante's office, beginning Mission 2, outside of his office where a larger hoard of demons attack him. Defeating these demons will bring you the first boss in the game, who eventually becomes another regular enemy to defeat. He, unlike the other demons, is much more powerful, and is the first challenge of many challenges to come by, in the game.

Once the first boss is defeated a cutscene will occur, where we see our hero staring at a tower that petrudes out of a nameless city, which prompts our hero to speak to Vergil, a man in a blue trench coat. 

Who is Vergil?

Throughout the game, we learn more about our hero Dante and the antagonistic sibling, Vergil and their past. It is revealed that Vergil is his twin brother. He too, shares the same demonic powers he was bestowed, upon birth. However, Vergil reveals why he chooses to embrace his demonic heritage, rather than choosing to save humanity, like our hero. 

Through the game, Dante's primary mission is to find Vergil and stop him from opening the gate to The Underworld. While he does this, Dante will tap into himself and unlock his true demonic power,  he will encounter endless hoards of demons, and bosses that are very well aware of the existance of the Sparda children and want to destroy them for being even a single percent of human. And we meet a couple of characters that play a significant role in the story line. 

Something New

The gameplay, much like the first DMC, differentiates in this game, allowing Dante to toggle through his arsenal of weapons instead of having to go to the menu to switch weapons. However, like the first DMC, he is not granted too many devilarms and firearms to utilize when stylishly destroying countless demons. 

Gameplay Difficulty

There are several difficulties a gamer can play on when playing Devil May Cry. There's Easy Mode. Demons are weak compared to Dante or Vergil, they inflict very minimal damage, and they die easily. Bosses absorb attacks and lose health like no other. Fights won't last more than five minutes at the most. And game progression will fly by.

Normal Mode is the next difficulty for this game, as well as the defaul difficulty, after losing a couple lives in Easy mode. However in Normal mode, enemies and bosses, Dante and Vergil, have just about equal strength, equal defenses and equal health. Both will take damage based on an attack, as well as the demons and bosses. 

Next difficulty following Normal mode, is Hard Mode. And yes folks, the name implies its difficutly. Both are much weaker than his enemies, and takes more damage than normal. Enemies take longer to defeat, and impose a real challenge to inexperienced gamers. 

Dante Must Die Mode is truly no joke! Demons are significantly much stronger than Dante. Some attacks can almost kill both in one hit. Boss battles become lengthy due to the difficulty, and every enemy in the entire game including the bosses can now power up with their Devil Trigger powers, which boosts attributes for demons.

Heaven or Hell Mode may be a let up from Dante Must Die (DMD) mode, since both can kill every enemy with one hit. But beware, both men can also die at one hit. So for those who like to juggle demons in the air and rank up your stylish slaying, good luck.

A Bonus

If you purchased the Special Edition version of DMC 3, you will be granted the option to play as Vergil and his moveset. His moves are much swifter and cunning, unlike Dante's strong yet cool style of slaying. 

More Gameplay Difficulty 

Upon purchasing the Special Edition of DMC 3, you will gain one more difficulty. How the difficulties work is a bit backwards. You have all the difficulties, but for each following difficulty, it is actually the previous difficulty's difficulty, even though it may be named otherwise. So for example, if you're playing on Normal mode, the difficulty is actually Easy, even though you're on Normal.

Vergil gains these difficlties as well, except when playing as Vergil, instead playing on Dante Must Die, you will play on Vergil Must Die. Yes, it does keep the difficulty as DMD mode for you challenge loving demon slayers. 

*Hell or Hell Mode, is the most difficult mode in the entire game. Demons retain their diffcutly from DMD mode, but they DO NOT die from one hit. Dante, or Vergil become the sole victim of this one-hit kill mode, while he has to put blood, sweat and tears into tearing these fercious beasts apart, to even make it to Mission 3. Are you up for the challenge?

**Note this**

It should be clear that DMC 3, is the most difficult game out of all four of the DMC games. Even harder than DMC 4.

Disgusting Truth

However, there's no storyline specifically for Vergil, and you will follow the gameplay and missions Dante follows. Except there's no cutscenes for Vergil, due to the cutscenez that he is seen in, during the gameplay as Dante. You are automatically bestowed all of Vergil's weapons, rather than earning them the same way Dante would.

Recommend this product? Yes