Do I Have to Play Devil May Cry 4?

As an action game fan, I get asked this question a lot – "Do I need to play Devil May Cry 4 before jumping into the latest game, DMC5?" My answer is a resounding YES! DMC4 is an incredible game in its own right and essential for appreciating DMC5. In this beginner‘s guide, I‘ll explain why DMC4 is so worth playing and how it enhances the experience of DMC5.

What is Devil May Cry 4?

For those unfamiliar, DMC4 is the fourth main installment in the stylish hack-and-slash Devil May Cry series. Developed by Capcom and released in 2008 for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, DMC4 is praised for its slick combat, gorgeous visuals and varied gameplay across its 20 missions.

You play as both the new protagonist Nero, and classic series hero Dante. The story follows their battle against the mysterious Order of the Sword and its demonic plans. DMC4 received overwhelmingly positive reviews at launch and is regarded as one of the best action games of the 2000s.

Why Play DMC4 Before DMC5?

DMC5 is a direct sequel to DMC4, taking place 5 years later with returning characters and continued storylines. While DMC5 is welcoming to newcomers, playing DMC4 first enriches the experience considerably:

• Understand Nero‘s backstory – Nero is one of three playable characters in DMC5, but his full history is only told in DMC4. Seeing his origins and development in DMC4 makes his role in DMC5 even better.

• Appreciate the character arcs – DMC4 sets up Nero‘s relationships with Kyrie, Credo and Dante that fuel their dramatic character arcs across both games. Their journeys have more impact if you‘ve seen where they began.

• Absorbing the lore – DMC4 introduces key terms, factions and events that are frequently referenced in DMC5. Knowing this lore ahead of time makes DMC5‘s complex story more digestible.

• Prepare for DMC5‘s gameplay – Nero‘s core combat skills and Devil Breaker abilities evolve directly from his playstyle introduced in DMC4. Understanding his DMC4 toolkit prepares you for mastering his deeper DMC5 moveset.

Without the proper context from DMC4, parts of DMC5‘s story and characters lose impact. DMC4 establishes critical foundations.

DMC4‘s Cast of Characters

One of DMC4‘s strengths is its interesting cast of characters, led by the newcomer Nero:

• Nero – Brash, energetic teenager with a literal demonic arm, the Devil Bringer. He‘s an orphan taken in by the Order, and has a sense of justice.

• Kyrie – Nero‘s childhood friend and love interest. She‘s a songstress with a pure heart who‘s caught up in the Order‘splot.

• Dante – The iconic hero of previous DMC games returns midway through DMC4. He brings his stylish combat and cocksure attitude.

• Agnus & Sanctus – Mad scientist and high priest of the Order. They have sinister ulterior motives involving demons.

These and other great characters populate the world and story of DMC4 to make it engaging beyond just gameplay.

DMC4‘s Awesome Gameplay

Of course, the most important reason to play DMC4 is its incredible combat gameplay:

• Responsive controls – DMC4‘s fighting feels snappy and precise. Switching weapons and styles is easy, and combos are very fluid.

• Two playable characters – Nero and Dante have contrasting movesets that offer plenty of variety during gameplay.

• Challenge and depth – Easy to grasp, tough to master. DMC4 rewards skill and creativity for racking up high style scores.

• Great enemy design – Demons all require different tactics and have unique behaviors. Bosses are epic highlights.

• Slick visuals – Lighting, camerawork and animations make every battle look like a work of art.

DMC4 has some of the best gameplay in the whole series – the combat never gets old.

Notable Features of DMC4

Here are some noteworthy facts and features about Devil May Cry 4:

• Sold over 3 million copies worldwide across multiple platforms
• Received a metascore of 84 on PS3 and Xbox 360
• Introduced the new protagonist Nero, who was very well-received
• First entry in the series made for PS3 and Xbox 360 generation consoles
• Director Hideaki Itsuno returned after previously directing DMC3
• Multiplayer Bloody Palace mode added in Special Edition
• Remastered in 1080p/60fps in DMC4 Special Edition (2015)

DMC4 was a huge success that reinvented the series for a new generation of consoles and players.

My Personal Experience with DMC4

I have very fond memories of playing DMC4 during college. After following the series since the 2001 original, DMC4 was a day one purchase for me in 2008. Here‘s what stood out:

• Nero was instantly likeable with his bratty attitude and awesome demonic arm abilities. He felt great to control.
• Fighting the Angelo enemies and bosses as Nero was very cinematic due to their winged designs.
• Dante‘s levels switching between combat styles kept his gameplay feeling fresh.
• The Savior boss battle at the end was an epic cinematic experience.
• I enjoyed replaying on harder difficulties and mastering all the weapons.

DMC4 captured my imagination and provided hours of exciting, stylish gameplay. It remains one of my favorite entries in the storied franchise.

Preparing For DMC5

If you‘re looking to jump into DMC5, here are my tips for properly experiencing DMC4 beforehand:

• Play the Special Edition – The remastered version with smoother visuals and extra content.
• Complete it on Normal first – Beat the game to understand the full story and systems.
• Then replay on harder difficulties – Son of Sparda and Dante Must Die if you want a challenge.
• Find all Blue Orb fragments – Maxing out health makes tougher modes less punishing.
• Experiment with all weapons – Get familiar with Nero and Dante‘s full movesets.

Doing the above will have you fully prepped and ready to take on the demons of DMC5 like a pro devil hunter.

Conclusion

Devil May Cry 4 is a stellar action game that every fan of the genre should play. Its tight controls, great characters, and compelling story make it a thrilling ride from start to finish. Most importantly, DMC4 lays the groundwork for the excellent DMC5 in many ways. By playing DMC4 first, you‘ll be primed to fully appreciate DMC5‘s characters, lore and gameplay nuances. For a stylish, demon-slaying good time, DMC4 is a must-play. Let me know if you have any other DMC4 questions!