Should I play DMC before Devil May Cry 5?

If you‘re interested in jumping into Devil May Cry 5, you may be wondering if you need to play through all the previous games in the hack-and-slash action series first. As a longtime DMC fan, let me give you a detailed guide to catching up!

Do you need to play the old DMC games before DMC5?

Short answer: no, you can absolutely enjoy DMC5 without playing the earlier games first. The story recaps everything you need to know. I‘d compare it to watching Avengers Endgame before seeing all the other Marvel movies. You‘ll miss some references, but the core experience still works.

However, playing the previous DMC games will provide more context for the events, characters, and evolution of the gameplay mechanics. If you want the full picture, starting from the beginning is recommended.

A Brief History of Devil May Cry

Let‘s quickly recap what happens in each of the mainline numbered entries leading up to DMC5:

Devil May Cry (2001)

• The first game introduced the iconic protagonist Dante and the origins of his demon-hunting business.
• It was renowned at the time for its fast, stylish combat and smooth animation.
• Dante battles the demon lord Mundus, who murdered Dante‘s family, as he tries to invade the human world.
• Sold over 2.16 million copies worldwide. Defined the action-adventure genre on PS2.

Devil May Cry 2 (2003)

• Dante works with a new partner named Lucia to stop a businessman named Arius from using demonic power.
• Streamlined combat and easier difficulty disappointed some fans compared to the first game.
• Often considered the weakest mainline entry by critics and fans.
• Sold over 2 million copies. Lower scores than its predecessor.

Devil May Cry 3 (2005)

• This prequel centers on a cocky younger Dante as he unlocks his powers.
• He clashes ideologically and physically with his twin brother Vergil over their father Sparda‘s legacy.
• Features Dante‘s signature weapons Rebellion and Ebony & Ivory for the first time.
• Deeper combat system with expanded movesets and weapons. High degree of difficulty.
• Regarded as redeeming and revitalizing the series after DMC2.

Devil May Cry 4 (2008)

• Set after the first game, introduces newcomer Nero as another demon hunter with his own motivations.
• Dante takes on a mentorship role, training Nero in his techniques to stop a religious cult from reviving ancient demon.
• Built on DMC3‘s combat with more complexity and options through multiple characters.
• Sold over 3 million copies. Major critical success and fan enthusiasm for the new hero Nero.

Other DMC Games Worth Checking Out

Alongside the core numbered series, there are a couple other DMC games worth briefly mentioning:

DMC: Devil May Cry (2013)

• A grittier reboot developed by Ninja Theory, known for Hellblade.
• Features a reimagined "emo" take on Dante and tweaked combat mechanics.
• Got a mixed reception from critics and fans for being tonally different from the main series.
• Provides an alternate modernized perspective separate from the original continuity.

DmC: Devil May Cry Definitive Edition (2015)

• An enhanced port of the reboot for newer consoles with technical improvements.
• Includes previously released DLC content and gameplay tweaks based on fan feedback to the original release.
• The definitive way to experience this re-invented version of Dante.

What is the chronological order of the DMC games?

If you want to experience the entire Devil May Cry saga in order, here is the optimal play sequence:

1. Devil May Cry 3 (serves as an origin story for a younger Dante)
2. Devil May Cry (introduces Dante‘s demon-hunting business)
3. Devil May Cry 4 (stars Nero‘s debut as a new hero)
4. Devil May Cry 2
5. Devil May Cry 5 (the latest entry)
6. DMC: Devil May Cry (alternate reboot storyline)

Recapping the Story so Far…

Now let‘s do a quick recap of the overarching story and characters leading into where DMC5 picks up:

• Legendary demon warrior Sparda rebelled against demon emperor Mundus over 2000 years ago.
• Sparda sealed off the demon world from the human world, and had twin sons – Dante and Vergil.
• The events of DMC3 show the bitter rivalry between younger Dante and Vergil as they come to terms with their heritage.
• Vergil tries to gain more demonic power by unsealing their father‘s magic sword Force Edge, but Dante stops him.
• In the first DMC, Dante defeats Mundus when he tries to cross over and obtain Sparda‘s power.
• Dante also squares off against his resurrected brother Vergil in later games like DMC1.
• DMC4 introduces Nero, a new teenage demon hunter who wields a powerful spirit arm.
• Nero allies with Dante after clashing with him early on. Together they prevent a fanatical religious group from reviving ancient demons.

DMC5 continues the saga years later with Nero and Dante returning as playable heroes. The combat and visuals are better than ever, evolving the series for a new generation of hardware.

Now let‘s get into the nitty gritty of what you should know from the past games before jumping into DMC5…

DMC Gameplay and Lore Analysis

Here is some deeper analysis for long-time fans on how each previous game lays the groundwork for DMC5:

Devil May Cry (2001)

As the first game, DMC1 introduced core elements that still define the series today:

• Dante‘s cocky personality and iconic red coat look
• Fluid, fast-paced, stylish combat centered around melee combos
• An arsenal of weapons like Rebellion sword, Ebony & Ivory guns that reappear across later games
• A gothic atmosphere mixing horror and camp
• An emphasis on high scores, rankings, and replayability

DMC1 is showing its age today in terms of visuals and mechanics, but still established the foundation in both game design and story.

Devil May Cry 2 (2003)

Despite fan grumblings about DMC2, here is some relevant lore from it:

• Dante allies with Lucia, who may be the daughter of Arius, to stop Arius‘ plot.
• This cements Dante‘s role as a loner hero who helps others inherit the fight.
• Dante unlocks the "Majin Form," perhaps a precursor to his SDT form in DMC5.
• Combat is easier and simpler, but did introduce useful mechanics like weapon switching on the fly that improved later games.

Devil May Cry 3 (2005)

DMC3 is a prequel, but sets up key events reflected in DMC5:

• Depicts the sibling rivalry between Dante and Vergil, central to the whole series.
• Vergil‘s pursuit of their father Sparda‘s power foreshadows his arc in DMC5.
• Lady‘s vendetta against her father Arius parallels Nero‘s later motivations.
• Combat adds more depth through Style rankings and multiple weapons per character.
• Dante unlocks styles like Trickster and Swordmaster that define his skillset.

Devil May Cry 4 (2008)

DMC4 spins the saga forward again:

• Introduces Nero as a playable hero who proves his worth to Dante.
• Nero‘s possession of the Yamato, Vergil‘s sword, hints at his secret heritage.
• Nero‘s betrayal by the Order of the Sword gives him extra motivation.
• Dante passing knowledge to Nero reflects the game‘s theme of succession.
• Built on DMC3‘s combat with more game modes and techniques to master.

While you can skip previous games, DMC4‘s events directly tie into the DMC5 story.

DmC: Devil May Cry (2013)

Some relevant points on the DmC reboot:

• Provides an alternate modernized take on Dante‘s origin unrelated to the main continuity.
• DmC Dante is more youthful, cynical, and aggressive compared to the regular cocky but heroic Dante.
• Hardcore fans disliked the shift in tone and writing, preferring the original style.
• Ninja Theory‘s pedigree for robust melee combat shines through.
• Not required, but an interesting reinterpretation if you have time.

Conclusion: Should You Play the Old DMC Games Before DMC5?

To summarize:

• You don‘t need to play past games to enjoy DMC5, but they provide valuable context.
• At minimum, I‘d recommend trying DMC3 for Dante‘s origin and DMC4 to meet Nero.
• Playing the whole series chronologically shows the full evolution of characters and gameplay.
• Both DMC2 and the DmC reboot are totally skippable if you just want the core saga.
• Ultimately, jump right into DMC5 if you want cutting edge combat and visuals!

Let me know if you have any other questions about getting into this classic action series!