We’re going to do a special Vice Pit about Capcom soon with EGM’s Ray Carsillo wherein we’ll discuss our collective love of the company’s distinctive library. Since I already re-visited VIEWTIFUL JOE recently, I’m trying to hit up as many Capcom-based titles as I can in preparation for the shoot.
And that thought, of course, brings us here.
You know, when I wrote up JOE, I wistfully wished that Capcom would license more titles for such a treatment. Going to show how subjective this all is, I said that whilst overlooking (or maybe outright ignoring, to be honest) this show. It’s hard not to admit, now, that Capcom actually has well-exploited all the franchises - - from RESIDENT EVIL to MEGA MAN - - that are successful enough to warrant adaptation. I only felt like they hadn’t because they haven’t picked some of the moderately successful titles I specifically grew up on.
So yeah… I’ll fess up to it. I haven’t actually played any of the DMC games, and my only interaction with Dante, Trish and Vergil, et al, so far has been when I try to soldier against their incredibly cheap chain combos in MVC3 with my Akuma/Dr. Doom/Amaterasu dream team. (For the record, Capcom seriously stacked all the DMC and RE characters in that game).
“That’s all nice, Tom… BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ANIME?!” you shriek.
I think Alex EL would eat this all up, because it’s totally something that would fit right in during the wild days of ultra-violent OVA imports. It’s certainly a pretty show, though, with a wicked sense of timing, as well. And if you’re looking to see hordes of demons get absolutely lit up, you probably couldn’t find a better title to scratch that itch.
That said, I find it kind-of amusing how this show doesn’t give us any sort of introduction to Dante or his world. Yeah, it’s a hair away from an OVA intended strictly for game fans. Duh. And normally, I find these sorts of “Cut right to the good stuff” in media res openers to be vastly preferable to drawn-out, plodding beginnings. This ain’t my first rodeo either, so I can probably make an accurate, educated guess about what Dante’s deal is.
At the same time, though, I also feel like there’s really not much to miss out with this guy’s back story. And that kind-of perfectly captures the video game playing experience, doesn't it?
Watch this episode, "Devil May Cry" here and decide for yourself.
Tom Pinchuk’s a writer and personality with a large number of comics, videos and features like this to his credit. Visit his website - - tompinchuk.com - - and follow his Twitter: @tompinchuk
