Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition Review

First launched in 2019, Devil May Cry 5 is arguably one of the better entries in the long-running series. Featuring Dante, Nero, and a new character, the trademark gunslinging and hack and slash action is back and better than ever, and now, players can finally take it on the go as it finally launches on the Switch 2.

Entitled Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition, this installment brings the full game along with all DLC content, including a playable Vergil, the EX color pack for all characters, and much more. You could say it is the definitive edition of the game in terms of content, and as it turns out, playing the game on the Switch 2 is quite the experience as well.

S-S-S-uper

Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition sees the trio of Dante, Nero, and V join forces to stop the demon king Urizen, whose rise threatens humanity and the balance of the world. Players will get to play all three characters in various missions, giving several playstyles that keep the gameplay engaging. This is fantastic, actually, and players will appreciate the breadth of variety that each character brings to the table.

Each character has a distinct playstyle. While Dante retains his signature moves and stylish combos when switching weapons, Nero brings the heat with his Red Queen Sword, which features a rev gimmick (like revving a car) for extra firepower. V, on the other hand, brings something intriguing and unique, as he summons familiars to fight for him as he finishes them off. Each character has enough depth for extreme expression, and players will not find a lack of ways to bring the fight to their foes.

Combat in Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition is arguably the series at its height. Moves are slick and stylish, providing an exhilarating feeling as enemies are vanquished with a combination of moves from an arsenal of blades and guns. Player expression is front and center here, and the game rewards creativity and dexterity.

At first, combat in Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition may feel repetitive and button mashy, but that’s just the start, and when things really open up, thanks to unlocked skills, players can really go wild, with creativity being their only limit. Thankfully, for players who cannot handle the more complicated button sequences, there’s an option to turn on a mode that will allow for easier combos, which is great for those whose hands can’t quite keep up.

A graphical step up from its predecessors in every respect, Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition brings smooth animations and atmospheric settings to life. Of course, it doesn’t look quite as good as what you would see on PS5 or PC, which is almost expected, but there’s very little to complain about. More than this, bosses are big spectacles, requiring players to use what they’ve learned if they want to overcome them. The game, in general, gets quite challenging, so dying may be a normal occurrence.

Switch 2 Performance

Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition is surprisingly well-tuned for the Switch 2, whether in docked or handheld mode. For a title like this, combat fluidity is arguably the most important aspect, and in this sense, the game manages to mostly stick with 60FPS at the cost of some graphical concessions. It’s a nice compromise, especially given the Switch 2’s screen size, where you can’t pixel-peek as much as on a 55-inch OLED TV.

Visually, while it does look good, you can definitely see the difference compared to other versions. Some textures are very slightly muddy, with less overall detail and noticeable aliasing, especially in hair. That said, it’s not a big deal, and I find the bigger issue is playing with Joy-Cons, as rapid button presses and button mashing don’t feel as good as on a pro controller, which then defeats the purpose of playing on the go.

Verdict: 8/10 Buy it!

Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition on the Switch 2 proves that stylish action can thrive on handheld hardware without losing its edge. With its trio of distinct characters, slick combat systems, and definitive DLC package, it delivers the depth and replayability the series is known for. It might not be worth the double dip, especially if you’ve already played the earlier current generation versions, but those who haven’t will definitely want to consider this.

While some graphical compromises are inevitable, the smooth performance and portability make this edition a standout way to experience Capcom’s modern classic, whether docked on the big screen or slicing through demons on the go. It’s another great port from Capcom, something that we should really get used to as the console generation chugs along.

*Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition was reviewed on a Switch 2 with a review code provided by the publisher.