Devil May Cry 3:
Dante's Awakening
Daily Entries

First Impressions:

So, I finally get around to playing the third installment after the universally atrocious DMC2. While I've only really played up to the first boss, quite possibly less than 30 minutes, I can say that I like most everything. Especially interesting is that the first boss has defeated me three times in a row and I couldn't be more excited about it. The feeling that the game has gone back to it's more difficult roots is something to treasure. Version 2 was pathetically easy.

Funny story: My first encounter with DMC was on the demo disk that came with Resident Evil: Code Veronica. In that demo you battle your way up to a dark soldier boss and before you can fight him the game ends. I remember picking up the full version of DMC and blasting my way through the first stages. When I made it to a particular alter the words "This will be a cake walk" echoed through my brain only to be suddenly thrown in my face by Phantom (Giant Lava Spider for those unfamiliar), the bane of my existence for at least a dozen attempts before I was able to progress. Ok! Maybe you just had to be there.

I fondly remember that as a worth challenge of my skills, yet a reminder that everything can be conquered. With considerable ease in future encounters I might add. It's that same feeling that I get with DMC3 and it's already challenging arena.

Some good: The style meter makes a lot more sense by adding a small meter toward the bottom of the icon. This meter indicates how much time you have left to start attacking more enemies before it drops off the screen.

Various styles are also available that allows you to focus on the type of style you enjoy playing the best. Trickster, Sword Master, Sharp Shooter, Royal Guard. I've chosen Sword Master to begin with because I like that part better than the guns in previous versions.

Some bad: In both cramped areas of the first two stages I found the ability to move the camera a welcome addition. Too bad it turns slower than Goro in Mortal Kombat II. I guess the fortunate part is that the "Lock on" button can be used to instantly change to a new view by targeting an enemy instead.

-wileee