Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition delivers a refined version of the stylish action game on Xbox Series X|S. This third-person hack and slash title centers on fast-paced combat where players chain attacks, juggle enemies in the air, and execute stylish finishes across a campaign starring Nero, Dante, and V.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around mastering each character's unique moveset and weapons. Nero relies on his Devil Breaker arms for powerful grapples and explosions, while Dante switches between multiple weapons and styles mid-combo for maximum variety. V summons demons to fight alongside him and uses his cane and familiar for direct attacks. Combat rewards precise timing, aerial maneuvers, and creative combinations that build style ranks from D to SSS.
Players unlock new skills and abilities through progression, allowing deeper customization of combos and special moves. The game emphasizes spectacle and flow, with enemies that demand different approaches based on type and positioning. Exploration remains light, focused instead on linear stages packed with encounters that test reaction and creativity.
Game Modes
The Special Edition introduces several additions that expand replayability. Vergil serves as a fully playable character with his own campaign path through the story, featuring his signature katana and summoned swords for precise, high-damage strikes. His moveset emphasizes teleportation and rapid slashes that differ from the other protagonists.
Legendary Dark Knight mode increases enemy density dramatically, turning encounters into large-scale horde battles that require efficient crowd control and sustained combos. Turbo Mode accelerates the entire game to 1.2 times normal speed, heightening the intensity of every action and making timing more demanding. High Frame-Rate Mode supports smoother performance on Xbox Series X, while ray tracing enhances lighting and reflections on supported hardware.
Visual and Technical Features
Ray tracing brings improved reflections and shadows to environments on Xbox Series X, elevating the already detailed urban and demonic settings. Performance options allow players to prioritize resolution or frame rate, including modes that reach higher refresh rates for fluid action. These enhancements leverage the console's capabilities without altering the fundamental gameplay systems carried over from the original release.
Load times are notably reduced compared to prior versions, keeping the focus on uninterrupted combat sessions. The presentation maintains the series' signature over-the-top style through character animations and environmental effects.
Is It Worth Playing?
Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition suits players who enjoy deep, skill-based combat systems in a single-player action format. The addition of Vergil provides a fresh perspective on the story and mechanics, while the new modes offer increased challenge for those seeking more demanding experiences. Critics and players have highlighted the satisfying combat loop and character variety as standout elements that hold up well years after release.
Those new to the series can start on easier difficulties to learn the systems, while veterans will find value in the expanded options and performance upgrades. The game remains a complete package with no ongoing seasonal content, making it ideal for a focused playthrough or repeated runs to master different characters and modes. Achievements tied to Vergil are unavailable, which may matter to completionists.
