Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening

Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening is a single-player action hack-and-slash game. The story is a prequel to the original Devil May Cry and follows a young Dante at the beginning of his demon-hunting career. He is approached by his twin brother Vergil, who seeks to open the gate to the demon world by raising a mysterious tower in the heart of the city. Vergil’s ambitions bring legions of demons into the human realm, and Dante sets out to confront him while discovering more about his own powers and heritage. The narrative explores the conflict between the two brothers, the legacy of their father Sparda, and Dante’s transformation into the devil hunter seen in later entries.

Gameplay focuses on fast-paced melee and ranged combat built around fluid combos, stylish performance, and enemy management. Dante wields both swords and firearms, switching between them seamlessly to extend attack chains. Weapons include his signature sword Rebellion, dual pistols Ebony and Ivory, a shotgun, and numerous demonic weapons gained by defeating bosses, each offering unique movesets. Combat ranks are awarded based on how creatively and efficiently the player strings together attacks, with higher ranks unlocking more orbs, items, and style points.

A central mechanic is the Style system, introduced in this entry. At the start of each mission, players select a combat style that changes Dante’s abilities. Trickster emphasizes evasive maneuvers, Swordmaster adds extra melee combos, Gunslinger expands firearm techniques, and Royal Guard enables precise blocking and counterattacks. As Dante defeats enemies, styles can be leveled up to unlock more techniques. Later in the game, additional styles and Devil Trigger abilities become available, allowing Dante to temporarily transform into a powerful demon form that enhances speed, strength, and regeneration.

Progression is mission-based, with each level taking place in sections of the towering Temen-ni-gru. Players face waves of enemies, platforming challenges, environmental puzzles, and boss encounters that often test mastery of newly acquired weapons or abilities. Collectible red orbs serve as currency to purchase upgrades, items, and techniques, while blue orb fragments increase maximum health when assembled. Yellow orbs act as extra lives, reviving Dante on the spot after defeat.