You know that feeling when you're staring at your digital library, scrolling past the same three games you always play, and you just want something that feels fast? Not just fast, but "I have no idea what just happened but it looked incredible" fast. That’s basically the pitch for Devil May Cry 5 PS5. When the Special Edition dropped as a launch title for the PlayStation 5, it was meant to be the "definitive" way to play Capcom’s 2019 masterpiece. But honestly, in a world where we’re constantly getting "Remastered" or "Director’s Cut" versions of games that are barely five years old, you’ve gotta wonder if this one actually brings enough to the table to justify the hard drive space.
The short answer? Yeah. It does. But not necessarily for the reasons the marketing team put on the back of the box.
Most people talk about the ray tracing. Or the 120Hz mode. Those are cool, sure. But the real reason this version of the game still holds up is Vergil. Playing as Dante’s twin brother isn't just a "skin" swap; it’s basically a completely different game hidden inside the one you already paid for. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a god-tier anime protagonist who can slice through space-time while wearing a very expensive blue coat, this is your peak.
Why Devil May Cry 5 PS5 hits different on modern hardware
Let’s talk about the SSD for a second. We’ve all gotten used to fast loading times by now, but playing Devil May Cry 5 PS5 after coming from the PS4 version is jarring in the best way possible. On the old hardware, you had enough time to go make a sandwich, come back, and maybe check your emails before a mission started. On the PS5? It’s basically instant. You hit "Start Mission," the screen fades for maybe two seconds, and you’re already Revving Nero’s Red Queen.
It changes the flow of the game.
When you aren’t sitting through loading screens, you’re more willing to experiment. You’ll hop into The Void (the practice mode) just to try one specific combo sequence because the friction of getting there is gone. It makes the game feel more like an arcade experience and less like a cinematic chore.
Then there’s the DualSense support. Capcom didn't go overboard here, which I actually appreciate. You feel the tension in the triggers when Nero revs his sword—that mechanical chunk-chunk-chunk sensation. It’s subtle. It’s not going to change your life, but it adds a layer of tactile feedback that makes the "Exceed" system feel way more satisfying than it did on a DualShock 4.
The Ray Tracing Trap
Here is something most "technical reviews" won't be blunt about: Ray Tracing in this game is a bit of a trade-off. Capcom gave us options, which is great, but they come with caveats. You can run the game in 4K at 30fps with Ray Tracing on, or 1080p at 60fps with Ray Tracing on.
Honestly? Don't use the 4K/30 mode.
Devil May Cry is a game about frames. It’s about timing. Playing this game at 30fps feels like trying to run through waist-deep molasses. It looks pretty in screenshots, especially with the puddles in the rainy London-esque streets of Red Grave City, but the moment you start a combo, the stuttering makes the gameplay suffer. If you really want the eye candy, go for the 1080p/60fps Ray Tracing mode. It’s the sweet spot.
However, if you have a monitor that supports it, the 120Hz mode is where the real magic is. Even without the fancy reflections, the sheer fluidity of moving at high frame rates makes Dante’s weapon switching feel like butter. It’s the closest thing to the PC experience you can get on a console, and for a character action game, that's the only metric that actually matters.
Legendary Dark Knight Mode is pure chaos
If you think you're good at this game, Legendary Dark Knight (LDK) mode will humble you. This was a PC-only thing for the longest time, but the Devil May Cry 5 PS5 version finally brought it to consoles because the PS5's CPU can actually handle it.
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Imagine a normal room in the game where you’d fight maybe three or four enemies. In LDK mode, the game throws thirty at you. All at once.
It turns the game into something resembling a "Musou" title (like Dynasty Warriors), but with the deep, complex combat mechanics of DMC. It is absolute, unadulterated carnage. Watching the PS5 maintain a steady frame rate while Nero performs a "Showdown" on a literal wall of demons is one of the best tech demos for the console even years after its release. It’s stressful. It’s loud. It’s arguably the most fun you can have with the game’s combat system because you don't have to worry about "finding" enemies to keep your Style Rank up. They are everywhere. You literally cannot miss.
The Vergil Factor
Vergil isn't just a DLC character. He is the reason a lot of people bought the Special Edition.
His playstyle is built around "Concentration." If you run around like a maniac or miss your attacks, you lose power. If you stand still, time your parries, and act like a disciplined swordsman, you become an unstoppable force. He’s the antithesis of Dante’s "everything and the kitchen sink" approach.
Playing Vergil in Devil May Cry 5 PS5 feels like playing a refined version of his DMC4 Special Edition self. He has the Yamato, the Beowulf gauntlets, and the Mirage Edge. Plus, he can summon a "Doppelganger" to mimic his moves, which you can actually control with the d-pad to change the timing of its attacks. It’s deep. Like, "spend fifty hours in the lab just to learn one loop" deep.
One weird thing though—Vergil doesn’t have his own unique missions. You’re just playing through the existing Nero/Dante/V missions as him. It’s a bit of a letdown if you were hoping for new story beats, but the sheer mechanical depth of the character makes up for it. He feels "broken" in the best way possible.
What about V?
We have to talk about V. He’s the polarizing one. Instead of fighting directly, he summons three familiars: Griffon (a bird), Shadow (a panther), and Nightmare (a giant golem).
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Some people love the change of pace. Others find it boring because you’re basically just mash-buttoning while standing in the corner of the arena. On the PS5, V’s sections feel a bit more cohesive because the haptic feedback gives you a better sense of when your familiars are taking damage or when Nightmare is ready to be summoned. But let’s be real: you’re usually just playing V's missions so you can get back to being Dante or Nero.
The good news is that on the higher difficulties provided in the Special Edition, V actually requires a bit of strategy. You can't just mash. You have to manage the positioning of Shadow and Griffon, or they’ll get "stalemated" (knocked out), leaving you completely defenseless.
Technical Nuances and "Secret" Features
- Turbo Mode: This is a toggle that increases the game speed by 20%. It sounds like a small change, but it's massive. Once you play on Turbo, the standard game speed feels like it's moving in slow motion. It’s the preferred way for veterans to play.
- Photo Mode: It’s still there, and with the SSD, saving and loading your high-res shots is instant.
- Voice Acting: You get the option for Japanese or English audio. Both are stellar. Reuben Langdon (Dante) and Dan Southworth (Vergil) are icons for a reason.
Is there a downside? Sure. The "Special Edition" content is basically just Vergil, LDK mode, and Turbo mode. If you already owned the game on PS4 and bought the Vergil DLC, you aren't getting new story content here. You're paying for the technical upgrades and the extra modes. Whether that's worth the price of entry depends entirely on how much you value 60fps+ performance and those massive enemy counts.
How to actually get the most out of it
If you're picking up Devil May Cry 5 PS5 today, don't just blast through the "Human" or "Devil Hunter" difficulty and call it a day. That’s just the tutorial. The game doesn't truly start until "Son of Sparda" or "Dante Must Die" difficulty.
Start by focusing on Nero. Get the timing down for his "Exceed" (revving the sword during an attack). Once that clicks, the game goes from a 7/10 to a 10/10 instantly.
Actionable Insights for New Players:
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- Prioritize Frame Rate: Go into the options and prioritize "High Frame Rate" or "Performance." Ray Tracing is pretty, but it’s not worth the input lag in a game this fast.
- Remap Nero’s Controls: Do yourself a favor and move the "Gun" button from Square to L1 or R1. This allows you to hold a charge shot while still performing melee combos with your thumb. It’s the single biggest "pro tip" for Nero.
- Use The Void: Don't be afraid to spend time practicing. Learn how to "Jump Cancel"—using an enemy's head as a platform to reset your air combos. It’s the key to high Style Ranks.
- Buy the Blue Orbs: Explore the levels. Increasing your health bar is far more important early on than buying every single move for Dante.
Devil May Cry 5 PS5 remains the gold standard for the genre. It’s unapologetic, it’s loud, and it rewards skill like few other games do. Even years after the PS5 launched, it stands as one of the best-performing titles on the system, proving that Capcom’s RE Engine is some kind of dark magic. If you want to see what your console can actually do when pushed to its limits—both graphically and mechanically—this is the game to do it.