Let's be real for a second. When Sony first showed off the PlayStation 5, we were all looking for that one game to justify the $500 hole in our wallets. Then Capcom dropped the trailer for Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition, and suddenly, the "SSStyle" was back. But here’s the thing—DMC5 was already a masterpiece on the PS4. It looked incredible. It played at a blistering pace. So, why did Capcom bother bringing it to the next generation?
If you've played the original, you know the vibe. Vergil is finally playable. There’s a new difficulty that puts more demons on screen than your brain can probably process. And, of course, there’s the ray tracing. But does all that technical jargon actually make the game better, or is it just a shiny coat of paint on a game we've already beaten ten times? Honestly, it’s a bit of both, but for the hardcore fans, the PS5 version changed the DNA of the combat in ways that casual players might totally miss.
Why Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition on PS5 hits different
The first thing you notice isn't the graphics. It’s the speed. On the PS4, you had enough time to go grab a coffee while the missions loaded. On the PS5, those loading screens are basically gone. You hit "Start Mission," and you're in. It changes the flow of the game entirely because you aren't losing that adrenaline high between levels.
🔗 Read more: Why Jackdaw's Rest Hogwarts Legacy Is the Most Important Quest You'll Play
Then there’s the Legendary Dark Knight (LDK) mode. This is exclusive to the next-gen consoles and PC (via mods, mostly). It takes the standard enemy count and cranks it up to eleven. You aren't just fighting three Empusas anymore; you're fighting thirty. It turns the game into something that feels almost like a Musou title, but with the pinpoint precision of a character action game. Your PS5 is actually sweating here, pushing out hundreds of particles as Nero revs the Red Queen through a literal sea of demons. It's chaotic. It’s messy. It’s exactly what the series is supposed to be.
Vergil: The real reason we're here
Let’s not kid ourselves. Most people bought Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition specifically to play as Vergil. The motivated man himself. While he was eventually released as DLC for the older consoles, playing him on the PS5 feels... correct.
His kit is ridiculous. He has the Yamato, Beowulf, and the Mirage Edge. He can summon a doppelganger. He has a "World of V" move that clears the entire screen while he literally reads a book of poetry. It’s peak Capcom. Playing as Vergil feels like using a cheat code that the developers actually want you to use. He moves faster than Nero or Dante, and his "Concentration" mechanic rewards you for standing still and being precise, which is a complete 180 from how the rest of the cast plays.
The technical reality of ray tracing and 120Hz
Capcom gave us a lot of options on the PS5. You can turn on Ray Tracing (RT) for those sweet, realistic reflections in the puddles of Red Grave City. You can prioritize 4K resolution. Or, you can go for the 120fps High Frame Rate mode.
Here is the honest truth: Ray tracing in DMC5 is kinda "meh."
Don't get me wrong, it looks pretty. The neon lights of the city look great reflecting off Nero’s van. But this is a game about high-speed combat. When you're mid-air, juggling a Scudo Angelo with a motorcycle-chainsaw, you aren't looking at the reflections in a puddle. You’re looking at the frame data. Most high-level players immediately turn off RT to get that stable performance. If you have a TV that supports 120Hz, that is the only way to play this game. The input lag drops, the animations become fluid as butter, and the whole experience just feels more responsive.
- Ray Tracing On (4K/30fps): Looks like a movie, plays like a slog.
- Ray Tracing On (1080p/60fps): A decent middle ground if you love lighting.
- Ray Tracing Off (4K/60fps): The "Standard" way to play.
- High Frame Rate Mode: Up to 120fps. This is where the magic happens.
Turbo Mode: The hidden game changer
If you think the base game is too slow, Turbo Mode is your best friend. It increases the overall game speed by 20%. It sounds small on paper, but in practice, it’s a total system shock. Every animation, every enemy attack, and every jump is faster.
For the "DMC veterans" who grew up on Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening, Turbo Mode is the default. It forces you to have better muscle memory. You can't just mash buttons; you have to be ahead of the game's internal clock. It’s probably the single biggest reason to get the PS5 version over the standard PS4 edition if you’re looking to actually get good at the combat.
DualSense features: Immersion or annoyance?
The PS5’s DualSense controller is a polarizing beast. In Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition, Capcom used the adaptive triggers for Nero’s "Exceed" mechanic. When you rev his sword like a motorcycle, the R2 trigger gives you some resistance. It feels cool for the first ten minutes.
But if you’re trying to hit those "Max-Act" timings perfectly in the middle of a 50-hit combo, that trigger resistance can actually get in the way. A lot of people end up turning the trigger intensity down or off entirely because it tires out your fingers during long play sessions. The haptic feedback, though? That’s gold. Feeling the subtle vibration of V’s cane hitting the ground or the heavy thud of Dante’s Balrog weapon makes the combat feel "weighty" in a way the PS4 version never did.
What people get wrong about the "Special Edition" tag
There’s a misconception that this is a "Remake." It’s not. It’s a definitive port. If you’re expecting brand-new story levels or a different ending, you won't find them. The story is exactly the same—the mysterious V hires Dante to kill a demon king named Urizen, while Nero tries to get his arm back.
The value isn't in new narrative content; it's in the refinement of the systems. The Special Edition includes all the previous DLC, like the Deluxe Edition breakers for Nero and the Cavaliere R weapon for Dante. It’s the "everything and the kitchen sink" version of the game.
Is the PS5 version better than the PC version?
This is a spicy topic. For a long time, PC was the home of the best DMC5 experience because of the incredible modding community. Mods like the "Collaborative Cheat Trainer" allowed for LDK mode and Turbo mode long before the PS5 existed.
However, out of the box, the PS5 version is superior to the base PC version because Capcom—infamously—did not bring the Special Edition features (like Ray Tracing or LDK mode) to PC as an official update. If you want the "official" high-end experience without messing around with third-party files and scripts, the PS5 is currently the king of the hill. It's frustrating for PC players, but that's the reality of Capcom's current release strategy.
Actionable steps for your first playthrough
If you're just picking this up, don't jump straight into the hardest settings. This game is designed to be played multiple times. You won't even have half of your moveset unlocked during the first run.
- Start on Devil Hunter: Human mode is too easy and will bore you. Devil Hunter is the intended "Normal."
- Focus on "Blue Orbs": Buy these first to increase your health. You're going to get hit. A lot.
- Learn to "Jump Cancel": This is the secret to high-level play. Buying the "Enemy Step" skill allows you to jump off an enemy's face mid-air, resetting your animations. It's the key to staying in the air forever.
- Experiment with the Void: The training mode in this game is excellent. Use it to practice your "Exceed" timings for Nero or your "Judgement Cut" timings for Vergil.
- Turn off Auto-Combo: The game might try to suggest "Auto" mode. Disable it immediately. It takes away your control and makes the game feel like a mobile clicker.
The final word on the DMC5 PS5 experience
Devil May Cry 5 is arguably the best action game of the last decade. It’s stylish, it’s deep, and it doesn't take itself too seriously. The PS5 version is the absolute best way to play it if you care about performance and that "just one more go" feel of the Legendary Dark Knight mode.
📖 Related: How to Mods Download Sims 4 Without Breaking Your Game
Whether you're playing as Nero with his mechanical arms, Dante with his literal arsenal of wacky weapons, or Vergil with his cold precision, the game is a masterclass in player expression. You aren't just winning; you're performing. And on the PS5, that performance has never looked or felt better.
Your Next Steps:
- Check your TV settings to ensure Game Mode is active to minimize input lag.
- If you have an old PS4 save, keep in mind that it does not transfer to the Special Edition. You'll be starting fresh, which is honestly a great excuse to re-learn the mechanics from scratch.
- Go into the "Gallery" and listen to the soundtrack. "Bury the Light" (Vergil's theme) is a 9-minute epic that basically became the anthem of the gaming community for a reason.
---