The Style Theory of Devil May Cry

An analysis of what makes gameplay stylish in Devil May Cry.
Thanks to MartinG for helping me with the Spanish captions.
Thumbnail generously made by DestinySpider
After many years of wanting to make this video, I finally finished it.
Ideally I would redo much of the narration and script, have better flow and diagrams in the editing, etc. but I need to force myself to finish projects in a timely manner, and this one already took too long.
This video is dedicated to those who helped me get a new computer, the games and their DLC.
Here are the links to other people's gameplay videos I used in order of apperence.
If the video does not exist online, I will link their channels instead:
pastebin.com/ixhqdEQ3
Music: forestmanagement.bandcamp.com...
with some GodHand and DMC music used as well.
Timestamps:
0:00 -1. Introduction
1:58 -2. Major Components to style
1:58 -Aesthetics
15:51 -Skills
29:15 -3. Style Tropes
45:04 -4. Style in Other Mediums
49:55 -5. Conclusion
51:15 -6. Special Thanks

[@andimari9194]

I think it speaks volumes that out of the top 10 best selling games, the only game that’s not in the series of RE or monster hunter is DMC5. I really hope capcom sees how big dmc is getting and has something in the works, aside from the anime and mobile game

[@samuelmachado8330]

I think dmc being the best selling game franchise was have to do few being able be different enough to not be call "we have dmc in home" and only one not changed the formula so much like god of war and Bayonetta

[@Milz.T]

If they DO release new DMC game, then I hope that they add more varieties for the costume selections. They should have all the costumes from previous games for us as options to change/select to, for example : Dante Outfit from DMC3, Corrupted Vergil(Sparda) Outfit From DMC4. Its way better than having just a simple recolor option..

[@jeremiahtorrevillas4396]

I hope not id like thid to be the last game theres no point furrhering it its an end of an era

[@andimari9194]

@@Milz.T yeah I was really sad about this w dmc 5. I guess they were saying that they wouldn’t be able to do more costumes cuz they have to create them in real life and then scan them? At least that’s what I heard. But come on.. modders did a great job

[@samuelmachado8330]

@@andimari9194street fighter 6, resident evil village have different costumes for you use in the gameplay so the whole "we can't put more costumes in the game" is just capcom simple said we don't wanna put more costumes in the game

[@Blowhard]

It is very satisfying to hear someone organize these points. The fact that players have essentially reached an unspoken agreement on style makes me feel there is a great deal of objectivity to the beauty of this series. Most of these points are relevant to what I do, but I have never thought about them so precisely. The most important thing about this video other than the meticulous structure and attention to detail is that it was a necessity. Eventually this had to be done. Adding more either in the form of particulars or examples (which could just go on forever) would detract from its standalone value. Maybe someone can zoom in on a specific mechanic, but as far as clearly outlining the territory, it is highly unlikely anyone will (or can) ever improve on this. This is also a niche subject you need a great deal of individuality, passion, and fearlessness to explore, which is getting rarer. There is really nothing to add or subtract from this video. There is a lot of disposable stuff on this site and almost universally a lack of willingness to craft a true work, so a video like this makes the world a better place.

[@WaifuRuns]

love this video, i cant wait to reference back to this when i get into style play myself

[@heshunian9584]

This is....... BEAUTIFUL. Your analysis on how to style in DMC is on point. You can clearly see he made a lot of research. Hell, some of the points you mentioned never crossed my mind. One thing I didn't like about this video is the low amount of likes. Keep it up my man. You deserve it

[@Revolthell]

Finally got round to finishing the video and I really like you said at 23:29 in regards to mental stacking. In most games the sequences of muscle memory that players memorize that just the moves from the movelist, but in DMC you can make up your own like Gun Rave into JC-Rave and building these sequences of muscle memory for utility is something the games don't teach and players have to figure out. Find that once most players realize how to stay in the air, move around with the enemy and catch them they learn the langauage of spatial control in these games with the moves/abilities being the words, the grammar the effect said moves have on the relationship of the players space to the enemy, and the punctuation the mechanical understanding of height gain/loss, spatial control like hard movement such as back dashes for attacks and moving forward while slashing in the air or inertia transferred between moves etc. Especially with the explanation of tropes in style with AI Exploits and environmental hazards etc. Definitely a highlight for the archives!

[@alexevaldez]

As a game developer this is one of the things I really wished someone would do for a video essay analysis. This is a great treasure for us gamedevs, and im sure if other game devs would see this too they would say the same.

[@Blowhard]

Damn, this video blew up. Congrats on the viewcount brotha

[@DestinySpider]

Weird complaint, but this video is extremely well scripted and constructed, in a way where the thumbnail kinda doesn't do it justice. I'm not saying slap a bunch of red arrows on it, but it definitely is no eyecatcher. Though granted, what do I know that makes for an effective thumbnail lmao. That aside, jesus this is well done. Definitely doesn't seem like a bad idea to refer to this as a resource, when looking for inspiration to improve ones gameplay

[@Astheniumn]

Yeah I’m not good with thumbnails that are attention grabbing while being aesthetic and not cringy clickbait. Most of my thumbnails are usually rushed 😅

[@scary5455]

​@@Astheniumnthe video title doesn't give the impression that it's a guide. If I was looking for a style guide, I wouldn't click this without the thumbnail. I would be expecting a video essay for why DMC is your favourite character action series and why you think it's the most stylish one. It's only because the thumbnail says "style theory" that I thought it would be analytically philosophising about style.

[@ADEtheMayhem]

@@Astheniumn you made a bible for stylish gameplay, thank you

[@TurtleSensei1]

Thanks for making this video, the topics you brought up were really well explained. I'm glad someone addressed these topics, because, like you said, the few people still playing are busy playing the games lmao. I wanted to make a tutorial definining stylish combos in general, but at this poing I'll probably just release the script. Anyway, this video was full of interesting information, kinda like your mom

[@blossom8136]

Im glad you are here with us and making such good videos.

[@TheToasterGent]

Well researched and extremely well edited. This was very entertaining and I appreciate you making it.

[@7xPlayer]

Super awesome video! This was very entertaining to watch. It applies to much more than just DMC to explain stylish mechanics, really loved that last section.

[@Dino-ue3bb]

Great Video , everything is well explained and very detail , thank you DK ❤

[@RapidSilver]

Damn, This video is seriously good. Concept of style in action game is always vaguely dispersed in my brain and it was really hard to organize. Thank you for great work, and I'm genuinely happy to see you creating contents again recently.

[@AshTheBananaLad]

This video is really well done. Im thankful for these kind of videos cuz they talk about things that alot of people (inculding myself) don't know about styleplay in dmc. Also GOD YOU DESERVE MORE VIEWS IM WATCHING UR OTHER VIDEOS RIGHT NOW

[@LethalPlacebo]

Fantastic video. The breakdown of the various elements of style was super thorough, which I know is really difficult because a lot of these elements don't really have proper names as decided on by the community. This video isn't just an examination of style in play, but also a great guide for people who might not understand why people enjoy this stuff so much or what their own gameplay might be missing. Great work.

[@Splinter-dt9oe]

That was a really great video analyzing DMC and style in general I plan to send this video to friends who don't quite get DMC games Again amazing video........

[@GarudaPSN]

Killer video by a being of grand delusion. Glad you're putting this to record. Good job 👍

[@roverbuddiesroverbuddies9729]

Thank you for providing this from an old style player .. much appreciated ❤

[@JeremChapp]

I'm currently at the "Pose" section of the video, I could say that Pose are known as being stylish in such situations because there's this notion of having control over something inherently "Stressful".

[@Astheniumn]

I agree. It is also sometimes the posture one has when priming for an action, like the pose runners have at the start of the race. Or as mentioned, a posture that people can recognize as part of some activity. I still think it’s a little hard to describe properly.

[@scary5455]

There's a certain baddie who's known for making sexy poses while violently serving cvnt in this genre

[@djebarazidan103]

amazing great work make us more

[@iantaran2843]

Bro When Devil May Cry 3 came out and we started busting the style system wide open 🤘 Good times good times

[@scary5455]

Using this for Bayonetta and DMC3 and Drakengard 3 and Nier Automata

[@reykyavikrongo8273]

crazy good video, hopefully the next dmc game implements more of these concepts into the style meter itself 😅

[@DestinySpider]

But then I wouldn't be able to scam a quick SSS by abusing Cav Air Combo B anymore 😢

[@jeremiahtorrevillas4396]

@@DestinySpider well...

[@notproductiveproductions3504]

The best example of glitch styling I’ve seen is Judgement Trick in DMC5

[@WhiteLotus04x]

Great video, definitely deserves more exposure. Doniguri would be proud❤

[@superpnutbutter8608]

Here before million views.

[@atmatey]

Personally I have no interest in "helpless punching bag" enemies. I much prefer aggressive enemies with varied types and patterns, that create interesting combat situations depending on the environment and enemy composition. That's why I like games like DMC1, Bayonetta 1, God Hand and the original Doom games so much. The enemies control space in unique ways and force you to constantly assess a dynamic situation. For me, stylish combat requires real danger and a sense of back and forth. I like it when there are high stakes and risk and reward, not only with respect to the current fight but to the playthrough as a whole, that's why high score play in bullet hell shmups is also fascinating.

[@battler_zz]

Haven't watched the video yet but what makes me find the DMC the most stylish (mainly 4's) gameplay is that is serves as a medium for applying my imagination to reality without sugarcoating it. Usually you are limited to the ways the developer intended for you to surpass a challenge; ergo: God of War dodge and mash cycle of gameplay. Yet with DMC characters you have a plethora of moves and mechanics that merge seamlessly with eachother granted you know the effects they have on yourself and the enemy. So even if you are doing something else entirely, the idea for a stylish combo could pop up on your mind and you'd be able to translate it to gameplay later. Still, I'm not very good myself so that could probably be the very superficial view a less-skilled player has.

[@scary5455]

I only see 2 combo strings for an entire weapon in 3.

[@zffrailgun1630]

@@scary5455 Rebellion: Combo I Combo II Helm Breaker High Time Stinger Million Stabs Drive Prop Shredder Aerial Rave Sword Pierce Thrust Kick Jump Kick Dance Macabre Crazy Dance All of these are part of Rebellion's moveset which you can chain together as you see fit. There's also the fact that you can switch weapons seamlessly, meaning you can chain all of that along with another weapon's moves.

[@danteshollowedgrounds]

Yes I love Devil May Cry besides DMC2 and the reboot.

[@Mr-Geist-Bong]

now we need a stylish single games ranking, things like DMC, Persona 5, Warframe, Metal Gear Rising, RE4 remake, spiderman etc. DMC wins in having a full stylish series baring 2 and the remake story

[@CursedShinobiClown]

Lol maybe replace Spider-Man with Ultrakill

[@scary5455]

22:47 I can't find the whirling whirlinator video !

[@Astheniumn]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qajUip-YbL2Gh6c it's listed in the pastebin

[@jeremiahtorrevillas4396]

I dobt want them expanding dmc But instead make a new ip with dmc and bayonetta combat

[@futurefuturetrunks7863]

yo can you make a video covering ground combat

[@Astheniumn]

I should but it probably won’t happen anytime soon

[@futurefuturetrunks7863]

@@Astheniumn real but man dmc ground combat been starving

[@_KillerD_]

Give me your top 3 dmc's now

[@scary5455]

45:15 character action genre It would have been nice to see Rocket League freestyling in the other mediums section. It's the most stylish eSport of all time

[@Astheniumn]

I considered doing so but I have not explored enough Rocket League content, and at that point in the script I was sick of writing. Also I mostly use the term “cuhrayzee games” as that was a community that I knew before the term “character action” appeared. I don’t think “character action” as a title does it justice.

[@scary5455]

@@Astheniumn it doesn't matter if the title does it justice. It just needs to be a unique term that can yield search results or be included in tags, like role playing games. Role playing games as a title doesn't do rpg games justice, but it serves the genre well pragmatically Cuhrayzee games is too hard to learn to spell, and doesn't encompasses games like call of duty, right? Character action is really easy to remember, easy to use as a tag, easy to distinguish from similar genres, and is already an established label. Demon souls is the first soulsborne game, and DMC 1 is the first character action game. Prince of Persia was the first hack and slash game.

[@Astheniumn]

@@scary5455 Nah I still wouldn’t use it

[@Mr-Geist-Bong]

DMC 4 will forever be the most stylish one thanks to the bonkers inertia movement, only need to see dante guard fly once to know that

[@Dres2000]

I really want them to bring the movement back. I’m not a big fan of this whole RE engine stuff

[@makia3]

@@Dres2000just use mods to add it back in along with inertia.

[@scary5455]

43:48 overlapping text on screen

[@Astheniumn]

Yeah I realized that too late lol

[@scary5455]

@@Astheniumn I can relate. I run a KZbin channel too. I check the video before uploading a million times, then find an error on first time watching after publishing.

[@scary5455]

@@Astheniumn but what does the text say?

[@Astheniumn]

@@scary5455 "There's something odd about Heavy Rain Swords, might be wrong about the timing so take this with a grain of salt" Basically I remember seeing a clip where the last summoned sword missed yet still seemed to stun the enemy so I am not sure if it is completely random or what.

[@arthurglitchygamer3701]

Why do some of these enemies look immortal?

[@Astheniumn]

Infinite health mods were used in some instances

[@theultimateartist4153]

I would argue invented cool before DMC

[@Astheniumn]

Yeah definitely

[@theultimateartist4153]

@@Astheniumn I mean't Tekken,Guilty Gear or Mortal Kombat. It seems fighting games had it first due to how direct they need to communicate if im not mistaken DMC also takes massive influence from FG's as well

[@scary5455]

@@theultimateartist4153 Character action is fighting games mixed with hack and slash.

[@MILDMONSTER1234]

@@theultimateartist4153 the that made dmc3 literally made fighting games prior to dmc that’s where most of his knowledge came from

[@theultimateartist4153]

@@MILDMONSTER1234 I read that, Thanks for informing me