Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Re: "Devil May Cry Trademark Renewed"

Took long enough for me to do a blog about a game ;)

So, this is actually concerning the recent video posted by Miles923 or Maximillian Dood, who mentioned that there’s hope yet in Capcom still having interest in their Devil May Cry series. You can watch the video here, if you'd like, then read on.

After the response the Ninja Theory reboot got, it’s likely that they’ll go back to the Dante that fans knew and loved even during the reboot’s existence. But before I get into some of the questions he asked in his video, I’d like to share what I thought of the reboot, something I should’ve done a long time ago.

Now, as a game, the reboot was and still is good to play. On an artistically and audible level, it was a welcome addition to the series, which complimented each other every step of the way. There were some gripes I had about the controls, but I got through it enough to make sure that it wasn’t the only thing making me dislike it.

On the narrative level, some of the dialogue, particularly the more vulgar moments Dante had, was like listening to most children curse when there aren’t any adults around. Don’t get me wrong, there were subtle moments of it, and nods to sexual content in the previous games, but in here, it seemed more forced, trying to make Dante (if not others) “cool” and “edgier” in a sense that would make audience members that are into those features somehow satisfied, if not draw a new audience in. Instead, it came off as adolescent and almost amateurish, particularly to anyone that was into the original series, because it didn’t need all that to exist. If anything, the retelling of the story had the makings of what could’ve happened if the series were to be turned into a live-action movie by now, something that the writer to the reboot has some previous experience in.   

That, I felt is a shame because for the most part, the series did need a reboot in some form, especially once they added Nero into the mix.  Not talking trash about Nero, and the gameplay changeup he added to it, but on a story level, the ambiguity behind his link to the Sparda bloodline could’ve been added into the reboot universe, as well opened up the chance for some alternate takes to classic characters to reappear, like Lady, Arkham, Trish, even those from the poorly received Devil May Cry 2, namely Arius and Lucia.  

Now, as far as what would be best for Capcom to do since renewing the trademark? Despite fan/consumer relations, their best move would be to have the original Dante return, but in doing so, take some nods that made the NT reboot playable, and the parts from the 3rd and 4th game memorable and the most popular. This would have to be, of course, done by ignoring those that still haven’t or never will given the reboot a chance because of simpler complaints, such as Dante’s overall new look. 

Now long before the reboot, I remember some wondering what else can the series do that’ll keep it profitable for Capcom, and keep it interesting for both them and the consumers. I’d believe they’re better off not worrying about complete revivals, and just keep the elder franchise going, while adding the new play elements to Dante, or whomever they make the lead.

While taking risks is part of any business, now’s the time to look into the hits and misses, especially with Capcom’s current financial issues. Dante is a character that many would agree deserves more than guest appearances, and let’s face the fact that in the world he’s from, they could have some far-fetched reason characters like Mundus, Vergil/Nelo Angelo, and other villains make some twisted comeback, should there be some demand for it. Though I see more of that towards Vergil, due to his popularity from DMC 3, and further solidified in Ultimate MvC 3.

You could even go as far as have some game somehow combine the two worlds, like a Sonic Generations kind of style, but that’d be asking for too much at once, especially when the reboot controls has a bit more complexity than the other DMC titles, but there can still be a balance brought to make something like that doable, to the dismay of the anti-reboot crowd.           

As for Ninja Theory? Well I could say that it’d be fine to see them have another chance at DMC, but their control over it would have to be severely limited, at least in the sense of there being a new writer that can capture the original charm the series had, even to his first venture to his younger days in DMC 3. While the controls were bothersome at times, a sequel is a chance to polish those issues up so that more people can get into the game, and for the more forgiving critics to give it a second chance. Definitely make it as fair and balanced as the difficulty was in part three, four, and to a point the reboot, and get the artists from both Capcom and Ninja Theory (should any of them still work for the companies by this point) to join forces.
Though personally, if they were to top the Bob Barbas fight, I would be shocked and impressed. 


However, if Ninja Theory were to work with Capcom once more, but not on a DMC title, then give them a new IP, something to prove that they’re capable of being entertaining, without all the risk brought on from having them helm the reboot. Capcom’s had a bad reputation cutting ties with developers well before their time, and in this case it’s the same, except at least it’s not before they could finish a trilogy, or even start one. 

So all that's left now is to see what comes of the TM renewal. Just so long as they don't lose interest in this high-interest product as they've done before, there's hope in Capcom winning back the good graces of some of their fanbase, if not all. 

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