Best way to play Devil May Cry 1-3 on PC ?

[Sjukob]

Help me guys, I don't know what to do. I've never played DMC before and want to try out the series by playing the games in order of release date. The thing is that I have no idea what is the best way to play original trilogy on PC, seems like every option is rather fucky, and it is especially confusing when it comes to DMC 3.

1. PS2 emulation. Barely know anything about quality of it, I've heard there are some issues with it, like missing UI or something, but of course I can't confirm anything.
2. HD collection. Said to have a lot of issues, here's an example. I've seen a lot of people complain about FPS, crashes or certain games not launching at all.
3. DMC3SE 2006 port for PC. Seems like everyone agrees that it's an absolute piece of shit, but some people claim that it can be fixed by certain mods.
4. And what exactly are those fucking mods that they refer to ?! Style switcher ? On mod's page a lot of people complain about various bugs, author stated that certain game stages are skipped, because they just don't work with the mod. DDMK is supposed to be the more advanced version of style switcher, covering DMC 1-4, but it seems to be full of bugs too.

So, am I wrong about something or is DMC trilogy just generally fucked on PC ?

 

[Carls Barkley]

I wouldn't bother with the first two games. #1 hasn't aged well, and #2 was always garbage. Dante's Awakening is the first iteration of modern DMC gameplay under the direction of Itsuno, and the only one with a decent story.

 

[janior]

HD collection on steam is the best way to go and fuck NO don't skip DMC1 it's great.
DMC3SE even with patches that make it 'work' has issue with no battle sound and that just sucks ass also some other minor issues
dont use any mods

 

[DJOGamer PT]

HD Collection on Steam.
Don't listen to people that tell you DMC1 isn't worth it. Play DMC1, it's still a good game and gives a good understanding on the series origin and evolution.
You can also listen the Style Switcher Mod for DMC3.
Lastly skip the sequels with a even number (2 and 4), since 2 is shit and 4 is just 5 but without content, polish and good enemy design.

 

[Carls Barkley]

DMC1 will help you appreciate how much better DMC3 is in every way.

 

[flyingjohn]

Forget about emulation,the games require software rendering and that is not worth it due to be beefy requirements and no up scaling.
Ge the hd version,bets version even with the bugs.

 

[J_C]

Don't listen to those who says that DMC4 is not worth playing. Although it is light on the content, its combat mechanic was the best in the series until DMC5. And it doesn't hurt if you know the story if you want to play DMC5.

 

[Ivan]

DMC1 will help you appreciate how much better DMC3 is in every way.

the shade

 

[Carls Barkley]

At least we can all agree that this one is not worth playing

 

[InD_ImaginE]

At least we can all agree that this one is not worth playing

The game would probably be worth playing if it was named anything but DmC.

 

[Cat Dude]

Use game controller to play

 

[Nifft Batuff]

Ps2 emulation forever.

 

[Bahamut]

I'd say dmc1 goes best with emulation due pc version being inferior with some effects that where to roughly ported,
Dmc2 is dogshit because its just unfinished mess made by random people, whatever you chose you will have bad time
Dmc3 eighter ps2 or dmc3 from pc HD collection both are fine

 

[Sjukob]

Alright, thanks everybody for the advice, finaly I have an idea on what I should do.

 

[Matador]

If you like DMC3 go also for DMC4, it's short and reuses content, but it's very good and fun.

 

[deama]

I played DMC3 on both the ps2 emulator and the special edition one a long time ago. They all worked fine for me.
If I had to pick though, probably go with the ps2 emulator one, the issues you've mentioned I've never had anything like that with any game. It does require a bit of setup, but you can easily just find some guide on the internet. This way you'll avoid any crashes or any "port defects" that came with the PC version, as well as operating system compatability issues.

 

[Duraframe300]

I'd say dmc1 goes best with emulation due pc version being inferior with some effects that where to roughly ported,
Dmc2 is dogshit because its just unfinished mess made by random people, whatever you chose you will have bad time
Dmc3 eighter ps2 or dmc3 from pc HD collection both are fine

Not really?

DMC2 was made by the same people as DMC3. (Itsuno was the director as well).
They just stepped up their game like nobody has before or since.

 

[Dedicated_Dark]

Here is a video, if you need motivation to play 4. After 3 ofc.

 

[DJOGamer PT]

I'd say dmc1 goes best with emulation due pc version being inferior with some effects that where to roughly ported,
Dmc2 is dogshit because its just unfinished mess made by random people, whatever you chose you will have bad time
Dmc3 eighter ps2 or dmc3 from pc HD collection both are fine

Not really?

DMC2 was made by the same people as DMC3. (Itsuno was the director as well).
They just stepped up their game like nobody has before or since.

Itsuno was only brought to direct it when the game had only 4/3 months before being shipped off to stores (and he was only brought in because the previous director quit or got fired).
And at that period in time the team had only Dante's basic attack and the stinger move. Most bosses and enemies plus Lucia weren't even finished.

ninja edit:
one interesting piece of trivia is that around this time Itsuno was already working by himself on a Medieval ARPG concept with DnD influences

 

[Cat Dude]

Itsuno was already working by himself on a Medieval ARPG concept with DnD influences

Dragon Dogma 2 confirmed!

 

[Deflowerer]

Itsuno was already working by himself on a Medieval ARPG concept with DnD influences

Dragon Dogma 2 confirmed!

DEEP DOWN

 

[Cat Dude]

Itsuno was already working by himself on a Medieval ARPG concept with DnD influences

Dragon Dogma 2 confirmed!

DEEP DOWN

I thought it was a technical demo.

 

[Great Deceiver]

I played DMC3 on both the ps2 emulator and the special edition one a long time ago. They all worked fine for me.
If I had to pick though, probably go with the ps2 emulator one, the issues you've mentioned I've never had anything like that with any game. It does require a bit of setup, but you can easily just find some guide on the internet. This way you'll avoid any crashes or any "port defects" that came with the PC version, as well as operating system compatability issues.

PCSX2 has terrible input lag and I'd never recommend it for any action game.

 

[Dedicated_Dark]

PCSX2 has terrible input lag and I'd never recommend it for any action game.

I finished God Hand on it. There was no noticeable lag. Source?

 

[Darkforge]

Play 3 first anyway cause it's a prequel and then really realize how much better it is than 1 (do not play 2 at all it's complete garbage, and also apparently canonically at the end of the timeline.)