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

[Jacob]

Which is quite limited and clearly a primarily gun user isn't a proper character for this type of gameplay

Probably would be too frustrating as a sole player character, but she's definitely an interesting way to replay a DMC game. Her moveset isn't that limited, and her shotgun is basically her main close range damage disher. Her bayonet has limited uses, but it has the same purpose as Dante's guns, to extend your combos.

Nero is also a simplified Dante when you think about it and he's the best character in 4

Well, yeah I guess I can get what you're trying to say, but then everyone in Street Fighter is basically a different take on Ryu. At least if you mention Vergil I could somewhat agree with you, since two of his weapons are taken from Dante's most common weapons, but even Vergil has a gimmick, a unique melee weapon, and a difference approach to ranged combat. Trish's moveset are all taken from Dante. You're playing Dante with a female skin, and the only gameplay difference is that some moves have different buttons needed to activate them.

 

[Matador]

Nero is also a simplified Dante when you think about it and he's the best character in 4, because the enemies are all clearly designed around him

Nero shares some moves with Dante, but is quite different in that he is a grappler and charge character.

 

[DJOGamer PT]

Nero shares some moves with Dante

Not just that
From a gameplay standpoint Nero has been designed to perform Dante's essential style actions whitout the need to style switch:
- he as more extensive sword combos and can normally perform air combos
- devil bringer functions as the trickseter move and he also has perfect dodges
- devil buster is essentially royalguard (even more so in 5 where you can hold enemies as a shield)