This is what a masterpiece looks like

Devil May Cry 5 is incredible. For me, this is the best hack-and-slash game of all time, and I do not feel the need to soften that opinion into something less enthusiastic. The combat, the characters, the music and the sheer confidence of the presentation come together in a way that feels exceptional. It is the kind of game that reminds me why I love this genre so much.

My score is 10/10. This is my kind of game of the year, regardless of the calendar in which someone happens to discover it. The important thing is the level of quality and personality it delivers. It does not simply borrow the reputation of Devil May Cry. It gives that reputation a spectacular new reason to exist.

Three approaches, one extraordinary action game

One of the things I love is how different its playable characters feel. Nero, Dante and V do not merely provide alternate animations for the same experience. Their approaches give the action different rhythms, different priorities and different kinds of expression. That variety makes changing perspective feel meaningful rather than decorative.

Nero has an immediate physical energy that makes his fights satisfying to engage with. His tools create opportunities for experimentation without losing the direct pleasure of the action. There is a strong connection between the character's personality and the way his combat feels, which helps the whole experience seem more cohesive.

Dante brings the freedom and expressive potential I want from this series. The appeal is not only that there are many options. It is that understanding those options makes combat feel increasingly personal. A fight can become a demonstration of confidence, creativity and timing, rather than a routine that looks the same every time.

V changes the relationship with enemies enough to make the game's variety feel deliberate. I appreciate that willingness to create a different rhythm instead of assuming that every character should satisfy the player in exactly the same way. The contrast gives the larger experience a particular shape.

Music that understands the moment

The soundtrack is a huge part of why the action feels this good. The music does not sit behind the game as an interchangeable layer of noise. It supports the attitude of the characters and the energy of the fights. When everything comes together, it helps make an encounter feel like an event.

That connection between sound and action is something I value enormously. A strong combat system becomes even more memorable when the audiovisual presentation understands what makes it exciting. Devil May Cry 5 has that understanding. It knows when to be loud, when to be dramatic and when to let the player's own performance carry the moment.

Its visual presentation has the same confidence. Characters are expressive, attacks have presence, and the spectacle gives the action personality without making the entire game feel like a cutscene interrupted by occasional inputs. I am still playing, still deciding and still creating the most satisfying moments myself.

Depth that makes returning worthwhile

A great action game should have something left after the first trip through the campaign. Devil May Cry 5 has the kind of depth that makes another encounter worthwhile because the player has changed. You understand more, you recognize possibilities sooner and you can make better use of the tools already available.

That is a much more satisfying reason to return than simply repeating a familiar task for its own sake. The game gives learning an enjoyable purpose. Improvement becomes visible in the way a battle unfolds, and the result can be as stylish as the presentation surrounding it.

For me, the complete experience is what earns the perfect score. I am not awarding points separately to a soundtrack, a character model and a list of mechanics, then hoping the total becomes a masterpiece. The pieces work together. Their connection is what makes the whole game feel so extraordinary.

Final verdict

Devil May Cry 5 is a masterpiece and, in my opinion, the greatest hack-and-slash game ever made. Its expressive combat, distinct playable characters, unforgettable music and overwhelming sense of style create an experience I can recommend with complete enthusiasm. This is the genre operating at a remarkable level. Absolutely incredible. 10/10.

Final score: 10/10.

Reviewed on PC by Andrew Louis. No review key or complimentary access was provided.