During this week’s PlayStation 5 showcase, Capcom announced Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition: a souped-up version of the 2018 hack-and-slash hit that re-introduces fan-favorite Vergil in playable form, two new game modes (Turbo Mode, Legendary Dark Knight), and a handful of technical improvements such as increased frame rates, faster loading times, and – drum roll – ray tracing.
These sound like fantastic reasons to give Devil May Cry 5 a second spin, but unfortunately for PC gamers, the Special Edition will be exclusive to Sony and Microsoft’s next-gen consoles. “Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition is specifically being developed and optimized to benefit the system architecture and leap in processing power offered by PS5 and Xbox Series X, so we’re focusing on these platforms,” a Capcom spokesperson told Eurogamer.
Huh? Is Capcom trying to say that the PC isn’t good enough to handle ray tracing and something as simple as 60+ FPS frame rates? While we wait for a logical answer (we’re pretty sure that any modern system can run the game), many fans have already vented their frustration by review bombing the game on Steam.
“I like Capcom games,” reads one negative review. “I grew up playing DMC since it first released onto PS2. But now I’m thinking I should drop it since CAPCOM IS ONLY ADDING SPECIAL EDITION ONTO NEW GEN CONSOLES WITH TURBO MODE, LEGENDARY DARK KNIGHT MODE, RTX RAY TRACING. While PC gets left behind!”
“CAPCOM hates PC,” another bluntly noted.
Some fans have argued that this isn’t really surprising, since special editions of previous installments were also console exclusives. Still, there’s little reason not to bring the goods to PC. (PC gamers can still buy Vergil as part of a DLC update, however.)
“Sh*tty, but not surprising,” wrote one user on r/DevilMayCry. “Anyone who knows Capcom’s history with PC knows full well that PC isn’t their priority. DmC Definitive Edition was only released on PS4/X1 while PC didn’t receive the update (even though Definitive Edition was a helluva lot more substantial upgrade than the Special Editions of the main games).”
In an article for the official PlayStation Blog, producer Matt Walker boasted that the PS5 version would be able to hit frame rates as high as 120 FPS. Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition will also benefit from the console’s snappy SSD and advanced audio architecture.
“In addition to the hotly anticipated fast loading made capable by PS5’s new hard drive (it is seriously, Crazy fast), the hardware also now gives us the opportunity to provide even more immersive, 3D audio,” Walker wrote. “Just wait until you get into a situation where you’re surrounded by a bunch of Hellbats – you’ll be able to pinpoint specifically where they all are in relation to the camera based on their cries.”
“DMC5SE also takes advantage of DualSense’s new functionality,” he added. “When you press L2 to rev up Nero’s exceed, you’ll be able to feel the vibrations of the engine and the pull of the throttle. And thanks to DualSense’s upgraded haptic feedback, you’ll feel in your hands the same sensation that Nero and Dante do as they wield DMC’s trademark arsenal of weapons.”