When the PlayStation 2 system debuted back in 2000, the developers behind Resident Evil, a big hit for the original PlayStation, knew they needed to do something to show the brimming technology that the system had to offer, while offering something rewarding in gameplay as well. Enter Devil May Cry, an astonishing adventure that featured gunplay and sword mechanics wrapped around a half-human/half-demon character named Dante. Dante began his quest to bring down a demon force with the help of his enchanted blade and cannons, and the result was unbelievable, making DMC one of the best PS2 games ever made.

But then something happened- Devil May Cry 2. The game arrived a little later on in the PS2's life cycle, but it was a sequel that sadly did not live up to the hype. There were too many problems with the game camera, the gameplay seemed rather floaty, and the whole formula was tweaked to the point that a lot of the visceral excitement had faded. Some people still got into it, but others, mainly the DMC hardcore fans, found it to be a big turn-off. In fact, some wondered if the series would recover.

Well, gear up, because Capcom's putting the golden touch back into it with the forthcoming Devil May Cry 3, which looks to be just as rewarding an experience as the first game. Gone are the problems that plagued the beleaguered sequel, and in its place are some of the great components that fans will remember from the series.

The gameplay has been noticeably tightened up, resulting in the kind of feel we once first established for Dante. He can still put together some nasty combos between his sword and his twin guns, and he can also upgrade to newer weapons, such as the shotgun and some more powerful hand weaponry. The way the upgrades happen can be pretty swift, and the effect in combat is very nice.

A nice new feature, however, is the ability to choose from different playing styles. The general gameplay that Dante inhibits will remain the same, but players can choose a style that will add some extraordinary moves to their arsenal. There's Trickster, which allows Dante to pull off some flipping and dash moves; Sword Master, which gives Dante a devastating new slash technique; Gunslinger, which allows more preciseness in Dante's gun aiming; and Royal Guard Dante, which could possibly combine all three and has to be earned by beating the game in a particular time.

Devil May Cry 3 also uses a new progressive combo meter that allows you to build up more points and power by chaining together a number of attacks on enemies. This meter works surprisingly well, and can result in being able to pull off even bigger attacks to whoop ass with. And you'll need them, as the game contains some killer bosses. The first one alone is a three-headed super-sized mutt ready to bite your head off, and not exactly thrilled with getting shot at. Prepare yourself for a battle.

The game design looks to be a bit fresher this time around, with straightforward level design backed up by excellent detail. There are city ruins all around, as well as underground caverns and a huge towering castle to explore. Each level's filled with dangerous enemies who animate rather beautifully, and the loading time's not bad at all.

Devil May Cry 3 still has a ways to go before it finds a release this February, but you can bet that its arrival will be worth the wait, offering redemption for a hero who shouldn't have needed it in the first place. Devil May Cry 3 is hardly upsetting, not at all. It looks to be a good Cry.