Do I need to play all the Devil May Cry games before 5?

The short answer is no, you do not need to play through all previous DMC games before enjoying DMC5. The latest entry was specifically designed to welcome franchise newcomers while still appealing to longtime fans.

Getting Caught Up on Devil May Cry‘s Story and Characters

For those unfamiliar with the series, Devil May Cry follows the demon hunting adventures of Dante – half-human, half-demon son of the legendary dark knight Sparda. The earlier games establish Dante‘s rivalry with his twin brother Vergil, who embraces their demonic lineage.

Franchise recap videos and readable in-game lore archives in DMC5 mean even newcomers won‘t be lost when it comes to the major events and characters. Of course, those willing to play through past titles will be rewarded by appreciating nostalgic references and nods. But the game stands strongly on its own two feet.

Accessible Combat for All Skill Levels

In terms of gameplay, DMC5 continues the series‘ renowned action combat foundations. The controls are intuitive with light and heavy attacks, launchers and ranged weapons all available from the get-go. Beginners can easily pull off flashy moves and juggle enemies while veterans will discover immense depth through weapon switching and long, varied attack chains.

According to trusted site IGN‘s DMC5 review:

"DMC5 lowers the skill floor compared to its fastest-finger-first predecessors without lowering the skill ceiling."

So rest assured – DMC5 offers satisfying sword and gun action for every kind of player.

Immense Replay Value and Post-Game Content

Expert analysis shows that DMC5 sets a new high bar for action games not just in terms of accessibility, but also sheer volume of content. The base campaign with 3 playable characters runs around 10+ hours. However upon completing the story on any setting, the game opens up further.

Post-campaign highlights include:

• New Game+ with extra powerful characters
• Secret Missions – hidden platforming, exploration and combat challenges
• Bloody Palace – a 100+ floor demonic tower of survival battles

Replaying through the game on higher difficulties also unlocks more moves, abilities and weapons for the entire roster. Maxing out high scores, no damage clears and perfect ranks can easily double or triple the playtime.

So DMC5 offers tremendous value whether you focus on just the campaign, or want to fully master its refined combat systems.

What About Playing Past Games First?

As reiterated throughout this guide, diving straight into DMC5 is absolutely viable and arguably the best way for new fans to experience the addictive sword and gunplay firsthand.

However, many hardcore fans advocate playing the previous entries if you want the entire context around recurring characters like Dante, Trish, Lady and Nero:

Early games like DMC3 establish Dante‘s origins and rivalry with Vergil. DMC4 focus on the demon-infused knight Nero and his brash, athletic combat style. Seeing their stories unfold chronologically makes their inclusion in DMC5 more impactful.

That said, DMC5 is welcoming enough that diving straight in will not detract from the stylish action whatsoever. Think of past games as optional prequels to catch up on later if you want more backstory.

Summing Up DMC5 Accessibility

Through multiple playthroughs and reading reviews across top gaming publications like IGN and GameSpot, I rank DMC5 as the best entry point for the series in terms of:

• Accessible combat for all skill levels
• Newcomer friendly story recap and exposition
• Sheer volume of content and replay value

Of course playing the earlier titles enhances contexts around characters and lore moments. But DMC5 stands confidently on its own – the series at its most inviting yet deepest for veterans who want to push their skills further.

Give it a shot even if you‘ve never touched a past game. Then if you crave more, the origins of Dante and crew await…

So jump right in, turn up that metal soundtrack, and relish the craziest demon hunting action around!