Editor’s Note: We’re now up to number fourteen of our twenty-five most anticipated games of 2012. After culminating a comprehensive list of the confirmed games for next year, the MediaKick team voted on the games they are most looking forward to for next year, and after processing the results through a methodical algorithm we’re here to bring you the results. Taking a closer look at both what we know so far and why the team are excited for each game, we’ll have an article at midday everyday until Christmas – when we’ll reveal our most anticipated game of 2012. Be sure to check out the previous games so far if you haven’t already – #25, #24, #23, #22, #21, #20, #19, #18, #17, #16, #15.

Announced at the Tokyo Game Show last year, the next instalment in the Devil May Cry series was met with mixed response – primarily over protagonist Dante’s new look. Granted, the stocky, silver fox of the first four titles has been replaced with a more slender, younger character – of whom would be comfortably categorised as emo, but it’s certainly not a negative change. With Ninja Theory, the studio behind PlayStation 3 exclusive Heavenly Sword, and multiplatform game Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, taking the helm of this reboot, the game is certainly in good hands.

Speaking of fresh takes, the series name has even been ‘modernised’ to just DmC, dropping the full-title sense of yesteryear. Initially, the debut trailer was certainly impressive, highlight the retention of the series “signature mix of sword and gunplay”, but the accompanying press release informed us of the addition of new weapons, all new powers and a revitalised gameplay system.

And it is the gameplay that Capcom have been key to highlight for the upcoming action-adventure title, and with good reason. It looks as fast-paced, power-mongering and satisfying as fans of the franchise have come to expect. From E3 to Gamescom and beyond, we’ve been dealt a steady slew of trailers showcasing the fantastic looking combat within the game, and it’s something that has really caught my eye. As a fan of the original games, the last release in the form of Devil May Cry 4, released almost four years ago, left me a bit stale; however, the new art style was what first got me interested, but it wasn’t until some of the recent gameplay trailers that I was really sold. Something that News Editor, Ryan Martin, also agrees with:

“I played a lot of Devil May Cry in my PlayStation 2 days. It was one of the first hack’n'slash titles I played and it provided a great feeling of badassery when you expertly dispatched a group of enemies without so much as a scratch. I was really pleased to hear that a reboot was coming to the series as DMC4 was lacking too much for me, but when I heard Ninja Theory were on board to create the new entry, excitement levels were through the roof. Heavenly Sword and Enslaved are two of the best games, in both art style and gameplay, this generation in my opinion and, while my initial thoughts on the new Dante weren’t great, I’ve come to love the new style NT are pushing.”

I think Ryan raises a valid point regarding developer Ninja Theory. With the release of both Heavenly Sword, a fantastic title for the PlayStation 3, in 2007 and one of the best action-adventure games of last year in the form of Enslaved: Odyssey to the West, they have a good track record this generation already. Hopefully, the lessons learned from each of their previous two titles can be rectified next year with DmC’s release on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. They have some challenges though, especially as this will be the first game in the series that has not been developed internally at Capcom. The alteration in art style and naming conventions are obviously one way to try to differentiate the title from its predecessors.

Contributor Igor is also very excited for the title, as a long time fan of the series: “Devil May Cry was one of the PlayStation’s prize gems in an already impressive catalogue of games. Although number 2 was a flop, Devil May Cry 3 brought the series back on track once again. An unfortunate change of direction and introduction of a new protagonist took the series a step back in DMC4 but with such a rich heritage of content, I simply can’t wait to see the remake of an iconic franchise from Capcom.”

No hints have yet been given as to a narrower release date than just 2012 for DmC yet, nevertheless, taking a younger Dante through the fictitious Limbo City, with some brilliant visuals, wonderful artistic flair, an ever-changing environment and some stellar combat sounds like something worth the wait.