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If you want the Devil May Cry story in chronological order, play Devil May Cry 3 → Devil May Cry → Devil May Cry 2 → Devil May Cry 4 → Devil May Cry 5. Devil May Cry 3 is a prequel to the first game, while Devil May Cry 4 follows Devil May Cry 2 and Devil May Cry 5 takes place several years after 4, according to the series history published by Xbox Wire.
For a first playthrough, however, release order is also a strong choice: Devil May Cry → Devil May Cry 2 → Devil May Cry 3 → Devil May Cry 4 → Devil May Cry 5. That route lets you see the combat, presentation and overall design develop as players originally experienced them.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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Devil May Cry HD Collection - PlayStation 4 Standard Edition | $22.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Devil May Cry HD Collection (PS4) | $24.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Devil May Cry HD Collection - Playstation 3 | $27.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Devil May Cry HD Collection (PS4) | $27.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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DMC Devil May Cry: Definitive Edition - PlayStation 4 Standard Edition | $28.99 | Buy on Amazon |
What is the correct Devil May Cry story order?
The main numbered-game chronology is:
- Devil May Cry 3
- Devil May Cry
- Devil May Cry 2
- Devil May Cry 4
- Devil May Cry 5
This is the order of the central story rather than the order in which Capcom released the games. The key chronology points are that Devil May Cry 3 is a prequel to the original, Devil May Cry 4 comes after Devil May Cry 2, and Devil May Cry 5 is set several years after 4. Those links are summarized in Xbox Wire’s history of the series.
| Story position | Game | Why it goes here |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Devil May Cry 3 | A prequel to the first game. |
| 2 | Devil May Cry | The original adventure follows the events established in 3. |
| 3 | Devil May Cry 2 | The next numbered chapter in the chronology. |
| 4 | Devil May Cry 4 | Xbox’s series history places it after 2. |
| 5 | Devil May Cry 5 | Set several years after 4. |
Should I play Devil May Cry in release order instead?
Yes. Release order is a sensible recommendation for newcomers who want to experience the series as it evolved: Devil May Cry → Devil May Cry 2 → Devil May Cry 3 → Devil May Cry 4 → Devil May Cry 5.
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- Featuring Dante, Devil May Cry HD Collection is full of the award-winning gameplay and style that the series has become known for, now playable on modern consoles.
- Originally debuting in 2001, Devil May Cry immediately redefined the action genre, with its signature emphasis on slaying demons with style.
- The half-demon Dante uses his innate abilities and the powers of ancient demons to fight a one-man war against the forces of darkness and save humanity from damnation
- Devil May Cry 2 released in 2003 and centers on Dante and his new devilishly agile partner Lucia in their fight to defeat a man hell-bent on achieving supreme power.
- Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening, featured a number of enhancements, including the opportunity to play as Dante's twin brother, Vergil, as well as the addition of Bloody Palace Mode and Turbo Mode.Battery: no battery used
Starting with the first release means you encounter the original mechanics, camera style and presentation before moving through later revisions. You also avoid beginning with the considerably later design of 3 and then moving backward to an older game. The trade-off is that the prequel’s events arrive after the original rather than before it, so some backstory is revealed in a different order.
| Approach | Order | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Story chronology | 3 → 1 → 2 → 4 → 5 | Players who want events in Dante’s story sequence. |
| Release order | 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 | First-time players who want to follow the series’ original development. |
Neither route is a mistake. Choose chronology if narrative sequence matters most; choose release order if you want the historical progression of the games themselves.
What happens in each game’s place in the sequence?
1. Devil May Cry 3
Devil May Cry 3 opens the chronological sequence because it is a prequel to the first Devil May Cry. It establishes the earlier point in the series timeline before the events that introduced players to Dante in the original release.
The edition included in Capcom’s HD Collection is specifically Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition. If you are following chronology through that collection, start with its third-game entry, then launch the separate Devil May Cry title.
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- Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 2, and Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Special Edition
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- Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening special Edition is Dante's Awakening, featuring a number of enhancements, including the opportunity to play as Dante's twin brother, Vergil,
2. Devil May Cry
The original Devil May Cry follows the prequel’s events in the story order. In release order, it is the natural starting point because it is the game that began the numbered series; in chronology, it is the second stop.
3. Devil May Cry 2
Devil May Cry 2 follows the original game. It is therefore third in the chronological route and second in release order. Keep it in that position if you are arranging the numbered entries by story rather than publication date.
4. Devil May Cry 4
Devil May Cry 4 comes after Devil May Cry 2 in the series history cited by Xbox. It is fourth chronologically and fourth in release order, so both routes place it after the first three numbered games.
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Devil May Cry 5 is the latest game in this numbered sequence. Xbox describes it as picking up several years after Devil May Cry 4, which is why it closes both recommended orders.
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Where can I play the first three games together?
Capcom’s Devil May Cry HD Collection bundles Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 2 and Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition. It does not include Devil May Cry 4 or Devil May Cry 5, so those later chapters must be obtained separately.
Capcom announced the collection for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One with a March 13, 2018 release date. The collection has listings through Capcom’s stores and Steam:
- Capcom Town Store: Devil May Cry HD Collection (GOG)
- Capcom Town Store: Devil May Cry HD Collection (Steam)
- Steam: Devil May Cry HD Collection
- Capcom’s collection announcement
Store availability, supported systems and editions can differ by region. Check the live listing for your country and platform before buying; the existence of a listing does not guarantee that the same edition is sold everywhere.
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Choose story chronology if narrative sequence is your priority
Start with Devil May Cry 3 when you want the earliest events first and prefer to move forward through the timeline. This route places the prequel’s setup before the original game and keeps the later chapters in their established sequence.
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- 3 Great games remastered in High Definition for optimum playback
- Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 2, and Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Special Edition
- May Cry, May Cry 2, and May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Special Edition
Choose release order if you want the series’ evolution
Start with the original Devil May Cry when you want to see how the franchise changed from one release to the next. This is usually the less disruptive option for someone unfamiliar with the series because it does not ask you to move from a later-designed prequel back to an older original.
Use one route consistently on a first run
Both routes converge at Devil May Cry 4 and Devil May Cry 5. Switching from one order to the other halfway through will not break the games, but it changes whether you are prioritizing story chronology or release history. Decide which goal matters more before you begin, then keep the chosen sequence visible as you install or launch each title.
What should I check before buying?
- Confirm the game name: the HD Collection covers only the first three numbered games, with the Special Edition of Devil May Cry 3.
- Check the platform: Capcom’s 2018 announcement covered PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One; current store pages may show different compatibility details.
- Check your region: pricing, availability and editions can vary between storefronts.
- Separate chronology from ownership: owning the HD Collection does not automatically provide Devil May Cry 4 or Devil May Cry 5.
- Keep the sequence handy: chronological order is 3, 1, 2, 4, 5; release order is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Is the 2013 DmC game part of this order?
This guide covers the five numbered games that form the requested sequence. DmC: Devil May Cry (2013) is not included in the numbered order, so do not insert it between the entries above when following either recommended route. Treat it as a separate optional title rather than changing the order of the five numbered games.
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- Pick your order: choose 3 → 1 → 2 → 4 → 5 for chronology, or 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 for release order.
- Get the first three together if convenient: check the Capcom or Steam HD Collection listing for your region and platform.
- Verify the edition: confirm that the collection contains Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition and not a listing for a single game.
- Acquire the later entries separately: plan for Devil May Cry 4 and Devil May Cry 5, which are outside the HD Collection.
- Play without skipping the position: launch each numbered title in the sequence you selected, then move to the next one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the original Devil May Cry release dates change the recommended order?
No. Exact launch dates differed by territory and platform, but you do not need those dates to choose a route. Use the five-game release sequence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or the story sequence 3, 1, 2, 4, 5.
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- Experience the endlessly deep fast-paced combat and high quality production values of DmC running at a smooth 60fps with 1080p support across both next-gen consoles
- Enjoy all of the stylish action gameplay from the original game all previously released DLC including Vergil's Downfall plus brand new modes and content all in one polished package
- Throw down the gauntlet as Dante's twin brother Vergil against 60 waves of enemies in a challenging new Bloody Palace Mode
- The combat system and enemies have been rebalanced based on fan feedback with gameplay tuning and adjustments made including optional manual lock-on for classic Devil May Cry fans
- Brand new gameplay modes for the hardcore DmC players include Hardcore Mode Must Style Mode and Gods Must Die Mode
What does “Special Edition” mean for Devil May Cry 3 in the HD Collection?
The collection’s third entry is specifically Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition. It is the edition bundled with the collection, so check the product description if you are comparing it with a separate digital or physical listing.
What should I do if the HD Collection is unavailable in my storefront?
Check the live Capcom and Steam pages for your country, then verify whether individual games or another supported platform are offered. Availability is regional, so a listing visible in one country may not appear in another.
Can I play Devil May Cry 4 before Devil May Cry 2?
You can launch the games in any order technically, but that would depart from the established numbered chronology. If you want the story sequence, finish 2 before 4; if you are following release order, 4 still comes after the first three games.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
