Devil May Cry 3 tears up PS2s

Minions of hell beware: Demon-slaying Dante is awake. Publisher and developer Capcom today announced that Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening is now available for the PlayStation 2. One of Capcom's most popular franchises is fighting back after 2003's lackluster sequel followed in the footsteps of the well-received original, released in 2001.

The game's story takes place before the original Devil May Cry. Dante's demonic father, Sparda, who raised arms against the netherworld to save humankind, joined mortals and passed on his potent genetics to Dante and his twin brother, Vergil. While Dante perpetuated his father's altruism, Vergil fell into the clutches of evil. The game retells one of the most dramatic tales of sibling rivalry, as Vergil and his minions from hell challenge Dante to battle.

The action game sees Dante chasing his brother and taking it to demons in an imposing tower that springs up mysteriously. Dante is equipped with both melee weapons and ranged weapons and can easily switch between two types of each. The game also features a combo system, which tracks just how well you beat up enemies, and currency, in the form of glowing orbs, which can be used to purchase power-ups or save points.

The game also introduces the concept of different fighting styles, granting the half-man, half-demon expertise in four areas--evasive, close-range, long-range, and counterattack and guard. In slight role-playing fashion, each style can be upgraded to develop a specific proficiency and unlock powerful maneuvers.

Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening is rated M for Mature and retails for $49.99. For more information, read GameSpot's full review.