dmc3sebasics

Basics

Controls

Jump/Select Menu Choice

Shoot

Style action/Check Enviroment

Melee attack/Cancel

Taunt

Skip Cinema/Open Pause Menu/Select menu choice

R1 - Lock-on targeting

Switch Devil's Arms - R2

L1 - Devil Trigger

Switch Firearm - L2

A - Quick Item Screen

B - Quick File Screen

C - Quick Map Screen

D - Quick Equip Screen

E - Movement
Press down to change Lock-on target

F - Change camera angle (when possible)
Press down to return to default camera angle

**NOTE: This control scheme is assuming you're not picky and changed it from default**

Movement

Change Camera Angle

Move the Left Analog Stick to move Dante/Vergil in the direction desired. He moves relative to the onscreen camera view, meaning that holding the stick left moves him toward the left side of the screen, holding the stick up moves him into the background, etc. If the camera angle changes while he is moving, continue holding the Left Stick in the same diretion and he stays on course. Once the Left Stick is released or moved slightly, the control assumes the directions of the new camera angle.

Move the Right Analog Stick to the right or left to rotate the camera slightly around Dante/Vergil for a better view of the enviroment to his sides. This function is only available in certain rooms, and usually only when the camera is not fixed at a severe angle.
After using the Right Stick to change the camera angle, the camera might remain at the new angle depending on the room he occupies. Press down on the Right Analog stick (referred to as the R3 button) to revert to the default camera angle.

Quick Item Screen

Press the Up D-pad button on the controller to bring up the Item screen. Choose an item from the list and press X to use the item. Enter the Quick Item Screen and use an item whenever his health or Devil Trigger gauges are low or if you want to use a Holy Water to heavily damage surrounding enemies.

Quick Map Screen

Press the Right D-pad button on the controller to bring up the Quick Map screen. A top-down view of the area is displayed. His current location is the blinking yellow room on the map. Move the Left Analog Stick up or down to view other rooms. Press X to zoom in for a closer look of the area. Cometimes viewing the map may reveal nooks and alcoves where items may be hidden. Plus, it always helps to have some orientation to the stage currently being explored.

Quick File Screen

Press the Left D-pad button on the controller to bring up the Quick File screen. In the File screen mnu, you may select options in order to view descriptions of items obtained, enemies defeated, Devil's Arms actions and Style moves. Use this handy refrence menu to identify enemy weaknesses and to lern the various combo attacks Dante/Vergil is capable of executing against foes.

Quick Equip Screen

Press the Down D-pad button on the controller to bring up the Quick Equipment screen. This screen allows you to view Dante/Vergil's currently equipped guns and Devil's Arms. The number of Style points accumulated is also displayed, so that you can see how soon the next Style level shall be reached.

Start Button Functions

The function of the START button changes depending on situation. Press START during a dialogue scene to skip ahead. Press START during gameplay to open the Pause Menu. Press START while a menu is open or when you must make a choice during the game to select an option.

Taunt

Press the SELECT button during real time game play moments to perform a taunting action towards enemies. Used strategically, this move can actually draw single foes away from a pack, for easier disposal. When performed at the right time during a combo, a properly placed taunt might increase the combo meter.

Jump

Press X to jump into the air. Jumping is used to reach higher platforms, and also allows Dante/Vergil to leap away from enemies before suffering damage from an attack. The direction of a jump can be controlled even in midair by moving the Left Analog Stick. While Dante is in the air, pressing O, or may enable him to perform
aerial attacks. If Dante is equipped with a Devil's Arm that has the Air Hike ability, double-jump to higher altitudes by pressing X twice.

Shoot

Press to shoot the equipped firearm. Each button press commands Dante/Vergil to fire once. For rapid-fire shooting with Ebony & Ivory--Dante's default twin semi-automatics--tap rapidly.

Melee Attacks

Press to attack with Dante/Vergil's currently equipped Devil's Arm, such as Rebellion, Cerberus, Beowulf, etc. Pressing repeatedly and with proper timing allows chains of attacks to be strung together to perform "combos". Press the button lightly to perform a light attack, or press hard to perform a strong attack. If the Beowulf gauntlets and greaves are equipped, melee attacks can be charged to become more powerful by holding before releasing the button and attacking. String melee attacks may also trigger the appearance of the combo meter.

Style Action

The function of O changes depending on the Style equipped. Change Dante's Style prior to a mission by entering the Customize screen, or during a mission by examining a God of Time statue. When the Trickster Style is active, press O to perform some sort of stunt, such as dashing across the room or running up a wall. Swordsmaster Style enables more actions for use with Devil's Arms. Gunslinger Style enables Dante to perform crazy attacks with firearms. When Royal Guard Style is active, press O to bloack attacks. More Styles become available as progress is made in the game. Vergil only has one style available: Darkslayer.

Lock-On Targeting

Hold the R1 button to lock-on to an opponent fore more precise aiming and to trigger special melee attacks. When lock-on is initiated, a circular target reticule marks the nearest enemy. While holding R1, press L3 to change targets to the next-closest enemy. Lock-on is most useful when facing a lone enemy, and helps control the camera angle as well as Dante/Vergil's attacks. Lock-on is also required to initiate certain Devil's Arm actions and Style attacks. If he faces a group of enemies, it's best to avoid using lock-on all the time. Simply press and to attacks the group. He always automatically targets and attacks the nearest enemy, regardless of the direction he's facing. This is the best way to handle a crowd. Press R1 occasionally to perform a special attack against the closesst opponent, then release the button and follow up with other attacks on the crowd. Use special attacks to knock opponents off their feet, so that they are removed from the battle for short periods of time.

Devil Trigger

After Mission 7, Dante gains the ability to transform into his demonic form whereas Vergil has it right off the bat. When at least three gauges are full in the Devil Trigger meter, press L1 to transform. This action is referred to as "Devil Triggering" or "DT". While he is in DT Mode, press L1 again to return to normal form. While he is in DT Mode, the power in the DT meter is consumed. When the power in the meter runs out, he reverts back to his normal form. In DT Mode, he attacks with greater damaging power and moves with much faster speed. Most attacks don't cause him to stagger backward, although damage is still sustained. During DT, Dante's life continuously replenishes. Therefore, DT can be used to recover lost health between battles. He takes a different form based in the Devil Arm's equipped, whether it be the Rebellion, Cerberus, Nevan, Beowulf, etc. Lost DT power is regained by striking or being struck by enemies. Consuming a Devil Star also replenishes DT power. However, because so few Devil Stars are available during a game, their usage should be reserved for emergency situations, Spending accumulated Red Orbs in the shop menu to purchase Purple Orbs extends the DT meter. Each Purple Orb extends the DT meter by one gauge.

Switch Devil's Arm

Press R2 to switch the Devil's Arm Dante/Vergil is currently using. The next time is pressed, he uses the Devil's Arm selected. His current Devil's Arm is always visible on his back, unless the Beowulf gauntlets and greaves are selected. Dante can equip up to two Devil's Arm during a mission, whereas all of Vergils are selectable all the time.

Switch Firearm

Press L2 to switch the firearm Dante is currently shooting. The next time is pressed, Dante fires the selected gun. Dante can equip up to two firearms during a mission. Vergil only HAS one projectile weapon...his magic swords.

Wall Jump

Press X to jump toward a wall. At the moment Dante/Vergil touches the wall, press X. He plants himself briefly on the wall, then leaps higher. The direction of the second jump can be controlled slightly by moving teh Left Analog Stick in a different direction at the moment X is pressed for a second time. This is an important skill to master in order to reach higher platforms and ledges. He can Wall Jump from wall surfaces, on the side of thin ledges, and also on rounded columns.

Side Roll

Hold R1 and move the Left Analogue Stick to Dante/Vergil's left or right, then press X. He performs a quick evasive side roll to the side. If an enemy tries to attack while he is Side Rolling, he takes no damage. However, Side Roll timing must be mastered. If you Side Roll too soon and he stands up during an enemy combo attack or a multiburst explosion, he may still take damage.

Edge Back Flip

When running toward toward the edge of a chasm, press R1 and press X at the moment Dante/Vergil reaches the edge to perform and Edge Back flip. He faces away from the chasm and launches into a back flip with a much greater arc than a normal jump.

Instant Rise

If an enemy strikes Dante/Vergil and knocks him off his feet, press X at the moment he touches the floor to perform an Instant Rise. Rather than lay on the ground like a corpse, vulnerable to additional attacks, he bounces right back up ready for action.

Pause Menu

Press START during real time gameplay to stop the action as well as the timer and bring up the Pause Menue. Enter the "Status" screen to view current equipment, use items, view the map or read through files concerning game elements. Choose the "Save Data" option to record the current Red Orb count, Blue Orb Fragment and item obtainment and usage to a memory card inserted in the console. Choose "Quit the Mission" to return to the title screen, or "Restart the Mission" to go back to the "Mission Start" screen. Choose Options to enter the Options screen. Some features of the Option menue cannot be changed during a mission.

Options Menu

The Options screen may be entered from the title menu, before starting or resuming a game. The language displayed in menus and subtitles can be turned off entirely. The background music volume level can be adjusted as can the brightness level. Controller vibration can be turned on or off, and controls can be remapped to any configuration of your desire. The sound output quality can be adjusted to best suit the kind of television or home theatre system you may be using, for optimum sound quality.

Starting a Game

At the titles screen, move the Left Analogue Stick to highlight an option and press X to choose. When starting a new game, the tutorial option allows you to turn tutorial messages on or off. When tutorial mode is on, instructive messages appear whenever Dante/Vergil performs a new action.

Mission Start

A dialog scene precedes each mission for Dante. Skip the scene if you wish by pressing START. The Mission Start screen appears next. Before starting a mission, choose the "Customize" option to change equipment, to select a different fighting Style, or to purchase useful items ans weapon upgrades. The return to the Mission Start screen and choose the "Mission Start" option to begin playing.

Objective: Sweep and Clear

During a mission, the objective changes depending on the situation. If the room fills with enemies and red seals form over the doorways, then Dante/Vergil must eliminate every last demon that appears in the room before he can continue. This is the main objective of Mission 1 and 2. If a seal covers a doorway, then avoid standing too near the door for any length of time, even when fighting enemies. If he lingers near a sealed door,a giant hand reaches out and claws him! The hand causes damage and knocks him to the ground. Or, the blow may cause him to stagger and render him vulnerable to further enemy attacks.

Objective: Find the Key Item

Starting with Mission 3, the objective changes to exploration mode. Use the Left Analog Stick to guide Dante/Vergil onscreen, and press X if needed to jump to higher platforms or across gaps. Position hi, in front of areas of interest, such as control panels or doors, and press O to interact with the enviroment. A bright glimmering indicates item locations. If the item is a useful item, such as a Vital Star or Devil Star, press O to pick p the item. If his inventory is already full of such items, he will not be able to pick up more. However, if the item is a key item required to unlock a door or unseal the next area of exploration. He automatically picks up the item on contact. To use key items, explore control panels and wall engravings. If the key item is in possession, he automatically sets the item in place.

Objective: Solve the Puzzle

Objective: Defeat a Powerful Opponent

Certain enemies that appear only once during the course of a game, which are much stronger and have much greater speed and stamina than frequently encountered enemies, are referred to as "bosses". Whenever a boss appears, their life gauge is displayed at the bottom of the screen. Bosses will attack more frequently and with much greater power than normal enemies, so move defensively and dodge as many attacks as possible. Look for opportunities to attack the boss safely without suffering retribution, and keep fighting them till you whoop them.

Mission Clear

If Dante/Vergil enters a room and the doors are sealed with a blue force field, you're going to have to solve some form of puzzle t move on. Look for bizzare objects like light crystals (that emit a light beam that needs to be redirected from one statue to another) and moveable stone objects (which must be moved into wall niches to reveal a secret doorway). Smash furniture tand objects until you collect enough Red Orbs to unseal a doorway. Continue interacting with the enviroment until the seal is removed.

The game consists of 20 missions. Whenever Dante/Vergil defeats a certain enemy or makes it to a certain area, the mission ends. The players abilities are ranked by serveral criteria like: Time (how long it took you to finish the mission, the less the better), Orbs (how many Red Orbs you were able to acquire, the more the better), Stylish PTS. (how many points obtained from striking enemies with cool combos, the more the better), Damage (how much damage you received, the less the better), Item Used (how many tiems you used, the less the better). The highest ranking is "S" for "Super", and go from "A" to "D". These scores are averaged out to determine your Devil Hunter Rank for that mission. The better your grade, the more bonus red orbs you receive, added onto any predetermined boss orbs you got.

Saving

After clearing a mission, choose "Save" to enter the data screen and record your progress to a memory card inserted onto one of the slots on in your console. You can also save between missions, but it doesn't record your key items, and you must restart from the beginning of the mission if you load one of these.

Mission Select

The Mission Select screen becomes unlocked as sonn as one mission is cleared. Select "Mission Select" to redo a mission, see your total ranking, change outfits, & view the gallery that you have obtained so far. Make sure you save you data before going on, because if there's a power failure, then your screwed. This screen automatically comes up when you've loaded a saved game.

Next

Chose the "Next" option to continue directly to the next mission, without having to select a mission and difficulty level fro the Mission Select screen. If you have not saved, you will be screwed if there's a power failure.

Clearing the Game

Complete all mission in the same difficulty level to clear a game. New features are added to the Mission Select screen, including a "Total Ranking" option that allows you to view your best scores in each mission. The "Gallery" option allows for the viewing of bonus content unlocked by completing certain difficulty levels. If alternate character costumes are unlocked, press R1 or L1 before choosing a mission to change Dante/Vergil's costume, and possibly the attire of other characters as well.