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Published on: 2/20/2003
Last Visited: 2/24/2003
With a Euro release beckoning, we head into the underworld to speak with Devil May Cry 2 producer, Tsuyoshi Tanaka, about his massive PS2 action title
18:04 Devil May Cry was an instant and deserved success when it first released on PS2.With jaw-dropping visuals, great imagination, a brilliant combat system and a truly great hero, it received across-the-board praise and to this day is still one of the finest action games on the system.
This naturally creates immense pressure on the team responsible for the sequel, headed by new producer Tsuyoshi Tanaka of Capcom's Production Studio 1.But with a brand new playable character, all-new moves and a massive new adventure, the team has certainly come out all-guns blazing.
And in anticipation of the European launch, we were fortunate enough to sit down with Tanaka-san to get a deeper insight into this massive project.
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Tanaka: We had to ensure that it is still "stylish-hard action" and we had to make sure to keep Dante's personality cool.This time there is also a second character called Lucia, and the player can choose to start as her.
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Tanaka: Basically, the character designer came up with the idea.If you look at the Resident Evil situation with hero and heroine, they fit very obvious Western stereotypes.This particular character designer wanted to make a hero embracing many different cultures in one.That kind of thinking generated Lucia.
Do you see a future for Lucia beyond DMC2?Perhaps in her own game?
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Tanaka: That isn't easy to answer.Capcom is famous for making very nice characters one after the other, therefore there is no particular plans for this character right now.
Maybe she'll crop up in Capcom Fighting All-Stars...
Tanaka: [laughs] If I make a fighting game she would be good, as she's a great fighter!She has many combos on DMC2, so it's almost like she's in a beat-'em-up already.That makes sense, yes, but there are no plans.
Devil May Cry 2 is part of a Capcom tradition that began with Resident Evil and also includes Onimusha - is there much competition between the various teams or do you all help each other out?
Tanaka: As an example, Mr. Kobayashi of Production Studio 4 is from the division which originally made Resident Evil.
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Tanaka: There is no problem continuing the series with a different team.
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Tanaka: It's the same situation in Japan as the US.People who think that Devil May Cry 2 should be exactly like the original are saying it's bad; whereas people who like games in general are saying this is good.
Everyday we receive mail from users from the US and Japan.Some have said it's a really nice game; others have said it's just not Devil May Cry.
So the people who don't like it are just resistant to change?
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Tanaka: You can look at it from a technical point of view.
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Tanaka: Basically, what my team felt they were unable to do from playing the first game, we've added to the sequel - that's where the moves stemmed from.
Let's face it, Capcom is sequel crazy; therefore, another DMC game seems highly likely.Do you personally want to be involved in that project and is there much more you want to do with Devil May Cry?
Tanaka: Personally, I would like to do another if time allows for it.On the other hand, I would like the challenge of making something totally new, so it's difficult to say.But I would prefer a new challenge.Saying that, with the same DMC2 engine, I should be able to make a totally new game.
Do you find this challenge in Resident Evil Online, then?
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Tanaka: Resident Evil Online is a very good example.It's doing stuff that's never been done before, while offering a story within the Resident Evil universe.It retains the atmosphere of Resident Evil but offers a different experience.I just want people to say: "Ah, the producer did a nice job!"[laughs]
Anything else you can tell us about Resident Evil Online?
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Tanaka: We're gonna show the playable version at E3.That's all I can say!If I said more, maybe Ben [Le Rougetel, Capcom's lovable Euro PR guy] would kill me! [laughs] Then the other divisions of Capcom Japan would have to kill him. [laughs].
OK, we spoken about the US and Japan.But Europe is still waiting patiently and getting very excited - do you have a message for these gamers?
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Tanaka: This is a game that must be played over and over again to experience all of it.
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Tanaka: Hours... I've only managed around 600... [laughs] My Dante didn't die, but I almost did! [laughs].We have many secret stages, secret missions and secret characters.
Devil May Cry 2 is an action game predominantly, but also has a story.Do you actually care about the story when making a game like this, or is it just something you have to do.
Tanaka: You can care if you want to, but if you just want to get on with the game then you don't need to think to much about it.At the end of the game you may understand it suddenly, but it wasn't a focus.
But when you've cleared the game, you will automatically want to play Devil May Cry 3...When you finish the game, you'll understand this.
And how long will we have to wait for devil May Cry 3?
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Tanaka: [laughs] [Tanaka-san begins to speak but Capcom PR swiftly intervenes.]
Tanaka: Rude question! [laughs] No comment!
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