Since the release of its first installment, Devil May Cry has been praised as one of the best action franchises in gaming history. The series revolutionized the character action genre and paved the way for similarly spectacular series like Bayonetta and God of War. Despite this, Devil May Cry has seen its fair share of highs and lows. Among the series' genre-defining masterpieces and flawed gems, Devil May Cry 2 stands out as the franchise's most widely maligned entry. Although the game sold surprisingly well at launch, it was critically panned by both gaming publications and players. Even now, most fans agree that Devil May Cry 2 was a significant downgrade from the original and easily the worst entry in the series. Despite its flaws, Devil May Cry 2 introduced many of the franchise's best features and set the foundation for its revolutionary sequels.