After playing Devil May Cry 4, I wasn't looking forward to hear about DMC5 being in the works.  I was hoping that eventually they would decide to leave the DMC franchise alone, because it was entirely clear that Capcom had no idea what direction to take it in. DMC4 was riddled with plot holes, and Capcom was doing their best to not even hint at tying the story to DMC2. The plot has never been a major focus in any DMC game, though, so my disappointment stemmed from the gameplay. Some of the abysmal level design choices (the "dice" mini-game), the very limited amount of weapons, and the small amount of move sets for the main character, Nero, overall contributed to a less-than-stellar experience.

"DmC" the new Devil May Cry  

The trailer for the new "DmC" introduces us to Dante, whom bears no resemblance to the protagonist of previous games. Aside from wielding pistols that look like Ebony & Ivory, there's nothing that indicates that this is the same character. So why call him Dante? Obviously, Devil May Cry is a franchise name that sells copies no matter what, even DMC2 went on to sell over one million copies, so keeping the franchise name only makes business sense in terms of marketing the game. However, I don't see the point in calling this new character Dante... Unless, they reveal that this actually is the same character with the story taking place back in his "younger days," and if that turns out to be the case, than many fans will be incredibly alienated at the direction the series has taken.

Now, it is definitely too early to make assumptions, after all this is the first trailer for the game, little information is given, and no gameplay has been shown yet. Although if the game plays out anything like the cutscenes, it looks like it will be much slower compared to the combat found in prior games.

That being said, I am highly skeptical. It will be a shock to me if this reboot is actually good. Honestly, I don't see how this won't just turn into another generic action game. I can't really give the developers behind this reboot, Ninja Theory, any benefit of the doubt considering their current track record.  

I also find it very disheartening that Capcom seemed to have no problem closing down Clover Studio, yet they are so pleased to have acquired Blue Castle. Clover Studio was filled with amazingly talented people, some of whom made the company who they are today. Why is Capcom so willing to give their key franchises to developers who have had mediocre success thus far? Is it only because Ninja Theory is a western developer?   

 All we can do is wait to see how this reboot turns out. Whether it turns out to be good or bad, it seems to be a radical departure from the franchise as we know it.    

• "Whatever." RT @ Solivagant @ PG_kamiya #DmC, by Ninja Theory? Do you think they will "evolve" the action game from your Bayonetta standard?

• "I've been sad since Dante left me." RT @nss_13_ @PG_kamiya It's sad to see what you started turn this way

• "I believe so." RT @fatimahelsayed @PG_kamiya Will there be a Bayonetta 2? ありがとう!

•  "I miss him, too..." RT @nss_13_ @PG_kamiya I miss the Dante you made 

• "I love you all." RT @brukaoru @PG_kamiya You are awesome! I love your work. <3

(Did you read that last one?! OMG! He totally replied to me! *squeal*) 

I pretty much agree with you. When I heard they were "rebooting" the franchise I was pleased because it needs it. After reading some stuff and watching the trailer though it seems like they are taking it in the wrong direction. At least away from me anyway :) 
 
That's only the first trailer though like you said so I'll hold off judgement for now. For all we know they might even end up changing the name? How about Heavenly Cry. Or Devil May Sword........

I think if you look at the reboot phenomenon in general, you see that a lot of people, for specific franchises, respond to a reboot even if the reboot itself ignores or even betrays the stuff it's named after. Whether or not they actually pay any homage to the thing they're basing their new property on is up to them--  they will often have little hints, like showing Ebony and Ivory, to make people think "OK, they know what they're doing," but beyond what people detect from the tightly controlled press releases, any number of things that you love about the old franchise, even if you like what you see from the press releases, could be completely gone.
 
I think a major problem consumers have is that *we* are unwilling to let go of properties we love, though. You talk about FF VII in your prior blog, and DmC here. We all want to relive our first thrills from the franchises we love, and I think sometimes it's still possible with the right level of care and attention.  So often, though, these attempts at reboots fail to capture the essence of the property they're emulating, and I think part of that is our own desire to relive something that's essentially impossible to relive completely.  
 
If I understand you right, DmC was on a bit of a decline even before the reboot, with the story getting strangely detached from what happened in prior installments. Even if the gameplay was comparable, that to me is a suggestion of exhaustion or disconnect on the part of the developers, too.  Often, creators get tired of doing the same thing over and over again--  unless they really love it it will start to wear them down. Or publishers may not think that the model that continues to put out games in that series are worth the time, effort, and money that could be used elsewhere, regardless of the actual quality of the work, which may have been the case here. 
 
Here's hoping DmC isn't a disappointment for you.  It's a bit weird to feel like a period of time has ended, where things won't be the same again. I've had those with a few franchises before, but I guess for me at least it clears the table so that I can try out some other things.
 
ALSO:
 
Hideki Kamiya did TOTALLY say that to you. AWESOME!! :)

I think it's a good choice for drawing gamers to the franchise who have never really gotten into it.  I've never played a Devil May Cry game, but even I'm interested in the new direction the series is headed.  I just never saw anything interesting in any of the older games.