The game is set 10 years before the first game. The game's main character, Dante, is in the middle of opening his private investigation firm, which he has not even named yet, before he is attacked by demons in his office. After fighting off the demons, a very large tower comes out of the ground, Temen-Ni-Gru. It is brought forth by Dante's twin brother, Vergil, and a demon-worshiping human named Arkham. Their plan is to use the tower to bring demons to earth, take Sparda's power, and to take over the world. 