It doesn't matter the reason guys and please don't argue it because everyone is entitled to their opinion. This isn't to fuel fire, only to get honest feedback. I swear. Lets just keep this civil please 
Anyway, from what I have pieced together I can see that some fans of the series aren't fond of DMC4 Dante because of the following.
1. He takes the back seat during the story
2. He is over designed with chaps and cowboy boots.
3. He takes on a much more humerus approach rather than the dark, sarcastic and badass demon slayer that he was known for in DMC1.
4. His character development was pushed aside to have him act more like him DMC3 self rather than his DMC1 self.
5. He was outshined by Nero the new guy.
6. They tie the backtracking to his overall character in DMC4 somehow.
Just a few complaints I hear. If there are more just keep them in mind so we don't end up with some big argument. So question is for those people, what their thoughts about DMC2 Dante was? Yes I know, I know, "But everything about DMC2 sucks! F@%# that game with a mile long cock cannon!" Be hear me out. DMC2 Dante honestly wasn't that far off from DMC1's Dante in my opinion. His biggest contrast is that he stands on the opposite end of DMC3 and 4's Dante. The story, whether you thought it was good or bad, did revolve around both him and Lucia effectively. Dante and her shared the roles and there was limited backtracking in DMC2. It's more like Resident Evil where characters will come across some of the same areas but only occasionally bump into one another before the finale. Now for his design.
I honestly think this is stylish as hell. He really does look the part of the demon slayer while keeping true to his trademark red colors. It's simple yet effective. Now for his personality. Dante has always been a bit of a joker and sarcastic man with a sharp tongue. He's quick to troll or bad mouth a demon and honestly I think he still has that in DMC2. He is indeed much more serious and keeps to himself most of the time but honestly DMC1 Dante wasn't that much of a blabber mouth either. DMC2 Dante has moments where he still trolls those around him. Example being when he flips that double sided coin claiming to leave everyone's pleads up to chance when he knew damn well that he just wanted to see their worried faces and that he'd do it anyway. Then theirs his the moments with Arius and him switching the coins when Arius was so sure to he had gained Argosax's power. When Arius soon learns he was tricked, the first thing he hears is Dante slowly approaching him from behind to say, "Is there a problem?" Gee where have I heard that before?
He then proceeds to snatch his coin back and grab his sword in a ready pose. "Showtime!"
Maybe I'm alone but he still seemed very Dante like to me. Lucia played a very important role in DMC2 but never did people feel she one up'd Dante (though I say she was superior gameplay wise) So that brings me back to my origional question. For those who didn't like DMC4 Dante, what were your thoughts on DMC2 Dante? Personally I liked both but not everyone feels that way.

Anyway, from what I have pieced together I can see that some fans of the series aren't fond of DMC4 Dante because of the following.
1. He takes the back seat during the story
2. He is over designed with chaps and cowboy boots.
3. He takes on a much more humerus approach rather than the dark, sarcastic and badass demon slayer that he was known for in DMC1.
4. His character development was pushed aside to have him act more like him DMC3 self rather than his DMC1 self.
5. He was outshined by Nero the new guy.
6. They tie the backtracking to his overall character in DMC4 somehow.
Just a few complaints I hear. If there are more just keep them in mind so we don't end up with some big argument. So question is for those people, what their thoughts about DMC2 Dante was? Yes I know, I know, "But everything about DMC2 sucks! F@%# that game with a mile long cock cannon!" Be hear me out. DMC2 Dante honestly wasn't that far off from DMC1's Dante in my opinion. His biggest contrast is that he stands on the opposite end of DMC3 and 4's Dante. The story, whether you thought it was good or bad, did revolve around both him and Lucia effectively. Dante and her shared the roles and there was limited backtracking in DMC2. It's more like Resident Evil where characters will come across some of the same areas but only occasionally bump into one another before the finale. Now for his design.

I honestly think this is stylish as hell. He really does look the part of the demon slayer while keeping true to his trademark red colors. It's simple yet effective. Now for his personality. Dante has always been a bit of a joker and sarcastic man with a sharp tongue. He's quick to troll or bad mouth a demon and honestly I think he still has that in DMC2. He is indeed much more serious and keeps to himself most of the time but honestly DMC1 Dante wasn't that much of a blabber mouth either. DMC2 Dante has moments where he still trolls those around him. Example being when he flips that double sided coin claiming to leave everyone's pleads up to chance when he knew damn well that he just wanted to see their worried faces and that he'd do it anyway. Then theirs his the moments with Arius and him switching the coins when Arius was so sure to he had gained Argosax's power. When Arius soon learns he was tricked, the first thing he hears is Dante slowly approaching him from behind to say, "Is there a problem?" Gee where have I heard that before?

He then proceeds to snatch his coin back and grab his sword in a ready pose. "Showtime!"