I'd argue DmC's story telling was on same level as DMC 1. The only difference i see between DMC 1 and DmC's is technology difference. DmC being made in a time with better techniques and methods for graphic and audio.
Dante being serious and not out of character
Awesome composed scene
Thought out story: Even though you defeated Nelo Angelo in gameplay (playing as Dante) the story portrays Nelo Angelo beating your arse up and then putting you into a chokehold. Until Nelo Angelo ses the amulet , which makes him fight against controll of Mundus.
Even the music and audio used in this scene was nice. It gave us hints at whats going on. e.g when Nelo Angelo sees the amulet you hear a sound that is meant to be a exclamination mark with a question symbol.
Gives us insight on Trish's thoughts about Dante:
Trish notices Dante's power and
his compassion for others (even demons)
Gives us insight on Dante's mind state:
Saving Trish because she looks like his mother after she betrayed her by trying to kill him.
Then when Trish shows remorse, Dante
gives a profound speech about why Trish is nothing like her mother.
This speech that Dante gives can, it's meaning, be found in Harry Potter where Tom Riddle asks his teacher "How do you make a Hawkcrux" and the teacher says "Through Murder" and continues on to say "Murder is the violation of the soul". In DMC's context, Trish betrayed Dante, betrayal being a bad deed. Dante then drew a premature conclusion that Trish had no soul.
And here we see
Trish protecting Dante, which makes sense because Dante was kind and showed compassion, while Mundus killed Griffon, a loyal servant who would continue fighting for Mundus even when wounded.
And there are more that can be shown. I dont think DmC did a significant better job at story telling than a DMC 1.