Improvements make for a vastly improved game.

We have all heard the pre-release bad reviews of Dirge of Cerberus but I chose too ignore those reviews and try the game for myself, however I was a bit sceptical and did not have high hopes as I fired my PS2 up but I am here too say don't beleive what your hearing the game is good! I'm sure that you have also heard about the changes that were made too the game, they increased Vincents moving speed, pulled the camera back so it's style and game play now resembles more Devil My Cry and the Ratchet & Clank games than Resident Evil 4 and they have givin him a dash move instead of a roll. I can only guess that the previous person too review this game was playing the Japanese version because he say's that Vincent controls sluggishly and the aiming and shooting is difficult, I have had no problems at all, Vincent moves fast and effortlesly and I was gunning people down without much effort right away, And boy does gunning people down look great, Square has spared no expense on the production values, the graphics, both cutsceens and in game are fantastic, just check out Vincent's model, he looks awsome. In the sound department Square pleases again as the game features some excellent music as well when you can hear it anyways over all the huge gun fights. The missions are varied, rescuing people, escorting people, turret guns, sniping, group combat with other soldiers aiding you and huge bosses. Vincent isn't lacking in fire power too takle these situations either as you have tons of gun upgrades, magic and his limit breaks which turns you into a huge hulking beast that can deal out some major hurt. Complaints: sure in close quarters at times the camers does get a bit wonky. Much like Advent Children plot wise I don't really know what the heck is going on and probably my biggest complaint thus far would be that Vincent has some really cool hand too hand combat combo moves but no real chance too use them, much like the saying never bring a knife too a gun fight it's also not a good idea too bring just your fists too one either, maybe later in the game their will be some ninjas I can brawl with. So thus far I would say don't listn too the bad hype, the game is good, go out and buy it. Now all I need is a hack and slash game with Cloud and I can die happy.

Is this all Square-Enix has to offer?

When I think of Squaresoft, and Square-enix I am normally filled with adoration for this group of people who brought me my absolute all time favorite game Final Fantasy VII. To tell you the truth I actually just bought another copy so I could beat it again. From this point of view I generally find one over-used comments that seem more of a attempt to be cool than anything. This comment is that square-enix is milking this title for all its worth. I seem to remember however them choosing not to remake FFVII, and as far as I can tell, Dirge of Cerberus doesn't really talk about Cloud much at all, this not some dumbass sequel. This game has more plot and depth then most games ever have. This game is not "milked for all its worth," if anything Final Fantasy VII could use some more milking like DC if you ask me.
(Story 5/5) As I said above this game has a lot of depth, it works very well within the original FFVII story. Nothing really seems far fetched at all, the story revisits old towns such as Kalm, and Nibelheim, and stays focused mostly on Midgar, everything from the local beasts to the buildings are taken from the original and enhanced to the point that sometimes you have to take a break to deal with the nostalgia. The story itself is one full of all the usual suspects like romance, suspense, twist & turns, and of course some explosions and acrobatics. And I have to say this game really brings you back into the world of Final Fantasy VII without seeming like a sequel at all, Dirge of Cerberus is a separate entity of its own, it has its own plot and while being fully functional without playing the Original, if you have played it, you will be ecstatic to play this so called "spin-off."
(Game play 2/5) Well when I first wrote this review it was three times to long…I have a lot to say about Game play. To make it short, I rather hated the game play. They made it into a rather sad first person shooter. The environment although looks nice is rather restricting (Can’t jump from floor to floor or onto most of the boxes.) The AI in the game needs way to much work. They cannot be snuck up on and will always know where you are regardless of whether or not you hide. Not to mention with only 5 or so weapons, 15 or so upgrade items, and your standard potions and ethers, the only great thing about the system is the upgrade process. And don’t expect materia to play a major role either. This part really brings this game from Final Fantasy level, to your average FPS game. In other words, a great idea, I loved shooting things with Vincent, but why couldn’t they spend a little bit more time on the system and environment?
(Graphics 5/5) Not much to say on this, can’t beat the opening graphics and the occasional excellent scenes…would have preferred to see a bit better of a transition (Like running down a hall and suddenly you are no longer controlling Vincent instead he is running right into a perfect CG)
(Extras 5/5) There are your usual mini-games, bonus features and other such stuff that are always nice.
(Overall 3/5) Pretty much the story and graphics make up for it a lot, but you know I just couldn’t really get over the fact that Square-enix didn’t seem to spend much time on the game play at all. On a closing note, don’t look to hard into the game play though, it would be a shame if you missed the excellent story or couldn't feel the nostalgia of once again being in the FFVII world.

the gun of Valentine

The RPG giant Square-Enix has released its third spin off of the classic Final Fantasy VII and has pretty much milked the title and its entirety. Square-Enix's newest installment to the Final Fantasy world puts a new spin on things. The genre for Dirge of Cerberus is what developers call a “Gun RPG”. Does Square-Enix deliver with its unique gameplay? Let's find out in the review!

Gameplay (5/5): There are two categories that describe the gameplay mechanism. There are those that hate the game mechanics and there are those that can get by on the game mechanics. Dirge of Cerberus is an action RPG with a definite emphasis on gunplay. Vincent's movements are sluggish and quirky (Think original Tomb Raider). Exploration and movement is all down from a third person perspective. When actual combat comes into play you press a button to pull out your trusty sidearm, once the sidearm is out you go into a view much like Resident Evil 4. At this point it becomes like a Time Crisis game. You are given an aiming scope and direct movement of the aiming scope via analog stick or mouse (Most will be using their standard PS2 controller). Aiming is a little difficult at first but you can tweak the sensitivity in the options menu to get a slower or faster movement. This seems like a decent setup for a “Gun RPG”. However, the system fails to live up to the action the game delivers to you. Think the sluggish aiming and movement of Resident Evil 4 trying to keep up with the action of Halo. The sluggish creeping movement works great in Resident Evil 4's environment. However, when you have the action paced environment of Dirge of Cerberus. The mechanics aren't in the user's favor. The gameplay mechanics are a step in the right direction. However, there is still much improvement to be done on Dirge of Cerberus's gameplay. Players can get adjusted after awhile and be able to get through Dirge of Cerberus but there will always be frustrating moments when the game mechanics just aren't in the user's favor and players must find some way around them. So the choices are; hate the gameplay or find the gameplay tolerable. I would have to say the gameplay is tolerable. This title can still bring you a good time.

Graphics (5/5): Square-Enix, enough said. These guys are the king of CG. Some of the cut-scenes in this game use the same CG animation found in movie Fantasy VII: Advent Children. The in game graphics are very well done and really bring that dark feel to the game. The level design good use a bit of work. Though not much room to complain in this area, the levels can seem a bit bland compared to the beautiful cut-scenes worked on by Square-Enix. Overall the graphics are up there with Final Fantasy X and X-2. Just great well rendered graphics!

Music & Sound (4/5): I was longing for some nostalgic tunes from the Final Fantasy VII days. However, none of that is to be found here. They gave us a few dramatic orchestrated compilations mixed in with guitar riffs. The songs are well done they just don't really stick with you. There are 2 songs done by Japanese music artist Gackt. These songs are well done and I actually enjoyed their incorporation in parts of the game. Sounds are good but not great; normal gun shots, screams, and voice acting, nothing to complain or boast about.

In closing this game is a good game is worth looking into. It's around 12 hours of playing time so it's rather short.

awesome game of the year

world best game review of year

one of the awesome game of the year fun to play if your inrested in this game i got say well u just can't get enough of this & take my word for it this game is awesome to play if your gamer & u don't what to play this is it i recommend on this game it so worth playing 10 out 10 perfect
plus beleave gamers i got the worlds greatest to the worst & take from me i just love even the world dumdest game could be awesome on my book to graphic well don't see the problem with but all i can is a job well done sound hmmmm i hear just it perfecly the music i think i love videogame music i just can't get enough of it & the gameplay well as u see its like i all ready knew how to play when i got it at the store ready if u don't beleave what i say then take look at the game 4 yourself if u don't like it then don't play it

Graphic 10/10
Gameplay 10/10
Sound 10/10
Music 10/10

In other just an awesome game of the year

Short Game

Besides the fact that it is kinda short, it was okay. I could've beat the game in 1 day if I wanted to if I had nothing to do, the game directors say that on average you'll spend about 10 hours on the game. That's how short it is. There's 12 chapters in this game (same thing as 12 missions). This game reminds me too much of devil may cry because it's almost based on that game if you ever play it. The only difference that I found between those games was that you don't have unlimited ammo in dirge of cerberus and you don't have a sword. At the end of each mission it calculated how much magic you used, kills you have, and the time it took you and base it on a scale to see what class rank you get for that mission which determines the amount of money you get at the end of the mission. Also at the end you can exchange your exp you recieved from your kills for money in the end if you choose to do so. For the most part it is fun. If you need to know more about the game, find my ebay user ID and message me about the review. I will gladly help.