Reviews for Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII

FF7 Dirge

Strengths: Graphics are great - action can be exhilerating

Weakness: Final Fantasy in name, not in gameplay

If someone says "Final Fantasy", you would think of the possibly the greatest RPG series out there.
You wouldn't think of a 1st person, guns blazin action game. That is what this latest incarnation of the series is. You play Vincent, a character from the groundbreaking Final fantasy 7 - a game that takes place a few years after the events. There are plenty of cameos from the other characters to make you feel like you are familiar with the game, and that it is still Final Fantasy. But it really isn't. You are playing a generic shooter game with a good license.

The game isn't BAD, but it isn't what you would expect from the franchise. Definitely a renter. For die hard FF fans, wait until it hits $20.

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Not as bad as you've heard

Strengths: Good graphics, FF7 references

Weakness: Some of the FF7 references feel forced, odd gameplay

I went into this game with low expectations. Most reviews really bashed it. Well, it's not a great game, but if you can get used to the odd camera and controls, it's a perfectly playable game in its own right. The worst thing is that despite being a FF7 game, it could easily have been a standalone game with a slight pallet swap. There's nothing "Final Fantasy" about it really. Take out the FF7 references and cameos, and you are left with a generic (though not horrible) action, 3rd person shooter with very odd controls. Too bad a standard FPS control scheme isn't an option, then it would be at least 1 star higher.

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another sidestory of final fantasy

Strengths: great graphics

Weakness: bad control system

This final fantasy series had a great storyline, it continues where FF7: Advent Children left except that it is Vincent Valentine side story. The game basics is very standard since its a 3rd person shooter rpg. The only flaw in the game is its control configuration, its very challenging since the position configuration sometimes are awkward. The game is very pleasant for Final Fantasy fans. This game is must have for final fantasy hardcore fans.

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Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus

Strengths: Fancy graphics and cut scenes

Weakness: Gameplay

Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus can be a letdown if you have a high expectation as you would from the Final Fantasy universe. Yes, it has great graphics and photo realistic cut scenes but what it lacks is the game play. It is more of a typical shooter game with a linear story. If it didn't bear the Final Fantasy VII title, it could have been more readily accepted by more people as a decent shooter game.

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Still More Final Fantasy VII

Strengths: The graphics in the cut scenes rival those of Advent Children, and a direct sequel to the original game adds a lot of appeal to fans of the original

Weakness: Like most sequels, the story isn't really up to par with the original. The game play is a bit "clunky" at times despite being reworked from the original Japanese version.

When I first heard of Dirge of Cerberus, I had very mixed feelings. I felt that Final Fantasy VII was being cheapened a bit with so many rehashes and sequels/prequels, but at the same time I was proud of Square-Enix for attempting to branch out into other genres.

The game play seems quite repetitive at times and isn't all that intuitive. It can be fun, but at times its a bit trying to complete certain objectives.

As a sequel, it seems to play too much with the continuity of the original. I will have to say that the story and setting are a bit more fitting than Square's other direct sequel: Final Fantasy X-2.

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CERBERUS

Strengths: great looking cutscenes

Weakness: boring scenery and environments

Final Fantasy Dirge of Cerberus is a third person shooter for the PS/2. You take control one of the secret characters from the final fantasy universe Vincent, an immortal gunslinger who is out to prevent an evil organization from unleashing an ultimate weapon that will destroy the world. One of the greatest things going for this game are the excellent pre- rendered cut scenes that attempt totell the story. It is very detailed and great looking , almost as good as the final fantasy CGI movies. But this also causes a problem in that there are too many of these cut scenes. it seems like before almost every fight you have to watch one of these pre-rendered cut scenes. This also results in multiple loading screens and it is a combination of these that greatly slow down the game. Another problem is that while this game is suppose to be a third person shooter, the selection of weapons is fairly paltry. You have additional attacks called limit breaks and some magic spells to use against your enemies who are very generic and repetitive, such as cyborg soldiers and robotic dogs. The environment and scenery is also pretty boring; you'll also see the same old long and narrow cramped hallways over and over again. the one saving grace for this game are the many unlockable bonus missions you get when you finishthe game. This adds some additional replay value and redeems this generic game somewhat. If you like shooters or Final fantasy universe fan, then get this game. Otherwise you can skip if you want.

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The Value of the Final Fantasy License

Strengths: +graphics, +some interesting weapon upgrades, +the auto aiming

Weakness: -levels are linear, -generic bad guys, -camera is horrible.

The Final Fantasy license and Square Enix's attention to the graphics and design really saves Dirge of Cerberus from being a mediocre game. And somehow it ends up being a fun.

It's 3 years since the apocalyptic ending in Final Fantasy VII and people are starting to rebuild. However there's a group of bad guys who wish to destroy the world. In Dirge of Cerberus you play as Vincent Valentine (a secret character from FF7) out to find and catch these mysterious bad guys.

The really parts that are worth mentioning about are the highly rendered (CG movie quality) cutscenes and the auto aiming does a really good job of targeting enemies for you.

Then there's a lot of bad parts worth mentioning. The worst offender is the camera. This is a third person shooter and the camera is just positioned horribly so that it feels like the character you're controlling is really blocking you from the action. To make matters worst is that at least half of each level is made up of narrow alleys which then causes the camera to be pretty much right behind the character. Luckily there's that auto targeting that I mentioned.

If you stripped Dirge of the Final Fantasy characters and setting, it's really an average, maybe even mediocre game. Somewhere between CyGirls (the bad and bland) and Everything or Nothing (original, top notch production, the best).

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Finally, a FF shooter

Strengths: Beautiful graphics, lots of action, interesting plot

Weakness: Not a traditional FF game

As a RPG series, FF is perhaps one of the most well-known and best loved. Dirge of Cerebus, however, is not your typical FF game. In fact, it's a fun shooter with great graphics, lots of action, and an intriguing storyline. As I did not follow the FF series as strongly as some gamers did, I had little problems adjusting to the idea of a non-traditional FF game and so I enjoyed it quite a bit. I highly recommend it (even if it isn't your standard FF RPG).

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An FF7 Shooter

Strengths: FF7 world and characters, Graphics, and Sound.

Weakness: Gameplay

Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerebus is a third-person shooter for PS2. The stories lead is Vincent Valentine a former Turk operative who was altered into his current supernatural form. The storyline, graphics, and sound are all top-notch. Its the gameplay that has some flaws. Its a chore to aim. Which is too be expected since Square-Enix is not really known for their shooters. I give the game 3 stars since its about average in all things and only excels in character design and storyline.

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Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus

Strengths: More insight into Final Fantasy 7 characters, different genre, nice graphics

Weakness: Not what Final Fantasy fans were looking for

Square Enix decided to test how the final fantasy series would fare in other genres. So they decided to take the most memorable of the final fantasies and turn it into a shooter. Once released, the game came under a lot of criticism from game players everywhere. FF fans complained cause it wasn't a real FF game. Non-FF fans complained cause it didn't compare to other shooters well enough. But ignoring all the comparisons, how does the game do by itself?

Overall I'd say it's pretty good. The graphics are awesome. The storyline is all about revealing Vincent's history as well as shedding light on other FF characters. The gameplay is decent but could use some work. The music is pretty good. If you're a huge FF fan, pick this up and keep it in your collection. If you're just looking for something fun and kinda quick to play, give this a rent as you can be done with it in a weekend.

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Should Have Dirged the Averageness of this Game

Strengths: Solid voice acting, good graphics & cut scenes, movie viewer

Weakness: Gameplay, story

Originally an optional character in Final Fantasy VII, Vincent Valentine stars in Square Enix's first shooter game. Most Final Fantasy VII lovers will appreciate the fan service, but others will just be left cold.

The game features a long FMV opening. Vincent visits Kalm, invited by Reeve for a festival. But suddenly soldiers attack, and Vincent is dragged into the battle. The story is heavily focused on characters, some old, but most new. It's hard to understand who should be eliciting. It's one thing to debate over characters; it's another to be lost on insight into them. It's hard to tell if they are victims or are just victims of their own foolishness. In between the mess, though, there are some major points that come to light, some that will be explored in the PSP prequel Crisis Core.

Voice acting is a cut above average, and Steven Blum was a great choice to play the conflicted Vincent. The game is divided into stages, and the player is rewarded with points based on factors such as enemies killed and damage received. Those points can be converted into experience to level up Vincent or into Gil to help buy restoratives and gun upgrades. It's difficult to judge when you should invest in which, and with the variety of gun upgrades, you might easily blow your gil with little reward.

Upon its initial release in Japan, the gameplay was widely criticized. Square Enix decided to step it up in the U.S. version, and these changes do make it more enjoyable. Vincent is equipped with 3 guns, one for up close, mid range, and distance. The guns can be changed on the fly. Vincent also has some melee attacks by punching and kicking, but these are generally worthless. Vincent's Galian Beast can be activated with an item to help out in difficult battles. Camera angles are spotty. Targeting can be a pain, and auto-target can sometimes focus on everything but an enemy. These are major downsides, but you'll probably beat this short game (less than 20 hours) before quitting out of frustration.

While graphically this game is good (the cut scenes & FMVs are amazing, and there is a fanboyish delight in wandering through familiar areas in 3-D), the core of this game fails to excite. Despite a large amount of side quests available after beating the game, most gamers will have had their fill. On the up side, memory capsules can be found throughout the world. Shooting them will unlike a cut scene to be available at the end of the game. Collect them all, and there will be little need to play the game again to watch the beautiful graphics.

All in all, this game's short playtime is enough cause for most gamers to either borrow or rent. Combined with other factors, this game shows more style over substance. Not recommended to buy without a good deal, but all fans of Final Fantasy VII should experience this game at least once to learn more about the world of Gaia.

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Not Final by any means!

Strengths: New scenes from Advent Children, and bonus missions

Weakness: Bland game play and generic levels

A shooter based upon the Final Fantasy VII characters is a great idea, plus the pre rendered cut scenes and extra Advent Children scenes are very welcome indeed.

Unfortunately this is a very bland and basic shooter that provides very little challenge or interest beyond story elements. Overall the graphics are OK, but the levels are linear and uninspired as the levels are constructed like RPG game levels, lots of invisible walls and no place to go but in one direction. With games such as God of War and Devil May Cry already on the market, they really show how poorly made the game is. The Playstation 2 has lots of life in it still, but games like this are best avoided.



A good game for Final Fantasy VII fans only.

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Final Fantasy 7: Dirge of Cerberus

Testseek.com has collected 11 expert reviews for Final Fantasy 7: Dirge of Cerberus and the average expert rating is 65 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.

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Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII

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