Since it began, the Final Fantasy series has consistently delivered high-quality games. Whether you choose a main installment or a spin-off, you can expect a fantastic experience. Final Fantasy games are beautifully made, truly transformative, and stand as some of the best examples of Japanese role-playing games, showcasing the strength of the Japanese video game industry.
Most Final Fantasy games are excellent, but a few haven’t quite lived up to expectations. Titles like the often-criticized (but now appreciated) Final Fantasy XIII and my personal favorite, the controversial Final Fantasy XV, have had their detractors. However, no game receives as much negativity as Final Fantasy 7: Dirge of Cerberus, a spin-off intended to expand on the story of FF7. I believe this negativity isn’t deserved, and with the game celebrating its 20th anniversary, it’s worth another look.
The Hate For Dirge of Cerberus Should Be Revisited
Dirge of Cerberus was a unique and somewhat divisive Final Fantasy game centered around the character Vincent Valentine from Final Fantasy 7. While considered a sequel to FF7, it broke from the traditional turn-based RPG format of previous games. Similar to Crisis Core, which came out a year later, Dirge of Cerberus experimented with gameplay, becoming a story-driven, third-person shooter RPG – a style that wasn’t common at the time, and hasn’t been perfectly replicated since.
It’s easy to understand why you might not have heard of Dirge of Cerberus. When it first came out, it received a lot of harsh criticism, mainly because of its simple enemy AI, awkward shooting controls, and, according to some, a weak story. However, after improvements were made for its release in North America, Dirge of Cerberus became a much better game – a truly polished and enjoyable experience that overcame its initial problems.
Despite its flaws, Dirge of Cerberus often gets overlooked for its strengths. Many don’t acknowledge the compelling and powerful depiction of Valentine, or the deeper look into characters like Yuffie. The game also features expertly crafted cutscenes that weave together a truly captivating story about the sinister plans of Deepground. It’s rarely mentioned that the soundtrack is fantastic—especially the incredible main theme, REDEMPTION by GACKT—or that the game’s graphics were stunning for the PS2. While imperfect, the gunplay is surprisingly challenging and fun to play now.
Despite its successes, Dirge of Cerberus is often overlooked due to issues it had when it first came out and its somewhat awkward gameplay. I can see why people don’t rank it among the best Square Enix games, just like I understand the criticism of Final Fantasy XV, even though it has an incredible soundtrack. However, the strong negative reaction to Dirge of Cerberus seems excessive, particularly considering that, looking back after 20 years, it’s clear Square Enix was trying something truly innovative.
Dirge of Cerberus Dared To Do Something New
It’s important to recognize and appreciate games that try something new, and Dirge of Cerberus definitely falls into that category. Square Enix hadn’t created anything quite like it before, either within the Final Fantasy series or beyond. It was a bold attempt to keep the popular FF7 story going after several unsuccessful tries, and it bravely took the series in a fresh direction. While not everyone loved it, Dirge of Cerberus offered a lot of enjoyment for those who connected with its unique qualities.
While Dirge of Cerberus isn’t a major title in the Final Fantasy series, it deserves to be remembered. It’s disappointing that it won’t be remade or even remastered as part of the FF7R project, especially given the negative reception and the cost of updating it for modern consoles. In fact, Dirge of Cerberus arguably deserves a remake more than many other Final Fantasy VII spin-offs, allowing director Takayoshi Nakazato to finally realize his original vision with today’s technology.
As Dirge of Cerberus celebrates its 20th anniversary, it’s nice to look back on it with appreciation. Not every Final Fantasy game needs to be a masterpiece. Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus was always the odd one out – its dark hero, serious style, and different gameplay were clear from the start. But we should always applaud developers who take risks and try something new, especially in established series, or we’ll just get the same story over and over. Honestly, I’d much rather see Dirge of Cerberus’ cool Vincent Valentine destroying helicopters than suffer through endless repetition.
Should Final Fantasy 7: Dirge of Cerberus get a second look? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-02-01 00:19