A unique "Gun RPG" from Square-Enix
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: 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:
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: 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. There are some good things to be seen and done in the game if you don't let the game mechanics hold you back. Square-Enix delivers a beautiful addition to the story as well as some nice graphics to the game. However, it's the game play that really hurts this title allowing it to only have a sum average score.
Final Score: 7.4