I'm a massive fan of the original Final Fantasy VII—it's one of those games that defined my childhood. Recently, someone in my retro gaming podcast community voted for me to cover Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII, and I've never actually played it myself. I remember it getting a pretty mixed reception back when it released in 2006 because it ditched the classic turn-based RPG formula for something more action-oriented. I watched my brother play bits of it, and it looked like a third-person shooter with Vincent as the star, which felt kinda off at the time. Not sure if I'd love it or hate it.

So, is Dirge a good game overall? What should I know going into it—pros, cons, tips for enjoying it, or any lore connections to the Compilation (like Advent Children or Crisis Core) that make it worthwhile? Does it hold up today, especially after the Remake trilogy?

Also I'm always looking for new guest speakers. If you're interested, feel free to DM me.

Thanks in advance for the insights!