Compilation Network Advent Children.net | Dirge of Cerberus.net | Before Crisis.net | Crisis-Core.net | Compilation Ultimania  
   
Lost Episode :: Review
By Shinra Employee #080729

Dirge of Cerberus was released for the PlayStation 2 on August 16, 2006; which was soon followed up with its counterpart Dirge of Cerberus: Lost Episode. The Lost Episode (which is currently only available through Amp’d Mobile.) costs 4.99 to subscribe to or 11.99 to own; yet costs 50 cents or less for each packet download. The packet downloads consist of around 3 events; which can be either stages or cut scenes. While Square-Enix mobile has stated there will be a head to head feature; it was not available at the time of this review.

The game is setup as 7 Chapters (as I refer them as) which are broke down into 33 parts. This includes both levels and scenes. During the course of the game you will be introduced to both characters and creatures encountered in the PS2 version as well as NPC’s (non-player characters) and one special character. The first stages introduce you to the game and sets up the overall objective before introducing the player to the controls by training as you go.

The controls are pretty basic in concept, most phones feature a ring pad which is designated for up/down/left/right arrows followed by an “ok” key in the center. Using the ring pad you can run forward and back or left to right. Hitting the same direction twice will make Vincent dodge roll. The “OK” key will switch Vincent to FPS mode which you can then aim the same way as moving and hitting “OK” again to fire. Accessing the menu to see objectives or to use items is done with the left soft key. Keys 1-3 will swap Vincent’s weapons between Cerberus, Hydra or the Griffon.

I was quite impressed with the graphics of the game given that fact that I was playing on a cell phone. The graphics reminded me of PlayStation graphics or Nintendo DS graphics (Resident Evil DS particularly). The audio was quite well done and could have been mp3, if not CD quality. The sounds were a bit difficult to hear, as there was not much outside of gunshots and the clanking of Vincent running around. It did sound a little scratchy but given a handheld cell I can't complain. Playing the game did drain the battery quite fast so that was downside to playing it continuously for a week.

Taking place between the end of Chapter 4 and the beginning of Chapter 5, Vincent leaves the WRO headquarters and heads for the ShinRa Manor located in Nibelheim. The game lasts around 3-4 hours; (it was a bit difficult to gauge as I was also creating the script for those unable to get the game). After it’s conclusion, I felt there was room for expansion to the story or at least additional stages, as it does not end with Vincent’s arrival in the sewers.

What was enjoyable, is the fact that it expanded (in my opinion) the bizarre relationship between Vincent and the Tsviet; in more ways then one. As well as revealing elements that were never clear about Reeve and Cait Sith and how Deepground got around. We do get to see that Lucrecia and Vincent appeared to be closer then what we see in PS2 version, as it includes a never before seen flashback. While Nero is featured, it’s not really clear what if anything besides wanting to see Chaos he was after.

Overall, I was pleased with the game. It was nothing major as Before Crisis in story, but was visually impression and gives hope to future games Square-Enix may put out on mobile. It also makes me think that Before Crisis can make it to the states now. Would I recommend that you run out and buy it? No, I picked up the phone at 215 bucks only because it had a $100 mail-in rebate and I’m a big Dirge of Cerberus fan. Secondly, I did it to help out other fans of the compilation that aren’t as insane as myself.







  		 
JPN: 25 Jan, 06
US: 15 Aug, 06
EUR: Nov, 06
AUS: Nov, 06
  
© 2005-2009 Dirge of Cerberus.net / Compilation Networks [Disclaimer] [Contact]