Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII wasn’t the first in the series to become a sequel. But of course, it did solidify that Final Fantasy X-2 wasn’t going to be an outlier.

However, it was the first to use real-time action. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII came after Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII. Then we have Final Fantasy XII (free range of movement in a simple ATB type of system). Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII was the first to include chapters.

Final Fantasy XIII was simply an intermediary between ATB and real-time battle systems of later titles. But who knows what the battle system Final Fantasy XVI may be like…

The soundtrack of Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII was all over the place. It definitely wasn’t bad. Much of it didn’t fit in with the original soundtrack or vibe of Final Fantasy VII. In fact, it didn’t keep the original soundtrack at all. Nobuo Uematsu left to become a free agent. Square Enix then used many musicians for a wide range of experience with no unifying musical elements. But they all sound like elements of future games. Check out these songs:

• This sounds a bit light the ultra serious sound of Final Fantasy XIII. This and this sounds a bit like the melodramatic pieces of Final Fantasy XIII, complete with motifs.
• This sounds like a battle theme to Final Fantasy XV.
• This and this sound a bit like something you might hear in Final Fantasy XII…including this which sounds like an unused battle theme.
• Speaking of Ivalice, this sounds like something from Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions.
• Here are the ethereal guitar sounds from Crisis Core.
• It may be me, but this sounds like something from Final Fantasy XIV.

We have the convoluted story elements that have lately plagued Final Fantasy for over a decade. On its own, Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VIII isn’t too bad of a story. But taken with Final Fantasy VII we see a jumbled mess of retcons, plotholes and contradictions.

And even worse, Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII pushed forward without certain elements. The developers added these elements to later installments. When developers experiment while rushed, this happens. Working with bigger projects, a low amount of staff and not enough time to correct their mistakes?

It’s Final Fantasy XV blueprint for disaster.