Square Enix

So what made this game so engaging? It turned its lights on parts of the Final Fantasy VII world that were previously alluded to, but not yet revealed. To paraphrase: the story's the thing.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild Language, Violence, Use of Tobacco

It's funny how time can change your perspective on things. When Valkyrie Profile was originally released on the PlayStation way back in 2000, I liked it a lot but took it to task over certain issues and held back a few points on the score. Now that some time has passed and the current game environment is different than it was back then, I find that my affection for the title has only grown.

According to ESRB this game contains: Fanatsy Violence, Language, Suggestive themes, Use of Alcohol

Game Description: Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth brings the classic PlayStation game console title to your PSP -- with completely new CG cut scenes that dramatize the epic of a Norse maiden collecting souls for a war between the gods. Lenneth is a Valkyrie, a warrior priestess with the gift of hearing the thoughts of dead and dying men in their final moments. Lenneth's duty is to travel Midgard, the mortal world, to recruit and train the souls of worthy warriors to join the ranks of the Aesir in the Sacred War.

No, the title isn't a reference to the PS1 game Azure Dreams by Konami. Rather, it's a reference to the beautifully rendered skies in Grandia III.

I picked up Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus last week, and that's what I've been playing over this past weekend. I wasn't sure initially that I wanted to play this game, given the negative word of mouth that it's received ever since our gaming press got their grubby mitts on the Japanese release, through to the final domestic release. As an admitted fan of Final Fantasy VII, I decided to brave Midgar once again, to see where developer Square Enix was going to take me.

The difference between the original game and its sequel are like the difference between night and day. Every place the first was flawed, the second polishes to perfection. The aspects that formerly irritated and infuriated me are completely gone, replaced by choices that make more sense and enhance the experience.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild Blood, Use of Alcohol, Violence