9) Dirge of Cerberus: FFVII (PS2, 2006 - 3 years after FFVII)
Dirge of Cerberus takes place three years after the events of FFVII. A bunch of high-powered SOLDIER units that have been trapped under the ruins of Midgar show up and start wrecking shop, trying to find a weapon called Omega. The game stars Vincent Valentine, in all his androgynous vampire glory, as the man these new SOLDIER units are hunting in order to harvest his "protomaterial," which will somehow awaken Omega and bring about the end of Midgar (for real, this time).

This game offers some (but not many) insights into the motives behind Shinra’s warmongering and explains Vincent’s backstory (because he didn’t get enough in VII).

10) Dirge of Cerberus: Lost Episode: FFVII (Cell phone, 2006 - 3 years after FFVII)
The Lost Episode takes place between two events that occur toward the end of Dirge of Cerberus. Nothing really happens plot-wise in this game, which makes sense because it’s an addendum to the PS2 game and only available on cell phones.

The Lost Episode is generally thought of as Vincent fanservice instead of FFVII canon. 

11) Kingdom Hearts I and II (PS2, 2006 - ? years after FFVII)
Here it is again: the ultimate wrench in FFVII continuity. Somehow, according to a character from a different Final Fantasy game, our heroes are born here and somehow - as you can clearly see below - they wind up here when they die.

Conclusion: Disney = Lifestream.

Look for our Crisis Core review soon and keep checking back at GamesRadar for all things Final Fantasy.

March 5, 2008