A serial killer has been killing beautiful women in New York, and the new owner of a media company offers a high ranking job to the 1st administrator who can get the earliest scoops on the case. While the City Sleeps
Dirge of Cerberus takes place a year after Advent Children, Vincent steps into the spotlight when he attends a festival in Kalm at Reeves' request. While he broods from the window, the festival is attacked and he's forced to figure out what's going on. He fights an unknown group of assailants and tries to find Reeve. I mentioned earlier in the site that Vincent goes so far as to search for Reeve and even avenge him - I'm positive that was confusing. As Vincent progresses through Kalm he finally finds Reeve, but Reeve gets shot. Vincent pulls up Cerberus immediately and dispatches the foes, but not before getting mad and losing his cool. In that moment, I realized how much Vincent did care for his friends even though he doesn't always show it. A few moments later, we find out that it's a Reeve Suit that Cait Sith is riding in. And the look on my face mirrored Vincent's and I think we both wanted to shoot Reeve (and I'm a little annoyed I was never presented with that option)!
The point of the game, however, is not to get revenge on Reeve for his stupid Reeve suit (yes, I'm still mad about it years later). Instead, Vincent is dragged into battle against Shinra Deepground Soldier. This branch of soldier was previously unheard of by most and was a pet project for Rufus's father. This game follows Vincent's journey fighting deepgroupnd as he comes to terms with his past with Lucrecia Crescent. His destiny seems to be tied to Deepground as they try to bring about Omega Weapon with the use of the Mysterious Proto-Materia. This materia is held within Vincent's chest as a means to control his final limit break, Chaos. In a similar vein to the original game, he cannot control Chaos. In fact, Chaos seems to be a highly destructive force that continues to fight for dominance, even more so after Vincent loses the proto-materia to Deepground. Much of his struggle becomes fighting Chaos while fighting deepground to prevent Omega weapon from being brought to destroy the planet.
I would say the most imporant thing about Dirge of Cerberus is the depth that his relationships go. He gets mad when Reeve gets shot. He gives Reeve a pep talk, he genuinely cares about Reeve living (even though I don't share the sentiment because of the stupid suit). Cid tells him that Shera was worried about him and that they should have drinks sometimes. Shalua trusts him with the care of her sister, her reason for living. Lucrecia is constantly apologizing for things Vincent doesn't understand as he still believes he failed her. He still gets annoyed with Yuffie even though she saves his life. And he gets a sort of sister at the end after looking after Shelke. He finds reasons for living with his friends and it's a great dynamic for the otherwise lonely Vincent. Vincent doesn't get the benefit of being the mysterious side character, he has to feel and react.