Locations

Nibelheim
The small town that Tifa and Cloud grew up in is obviously more important to them, but it also has some bearing on Vincent as well. Vincent spent the last days of his human life in Nibelheim courting Lucrecia. Under the little entryway, he revealed his feelings for her, but was turned down.

The Shin-Ra Mansion
Located in northern Nibelheim, the mansion has been used as a place of research and relaxation by the Shin-Ra for years. The quiet location has made it ideal for conducting secret projects, most notably, The Jenova Project. No information is given on when or why the mansion was erected, but we can safely say that it is at least thirty years old.

Vincent was assigned to guard the Jenova Project team at the mansion. Unfortunately, it is here that he met his tragic and untimely end.

Foyer
The entry hall is sparsely decorated with only a large painting on the right wall, a large floor rug, and a grandiose chandelier hanging high above. There are various doors leading to other areas of the mansion as well as a curved staircase leading to the second floor.


To the left of the main entrance, a small open door room contains a writing desk and various equipment. It is here that Hojo left two letters detailing where one could find Vincent. The writing desk hints that the letters may also have been written here.

Parlor
On the first floor, in the northeast corner of the mansion is a sort of living room. Light pours into the room through the many wrought iron, arched windows. In the semi-circle nook, a round table with wooden chair is nicely arranged. For the Shin-Ra employee with musical ability, an ebony grand piano is placed in the right corner. Behind the piano, Hojo etched the second number needed to open the safe on the second floor.

Greenhouse
On the western end of the second floor is a circular greenhouse filled with healthy plants. Hojo has etched the first number needed to open the safe on the lid of a yellow item box on the floor.

Office
To the north of the greenhouse is a cozy little office. Pretty yellow curtains hang above the windows and bookshelves line the eastern wall. On the opposite wall are a desk and other various supplies. The safe containing the key to the secret room in the basement is discreetly tucked between the books and desk.

Second Floor Hallway
On the right end of the "L" shaped hallway, Hojo wrote the third and final safe number on the floor.

Master Bedroom
The southeastern room on the second floor is a neatly furnished bedroom likely used by someone of importance. A large floor rug, queen size bed, and red cushioned chair take up most of the room. A bookcase stands alone on the western wall. A curved brick wall seems out of place in the room, and upon further inspection, one will find that it is a hidden door.


In order to find the third number to the safe, we have to count steps starting from the red cushioned chair in the room. At some point, Hojo must have counted the steps out from here himself.

Hidden Staircase
Beyond the secret door in the bedroom is a tower with a long winding path leading down to the basement. It's dark, dirty, and the path is slowly deteriorating.

Basement Hallway
At the end of the winding path is the underground hallway to the laboratory. The basement is very cavern-like with stone jutting down from the ceiling. It's dank, dim, and there are even a few skeletons scattered around. It is in this hallway that Vincent agrees to join the party after speaking with him in the crypt.

Crypt
The key hidden in the safe on the second floor unlocks the door on the left in the basement hallway. Instead of charming furnishings like on the upper levels, the room is filled with skulls and coffins. In the center coffin lays Vincent, placed there by the conniving professor.

About a year before the game begins, Vincent's former colleague, Veld, accidentally discovers Vincent in the crypt. They chat for a short while, but Vincent eventually returns to his slumber. A year later, Vincent's sleep is again disrupted by Cloud and he eventually joins the team.

Laboratory
Shin-Ra's secret laboratory, which is filled from top to bottom with test tubes, beakers, and science equipment, is located at the east end of the basement. The operating table used for performing tests on Vincent is a focal point in the room.


Vincent's tragic fall slowly took place in this room. He first attempted to stop Lucrecia and Hojo's experimenting here, but failed. He came back to the labs to confront Hojo after Lucrecia's disappearance, but was shot and killed by the scientist. Hojo then revived and experimented on Vincent's body on the operating table. In previews for Dirge of Cerberus, Vincent can be seen floating in one of the giant test tubes, so it is likely that even more horrific things happened to Vincent while in the underground lab.

Lucrecia's Cave (???)
The central point of the western continent, the blue-tinted crystal cavern is hidden within a circle of mountains. Lucrecia has resided in this place ever since the disastrous incidents at the Nibelheim Mansion years ago. During the course of FF7, Vincent discovers that she is here and as alive as he is. It appears he will be returning to this place in Dirge of Cerberus often.

Kalm Town
The peaceful, Old English styled town plays a major role in the upcoming Dirge of Cerberus. Reeve invites Vincent to a festival here, but Kalm is unexpectedly attacked. This strange occurrence will eventually lead to a greater conflict. From what I can tell, Vincent will be doing a bit of reminiscing here, and it may be that the town will have a deeper, personal connection to Vincent. Dark Corner has an interesting theory on Vincent's possible connection to this town that is definitely worth a look.

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