Product Info

Platform

PlayStation 4

Publisher

Idea Factory International

Developer

Idea Factory / Compile Heart

Series

Hyperdimension Neptunia

Genre

RPG

Players

1

File Size (Minimum)

13.58 GB

Release Date (NA)

May 8, 2018

Release Date (JP)

Aug 24, 2017

Purchase From

Amazon

Best Buy

GameStop

PSN Store

The Neptunia series debuted on the PlayStation 3 in 2010 and its popularity has only increased with the release of additional games and an anime series. With virtual reality (VR) becoming more prevalent, the franchise has jumped on board with a remake of Megadimension Neptunia VII for the PlayStation VR called Megadimension Neptunia VIIR. However, not much has changed between the original and this new version.

Welcome, Player

Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is an entertaining game, but it isn’t worth picking up the PlayStation VR since the title can be played with or without it. Before playing the main campaign and in-between the game’s chapters, you will have the chance to meet and greet the game’s main characters in the “player’s room,” a generic-looking space with a bed, couch, entertainment set, and shelves.

Characters will come and go, and the only interaction you’ll have with them is answering simple questions by either shaking your head using the VR gear or the joystick to answer. Aside from that, you are simply listening to the characters chat away. These scenes don’t have anything to do with the main campaign, so there’s no real obligation to follow the dialogue or worry about the answers you give.

Aside from the Neptunia cast making their appearance, you can also change the room’s look to make it fancier for your special guests. If you enjoy the decorating and listening to the characters, then you may enjoy the VR segment. Otherwise, it’s not enough to hold one’s interest.

Breaking the Dimension

While the VR additions may not sate your hunger, the main campaign should suffice. Upgrades such as a higher polygon count and better shading have improved the game’s main visuals, but the story itself has not changed since the original release in 2015 (2016 in North America). Fortunately, the game’s dialogue is still humorous, and anyone who has not played any Neptunia games should not have to worry about the backstory. The game does a satisfactory job explaining each character’s history by having the main characters break the fourth wall and tell the audience everything in entertaining conversations.

Additionally, the Neptunia series has many references to game consoles and computers, such as the Sega, Nintendo, and PlayStation consoles. The majority of the characters in your roster are known as Console Patron Units (CPUs) which are goddesses that govern and protect their primary landmasses. These CPUs can transform into powerful alter-ego forms that not only update their outfits and appearances but also changes their personality as well. Moreover, the way the game showcases these transformations is quite entertaining; it’s as if you were watching an animated series like Sailor Moon.

Megadimension Neptunia VIIR introduces a new CPU, Uzume, who resembles the Sega Dreamcast and whose world is, unfortunately, on the brink of collapse. While the game doesn’t specifically call it the Dreamcast, VIIR makes numerous references to the classic console such as an orange swirl-like design and the use of the “world wide web” to describe the machine. A video game history tidbit: The Sega Dreamcast was the first gaming console that let players connect to the internet back in 1999, calling it the “world wide web.” When Uzume’s CPU transformation occurs, her color scheme uses orange, again resembling the Dreamcast. Those who are familiar with Sega’s past will enjoy the nostalgic nods.

It’ll Cost You

Typical role-playing games (RPGs) involve grinding if you want to level-up character stats (defense, health points, etc.) and earn money to buy supplies. Grinding is still required in VIIR, but it is more geared toward the game’s currency, credits. If you want to unlock character skills, create roads to dungeons, or run town campaigns, it will cost you money. While creating roads and running campaigns to earn unique items make sense, having to unlock skills feels off regardless of the fact that all moves are available to purchase right off the bat.

A-Scouting We Will Go

The world of Neptunia holds many secrets, but you won’t have to investigate them alone. You can send “scouts” to dungeons to pick up credits and items, find additional scouts, uncover new dungeons, and go on quests. You can take on as many quests and send out as many scouts as you want, depending on how many dungeons have been uncovered and the number of scouts you have on-hand. You can also send multiple scouts to the same dungeon, but it requires certain scouts to unlock additional roster spots.

The act of scouting itself is pretty bland, consisting of a choose-and-send menu with minimal animation. Each scout is set on a timer that begins once they leave, and when they return, you are given a report on the task. On the bright side, you do not need to be on the world map to initiate scouting. These activities can be done while exploring a dungeon, though not in the midst of battle, which makes sense since you’ll be too busy during combat anyway.

Tag-Team Back Again

Battles are turn-based, and during each turn, characters can move freely on the battlefield in a fixed diameter. You can take on enemies that are in your area of attack, but some may be outside of your reach, requiring you to skip a turn. However, skipping allows you to save energy for special attacks on your next turn.

If you save enough points for at least two characters on the battlefield, you can perform team attacks to take down enemies. Not only do you need a certain amount of energy saved for each character but their tag-team skills also require specific formations on the field. You may feel some aggravation with the time it takes to set up these tag-team moves, but once in position, the ensuing cinematic attack is both satisfying and fun to watch.

After each battle, your party is automatically healed, and all status effects are removed. While some may think this makes the game easier, truthfully, it’s a superb idea since enemies will knock your characters around quite a bit. Considering the limit on how many items you can carry and the cost to buy them, being healed after every battle is sigh of relief.

Upgrade Your CPU

Like most RPGs, your party can be upgraded with standard equipment, but VIIR lets you go deeper, allowing you to create unique game discs for your characters. To create a game discs, you need a set of “idea chips” which consist of unique stat boosts. Once you combine them into a disc, you can then add it to your character, or format the discs to start over. Don’t worry: you can keep your chips for a rainy day.

Aside from discs, you can get creative developing items based on plans you find throughout the game. Similar to alchemy, you will need to first gather certain ingredients and have a plan before making a brand new item or piece of equipment.

For characters with an alter-ego CPU form, the game lets you manage that form’s equipment, adding another layer of complexity. Still, alternate form or no, any piece of equipment that gets updated is reflected visually on the character model as well. Neat!

Deja Vu

Megadimension Neptunia VIIR’s many dungeons and backdrops begin to feel lackluster after six hours of gameplay. While the map layouts themselves change, the scenery and character backdrops are re-used, making exploring dull and grinding for levels and credits feel even more tiresome than they already are. Good dungeon design encourages exploration, and unfortunately, the sameness of everything here only makes you want to get through them as fast as possible.

Thankfully, the game adds a great option to skip combat animations, making battles go quicker and feel less tedious, which is helpful since enemies reappear on the map after a short time.

No Transfer

For those who have played the original Megadimension Neptunia VII, you won’t receive any special treatment or even have any of the previously released DLC included by default. You will still be eased into the mechanics of the game for six hours with quite a few tutorials in-between and then slowly fed new additions afterward, such as building roads to new dungeons and towns and running campaigns in each main city. As for the DLC, you will have to purchase extra inventory slots or higher-graded weapons separately, which is disappointing.

Summary

Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is an entertaining title for Neptunia fans with its unique characters and storytelling. However, with only minor campaign adjustments and a slapped-on VR experience that is more novelty than necessity, those who have played the original title will have a difficult time justifying a return visit. For everyone else, go with the blessing of a CPU.

Disclaimer: A digital review copy was provided by Idea Factory International.