Hyperdimension Neptunia

The Neplushie Is Our Second Anime Expo Exclusive Item At The Idea Factory Booth!

by Josh JacksonJune 5, 2017

In our story about the pixel Neptune figure being the first AX exclusive this year, we promised that there was more to come. Following up on that promise, Idea Factory has revealed their second exclusive item for con-goers at this year’s Anime Expo, and it might look a little familiar!

This eight inch “Neplushie” closely resembles the handmade plush that Plutia used as one of her weapons in HyperDimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3 and Victory. Except now, we all have the benefit of hanging it on our keys! So the next time we can’t find them on the way out the door, having the notoriously lazy and irresponsible Nep to guard them will give us an out. It’s better than acknowledging our failing memory, that’s for sure.

As mentioned previously, the exclusive items will surely pop up on Iffy’s Online Store if you can’t make it to LA that weekend, but for all those that can, you better make a B-line to booth 4401!

And that’s not all! IF is promising one more big surprise, and we’ll be sure to let you know what it is when we find out!

Idea Factory’s First Anime Expo 2017 Exclusive Is Pixel Neptune!

by Josh JacksonJune 4, 2017

Last year, Idea Factory went all Comic Con on us with their exclusive Anime Expo merchandise. This year, we’re getting the slow burn treatment with items being revealed as we approach the convention taking place from July 1-4. Knowing that we could never have enough Nep in our lives, the first item set to debut on the Exhibit Hall floor is this adorable pixel Neptune!

Made up of 140 ~~Lego~~ connectable brick pieces, this mini goddess stands at 2.5 inches, perfect for when you want to low key worship everything that is Planeptune. If you can’t make it to the show, chances are this item will hit Iffy’s Online Store sooner than later, much like last year’s Top Nep hats, the NepuNepu plushies and the NEXT form T-Shirts. But for everyone else, you know where to be when the merch hall opens.

With that first reveal out of the way, what could be coming next? Stay tuned in the coming days as we wait for the next announcement.

Class Is In Session This May In ‘MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune Vs. Zombies’

by Josh JacksonApril 20, 2016

Better late than never as they say.

Originally scheduled to release at the end of April, the follow-up to last year’s action spinoff, Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed, seriously titled MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune Vs. Zombies, will now signal back to school season on May 10th.

Taking place in an alternate universe where the CPU and CPU Candidates of the main Neptunia games are all students in a school called Gamicademi, Lowee CPU, Blanc, takes center stage as her and her friends decide to make a zombie movie. But when the monsters in their film all turn out to really be the undead, the girls must band together once again to protect their campus, while getting it all on film in the process.

Featuring up to four player co-op, which is a franchise first, MegaTagmension looks to bring the pain with all the hack and slash goodness we found in the Action Unleashed, and cranking it up through the roof with more players, more goddesses, and more enemies to defeat. With newcomers like Plutia, Peashy, Uzume, and the debuting Tamsoft joining the fight, there won’t be a shortage of carnage when the game graduates to our PS Vita handhelds.

Check out our coverage of the original release for screenshots of the Japanese version. Who will you lead to Gamicademi greatness? Let us know in the comments, and keep your eyes peeled for more updates as they become available.

Woo Your Waifu With These ‘Hyperdimension Neptunia’ Valentine’s Cards!

by Josh JacksonFebruary 14, 2016

Have you been having a hard time finding a way to show your waifu how much she means to you? Or maybe you want to surprise your husbando with some thoughtful words, but can’t manage to put sentences together after days of texting in acronyms? Well, Idea Factory has our backs with these Hyperdimension Neptunia Valentine’s Day cards courtesy of their Facebook page.

Featuring the four main CPU’s, IF, Compa, Warechu, the sadomasochistic Iris Heart, dandy Umio, and the newest CPU introduced in the recently released Megadimension Neptunia VII, Uzume Tennouboshi, these cards are sure to warm your cold, weeaboo heart better than any body pillow ever could. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go on an all night raid? We are talking Four Goddesses Online, right? Sadly, the CPU Candidates are nowhere to be found, but promoting underage love might not be what the company is going for… This year.

Check out the cards below and tell us what your favorites are! While your at it, let us know your your waifu or husbando is on this day of love! We’ll only accept the best of the best girls and boys, so choose well!

The Top 10 Gaming Waifus Of 2015

by Josh JacksonJanuary 8, 2016

Warning: Potential spoilers follow!

The New Year is here! Which means for many of us, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the past year and think about what you did right, what you can improve on and how you can tackle 2016 in the best way possible. Or for the rest of us, you think back on all the fictional characters you were totally crushing on through 2015.

Yes, that’s right! It’s time for the second annual waifu of the year list (check out last year’s list right here), and if you were expecting it to be a one and done feature after I would have been inevitably added to the sexual offenders list, I’m just as surprised as you are. But before we get into the list, let’s show some appreciation for the fantastic waifu candidates that just missed the cut this year.

Rise Kujikawa (Persona 4: Dancing All Night)

While in the midst of a big comeback tour, a pop idol should probably spend her time brushing up on her choreography and screaming at interns for bringing them the wrong mineral water. Yet, Ms. Kujikawa decides to spend it saving her understudies from the clutches of monsters who must be fought with the power of dance. It was hard to list Rise over the new girl, Kanami Mashita, but considering the new girl is a big reason why the crap hit the fan to begin with, her senpai gets the nod here. The only reason why Rise didn’t make the main list is because her time to shine is essentially stolen by the swagtastic Yu Narukami, but that doesn’t mean her contributions shouldn’t be acknowledged.

Toko Fukawa (Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls)

In the original Danganronpa, Toko was often rude, shrewd, and oh so smelly, to the point where her alter ego overshadowed her in every possible way. When you consider that said alter ego is a serial killer, then you must really be a special kind of awful. Then Another Episode came along, and we were reintroduced to a strong, steadfast girl who was able to be Komaru’s voice of reason when being trapped on a secluded island full of killer robot Monokuma’s become too much to bear, (pun intended af.) So much so in fact, that even Genocide Jack develops self control along the way, serving as an invaluable ally for the Future Foundation. Toko would have normally been a shoe in for this year’s waifu list, except that she still only has eyes for Byakuya Togami. Anyone else would likely wind up dead, so yeah… There’s that.

Quest Receptionist (Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate)

Always there to greet you with a smile and a bad joke right before you take off to fight towering beasts that are likely to maul you, the mission girl is the cornerstone of any successful caravan. Now if she actually did something more than sit in a chair and make fun of you, then she would definitely be top waifu material. Regardless, she left her mark on the hearts of the Monster Hunter fandom, and that’s what counts.

Ayumi Shinozaki (Corpse Party: Blood Drive)

A shy girl with good intentions, this spiritually sensitive girl will do anything for her friends, even if it means diving back into a haunted school where most of them were previously killed in the hopes that she can revive them. Such loyalty is rare these days, which is why Ayumi deserves a nod. But we should also mention that her friends are essentially dead because of her, and returning to revive them means the ones that are still alive could end up killed as a result! But you know, an A for effort, Ayumi.

The Criminal Girls (Criminal Girls)

Now we can’t compile a list as ~~pathetic~~ amazing this one and not talk about the Criminal Girls, a group of mostly underage female inmates that are forced to help you as a guard, (who’s essentially a Pokemon Trainer if the monsters were girls of questionable morals,) escape a prison overrun with demons. That would be all well and good if criminals had any respect for the law, but considering these girls have an NWA attitude towards your authority, the only way to get them to follow your commands is to tie them down and spank them into submission… I mean, that really says it all, doesn’t it? The girls might have made the proper list if the game they star in wasn’t an absolute bore to play, but the concept is too absurd to ignore. So here’s your time to shine girls! And we’ll see you in 2016 in the sequel!

So after asking yourself how this made publication in the first place, you might be wondering who could have made the final cut with so many great characters on the sidelines! From weeaboo bait, to some of the biggest titles of the year, we scoured the gaming landscape and compiled the definitive list of waifu’s 2015 had to offer. From ninjas, to CPUs, vault dwellers to squids, and even a dude. Crack open your ramune and curl up with your favorite body pillow as we proudly (?) bring to you the top 10 waifus of 2015!

10. Homura (Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson)

An evil ninja formerly of the Hebijo Clandestine Girls’ Academy, Homura and her squad have become renegade ninjas, on the run from their former allies after helping the good ninjas of Hanzo Academy foil Hebijo’s plan for world domination at the end of the first Senran Kagura. Despite being rightfully known as the game that was specifically created for 3D boobs on Nintendo’s handheld, the games have deceptively strong storylines behind all the clothes tearing and shameless zoom ins. But what makes Homura stand out beyond all of the other Senran Kagura girls is that despite her cold, distant exterior, she’ll do anything to protect her friends, even if it means putting herself at risk. Whether that means shielding her fellow renegades from the wrath of their old school, or fighting alongside her childhood friend / good ninja rival, Asuka, Homura is never one to let pride get in the way of doing what’s right. To top it off, when her 10 kitanas, (which are incredibly badass by the way,) can’t get the job done, her Crimson Mode helps her take the battle to the next level.

9. Lin (Xenoblade Chronicles X)

The girl with the Monado hair pins. Lin Lee Koo is the resident prodigy of New Los Angeles, serving as the top mechanic for the BLADES as they explore the seemingly uncharted planet of Mira. In addition to being the one who services the team’s giant mechs, or Skells in this case, she also manages to hold her own in battle, wielding a heavy shield that’s as big as she is. It also helps to be tech savvy when everyone in town is using a substitute mechanical body.

But more so than all of that, Lin finds herself on the list mostly because of all the controversy that surrounded the ability to dress her up. After Nintendo added some extra cloth to a costume that they felt was too revealing for a 13 year old in the West, a segment of Xenoblade fans had a meltdown, fighting the decision tooth and nail to protect the integrity of the original work. Others might have just wanted to see her half naked, but the point is people were obsessing over her look for a very long time. Her being awesome is just a bonus!

8. Me (Fallout 4)

After spending enough time in the wastelands of Fallout 4, I came to the conclusion that I’m a pretty awesome wife. In a time that’s easily full of confusion after waking up from a cryogenic sleep, only to find everyone who was with you has been long dead and the last thing you witnessed was your spouse getting killed as your son was kidnapped, it’s all a lot to take in. But I pushed on, hell bent to rescue my son from the monsters who ripped him from my husband’s arms, eating and drinking as much radioactive meat and water as I can along the way. But in between developing stage 3 lymphoma with every meal, maybe I can help these passerby’s along the way? Or find this missing item for this questionable traveler? Wait, who was I supposed to rescue again?

If my version of Fallout Wife wasn’t so easily sidetracked, she could have been much higher on the list, but since I play as if my kid isn’t as important as these shady strangers I keep coming across, my priorities are clearly all out of whack. Number 8 sounds like a good place since I should get around to saving my son. Eventually…

By the way, Fallout 4‘s female lead voice actor was just on Geekscape this past week, which you can listen to right here.

7. Me (Hatoful Boyfriend)

I had trouble finding a picture that captured my good side in Hatoful Boyfriend. Oh, I know, how about this?

When I’m not a decapitated robot scarecrow tied down with a burlap sack, I’m a mild mannered middle school girl attending St. PigeoNation’s Institute for birds. I also happen to be the only human attending. In Hatoful Boyfriend, I have the capacity to love everybirdie, so much so that I’m acting as a secret liaison to re-establish human-bird relationships, unbeknownst even to me! Some of my friends have weird tastes in clothes, but still not any less weird than a human dating a pigeon.

As a hunter-gatherer who has enough compassion to not only serve as the ambassador for an entire species, but to fall in love with men of other species, my Hatoful self was a no brainer for this year’s list… Especially since I spend half the game without a brain. Whether I’m going to festivals with my bird boyfriend, or curling up next to him as a head in a jar while an army of bloodthirsty soldiers look to murder us in what could be our final moments, I must say that this time around, I’m a pretty good catch!

6. Me (Amnesia: Memories)

Making the list three times!? I think I’ve set some kind of waifu record!

When it came down to all of the different iterations of “me” this year, the top waifu goes to my female self in Amnesia: Memories. Imagine being a college girl who’s memories get erased when a well-meaning demon accidentally gets trapped in your brain, and said demon is the only person you can trust as you try to piece together your life while keeping your memory loss hidden from those who might take advantage of it. Sucks, doesn’t it? But despite all this, Amnesia me has such a big heart. Despite my potential husbandos being completely awkward around me, having magical eyes that make every girl *except* me fall in love with him, being so protective of me that they lock me in a dog cage so I can’t leave the house, or even a man with a split personality, one of which wants to kill me, the fact that I’m still able to find the capacity to love these men is amazing in and of itself.

Above all else however, if I get tired of a guy and want to dump them, rather than break their heart, I can just jump to a different dimension where I never dated them at all! If nothing else, at least I’m empathetic.

5. Jonah (Rise of the Tomb Raider)

What’s the first thing you notice about Jonah?

Yes, Scott. But aside from that. Jonah is the only companion from the Tomb Raider reboot to follow Lara into her latest adventure, serving as the textbook definition of her ride or die. Anyone can say that they would follow you to the ends of the earth, but Jonah really means it. Whether he’s traveling to war torn Syria, or to the Siberian mountains to track down an ancient relic that may or may not exist, the man even takes a knife for her! Forget that he’s so deep in the friend zone that a pair of pickaxes couldn’t dig him out, because he’s always there for Lara when she needs him.

Yes, he’s a guy, and I know that I disqualified guys last year, (no matter how feminine they looked,) but I would give Jonah a shot as my waifu just on the merits of how awesome he is.

4. Plutia (Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation)

In last year’s list, Neptune took the number two spot primarily on the basis that she was essentially every gamer’s dream girl. If you took those qualities and applied them to Plutia, she would be Neptune cranked up to 11. A perpetually sleepy and highly impressionable girl who will only greet the day if it means being able to play video games, knit dolls, or balk at any and all responsibility, the goddess of V Generation‘s alternate version of Planeptune doesn’t seem like much at first glance. But if you make her angry, she takes up a form that strikes fear in the hearts of friend and foe alike.

In her CPU form, Plutia’s personality takes a complete 180 as Iris Heart, a goddess that takes as much pleasure in punishing her friends as she does her enemies. Nicknamed “Sadie” for her sadomasochistic tendencies, her whip and high heels can grind any foe into submission, leading her allies to dread the occasions when Iris Heart is forced to show herself. Yet, some of you might be into that kind of thing, getting the best of both worlds from this polarizing Neptunia character. And if you are indeed that kind of person, Plutia will make her playable return in this year’s multiplayer extravaganza, MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune Vs. Zombies. Get hyped!

3. Komaru Naegi (Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls)

Often touted as a regular girl who can’t do anything special, everything that takes place in Danganronpa: Ultra Despair Girls flies in the face of that idea. Despite being trapped on an island full of killer robots that are out to kill her, while a group of insane children turn hunting her into a game, Komaru doesn’t do too bad for herself! Armed with a special megaphone that can destroy and manipulate almost all of the machinery in Towa City, the girl who initially only known as the little sister of former protagonist Makoto Naegi, grows into a defender of hope in the face of growing despair.

Despite secretly being groomed to become the successor to the Ultimate Despair, Junko Enoshima, Komaru forsakes revenge and spares the lives of the innocent Monokuma Kids in the process, ending her adventure with both the kids and the adults out for her head. What the future holds for Komaru might still be unknown, but being able to make such a difficult choice, taking on all of the hatred of an entire town and carrying it on her back, earns her the number three spot on this illustrious list.

2. Callie and Marie (Splatoon)

Whether you’re a kid or a squid, there’s not a person who has played Splatoon who hasn’t fallen in love with Callie and Marie, collectively known as the squid sisters. Acting as news reporters who make sure to clue you in on all of what’s happening in Inkopolis each time you boot up the game, the girls are known to up the stakes every now and again with occasional Splatfests. Unlike any other waifu on this list, Callie and Marie have the power to manipulate Inklings around the world to fight in their name over such important matters as deciding if burgers are better than pizza.

However, rumor has it that in addition to keeping the world of Splatoon up to date, the two are said to secretly act under the guise of Agents 1 and 2, protecting the city from the hidden Octoling threat. As driven career women, it’s amazing that they’re able to find the time to work as undercover agents while managing to make wise cracks at each other in between discussing new stages. And if you think putting both girls on the list as part of the same entry is a cop out, it is! Because I can’t decide which one between the two is best girl. While Callie’s energetic personality would usually win out, Marie’s sarcastic wit delivered what had to have been the best line of the year, declaring that Team Science lost against Team Art because her team “had jobs to do.” Right in the feelers, Marie.

Whichever one you prefer, it’s undeniable that Callie and Marie have become the icons of what’s arguably the biggest new IP of 2015, so get used to those faces, because I expect to see them for a long time. And as always…

We’ve gone through a lot of amazing characters, but only one can stand alone as the undisputed “Best Girl” of 2015. So without further ado, the top waifu of 2015 is…

1. Nepgear (Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2: Sisters Generation, Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation)

Releasing in very early 2015, we were re-intruduced to Nepgear in Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2: Sisters Generation, and from the moment the download started on my PS Vita, it was love at first byte. As the resident techy of the group, Nepgear rocks at tinkering as much as she rocks that school uniform, often daydreaming of all things robotic.

Being the little sister of the series protagonist means having to live up to some high expectations, especially when said protagonist and all of her friends from the previous game start off as captured and powerless. From the point of Nepgear’s escape and rise from the ashes was one of the most enjoyable journeys I played during the year. Yes, I know that seemingly the majority of the fandom craps on the second game due to it losing a big portion of the first game’s humor in favor of a doom and gloom story with heavy anti-piracy themes. From a narrative standpoint however, Nepgear and the rest of the little sisters, under her leadership, are able to rise above hate, never give up and eventually surpass the goddesses, becoming incredibly powerful in their own right.

Nepgear in her CPU form as Purple Sister

Which is more the reason Re;Birth 3 broke my heart a little when it came to Nepgear. The game regained its trademark humor, turning the fans’ dislike for the second game, turning it into a big joke, and directing it straight at Purple Sister herself. Despite the fact that her only sin was coddling Neptune way too much, that didn’t stop her beloved sister from constantly putting her down, mocking her status as former main character, and turning her friends against her to the point where she even convinces her allies from the second game that it’s perfectly okay to leave her trapped in another dimension when it came to the “good” ending of the third game. A dimension she wouldn’t have been in in the first place if she didn’t travel between worlds to rescue Neptune AGAIN!

But speaking of alternate endings, the most controversial moment in the entire series falls squarely on Nepgear’s shoulders during the Conquest Ending of Re;Birth 2. The only thing Nep Jr. loves more than her sister and friends is Gamindustri itself, and this ending proves how far she will go when it comes to protecting the world she’s come to care for so much. In a desperate attempt to vanquish their enemies once and for all, the girls learn of a forbidden weapon that absorbs the life energy of CPUs to build its strength. From here, its open season, as Nepgear travels from land to land, slaughtering all of her friends, including her best friend, Uni, and the twin girls, Rom and Ram, the former of which looks up to Nepgear like a big sister. Eventually, only Neptune herself is standing, but not for long…

What the goodness!?

After all the Re;Birth 3 shenanigans, I almost wanted this to be canon, but when she’s not slaughtering everyone she holds dear, Nepgear is a strong, reliable girl who’s managed to charm the knee socks off of us. Plus, we’re humans, so when the inevitable day comes when Nepgear finally snaps, is there anyone better to be in your corner?

So there’s your list of top waifus for 2015! Did your favorite make the cut, or were our trash waifus far too inferior to deserve the honor of best girl? Share your thoughts, picks, and all the reasons why I’m wrong with us in the comments below, and tweet me your suggestions @InuJoshua!

Jump Into The Fray With These ‘Megadimension Neptunia VII’ Battle Screenshots!

by Josh JacksonJanuary 6, 2016

While it shouldn’t surprise anyone at this point that the next full fledged sequel in the Hyperdimension Neptunia series was heading to the Western shores, that doesn’t mean we can’t be through the roof excited over playing as all of our favorite goddesses on our PS4’s! Sporting a snazzy new name to go with its current gen debut, Megadimension Neptunia VII is the first full fledged sequel since 2012’s Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory, despite numerous remakes and spinoffs to fill the gaps.

Even as a hardcore Nep fan, it’s fair to say that the battle formula between all of the Vita remakes and the core PS3 series, (not to mention different franchises with similar game play like Fairy Fencer F,) is starting to get a little tired, which is why we were as excited as Peashy with Nep’s Pudding when it was announced that the battle system is getting some interesting sounding features. If you wanted to see what this would look like in action, look no further, because this latest set of battle screenshots should give us a clue or two.

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Where do I begin? Seeing Orange Heart in action? Those sweet, new moves with all the flash that we’d expect from the girls of Gamindustri! Nepgear with her mech, Nepgeardam in tow, and an army of Umio’s! Does this make sense to you? If not, you’ll have a great opportunity to get caught up when Megadimension Neptunia VII launches for the PS4 early this year. Oh, and if you’re a fan of cool stuff, don’t forget that pre-orders of the limited edition go up at 10:00 AM PST on January 7th!

Neptune Becomes A Motorcycle In ‘Hyperdimension War Neptunia VS Sega Hard Girls: Dream Fusion Special’

by Josh JacksonAugust 17, 2015

Last month, we mentioned that resident adventurer, IF, would be getting her first starring role in the now titled Hyperdimension War Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls: Dream Fusion Special. As expected, Neptune and friends would also be making an appearance, but as we would learn in the latest details released for the game, it might not be in a way we would expect.

Part of the set up of the game is Neptune’s fight against the titular Sega Hard Girls. At the start, her fight against Sega Saturn somehow gets her changed into a motorcycle. This “Nepbike” seems awfully convenient, considering IF has been known to be great on a bike in the past. How this will affect the story or game play hasn’t been revealed, but at some point, you just kind of have to shrug your shoulders and go with it when it comes with this series.

IF and Sega Hatsumi will travel across five different eras, each of which represent a different time in Sega’s hardware history. According to Gematsu, these include:

The Mega Drive Era- An ancient civilization.

The Game Gear Era- A civilization based on a Steampunk design.

The Sega Saturn Era- A civilization that appears similar to Middle Ages Europe.

The Dreamcast Era- The most advanced civilization, most resembling modern times.

The Modern Era- A mostly destroyed land, mirroring Sega’s fall as a hardware developer.

In addition, some of the supporting cast has been revealed. The characters we know about so far are as follows:

Uzume Tennouboshi (voiced by Mariko Honda)

Plutia (voiced by Kana Hanazawa)

Nepgear (voiced by Yui Horie)

Sega Saturn (voiced by Minami Takahashi)

Dreamcast (voiced by MAO)

Mega Drive (voiced by Shiori Izawa)

Game Gear (voiced by Minami Tanaka)

With so much information being released, it’s odd that we still don’t know what kind of game this will be! Still, you know that once we know, we’ll be sure to pass it down to you! What are you expecting from the battle between Neptunia and the Sega Hard Girls? Sound off below!

Source: gematsu.com

‘Extreme Tag Blanc + Neptune VS Zombie Army’ Gets A New Character; Additional Details

by Josh JacksonAugust 17, 2015

More details have emerged for the upcoming Hyperdimension Neptunia spinoff, Extreme Tag Blanc + Neptune VS. Zombie Army. In addition to Plutia, Uzume and Peashy being confirmed last month, a unique character to this title, Tamsoft-chan, will make her debut alongside the rest of the cast.

Gaining her namesake from the developers of the game, (as well as the excellent Hyperdimension Neptunia U, and the horrendous Producing Perfection,) Tamsoft-chan joins Blanc and her friends after learning about their “interesting” activities while tagging along with Dengekiko and Famitsu. Aside from her love of festivals, (and her apparent hatred of bras,) we don’t know much about Tamsoft at this point. However, if she doesn’t fight with a sword in the style of the developer’s Onechanbara series, I’d be shocked.

What we do know however, is how the rest of the recently revealed characters will fight. Uzume can use up close kick attacks in addition to her megaphone, while Plutia uses her dolls to deal damage, even allowing them to attack on their own. When in her CPU form, her sword grants her long range, making her enemies suffer like only Sadie can. Lastly, Peashy keeps things simple, fighting with close range attacks with crushing punches and kicks. In other words, they’re exactly like they should be.

With the cast growing steadily, Zombie Army is shaping up to be a much bigger game than its action based predecessor. While no Western release has been confirmed, we’ll be counting the days until the announcement hits. Until then, Japan will receive the game exclusively for PS Vita this October.

Source: gematsu.com

Plutia and Peashy Will Fight The Undead In ‘Intense Dimension Tag Blanc + Neptune Vs. The Zombie Army’

by Josh JacksonJuly 23, 2015

Good news for Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory fans! Dengeki Magazine is reporting that Plutia and Peashy, two of the characters introduced in Neptune’s third game, will make their return in Intense Dimension Tag Blanc + Neptune Vs. The Zombie Army, (and yes, that’s the full title.) After being largely absent from the series outside of their debut appearance and its recent Vita remake, it’ll be great to see the Ultradimension’s CPU’s in a full fledged action game. I’m just wondering how sadistic Iris Heart will be this time around…

Following Noire’s lead after the release of the Lastation CPU’s own game, Hyperdevotion Noire, the folks at Idea Factory and Tamsoft decided it was Blanc’s turn to get her own game. Based on the hack and slash game play from this Spring’s Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed, (which we showered with praise in our review,) this upcoming title puts the Lowee CPU in the lead role as her and her friends take on a zombie army in a new school setting.

Featuring Blanc, Neptune, Noire, Vert, Nepgear, Uni, Rom, Ram, Dengekiko, and Victory II‘s Uzume in addition to the two new ladies, it’s looking like the upcoming spinoff will increase its roster exponentially. Naturally, this is great considering this game will be the first in the series to allow up to four player cooperative play! With as much fun as we had with U, I’m excited to think how much better Zombie Army will be with all these new additions.

On top of the recent reveal for IF’s own game, how much more Neptune will we get!? We’ve gathered every screenshot released so far, so check out the CPU’s in action below, and let us know which character is your best girl! Intense Dimension Tag Blanc is set for a Vita release by the end of the year in Japan, with a Western release yet to be announced. But come on, we got Producing Perfection, and that game sucked! Surely we’re getting this, right?

Sources: Siliconera, RPGSite.net

Details Surface For The Ridiculously Titled ‘Hyperdimension Neptunia Vs. Sega Hard Girls: Dream Fusion Special’

by Josh JacksonJuly 13, 2015

If you couldn’t tell by reading our site or listening to the Geekscape Games podcast, Idea Factory can really churn out those Hyperdimension Neptunia games. Within the last year, the West has seen six as it is, with a proper sequel AND a zombie slaying spin-off starring Lowee’s CPU, Blanc, on the horizon. And yet, what if I told you that yet another spinoff is on its way?

In Hyperdimension Neptunia Vs. Sega Hard Girls, this upcoming Vita exclusive will put players in the oversized coat of IF, one of the original human, or “maker” characters from the original RPG who has stood by Neptune’s side ever since. This tough, no nonsense guild leader finally gets a starring role, (and a redesign to go with it,) once the history books of the Grand Library begin to disappear. Altering these stories has the ability to change history itself, so Iffy takes it upon herself to go on an adventure through space and time to get them back.

Not that she’ll be alone on this adventure. As the title mentioned, Sega themed characters will make their appearance to fight alongside IF, namely Sega Hatsumi. This girl with an outfit that vaguely reminds us of a certain hedgehog, seems to be the key to the changes in history between the Sega Hard Girls and the four goddesses of Gamindustri, but how her role will play out is yet to be seen.

Game play wise, details are still murky as to what kind of game this will be, but based on the screenshots released so far, the game seems to be taking a more action based approach, which is perfect for the knife wielding heroine and her tough personality. Whether or not any other familiar faces will appear is yet to be seen as well, but come on, it’s a Neptunia game! It’s practically expected at this point.

Check out the latest screenshots and the official synopsis from Dengeki Online below, and make sure to keep checking back for more information on this and other titles as it breaks.

Source: gematsu.com, Dengeki Online

Story

A grand library that governs all of this world’s history.

If the history books stored there are tampered with, it is said that it is possible to rewrite actual history.

IF, with a certain goal in mind and after a long journey, finally sets foot within the grand library.

However, within that library, an incident occurs and the history books begin to disappear one after the other.

The disappearance of the history books means a loss of real history.

Before her very eyes, history is being lost, and then, the world.

To resolve this incident, IF must journey across space and time on a new adventure.

■ Characters

IF (voiced by Kana Ueda)

The game’s protagonist. She’s an adventurer who travels around the world with her trusty motorcycle just trying to find a bit of fun and a brighter future in a modern age where civilization has fallen. She’s diligent, cool, and level-headed, as well as the group peacemaker, but her only flaw is that she suffers a little bit from chuunibyou syndrome.

Sega Hatsumi (voiced by Emi Nitta)

An unidentifiable girl who lost her memory. She goes by Segami, or Segamin. Although she doesn’t remember anything outside her own name, for some reason she shows an uncommon tenacity in changing the history of the conflict between the goddesses and Sega Hard Girls. Although she has the spirit of a leader and is charismatic, she occasionally doesn’t listen to others when they talk, and bewilders her friends with ideas out of left field.

Geekscape Games Reviews ‘Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation’

by Josh JacksonJune 30, 2015

When I heard that Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory was getting the remake treatment in the form of a third Re;Birth game, I was curious to see how that would turn out. After all, part of the purpose of creating the remakes in the first place was to improve on the first two games by designing them with the game play mechanics of the third title. So when it came to recreating Neptune’s most recent canonical adventure in Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation, the game takes chances with tweaks to the game play mechanics, more plans to create, new story scenes, and larger environments. While it’s reassuring that the game is more than a copy paste job, not all of these updates are for the better.

Our return to Gamindustri is met with complete apathy from our CPU heroines. After enjoying years of peace after the events of the previous games, Neptune and the others have spent their time playing video games all day while neglecting their work, (which hits a little too close to home.) As word of restless citizens forming an organization that seeks to create a world without CPU’s spreads, Nep is finally forced to create some goodwill by getting off her butt and working for the people. As we’ve learned many times over however, work sucks, which is proven since Nep’s questing results in her getting transported to an alternate universe based on gaming in the late 80’s. Now stranded without her CPU powers, Planeptune’s goddess must help Plutia, this dimension’s constantly sleepy, (and secretly sadistic,) goddess of Planeptune, and the alternate versions of Noire, Blanc and Vert, while restoring her strength, fighting off the mysterious Seven Sages who look to rid Gamindustri of the goddesses, and building up enough energy to return home.

It wouldn’t be Neptunia without endless gaming references.

For those who thought the second game was had toned down the humor too much compared to the constantly lighthearted story of the first game, V Generation takes the narrative back to its roots along with its original protagonist. Rarely serious, the story serves as a parody of the game industry from the NES days, with bits and pieces of modern gaming mixed in. One of the highlights of the dialogue aside from the constant fourth wall breaking and gaming reverences galore, (does anyone else remember Fighting Vipers?), is to see how events such as the rise of Sony, the fall of Nintendo, and Xbox’s oversees struggles play out. These scenes are an interesting love letter to those who have been following the industry for so long, acting as a reward for playing in its own right. With that in mind, the experience would be even more enjoyable if more of it was voiced. It seemed like the dialogue here was only displayed through text more often than its predecessors, which was a bit disappointing.

Exploration is essentially the same as its always been, choosing which country you want to go to by selecting it on an overworld map. In addition to obtaining missions through the guild, shopping for items, or talking to the citizens of Gamindustri like in past games, a news based broadcast called the Nepstation debuts to break up the action at the start of every chapter. Usually delivering a humorous retelling of past events, selling bulk items, or offering in game trivia, I found this to be a small, yet memorable addition to the map. Once in a dungeon, the leader of the party plays an even larger role, with unlockable leader abilities that boost the whole party. Special challenges increase stats or award Plans as they are achieved as well, so actions like running or jumping a certain amount, attacking enemies in the field to initiate battles, or even accomplishments in battle like taking damage or landing a certain amount of hits all lead to these boosts, giving players an extra reason to rotate their party and its leaders.

Nearly every action, (or non-action,) will boost your stats.

Game play wise, battles are largely unchanged, but the way special attacks are handled was altered into a different beast, resembling something more similar to what was featured in the original version of the second game. In this full range turn based battle system, characters move in real time while they position themselves to center as many enemies as they can in their attack range. Each weapon and ability has its own attack area, making positioning vital to achieving victory, (no pun intended.) Broken down into three types of attacks, Rush builds up the EX/SP meter faster with multi hit moves, (we’ll talk more about the meter soon,) Power does more damage, and Break weakens enemy shields, allowing more damage per hit when completely broken. Starting with three attacks for every turn, unlocking EX attacks that trigger based on how full your SP bar is, and using items to synthesize extra attack slots now give each character the opportunity to use five attacks each round.

While this all sounds almost exactly like the previous games, the biggest change comes with the removal of the EX meter and integrating it into the SP meter. In the past, the SP meter was used to pay for special attacks, and was replenished by attacking, using items or leaving the area to recover it in full. The EX meter on the other hand, was a separate bar that was shared by the party. It could only be filled by attacking, and could be used to allow EX attacks, (as mentioned above,) or pay for EXE Drives, ultimate abilities that served as the quickest way to defeat bosses. While this system was admittedly easy to exploit and abused to breeze through tough fights, the new system makes it much harder to do so.

The flashiest attacks now come with a huge price.

While trying to strike a better balance is all well and good, I found that aspect to be the only advantage of the new, (old?), system. With the two meters combined, the SP meter is divided into four segments, which also act as the levels of the EX meter. Using EX attacks drains the meter, while each character gets their own instead of sharing it. Draining the bar at the wrong time will leave your characters stranded with their standard attacks while they rebuild their SP, so wasting it is a surefire way to crash and burn. The reason why this comes off as much more tedious is that leaving dungeons no longer replenishes the bar, forcing you to either use a ton of items, or grind out hits against weaker enemies until it fills. Considering how even transforming now costs a fifth of the bar on top of the EXE Drives and SP attack costs, you’ll find yourself spending more time than you want to fighting for the sake of having fully functional teammates again. But the absolute biggest flaw is that unlike past games, most of the single character EXE Drive attacks have to be unlocked, while the ones unlocked throughout the story are mostly double team moves. While powerful, these attacks use up 50% to 75% of the meter for BOTH characters, making half of your four person party essentially useless against bosses unless that attack was the finishing blow. Even if it is, guess what? More SP grinding!

Once you reach the late game chapters, you’ll be begging for the exploitable EX meter to return too, if for no other reason than to keep yourself from shattering your Vita in a blind rage. While Re;Birth 1 had its share of difficulty spikes, and Re;Birth 2 was a bit too easy for my tastes, this third game literally goes from one end of the spectrum to the other, sometimes in the same dungeon. There’s nothing more frustrating than blowing through all of the standard enemies in a dungeon with one turn KO’s, worried that you’re over-leveled, to getting one or two hit KO’d by bosses in those very same dungeons. I’m all for a challenge when it comes to my games, but I would also want it to build up over time. Re;Birth 3 doesn’t do this, making grinding, item hoarding, or blind luck a must to advance through the late game, a factor I didn’t encounter with its predecessors.

You’ll need those extra attack slots to survive the late game battles.

That’s not to say that Re;Birth 3 doesn’t have its fair share of improvements. Most prominently, the frame rate in battles and dungeon exploration has been improved to display a smooth, steady pace. Big attacks don’t chug along as noticably, and running through the maps are free of the slowdown that served as an annoyance in the prequels. Ironically, it’s with fixing another past complaint that the slowdown rears its ugly head again. Another long running issue is the amount of reused maps. While this game doesn’t do away with them, new dungeon designs constantly pop up while old ones are expanded with new or bigger rooms, with the ability to expand them further with the Remake system. In fact, while some are reskins, Re;Birth 3 contains more dungeons than any other games in the series by a large margin. However, when the bigger maps show up, so does the slowdown, biting off a bit more than the system can chew processing wise. The same is true with battles, since some feature many more enemies on screen at once. As you can probably guess, more enemies means more slowdown. That’s not to say we don’t appreciate the effort to expand the scope of Gamindustri, it’s just funny that these expansions undue the improvement to the more stable framerate.

Outside of these areas, Re;Birth 3 has also revamped some of its side content, including treasure hunting, creating plans, and the dreaded Stella’s Dungeon scout mini game. Instead of scanning the area for hidden items, each map hides at least one invisible Nep block. Mirroring the exploits of a certain plumber, hitting these blocks uncovers coins to buy items with, while weapons, armor or plans appear in rare instances.

Iris Heart tends to terrify friends and foes alike.

Speaking of plans, there are so many more this time around, bringing the best out of the Remake System. Basically a form of synthesizing from other RPG’s, the Remake System creates everything from new weapons, items, armor, outfits and dungeons, to changing the menu voice, battle music, adding attacks, changing the difficulty, and unlocking solo EXE Drives amongst many other features. On top of the discs that can be burned to create custom perks for your character, and its clear how customizable this game can be, more so now than ever.

Lastly, the Stella mini game from Re;Birth 2 returns, but manages to actually be enjoyable rather than terrifying and tedious. By equipping her with her own armor, weapons and partners to boost her abilities, Stella now climbs the Neptral Tower as she collects items for the party and herself. If you send her farther than her abilities can sustain, she’ll be KO’d by monsters, losing her armor and partner along the way. What helps me maintain my sanity this time around is that good equipment is easily obtainable if you do lose, and partners are recovered in a snap as long as you can reach the floor they fainted on. But most importantly, each map only takes about an hour or two of real time to passively progress depending on how far you are, even in sleep mode. Unlike the dungeons that could take literally over a day at their worst, only to fail right at the end, I would eagerly turn on my Vita JUST to check on Stella’s progress. Considering how much the original was universally reviled, to the point where separate DLC was released to make it manageable, to say this change is for the better would be an understatement.

You’ll actually want to play Stella’s Dungeon this time around.

When my time with Re;Birth 3 drew to a close, I found myself with an enjoyable, more ambitious effort than the previous games, with some fundamental flaws that keep it from being as great as its predecessors. Victory players will appreciate the expanded story, new translation, improved plan system, new maps and bigger environments. Re;Birth newbies will still find the laugh out loud humor and addicting battle system intact with the third game, with further improvements to Stella’s Dungeon and treasure hunting. Unfortunately, difficulty spikes, a tedious change to the SP Meter, and a story that’s a bit drawn out hold it back. Still, this retro trip through an alternate Gamindustri is one worth taking, and continues Neptunia’s trend of being one of the best RPG series found on the Vita. Want a lighthearted, self aware romp through a video game about video games? You can’t go wrong with Nep! Now, bring on Victory II!

tl;dr:

+ Neptune is back with the same laugh out loud humor we’ve come to expect from the series.

+ The game runs smoother than before, with a more stable frame rate in most cases.

+ While some of the dungeons are still repeats, plenty of new maps compliment the old ones, which nearly received universal expansions.

+ Stella’s Dungeon is actually playable!

+ Both the Remake and battle systems feature many more options, and are expanded in ways to keep them as addicting as ever. With that said…

– The new SP/EX Meter mechanic renders EXE Drives nearly useless, forcing unnecessary item or battle grinding to replenish.

– The later portion of the game suddenly spikes in difficulty and suffers from poor pacing.

– While bigger dungeons and more enemies on screen is appreciated, these areas are when slowdown rears its ugly head once again.

– The story drags, with no clear goal or progression from about the half way point through right before the end of the game. Not to mention the villains aren’t all that threatening.

Final Score: 4/5

E3 2015: ‘Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation’ Delivers A Faster, Stronger CPU!

by Josh JacksonJune 18, 2015

It may have taken three games, but when Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory released in 2012, it’s safe to say that the series finally hit its stride. So much so, that the game play improvements introduced would carry into remakes of the original titles, both of which were great additions to the PS Vita library when we reviewed them over the last few months. While there was plenty to improve on, I went into Re;Birth 3 a little conflicted. At this point, I’m completely absorbed in anything the series can offer, but does the game that the remakes are based off of need its own remake? What can be changed for V Generation to feel different?

Based on the time I spent with the E3 build, this version looks to be aiming for the definitive way to experience Neptune’s most recent adventure. Taking place in an alternate Gamindustri that’s based on the console wars of the early 90’s, past characters will look and act different while new ones, namely this alternate Planeptune’s CPU, Plutia. From a game play standpoint, small tweaks have been added to change up the way the game is approached. The returning Remake System will allow the party to add an extra attack slot into their list of commands after finding the appropriate plan for each, while finding treasure through scanning the environment is replaced by an invisible question mark that Nep hits with her head. Added cutscenes, new scenarios, items to help progress in the Stella Dungeon scouting mini game from Re;Birth 2, the return of Victory‘s stat boosts for performing certain actions and other surprises round out all the new features, while the turn based combat system remains intact.

But more than anything, what’s immediately noticeable is the improved frame rate, which never skipped a beat during battle. While the previous remakes would be bogged down with some harsh dips when the flashiest attacks would take place, the comparible moves that I tried in the demo had no such issue. In addition to an upgraded interface with colorful effects during attacks, reworked menus and a rewritten script, it’s clear that the presentation went through as much polishing as the game play, which I can’t wait to experience with the full game!

So if anything, Re;Birth 3 feels less like a remake and more like a remastered version, adding in what worked about its prequels while improving on what didn’t. With the trilogy nearly complete on both the Vita and PC through Steam, there’s no excuse for when the next main sequel is finally released. Luckily for us, the Vita release is right around the corner, coming on June 30th! Keep an eye out for our full review, and tell us what your favorite moments of the series have been in the comments below!

Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed Brings New Battle Tactics And Hack ‘N’ Slash Action To The PlayStation Vita.

by Mary CamposMay 15, 2015

The planet Gamindustri has found peace due to the combined efforts of the CPU’s and the CPU candidates. The CPU candidates find themselves a little bored in this time of peace. However, what to warriors do when there aren’t any bad guys to battle? The answer comes in an interesting proposition in their time of peaceful boredom.

Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed is the first 3D action hack ‘n’ slash in the game series. Your favorite Neptunia characters will have to battle it out to determine who is the best, and strongest.

Hack ‘n’ slash your way through waves of enemies in real time. The free roaming battle stages allow you to create chain combos on the ground and in the air. You can play as your favorite characters as well as new playable characters, with new customizable equipment.

Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed features a dual system that allows you to switch between two characters. Allowing players to combine different characters and learn their strengths and weaknesses for the ultimate battle duo!

One of the new features is a “Costume Break”. Your character’s outfits tear and rip from the heat of battle. Costume damage lowers your defense but increases your crit rate and EXE Drive Gage.

Get ready to experience the new installment in the Hyperdimesion series and prepare for battle! Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed will be released on May 19th, in North America, and May 22nd in Europe. It will be available exclusively on the Playstation Vita and will be compatible with PlayStation TV.

Josh had an opportunity to take a look at the game earlier this week! You can check out his full review here.

https://youtu.be/ORf0A0JsFVE

Geekscape Games Reviews ‘Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed’

by Josh JacksonMay 13, 2015

At this point, I feel like my Vita is a dedicated entryway into the world of Gamindustri. Considering that four different Hyperdimension Neptunia games have been released for the handheld in the last year, it’s easy to see why. Now that we’ve played not one, but two fantastic RPGs, dived into the strategy role playing realm, and even tried our hand at producing and managing their careers as singers, it’s about time the series took the action route. In Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed, (a strange name for a non-Wii U title,) Gamindustri meets Dynasty Warriors in an over the top, horde slaying beat em up with the CPU and CPU Candidates doing the thwomping. But how well does a traditionally turn based franchise cross over into the action genre?

Now that the world is at peace, what’s a goddess to do aside from play games all day? Unfortunately, gaming doesn’t make a compelling news story, so when game journalists, Famitsu and Dengekiko, are tasked with writing up stories on the lives of the CPU’s and their little sisters, a little encouragement pushes them towards getting off their lazy butts and completing a few quests. Or at least, that was the plan. But when quests suddenly start popping up at an alarming pace, the gaming goddesses are forced to take up their weapons once again and fight off the overwhelming amount of monsters that have appeared while finding out who’s behind the sudden influx of requests. If our two writers are able to get a great story in the process, then even better!

Hyperdimension Neptunia U features ten unique characters to play as, which naturally include the CPU’s, their little sisters, and the addition of Famitsu and Dengekiko. Each character has a set of unique, (although limited,) combos and special moves that are designed to harm waves of enemies at once, and vary from slow and powerful, long range, or fast with a high hit count. As missions progress, each character builds up experience, unlocks new equipment and discovers new special attacks to put even more pressure on the more difficult enemies. With the option of taking on these missions solo, or pairing two characters together, each one is varied enough to feel unique while still accomplishing the same tasks.

Keep in mind, on top of all of these options per character, the CPU’s wouldn’t be much without their HDD forms. These serve as a temporary transformation that boosts attack power while changing their combos completely, essentially feeling like separate characters. Making it incredibly easy to wipe out foot soldiers and bosses alike, despatching dozens of enemies at one time with your powerful, special attack right before the transformation ends is ridiculously badass, all of which is done without a hint of a frame rate dip. Naturally, you have to fight for that meter, which fills up for the idle partner while the player character defeats enemies. If theirs is full, the player character will get their fill. Switching is as easy as tapping the down button on the D-Pad, so managing the meter is one of the more strategic aspects of Neptunia U, especially when it comes to the end game content. If you’re more passive, you could always fill your meter by tearing your clothes to shreds… Wait, what?

Yep, as you probably know if you’re reading this review, (and if you didn’t, welcome to the madness!), as characters take damage, their clothes rip up until their so-called armor “breaks,” resulting in a brief mid-battle cutscene that shows the girls in suggestive positions in nothing but tattered duds and underwear. Story wise, in a desperate attempt to cover up, they transform into their HDD forms, which come with their own, handy outfits! In other words, you get instant access to their most powerful forms faster if you let their clothes rip. Considering this game is developed by Tamsoft, the designers behind most of the Senran Kagura games, it’s not really a surprise since that series has made wardrobe malfunctions famous in recent years. Still, there are few moments more uncomfortable than when you’re playing as one of the sisters, (especially the pre-teen Rom and Ram,) and their butts and chests jiggle in slow motion as the clothes fly off. With that said, the game offers unlockable costumes that don’t break, break easily, or are pre broken depending on player performance, so kudos to the developers for giving the player the choice to shape their own game play experience.

Speaking of the experience, we can’t ignore the dialogue. As expected from a Neptunia game, its personality and charm shine through both in and out of quests. It’s clear that a ton of care went into the character relationships, with unique chatter between almost every possible team. When not fighting to the death, special events expand on the personalities of everyone involved, which range from fourth wall breaking gaming commentary, balking at the absurdity of their clothes tearing, and even a “GamerGate” ethics in journalism quip! While not as laugh out loud funny as the main games, considering nearly every line is voiced with both Japanese and English voice options on an individual character basis, what’s provided is plenty when you take into account that this is an action game rather than an RPG. Either way, it’s still more than serviceable for the franchise faithful.

Despite how varied the mechanics and characters can be though, one major issue that most games of this nature encounter is its repetitiveness, and U is no exception. Each character’s move set is insanely stylish, but with only a few combos per character, you’ll see everything each one has to offer soon after picking them up. Not only that, but the game offers little incentive to experiment, leaving players to stick with the combo that works best for them, rinse and repeat. The main story mode never gets particularly challenging either, making its hundred-ish quests a breeze. Every once in a while, the game throws a curve ball at you, either by hiding objectives, asking you to collect items or hunt down a certain enemy, but at the end of the day, each one is accomplished by beating everything into submission.

Yet, U redeems itself in a big way when it comes to the post game content. After spending 12 hours or so completing all of the quests in the main story, a wealth of new missions and modes keep the fun going. If you think you’ll just be able to blow through these stages like you were able to in the campaign, think again. To survive, you’ll have to pick your attacks carefully, manage your meter better than ever, and know when its best to just quit the mission, store your earned EXP, and live to fight another day. In addition, an arena mode pits the CPU’s against each other in one on one battles that unlock powerful accessories, and a tower mode which sends two of the girls into a multi-tiered challenge where they must fight off increasingly powerful enemies. On top of collecting enemy medals, (coins that opponents drop at random once defeated and can be used to unlock stat boosts, weapons and accessories,) and boosting the group’s friendship, (or Lily Ranks,) for in game perks, and you have a game that will potentially last for much longer than expected. If I were to be extra critical, I would have liked it if the arena mode’s difficulty didn’t range from one hit kill, one hit death or a legitimate match, if it let you fight against other Vita owners, (assuming they exist,) and that collecting medals and boosting Lily Ranks wasn’t such a grind-fest, but these issues don’t detract from the experience too much. Besides, what kind of Neptunia game would this be if it didn’t have insane trophy grinding?

Most impressively, Hyperdimension Neptunia U has become a game that I just can’t put down. Perfect for the portable experience, the quests, bonus content and grinding feel tailor made to be played in short bursts. That’s not to say that I haven’t had hours long sessions, (and I’ve had many,) but with as fun, colorful and fast paced the action turned out, it’s no wonder that the addiction has set in. If you love Neptune and friends in all of their self-referential glory, then this is a no-brainer. If you’re a beat em up fan who desperately needs something to play on the Vita, then U is more than a worthy purchase. While the anime inspired style, its repetitive nature, and the whole clothes tearing thing might not be everyone’s cup of tea, you might just be surprised with how endearing this game can be. Try it, you’ll be glad you did!

tl;dr

+ Successfully brings the style of the Neptunia games to the action genre, with flashy attacks and combos to go around for its varried cast.

+ A lengthy campaign filled with a plethora of quests, unlockable items and game industry satire.

+ Post game content improves the game a great deal, adding modes and missions that make you re-think the game.

+ The same tongue in cheek script that we’ve come to expect from the series, complete with dual language options for individual characters.

+ The clothes tearing option adds to the strategy while being entirely optional.

– Combat becomes repetitive with only a few attack sets per character. The twenty characters, (including their HDD forms,) doesn’t alieviate it enough, and is only amplified by most of the objectives revolving around killing everything in sight.

– Some unlockables are absurdly grind heavy, artificially extending the replay value with enemies that give few rewards and a slow moving Lily Rank mechanic.

– While fun for what it is, the arena mode is a missed opportunity, with wildly unbalanced difficulty settings and the lack of a PvP versus mode.

Final Score: 4/5

https://youtu.be/ORf0A0JsFVE

‘Hyperdevotion Noire’ Collectors Edition Pre-Orders Are Live!

by Josh JacksonFebruary 3, 2015

Idea Factory has announced that pre-orders for the collector’s edition of Hyperdevotion Noire are now available worldwide. Launching on February 24th exclusively on the company’s online store, this special edition will come packaged with all kinds of Gamindustri goodness to celebrate the goddess of Lastation.

The Collector’s Edition includes:

– Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart for the PlayStation®Vita system
– “XOXO Noire” Wall Scroll
– Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart Illustration Book
– Collector’s Box
– Reversible Cover Sleeve Art

Any Hyperdimension collectors out there? If so, I don’t have to tell you that these will go fast, so unless you want your life to be full of regret as you watch prices rise on eBay, I’d say you need to jump on this. In the meantime, watch out for more information on this SRPG spinoff as the release draws nearer.

Goddess Black Heart Has Blessed Us With The Opening Of ‘Hyperdevotion Noire’

by Josh JacksonDecember 9, 2014

If you were eager for more information on the upcoming Western release of Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart, then the wait is over! The people over at Idea Factory have brought us some divine intervention in the form of new screenshots and the opening movie from the upcoming strategy RPG.

Placing Noire in her first starring role, would-be goddesses will be tasked with amassing a CPU army, creating bonds with teammates, customizing items to fit their playstyle and customizing their home between hard fought conflicts. As the first in the Hyperdimension Neptunia series to step into the world of Strategy RPGs, it’s sure to have plenty of surprises for new and old players alike when it arrives on the Vita in 2015.

Gaze upon the new batch of screenshots, as well as the opening trailer below! Are you planning on picking up Hyperdevotion?

‘Hyperdevotion Noire’ Is Headed Stateside! Tsundere Fans Rejoice!

by Josh JacksonNovember 12, 2014

Only a short time after Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2 was announced for an international release, we learned that this wouldn’t be all that we would get from the franchise next year.

Taking its first steps into the Strategy RPG genre, Hyperdevotion Noire shifts focus to the Goddess of Lastation, taking place in the alternate world of Gamarket. As with their original world, the four CPU’s are once again at war for control of the land. When Noire is on the cusp of victory, a mysterious force drains the Goddesses of their power, the group must team up once again to save Gamarket from destruction.

At this point, it’s clear that Noire is the best CPU, right? While seeing how the gameplay will turn out, having the chance to play as Lady Black Heart in the main character role with completely new mechanics for the series is an exciting prospect. Check these reveal screenshots, and tell us whether or not you’re planning on dusting off your Vita when Noire’s game releases. Early 2015 can’t come soon enough!

From the press release:

A Moe Army Awaits! You ain’t never seen the CPUs like this! Lead them in their first-ever foray into strategy RPG gameplay, taking on enemies in a whole new way. You’ll fight off hordes of enemies in turn-based strategy, dodging laser beams and flaming pits, and using dangerous environments against your enemy.
Link up with the “Lily System” The more often characters are in battle together, the higher their bond becomes. Activating the “Lily Boost” grants special stats and abilities, while “Lily Points” can be used to activate ultra-special moves and even goddess transformations. Don’t be shy to build up those battle relationships and seal it all with a kiss!

Check your Status! All kinds of funky things can happen in the heat of battle and characters can be hit with status ailments that are both boon and burden. You can get pixelated, zombie-fied, or even turned into a block of tofu! Some status changes come with their own benefit and cost, so keep this in mind during a fight.

Item Customization! You’ll get tons of replay value with so many ways to boost your gear’s stats! The more enemies you defeat, the more items you can get to customize your gear in whatever way you see fit. Let the great experiment begin!

Livin’ the Noire Life! Life’s not all about grid-based battles. Sometimes Noire just wants to relax at home, and with the “Sim Noire” mode you’ll be able to do just that! Customize the place by buying furniture and accessories with in-game points, and make Noire feel like the goddess she is. She’ll also get to go out with friends and build up her social level!

A New Batch Of ‘Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2’ Make Our Vitas Tremble In Anticipation

by Josh JacksonNovember 12, 2014

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth, was a one of the best surprises of the year, with us going as far as saying that it was one of the best RPGs in years. I mean, what better way to appeal to gamers than to make a game about the console wars framed within a anime-esque magical girl banner? It’s as absurd, (and entertaining), as it sounds.

Which is why we were thrilled to learn a few months back that the second game would also be coming to the West for the Vita! Re;Birth 2, a rebuilt version of the PS3’s Hyperdimension Neptunia mk.2, shines the spotlight on the sisters of the first game’s CPUs, each of which represent handhelds like the DS and PSP. Idea Factory is promising new characters, scenarios and surprises for both new and old, with returning favorites such as IF and Compa, as they fight to rescue the four goddesses of the original.

Have no clue what I’m talking about? Check out the latest batch of screenshots, showing off the colorful characters, world and battles that fill the world of Gamindustri. Hopefully this will make the wait for early 2015 a little more bearable. Nah, who am I kidding. I want it now!

‘Hyperdimension Neptunia ReBirth;2: Sisters Generation’ Is Confirmed For A Worldwide Release!

by Josh JacksonAugust 31, 2014

Well, that didn’t take long.

Right off the heels of ReBirth;1‘s release, (which we called one of the best RPGs in years), Idea Factory has confirmed that Hyperdimension Neptunia ReBirth;2: Sisters Generation, will be coming to the Playstation Vita in early 2015. The even better news? It will be available in both physical and digital formats to North America and Europe, giving the latter region access to the physical version.

Like its predecessor, ReBirth;2 is a remake of one of the Playstation 3 releases, tackling mk.II this time around. Starring Nepgear, Uni, Rom and Ram, the little sisters of the first game’s CPU’s, characters from the original will also make an appearance to support the new cast. Including Compa, IF, and the promise of many others, this continuation of the original is sure to show how Gamindustri has changed since Neptune’s adventure, all while bringing a sense of familiarity to those who played the first game.

With the new ability to bring a fourth party member into battle, this change is sure to bring stronger enemies to compensate for the extra person on the field, opening up numerous possibilities. It’s safe to say… We’re excited!

Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1’

by Josh JacksonAugust 25, 2014

Platform: Playstation Vita

Release Date: August 26th, 2014

Genre: Japanese Role Playing

Developer: Idea Factory, Compile Heart, Felistella

Thinking back to the days when I first heard whispers of a new Playstation 3 RPG that would tackle the console wars with the magical girl genre, it would have been hard to imagine how far the concept would go. Yet, years after the debut of the original Hyperdimension Neptunia, the series has spawned sequels, its own anime and a very bad spinoff, to continuously feed its respectable following, making it a legitimate success. With each sequel improving on the last, the developers at Idea Factory decided to take the lessons they’ve learned to the Playstation Vita, creating a full remake of the original with Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1. By taking the best ideas from the second and third games and inserting them into Neptune’s first adventure, it’s safe to say that this release is on track to be the definitive version of the game that started it all. But are these enhancements enough of a reason to take a trip back to Gamindustri?

Purple Heart soars into battle!

ReBirth puts players in the over-sized hoodie of Neptune, the goddess, (or CPU), of Planeptune. After being locked in an everlasting conflict known as the Console Wars, Neptune’s true form as Purple Heart is defeated, thanks to the combined efforts of Black Heart of Laststation, (or Playstation), Green Heart of Leanbox, (or Xbox), and White Heart of Lowee, (take a guess). After crash landing in the middle of her city with no memory of her true identity, she’s discovered by Compa, a ditzy nurse who somehow comes off as the more responsible of the two compared to Nep’s aloofness. In pursuit of her past, Neptune and her friends get wrapped up in a quest to save Gamindustri from a mysterious threat; one that puts all four realms at risk. But can the warring CPUs put aside their differences for the sake of saving the world?

The majority of the play time is spent in one of the game’s numerous dungeons, all of which are brimming with monsters and treasure, which is all presented in a bright, colorful world. Avoiding the tedium of random battles, all fights are triggered by making contact with enemies on the field, with the ability to strike enemies before battle to start with the upper hand. As expected, the enemies can do the same, so careless attacks can be punished in a big way.

Gaining an early advantage and utilizing your attacks is the key to victory.

But first thing’s first. What kind of savior can protect people without fighting? If you typically associate JRPGs with slow, tedious battles, then ReBirth could be the game that changes your mind. Once these fights trigger, the turn based system is the only aspect you would be able to associate with the typical role playing game of old. When each party member’s turn comes up, they’ll have full range of motion within a certain radius, allowing players to position them in a spot that’s both offensively and defensively advantageous.

Fewer foes are more menacing than the Super Otaku!

After a battle commences, each party member has three standard attack types, called Rush, Power and Break attacks, all of which have various advantages in a fight. Rush uses multi hit attacks that deal more damage than Break moves, and are primarily used to build up the EXE meter, (a bar that allows strong special attacks once filled). Power on the other hand, are typically single hit moves that deal more damage than the other two attack types. Yet, the most important function is easily the Break attack, which focuses on draining the opponent’s guard meter, triggering a huge damage boost once the enemy is weakened. As the party gets stronger, new special abilities become available, making it even more important to properly manage these three basic functions to deal maximum damage. And trust me, you’ll need to when going toe to toe with the game’s tough bosses.

Making this aspect even more important is its effect on your (and the enemy’s), ability to deal damage. The party’s attack range is illustrated by an icon that’s either in front or around them, with its reach depending on the character, ability and weapon they’re using. Mastering this feature is crucial to success when it comes to standard battles, since the right position can allow one attack to hit multiple opponents, especially when attempting to Guard Break huge groups at once. On the flip side, enemies have the same attack system, so keeping your party right next to each other is a one way ticket to an embarrassing Game Over. But when certain beneficial abilities work best when the team is within the vicinity of each other, sometimes, taking the risk can be beneficial. It’s moments like these where strategy adds a decent amount of depth to a relatively simple battle system, that adds layer upon layer as it progresses.

Outside of battles, Neptune and company can explore the terrain of each dungeon, seeking out valuable treasure with her radar, (used to uncover one hidden item per area), or through, plain, old fashion map scouring. While some can be used right out of the box, most treasures contain materials to synthesize other items. If this sounds familiar, that’s where the cliche ends, thanks to the game’s Remake System.

Treasure hunting has never been so adorable.

In addition to creating items, the Remake System allows materials to be used to alter the game itself, allowing players to create an environment that suits their needs. Is that latest boss too tough for you to take down? Go ahead and remake the difficulty. Have you seen everything there is in a dungeon and want to explore it again? Then why not add harder enemies and new treasure? Or how about a new dungeon altogether? Yep, you can even add bonus dungeons to explore once the standard ones get dull.

Options like these really make ReBirth stand out, so even when the standard difficulty tends to be erratic, players can choose to change the game rather than put up with hours of level grinding. Although, if you’re too proud to take the helping hand, then those spikes may be more of an issue, especially when the game likes to put you up against multiple dungeons, enemies and bosses without save points or chances to heal. Do you like having to play chunks of a game over and over again? I don’t.

But there’s more to the world of Hyperdimension Neptunia then just the dungeons. Exploring Gamindustri is handled through a large overworld map, allowing players to select different areas to examine. Planeptune and its neighboring lands each have a Basilicom, or hub area. Here, the party can purchase items, weapons and gear, accept quests, (which range from boss fights, to hunting or gathering missions), seek information from each town’s strange inhabitants, and burn discs, which are customizable gear that can hold almost any stat boost or resistance you can think of, assuming you own the right items to do so. All of this mind you, is presented with a script that is laugh out loud funny on so many occasions, feeling like a true love letter to gamers who catch the many references to the medium. Even Neptune herself, gives us hope that all lazy, unreliable gamers out there can one day rise up and save the world. But not until filling up on junk food and finishing that one last stage, of course.

You would think the physical manifestation of a game console would know the drill by now.

But with such an endearing cast and interesting world the characters inhabit, it’s too bad that this doesn’t translate into the actual exploration of Gamindustri. With dungeons being the only areas to actually move around in, selecting icons and watching the story play out with text adventure style word bubbles set to backdrops, I felt eager to actually be able to walk around and communicate with these crazy characters, especially with the superb voice acting in both English and Japanese. It doesn’t help that the dungeons themselves come off as looking relatively bland, especially compared to the bright characters and monsters that often ooze personality without ever having to say a word. And at points, no words might have been the better option, since certain scenes featuring gratuitous fan service might make you feel embarrassed to read through those sections.

Sadly, this is the extent of which we get to explore Gamindustri.

Still, these complaints are a drop in the bucket compared to the ridiculous amount of fun I had playing through ReBirth. The fast paced game play combined with the endearing characters, hilarious writing, colorful presentation and the insane amount of customization makes this remake stand out as not only an improvement on the original, but one of the best Japanese RPGs I’ve played in years. Lack of true exploration aside, anyone with a passing interest in role playing games, anime, or nerdy video game references absolutely should pick up Hyper Dimension Neptunia Re;Birth1, serving as a true bright spot in the Vita’s bleak 2014.

tl;dr

+ A simple, fast paced battle system that adds layers over time.

+ The ability to customize everything from enemy layout to difficulty.

+ Multiple items to find, tough enemies to defeat, dozens of dungeons to explore and hundreds of quests give the game a ton of mileage.

+ A quirky cast of characters who inhabit a story that never takes itself seriously, brought to life by excellent voice actors.

– The lack of true exploration leaves us wondering what a fully realized Gamindustri could have been, with bland environments compared to the party and enemies.

– While optional difficulty adjustments alleviate the problem, sudden difficulty spikes and marathon dungeons can hinder progress.

-Occasional “fan service” moments may turn off some.

– While more of a minor thing, can party members who leave the team give my equipment back? Thieves…

Final Score: 4.5/5

The Cosplay Of Anime Expo 2014

by Josh JacksonJuly 22, 2014

Now that Anime Expo has come and gone, and as we gear up for Comic Con this week, what kind of jerks would be be if we didn’t share the incredible cosplay from the event?

From Monster Hunter to Hyperdimension Neptunia. Blazblue to Phoenix Wright. And of course, there was plenty of Sailor Moon at the show. Check out the best of AX 2014’s cosplay, and stick with Geekscape as we move on to Comic Con!