Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online is another enjoyable entry in the Neptunia franchise, but I found it to be underwhelming compared to both other Neptunia games and the similar faux-MMORPG Sword Art Online Hollow Fragment. The number of dungeons is minimal, the majority of the boss fights are simple, and the quests boring. I still had fun playing the game, as the characters, their interactions, and the voice work behind them more than makes up for the game’s let-downs. If you’re a Neptunia fan, it’s well worth picking up on launch to see the latest adventures of the CPUs, but if you’re looking for an entry-point into the franchise, there are better games to choose from.
Going into Root Letter, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I am glad I've been able to spend time with it. A thoroughly enjoyable experience and truly a treat for both the eyes and ears, PQube's Root Letter is one not to be missed. It speaks to the game's excellence that the closest thing to a fault I can find to mention is that minor characters aren't voiced - and that is hardly an issue when it amounts to literally characters with so few lines you won't actually remember being unvoiced. The rest of the cast of characters are brought to life with incredibly emotive voicework that makes an immersive story even more engrossing. I really hope that going forward, we see more games similar to Root Letter localised by PQube.
Superdimension Neptune is an incredibly enjoyable entry in the Neptunia series, and it's great to see the Sega Hard Girls co-starring, and producing the best character roster yet. The game retains enough similarities to earlier Neptunia games so as not to alienate fans while mixing things up enough to provide a game that feels new and keeps you coming back for more. The time loop mechanic may have been done before, but, for me at least, it's relatively fresh. Superdimension Neptune is probably the best game I've played this year, and I look forward to seeing what's next for the Neptunia franchise.
MeiQ isn't the best Idea Factory International game I've played, but it isn't quite the worst either. It may just be because I'm not as familiar with this type of dungeon crawler as others maybe, but I found my time with it to be tedious, with barely any reward to be found, and my enjoyment itself being sparse and limited solely to the battles. This title may be the first Idea Factory International title I've played and hardly enjoyed, but I still look forward to playing their next title.
The Neptunia series of games continues to provide excellent games, this latest entry rising to be one of my favourites in a series I already rank above most others. The roster of characters we all love is present herein, and the action gameplay is a nice change of pace while waiting for the next main series entry. Though I, for one, am eagerly anticipating the next spin-off game, Superdimension Neptune vs Sega Hard Girls.
Megadimension Neptunia VII has not only become my favourite title in the franchise, but it is easily one of the greatest games I have had the fortune of playing. My playtime may only hover at around 26 hours thus far, but it's certain that I'll be investing significantly more time in this game. Neptunia has transitioned to the latest generation of consoles excellently, with the visuals being nothing short of a delight to behold; the same can be said of both audio tracks, and I'm not usually one for English audio tracks.
This game is enjoyable, with mechanics that are easy to get the hang of. Unfortunately, the difficulty curve from tutorial to first mission seems excessive and was almost enough to deter me from the game entirely. Thankfully, after this mission, the difficulty curve seems less steep, allowing for enjoyment, especially as you work through dungeons multiple times to accomplish multiple quests. If grinding is something you don't enjoy, this game is not for you, but if you don't mind some as you work through the, sometimes barely differing, quests, this game will provide hours of fun.
This title has fast become a favourite of mine on the Vita, and despite the dub-only nature of the release it is definitely worth picking up if you have a Vita. The battle mechanics are enjoyable and intuitive, yet not too simplistic. The systems in place to determine the traitor certainly take some getting used to, but improve the game for the better. Though, if a character you're fond of, and is not the traitor, is voted out, you may grow to resent the remaining characters for their decision The English dub leaves a lot to be desired but, while annoying, it doesn't detract too much from the game overall.
The long-awaited continuation of the OneChanbara series in the English-speaking world is everything anyone that has played the series before would expect, it's just a shame that there isn't more of it. Playing through the story mode takes around 5 hours, and for some, this may be all they are interested in. The missions to complete, and quests to work towards while playing missions or story mode, help to extend the game length significantly. This is alongside the increasing difficulties of story mode that unlock each time you complete one; alas, these methods of extending playtime do not appeal to all. If you're a fan of the series, or just enjoy endless slaughter of the undead, the sub-£30 price of admission for the physical release is sure to please. For newcomers to the series, or those only interested in playing through the story, it might be worth waiting for a price drop. Regardless, at £54.99, the digital version would be an illogical purchase; you'd be better off buying two copies physically and donating one to a friend.
Overall, the game is incredibly enjoyable, allowing one to sadistically torture enemies to death. The game is perfect for that, and will bring many hours of enjoyment, especially with the Deception Studio mode and user content being downloadable. Unfortunately, the plot itself is not as engrossing as the gameplay. If the Deception Studio mode did not require unlocking characters and traps in another mode, it is unlikely I'd spend much time on them. Despite this, the game is well worth the price of admission, moreso for newcomers to the franchise, to this sadistic playground.
J-Stars Victory Vs+ is a long-overdue game for the English-speaking world; that said, it is definitely worth the wait. An all-star character roster of fan favourites from Weekly Shonen Jump series, with stages pulled in alongside them makes for a very enjoyable game. There are few complaints to be made of the game, and even those of note don't impede enjoyment of the game much. One can only hope that any future Weekly Shonen Jump fighting games don't take as long to make their way over here.