Megadimension Neptunia VIIR - Review

Megadimension Neptunia VIIR - Review

Review for Megadimension Neptunia VIIR. Game for PlayStation 4, the video game was released on 23/04/2015 The version for PlayStation 4 came out on 12/02/2016

Neptunia is probably one of Compile Heart's best-loved and best-known sagas. For this reason, in addition to the games of the main series, the companies are no strangers to the publication of some remakes of titles of the past, with changes to the game balance and revised graphics. Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is part of these remakes, being an improved re-release of the first title in the series to be released on PlayStation 4.



Let's analyze this new edition of the title, diving into a familiar Gamindustri, but visually a little different.

Megadimension Neptunia VIIR - Review

Three parodies for one title

As for the game content, VIIR doesn't add much to the original Megadimension Neptunia VII (read as Victory 2). The story remains almost unchanged, with only a few minor tweaks to the dynamics of the multiple endings. We then return to Gamindustri, in the period of generational change, to experience three adventures linked by some elements that will lead to the “Final Trilogy”. Compile Heart divided the campaign into three sub-stories: Zero Dimension Neptunia Z, Hyperdimension Neptunia G, and Heart Dimension Neptunia H.

This division is to be understood as a pure separation of the three main narrative nuclei, which will converge in the ending. On the narrative level, we are talking about a game that does not aim to amaze with twists or complex events. The story is very simple on the surface, but the title wants to keep interest through the parody, with digs and quotes about the video game industry. The parody situations and the dialogues between the protagonists are what keep the attention high during the adventure, therefore it is recommended to approach this title in case you know and love the videogame industry, so as to be able to better appreciate the comic scenes which, even with some avoidable gags, sometimes manage to be brilliant.



Megadimension Neptunia VIIR - Review

The narration takes place only through dialogues, entirely dubbed, in a visual novel style; then with the artwork of the characters who will speak via a text box at the bottom of the screen. Although Megadimension Neptunia VIIR also offers good gameplay, we do not recommend approaching it in case you don't like brand characters or anime stereotypes, since without an affection for Neptune and companions the game loses its main narrative force.

A JRPG beyond comedy

A good comedy can keep itself on its feet thanks to one's sympathy, but this is not true in a video game lasting at least thirty hours. Megadimension Neptunia VIIR does not miss a good gameplay from JRPG. While not very different from other titles in the saga, in particular the remake trilogy for PS Vita, the title is fun, although there are some elements that limit it.

Despite having a good combat system and a large roster of characters, each with their own pros and cons, Neptunia VIIR has two problems which undermine its quality. The first consists of an extremely slow start: although many mechanics are presented right from the start, the most of these will only become useful from the final lines of the second story, if not even in the post game. This is linked to the second problem, complementary to the first, that is an excessive ease, especially with regard to the clashes related to the main campaign. Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is characterized by a constant growth in the gameplay, but it is so slow that to meet some interesting clashes it will be necessary to reach well beyond half of the game. A rich and interesting endgame partially remedies these problems: colosseum, hunts and superboss will give JRPG fans pure fun, making the most of the gameplay.



Megadimension Neptunia VIIR - Review

Speaking of the gameplay itself, however, there is another sore point to underline. Although the mechanics have remained very similar to the original VII, a change of menu and HUD made the situation slightly worse: the combos are now more cumbersome to start and the battle HUD is very intrusive and quite messed up.

A more beautiful Gameindustri ... but not too much

If the VIIR has brought some slight annoyance in the battle sections, on the other side of the coin we find an improved graphic sector, although there is no abysmal difference between the two titles: there is just talk of better lighting and improved character models. Furthermore, it is now possible to run inside the dungeons, which is extremely welcome as it helps a lot in the exploration and search of the bounties. Dungeons, however, while fun to explore, tend to often be made up of reused assets. A real shame, considering exploration is both fun and rewarding.

Megadimension Neptunia VIIR - Review


As for the rest, the technical strengths and weaknesses of the title remain almost unchanged. The soundtrack, even with some additions, remains quite anonymous, although never annoying. Dubbing is much more enjoyable in Japanese compared to the English counterpart, often not able to communicate the lines with the right pathos.

Neptunia going VI_TU_AR

As you can guess, the R at the end of the title indicates the presence of VR content, as well as being a word game based on Japanese pronunciation. These are partly optional skits, selectable from a new main menu, and partly mandatory scenes, which will arrive in the plot interludes. It is possible to see VR events even without owning a headsetindeed, it is obliged to do so in some cases, as all the cutscenes are mandatory and cannot be skipped. The interaction in these situations is very limited: we talk about moving the head, or the view, to answer "yes" or "no" to the protagonist who will sneak into the player's room. Despite their limitations, VR events are nice and allow for some additional dialogue with the CPUs, which never hurt.


Megadimension Neptunia VIIR - Review

Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is a title that we recommend, but with reservations: for those who love JRPG or anime-style games it is certainly more than valid, but it is not free from defects, mostly caused by a low difficulty and a very slow evolution of the gameplay. Arming yourself with patience and with the right love for the gaming industry, however, it is possible to find so much to love in Megadimension Neptunia VIIR. All in all, this version is slightly superior to the previous one, but the final balance is very similar.

► Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is a JRPG type game developed by Compile Heart and published by Idea Factory for PlayStation 4, the video game was released on 23/04/2015 The version for PlayStation 4 came out on 12/02/2016

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