Ben-DutkaJRPG fans are anxiously awaiting its release next month and if they want a closer look before it launches, we've got you covered.
Hyperdimension Neptunia could be yet another niche gem from NIS America and they've just unveiled the box art and details for the "Premium" version. This collector's edition contains the game, the more sensual cover art from the Japanese version, an illustrated artbook, and it all comes encased in a "nice Premium Edition collectible box." If you're interested in learning more about it, the game's manual is actually online for your viewing pleasure; check it out through the link at Examiner.com . Yeah, you can download the whole thing, which will definitely give you the inside scoop before the game is in your hands. There are also a few new screens floating around out there; bear in mind that there's a definite sexual element involved with Neptunia . That may not bother you but then again, it might be considered offensive by some… Just trying to look out for the more sensitive types, that's all.
For the record, NIS should have a copy of the game all ready for us to review, so we won't be ignoring this one. How could we? We frequently complain about a lack of JRPGs so we're gonna have to support any that arrive.
Related Game(s): Hyperdimension Neptunia
Game looks fun. Isn't it turn-based? Well I'll definitely try to get this.
It's definitely turn based.
My life is turn based. It's pretty cool.
Cool, then I gotta get this somehow. If only they'd release a demo… Demos really do us ALL a favor.
The game seems to be funny. Like, a universe called Gamindustri and 3 of the 4 lands there called Leanbox (Xbox), Lastation (PS) and Lowee (Wii)? Genius.
Glad to hear you are reviewing it, but I won't hold my breath for a high score. I can forgive a poorly conceived story if the combat is good and there aren't four hundred hours of 2D sprites conversing over nothing in particular (a la Trinity Universe). But I'll try to remain hopeful as I continue to wait for Ar Tonelico 3.
Somehow I doubt that it's going to be the same as Trinity Universe (not that that's a bad game of course). And also keep in mind that Atelier Rorona was given a good score.
Atelier Rorona was a good game. This is not.
Well, at least the endless meaningless dialogue no longer features completely static pictures. The 'living 2D' effect they're going for actually looks pretty decent. Don't expect the quality of the writing to be any better than Trinity Universe, though.
@Kevadu
As I've said before, let's withhold judgement until the game actually gets released here. And for the record I actually like Visual Novel style presentation. I have fond memories of Phantom of Inferno.
And besides, the game features some unique customization options. That too is certainly worth a look. Although I get the impression that there might be quite a few people taking pictures of their butts with Playstation Eye cameras and using the resulting photographs as powerful attack summons.
@Looking Glass
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me 20-something times, and I must be a bloody moron.
Idea Factory has *never* made a good game. Seeing their name on a product is reason enough not to buy it as far as I'm concerned. I suppose it's always possible that this is the one that turns them around, but everything I have read about it seems to indicate that it's the same old shtick. Lot's of pointless dialogue that doesn't go anywhere, lot's and lot's of grinding, needlessly complex and poorly balanced combat, etc.
And for the record I have nothing against the *style* of their games. I actually like it, myself. It's purely the quality I object to. It's unfortunate that there's a lack of good JRPGs on consoles (though actually there are still plenty on the PSP, but most game sites seem to have declared the PSP 'dead' and don't even cover them), but that's no excuse to start playing terrible ones.
@Kevadu
UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLE.
First of all, you've already made it quite clear that you don't like Idea Factory. You need not turn yourself into a broken record.
But even you seem to acknowledge the possibility that this game could be different, at least in your own opinion anyway.
In light of this fact I say once again let's reserve judgement until the game actually gets released. How many times to I have to say that?
Oh great. Now I'M starting to sound like a broken record.
And of course in case I haven't already made myself clear enough on this particular point I myself have high hopes for this game. It has sold well in Japan after all. And that does count for something.
I love good JRPG's, like Squaresoft games back in their hey-day.
I'm gonna be holding my breath as well. I've never really been much of a Japanese anime lover, persoanally. I prefer big titles, like the old FF games. But if it has an excellent and engaging story like FF VII and VIII, count me in.
Persona 4 was an excellent game as well. I didn't get far into it, but the 10 or so hours I played were pretty good. If Neptunia is anything similar, or even better perhaps, I think I might just check it out.
As I said, I normally go for the big ones. If this one doesn't incredibly high review scores from multiple sources, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to give this one a skip. Too many other great games being released this year, you all know which ones I'm talking about so no more big lists from me. 🙂
NIS usually brings us stuff with crazy stories that are secondary to everything else. Which is fine if the battle system is sweet, but you probably won't see an epic story here, just goofyness.
@WorldEndsWithMe
Goofyness will undoubtedly be present in the game. But I seriously doubt that that is all there is to it. As I understand it the game is actually quite character driven. And I learned from Phantom Brave that a game doesn't necessarily need a long and complex story if the character interaction is good and rich.
Last edited by Looking Glass on 1/12/2011 7:27:51 AM
@Dancemachine55
One should be wary of relying too heavily on reviews. Critics and reviewers are not always on the same page as consumers. Try looking up The Fight: Lights Out on Metacritic and then check out the customer reviews for it on Amazon.com and you'll see what I mean. And of course Playstation Home has long been blasted by both critics and reviewers but has been and continues to be very popular regardless.
Critics and reviewers are often (not always but often) hostile toward niche games, perhaps largely because they don't "get" them (I am not referring to Ben Dutka by the way). Therefore they often (once again not always but often) can't be trusted to judge these games. This is perhaps especially true of the major and/or more corporate driven websites and publications. IGN's so called "review" of Atelier Rorona in particular was especially appalling. It was unfair, amateurish, VERY immature, and perhaps worst of all it was unhelpful. Offering little insight to the gameplay mechanics and how they worked.
So look at the reviews if you must but I would also urge you to play careful attention to consumer feedback and word of mouth before making your decision.
Last edited by Looking Glass on 1/14/2011 7:26:11 AM
This looks like a bunch of completely crazy fun.
defintely will take this one light heartedly but if it can make me laugh (positively) > it should be worth trying due to the lack of games in this style of combat
I'm dying to know too…
Hopefully before Autumn since that's Uncharted 3 time.
When is anime oriented material not sexually suggestive?
Are you an otaku too?
What's an otaku?
It's someone who is really into anime and or games.
anyways, it's a quote from MGS4, said by Otacon.
@WorldEndsWithMe
In Japan, the word otaku has negative connotations. It refers to someone who is obsessed with something to the point of it becoming unhealthy. It should be noted that this obsession could be with anything. Not just anime or video games.
HOWEVER, in the west the word is simply used to refer to hardcore anime fans.
Good to know 🙂 So what is Kotaku… besides a fanboy site?
@WorldEndsWithMe
I really wouldn't know. I've never been a fan of that website. Not that I have anything in particular against it. It's just never really appealed to me all that much.
@cLoudou
And to answer your question. When is anime-oriented material not sexually suggestive?
The answer is simple: when it's not. Have you ever seen Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade or Spirited Away?
Not that I have anything against sexually suggestive material.
Last edited by Looking Glass on 1/13/2011 7:55:56 AM
Hmm not sure about this one. This SCREAMS cross edge. I know its from the same devs and I like CE but this is a little to much for me. Plus it seems like they recycled a lot of their sound effects and UI. Nothing wrong with that…just….I was hoping for more. At least do dynamic cute scenes 🙁 but hey it's turn based so that's a plus I guess.
And no I'm not bashing the game. It seems good, but again, not for me.
Last edited by Dridion on 1/11/2011 11:37:17 PM
lol cute scenes??? LOL I need to go to sleep XP
This game is not Cross Edge. It has a number of features and characteristics that set it apart.
Last edited by Looking Glass on 1/12/2011 9:36:33 AM
Actually it more screams out Trinity Universe than Cross Edge.
There are a number of things that set it apart from Trinity Universe too.
I await the review… Until then, I reserve judgement.
Ar Tonelico 3 and WKC 2 are currently the JRPGs coming stateside that I'm primarily waiting for but this looks interesting. Turn-based is always welcome. Might check it out. I'll wait for the review.
Just so you know Ar tonelico III(Qoga) is not turn-based.
Fantastic! I'm on board with anything from NIS.
Whether you are into them or not, you have to respect NIS for bringing games to the West when many companies are afraid to do so, even if it is at a miniscule cost that would be worth the sales. (Ahem Tales)
Right.
Every angle has been making it easy from for Namco to being the localization process and yet the continue to refuse. Over 5000 fans on Facebook are blasting namco to localize the Tales franchise over here.
On top of that there was a poll done asking Namco Bandai fans what their favorite franchise by them was. Take one lucky guess as to which franchise scored the most votes.