Neptune and the other three goddesses from Gamesindustri are back in a brand new action RPG to celebrate Hyperdimension Neptunia’s 10th anniversary. This time around the characters are transported to Virtualand where they are asked to help save all of the nearby worlds from the nasty villains, called Antis. The story aims to parody sites like YouTube and Twitter, it’s silly and convoluted at times but entertaining in its own way.
What makes Neptunia Virtual Stars unique is that the four goddesses will get to join up with V-tubers from our own world. In case you weren’t aware (and this author definitely wasn’t) V-tubers are basically YouTubers who appear online using a computer generated avatar, usually in the form of a cute anime-style girl. There are a lot of different V-tubers that you’ll get to see, although many of them don’t get any role in the story but will just be shown during loading screens or on TVs playing in the background of dungeons.
When exploring each dungeon you’ll get to freely switch control between the four goddesses as well as four V-tubers, even in the midst of battle. All of them handle a little differently, with the Gamesindustri ladies having guns to mow down the enemies, whereas the V-tubers are more hack-and-slash.
Getting up close to enemies feels quite clunky and pulling off combos and special attacks doesn’t feel as satisfying as it should do. The long range attacks you get with the Goddesses are easier to use but they make combat feel a little too easy. The game also feels overly generous with drop rates from enemies, leaving you swimming in healing items which you can use at any time with no cooldown. Even in boss fights, health crystals will regularly drop so you rarely feel in any danger.
There are plenty of side-quest related activities for you to engage in; whether that’s requests from citizens, rescuing V-tubers, or rhythm-based mini-games to indulge in. The problem is that many of these activities feel repetitive and boring, and the rewards you get feel a little pointless. You’re already given plenty of money and healing items so there is very limited incentive to do any of them.
While Neptune and her friends are just as enthusiastic and charming as ever, both the gameplay and story feels a little stale. It’s great that the developer has managed to seamlessly blend together real V-tubers with the ladies from Gamesindustri, but it’s a real shame that there’s nothing else that lifts this game above average.
Comments 25
Is it 60 fps on ps4?
I very much doubt I’ll get any Neptunia game released on a Sony console.
V-Tubers make me worry for the future of humanity. I can sorta get behind Hatsune Miku because she isn’t any more fake than Milli Vanilli but these V-Tubers are literally just a way for men to simp for women without feelings who can’t tell them they’re being a creepy so and so.
Good review as always. Any mention of Turok 1 and 2 being dropped on PS4 today?
@nessisonett there are also male Vtubers and many who take a completely different approach to the whole thing. It’s not really any different from streaming, but it gives those self conscious about their appearance a way to stream easily. There’s also a ton of work that goes into everything and most of the fan base behind them (not all of course) tend to be pretty chill and respectful.
So I looked it up, and it has Fubuki and Korone in it. I may have to buy this just because of them. I’ve been really loving Hololive and a bunch of other Vtubers lately so this is pretty awesome! I especially love Korone’s content.
@Beatrice are these games usually dubbed? A big problem with dubbing this one is the Vtubers. A lot of people would hate if they release a dub for people like Korone and Marine.
Good to see the non animated dialogue scenes there. It wouldn't be an Iffy/Compile Heart game without it.
the minute I saw that it did not have a dub, I canceled my pre-order and instead am getting it from Gamefly. I am NOT a fan of it being subbed only. I have SAO games, but it's different because Compile Heart could have chosen to dub but they did not.
Nepu Nepu Nepu!
@nessisonett I don’t watch them, but there’s definitely more of a show and character than (most) female twitch streamers. I’ve seen clips and some of kinda of funny. I don’t really see it as necessary, but it’s better than the alternative.
@Jaz007 how showy they are definitely depends on who you choose to watch. The Vtubers who are under bigger licensing groups like Hololive and Nijisanji tend to be showy, but indie Vtubers and certain Hololivers are much more personal like Pikamee or Ina’nis.
@Beatrice @Sealightbreeze The reason this one is subbed only is because of the v-tubers, they have already said that future games will be dubbed again
@UltimateOtaku91 that’s what I thought. The amount of backlash they would get from dubbing the Vtubers would be pretty large. And I can’t even think of who they would get to have that heavy burden. Would’ve been funny to hear them just have Korone and Fubuki speak in their very
broken English though. Would’ve really loved that😂
Only time anyone has done something like that, that I remember was when they dubbed Kizuna Ai when she cameod in that anime. Other than that it never happens really.
Ugh, V-tubers,i would like my anime not in real life please,but since its not hurting anybody i will forgive the internet this time.
@Beatrice https://mobile.twitter.com/ideafactoryintl/status/1338924564038909953?lang=en
Go down first reply from NISA
@nessisonett
I think you fail to understand what a Vtuber actually is. They are not in fact AI or anything but real people that simply choose to use a virtual avatar to represent themselves. Think of something like VRchat or even the Guerillas. They can and will tell a simp off if they come across as creepy.
@Beatrice no problem, its going to be strange not hearing nep neps usual voice.
@UltimateOtaku91 So NISA is involved in this game? Thanks for the warning, then I need to wait a bit to see if anyone says anything about questionable translation choices.
@Tobiaku yeah NISA are the ones who usually dub the neptunia series
@UltimateOtaku91 Thanks, maybe I'm just forgetfull today but I thought Idea Factory did that themself 😅
@Tobiaku I know idea factory either make the game or distribute it whilst NISA deal with the subs/dubs like with mod other compile heart games
Idea factory sell it via their store though
Bargain bin sale it is then, game should hit $15-$20 by next year I reckon.
@UltimateOtaku91 Still not a fan of that
I'll wait for a sale: these games usually end up the bargain sale very often anyway. Lack of an English Dub and I have more of a reason to wait for a sale, plus Compile Heart games aren't worth the Retail Price.
Haven't played a Neptunia game for a long time now. IMHO the last good Neptunia game was Megadimension Neptunia VII. This game is on Sale now so I may give it a shot but the Neptunia game I'm really eager to try is the upcoming Neptunia ReVerse for PS5.
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