is a 2010
role-playing video game
A role-playing video game (commonly referred to as simply a role-playing game or RPG, as well as a computer role-playing game or CRPG) is a video game genre where the player controls the actions of a character (or several party members) immers ...
developed by
Idea Factory
is a Japanese video game developer and publisher founded by former Data East
, also abbreviated as DECO, was a Japanese video game, pinball and electronic engineering company. The company was in operation from 1976 to 2003, and released 150 ...
and published by
Compile Heart
is a Japanese video game developer founded on June 2, 2006 as a subsidiary of Idea Factory. The company was formerly managed by Compile's former executive Masamitsu "Moo" Niitani, most well known as the creator of the ''Madou Monogatari'' and ''Pu ...
in Japan,
NIS America
is a Japanese video game developer and publisher. The company was founded in 1991 and has developed several role-playing video games, most notably the ''Disgaea'' and ''Marl Kingdom'' series. Its mascot is the penguin-like ''Disgaea'' character ...
in North America and
Tecmo Koei
is a Japanese video game, amusement and anime holding company created in 2009 in video gaming, 2009 by the merger of Koei and Tecmo. Koei Tecmo Holdings owns several companies, the biggest one of those being its flagship game developer and publi ...
in Europe exclusively for
Sony
, commonly stylized as SONY, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. As a major technology company, it operates as one of the world's largest manufacturers of consumer and professional ...
's
PlayStation 3
The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment. The successor to the PlayStation 2, it is part of the PlayStation brand of consoles. It was first released on Novemb ...
. It is the first installment in the ''
Hyperdimension Neptunia
is a series of role-playing video games created and developed by Compile Heart and Idea Factory. The series debuted in Japan on August 19, 2010, with the video game of the same name for the PlayStation 3, later re-released as an enhanced rem ...
'' franchise, and is followed by ''
Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2''. The game is a take on the
seventh generation era "
console war
In the video game industry, a console war describes the competition between two or more video game console manufacturers in trying to achieve better consumer sales through more advanced console technology, an improved selection of video games, and ...
" among the three major
home video game console
A home video game console is a video game console that is designed to be connected to a display device, such as a television, and an external power source as to play video games. Home consoles are generally less powerful and customizable than ...
s:
PlayStation 3
The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment. The successor to the PlayStation 2, it is part of the PlayStation brand of consoles. It was first released on Novemb ...
,
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. As the successor to the original Xbox, it is the second console in the Xbox series. It competed with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation ...
and
Wii
The Wii ( ) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Nintendo. It was released on November 19, 2006, in North America and in December 2006 for most other Regional lockout, regions of the world. It is Nintendo's fifth major ho ...
.
''Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1'', a complete remake of the game for the
PlayStation Vita
The PlayStation Vita (PS Vita, or Vita) is a handheld video game console developed and marketed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on December 17, 2011, and in North America, Europe, and other international territo ...
, was released on October 31, 2013, in Japan, and in August 2014 in
North America
North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...
and
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...
. ''Re;Birth1'' was later released on
Microsoft Windows
Windows is a group of several proprietary graphical operating system families developed and marketed by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. For example, Windows NT for consumers, Windows Server for serv ...
and distributed via
Steam
Steam is a substance containing water in the gas phase, and sometimes also an aerosol of liquid water droplets, or air. This may occur due to evaporation or due to boiling, where heat is applied until water reaches the enthalpy of vaporization ...
. ''Neptunia ReVerse'' is a remake for the
PlayStation 5
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 4 in April 2019, it was launched on November 12, 2020, in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, North Ame ...
that was released in December 2020 in Japan, and in June 2021 in North America and Europe. It adds new features such as Arrange mode allowing any of the playable characters to be used from the start.
The game received positive reviews in Japan, while reception was more negative elsewhere.
Gameplay
This game is in essence a story-based adventure game, in the sense that much of the game is spent reading the on-screen text, as in a
visual novel
A , often abbreviated as VN, is a form of digital semi-interactive fiction. Visual novels are often associated with and used in the medium of video games, but are not always labeled as such themselves. They combine a textual narrative with sta ...
. However, the game also features 3D-style dungeon exploration, similar to recent ''
Final Fantasy
is a Japanese video game, Japanese science fantasy anthology media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi and developed and owned by Square Enix (formerly Square (video game company), Square). The franchise centers on a series of fantasy and ...
'' titles since ''
Final Fantasy XIII
is a role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles and later for the Microsoft Windows operating system. Released in Japan in December 2009 and international in March 2010, it is the ...
''. Like most modern turn-based
role-playing game
A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of player character, characters in a fictional Setting (narrative), setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within ...
s, the dungeons feature random encounters, treasure chests, and various obstacles. These obstacles can be cleared by utilizing the various unique dungeon skills each character of Neptune's party has.
During battle, the current turn for characters and enemies are displayed at the top right, as well as upcoming turns. When it is Neptune's turn or any other supporting character's turn, they are given a set amount of AP (Ability Points), which determines how many moves they can make. Each different move consumes a set amount of AP. There is a Sword move, which has the character slash an enemy with their weapon, a Gun move, which has the character shoot the enemy with their weapon (or in Neptune and IF's case, a gun), a Physical move, which has the character go straight up to an enemy and punch and kick them, and the Defend command, which consumes no AP, but puts the character in a defending state and ends their turn.
When using a Gun move, the circle next to the Combo Counter on the right displays your current bullet. When the game starts, you will have a default bullet. However, as the game progresses, Neptune and the party will obtain other types of bullets, and you can switch between them during combat with the shoulder buttons. Different bullet types usually have special effects or elemental powers.
Each enemy has a GP gauge, as well as an HP gauge. When that enemy is attacked, the GP gauge will decrease. When the gauge is empty, Guard Break mode will activate. During this time, that enemy will receive more damage than usual until the GP gauge refills.
What sets this game apart from other RPGs is the Game Disc System, which allows Neptune and company to perform various special actions through special combos, accessible and editable through the pause menu. Neptune can summon characters from classic video games by initiating the combo assigned to that game disc, and it will inflict higher than normal damage. Neptune can also activate a transformation state, which is called HDD (Hard Drive Divinity). This transforms Neptune into a much more powerful state, and she will gain access to two additional moves, both of which deal massive damage. Although the default transformation is Purple Heart, Neptune can also install other game discs to change her transformation. Finally, she can also use the game discs to summon an image, which appears on-screen, then inflicts higher than normal damage on the opponent. Although the default image is blank, one can change the image by using pictures in the PlayStation 3 photo library.
While a player is viewing the region screen, you can shop for additional weapons and accessories, transfer to another region through a dungeon excursion, view any side quests, and enter dungeons.
Plot
Setting
The game takes place in the world of , which is divided into four regions: Planeptune, Lastation, Lowee, and Leanbox. Each region is completely different from the others, and has a Basilicom where the citizens worship their country's goddess, also known as the Console Patron Units, or simply CPU.
Story
The player takes on the role of the main protagonist Neptune, one of four goddesses who is involved in a long series of conflicts known as the
Console War
In the video game industry, a console war describes the competition between two or more video game console manufacturers in trying to achieve better consumer sales through more advanced console technology, an improved selection of video games, and ...
. After an incident where Neptune is defeated following a one on three battle with the other goddesses, she loses consciousness and begins dreaming. Upon waking, she finds herself at Compa's house having crash landed earlier in front. Neptune reveals that she can't remember anything up to that point, which leads Compa to believe that Neptune is suffering from
amnesia
Amnesia is a deficit in memory caused by brain damage or disease,Gazzaniga, M., Ivry, R., & Mangun, G. (2009) Cognitive Neuroscience: The biology of the mind. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. but it can also be caused temporarily by the use ...
. After hearing from Compa that monsters have begun to run loose, Neptune decides to go hunt them along with Compa. During her first hunt, she suddenly transforms into her HDD form, Purple Heart, and defeats a large monster. Eventually the two meet IF, who explains that she is looking for treasure, and Neptune invites IF to join their party. After clearing another dungeon full of monsters, the party heads to the Basilicom to gain permission to travel to other landmasses to fight more monsters.
Ending
The game features three endings, which are the Normal Ending, Bad Ending and True Ending. Under the former two endings, the Console War doesn't technically end. There was a ceasefire if one or two of the other CPUs were recruited to stop the main enemy, Arfoire, but no armistice took place afterwards. There are two possible endings after the fight. If the requirements for the True Ending are fulfilled after Arfoire is defeated, the following events lead up to the end of the Console War.
Development and release
The game's name is derived from the scrapped
Sega Neptune
The 32X is an add-on for the Sega Genesis video game console. Codenamed "Project Mars", it was designed to expand the power of the Genesis and serve as a transitional console into the 32-bit era until the release of the Sega Saturn. The 32X ...
which combined the
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
The Sega Genesis, known as the outside North America, is a 16-bit Fourth generation of video game consoles, fourth generation home video game console developed and sold by Sega. It was Sega's third console and the successor to the Master Syst ...
and
Sega 32X
The 32X is an add-on for the Sega Genesis video game console. Codenamed "Project Mars", it was designed to expand the power of the Genesis and serve as a transitional console into the 32-bit era until the release of the Sega Saturn. The 32X us ...
into one unit, originally scheduled for release in 1994 or 1995 before the project was dropped after the release of the
Sega Saturn
The is a home video game console developed by Sega and released on November 22, 1994, in Japan, May 11, 1995, in North America, and July 8, 1995, in Europe. Part of the fifth generation of video game consoles, it was the successor to the succ ...
.
Nao from 5pb. Records performed the opening song of the game. The theme of the game, was released on a single album, along with the song ''Sincerely''. Both songs are available on the album ''Prismatic Infinity Carat''.
''Hyperdimension Neptunia'' was shown at a closed door event during the
Game Developers Conference
The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is an annual conference for video game developers. The event includes an expo, networking events, and awards shows like the Game Developers Choice Awards and Independent Games Festival, and a variety of tutori ...
2010 in March 2010.
The game was released on August 19, 2010, in Japan, in North America on February 15, 2011, in Europe on March 4, 2011, and in Australia on March 31, 2011.
Various different types of
downloadable content
Downloadable content (DLC) is additional content created for an already released video game, distributed through the Internet by the game's publisher. It can either be added for no extra cost or it can be a form of video game monetization, enablin ...
(DLC) exist for ''Hyperdimension Neptunia'', including character, quest, and item downloads. In total, $98 of DLC was released for the game in the United States.
''Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1''
, developed by
Felistella
is a Japanese video game developer based in Gifu. It was founded in July 2010 by former Flight-Plan employees. In April 2015, Felistella and Idea Factory have entered a capital tie-up agreement, in which Idea Factory acquired a portion of Feli ...
and released for the
PlayStation Vita
The PlayStation Vita (PS Vita, or Vita) is a handheld video game console developed and marketed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on December 17, 2011, and in North America, Europe, and other international territo ...
and
Microsoft Windows
Windows is a group of several proprietary graphical operating system families developed and marketed by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. For example, Windows NT for consumers, Windows Server for serv ...
, is a full recreation of the original ''Hyperdimension Neptunia'', bringing with it a very different take on the original core scenario, optimized performance, reworked script and voice acting, and an all-new feature dubbed the "remake system", which unlocks special game modifications such as new dungeons and in-battle perks. The remake also have some elements based on and borrowed from the then latest main game, ''
Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory
is an action role-playing game developed and published by Idea Factory with the assistance of Compile Heart. It is the third installment in the ''Hyperdimension Neptunia'' franchise. Set in the year 1989, the story takes place after '' Hyperdim ...
'', such as the visual interface, soundtrack, map design and core gameplay mechanics. Some characters from the original game were removed, such as Gust, Nisa, 5pb. and Red, whilst new characters were added, including the CPU candidates and another series of characters representing game developer companies; Plutia and Peashy from ''Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory'', in addition to Histoire, are playable as DLC characters.
Similarly to ''Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory'', the battles feature a visible bar known as the "EXE drive gauge", with up to 4 stages that fills during battles within the same dungeon. Specific character abilities known as "EXE abilities" can be performed once the required gauge level is met. In addition, characters can execute "EXE finisher" attacks at the end of a combo, depending on the gauge level.
The original continent travel system involving getting through dungeons, then named "Terraportation", has been scrapped in favor of a world map screen similar to that of ''
Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2'', and the dungeon maps are based on a style reminiscent to that of ''Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory''. During the development phase, the enhanced Vita version was intended to fill in what were identified as flaws and shortcomings of the original game. Developers aimed to address the concerns of fans, and features of the earlier PS3 version that were often subject to criticism, such as character interactions, game performance and the music, were totally changed and improved in the remake. The game's intro song is ''Miracle Portable Mission'' by nao and the ending song is ''Mirai Button'' by Afilia Saga.
Unlike the first four games in the series published by NIS America, a western localization was published by Idea Factory International and it was released on August 26, 2014, in North America, while the European version came out the following day.
An enhanced port for
PlayStation 4
The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 3 in February 2013, it was launched on November 15, 2013, in North America, November 29, 2013 in ...
, titled was announced on February 6, 2018, by Compile Heart in one of the interviews for the Dengeki PlayStation magazine. It included Dengekiko, a character in the series, as a playable character. The port launched on May 31, 2018, in Japan for 5,800 yen for the standard edition and 7,800 yen for the limited edition. An enhanced port of that enhanced port titled ''Neptunia Re★Verse'' (known as ''Go! Go! 5 Jigen Game Neptune: re★Verse'' in Japan) for
PlayStation 5
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 4 in April 2019, it was launched on November 12, 2020, in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, North Ame ...
was announced in August 2020, with pre-orders including a download code for a port of ''
Neptunia Shooter''. It was released on December 17, 2020, in Japan, and released on June 8, 2021, and June 11, 2021, in North America and Europe, respectively.
Reception
''Hyperdimension Neptunia''
The original version received favourable reviews in Japan. GameWatch notes that the gameplay is interesting and the parody aspects of the game have its appeals, although the colourfulness of the characters might suppress the plot.
However, it was panned in the West. It received an aggregated score of 45/100 on
Metacritic
Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...
based on 31 reviews.
''
Eurogamer
''Eurogamer'' is a British video game journalism website launched in 1999 and owned by alongside formed company Gamer Network. Its editor-in-chief is Martin Robinson.
Since 2008, it is known for the formerly eponymous games trade fair EGX ...
'' gave it a 2/10, stating that it is "a sexist, senseless, and ultimately stupid cultural curio."
''
GameSpot
''GameSpot'' is an American video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information on video games. The site was launched on May 1, 1996, created by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. In addition ...
'' gave the game a 3/10, criticizing mostly the oversexualized character design and "truly awful music".
On the other hand, ''
IGN
''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa distri ...
'' gave the game a 6/10, praising its decent length and lack of need for level grinding, but criticizing the game's easiness and music.
''Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1''
The PlayStation Vita remake ''Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1'' sold 31,811 physical retail copies within its first week of release in Japan. ''
Famitsu
formerly ''Famicom Tsūshin'', is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Kadokawa Game Linkage (previously known as Gzbrain), a subsidiary of Kadokawa. ''Famitsu'' is published in both weekly and monthly formats as well as in the fo ...
'' gave ''Re;Birth 1'' a review score of 33/40.
In the West, it received mixed reviews. Aggregating review website Metacritic gave the remake 69/100 based on 16 reviews,
and the Microsoft Windows version 72/100 based on 4 reviews.
''Hardcore Gamer'' gave the western release of ''Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth'' a 4 out of 5 rating, referring to it as a significant improvement over its predecessor on the PS3, while effectively fitting a console RPG into a portable game. ''IGN'' Italy scored the game 7.4/10, referring to it as a "cheerful, alluring and pleasant" title for fans of the genre. ''Technology Tell'' gave a rating of A, referring to the game as one of the best RPG titles on the Vita alongside ''
Persona 4 Golden
released outside of Japan as ''Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4'', is a 2008 role-playing video game by Atlus. It is chronologically the fifth installment in the ''Persona'' series, itself a part of the larger ''Megami Tensei'' franchise, and was ...
'', while ''GameZone'' praised the game's mechanics and new changes, giving a score of 8.5 out of 10. ''Just Push Start'', ''RPG Site'' and ''Push Square'' all gave review scores of 8/10, noting that the improved visuals provide no framerate issues and that the game features solid Japanese and English voice acting, while ''Battle Screen'' rated the game a 7.5/10, referring to it as the best ''Neptunia'' title to date. General consensus among western reviewers is that the Vita remake improves over the flaws within the original PS3 title.
[2014-08-22]
Hyperdimension Neptunia: Re;Birth 1
GameQuarter
References
External links
* at NIS America
* at Compile Heart
* at Idea Factory
* at Compile Heart
{{Hyperdimension Neptunia series
2010 video games
Compile Heart games
Hyperdimension Neptunia games
Japanese role-playing video games
Nippon Ichi Software games
PlayStation 3 games
PlayStation 4 games
PlayStation 5 games
PlayStation Vita games
Science fantasy video games
Sega video games
Video games about amnesia
Video games featuring female protagonists
Windows games
Video games with alternate endings
PhyreEngine games
Single-player video games
Koei Tecmo games
Video games developed in Japan
Felistella games