Review: Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2 (Vita)

Gamindustri faces a dire crisis. Shops are boarded up, creators are overworked and starving, and death looms over all Gamindustrimen. But the CPUs refuse to let this be game over for their world! Gamindustri had severed its ties to the chaotic Lawless Realm long ago, and yet…

Pros:

• Graphics are the now staple Anime style most common with Neptunia games.
• Gameplay is a huge sprawling dungeon crawler/RPG.
• Combat is turn based but you can move around the circle of war.  This allows you to line up accurate attacks or attempt attacks on multiple targets.
• Nods to unofficial cameo appearances from popular game franchises.  Easter eggs a plenty.
• World map screen.
• Guild: Optional side quests where you can unlock new ones as the story progresses. You can complete side quests as you play through the story.
• Byte size levels. Ideal for on the go gaming.
• Touchscreen support for many parts of the game.
• Full Platinum trophy list.
• Treasure radar,  Press button to do a quick area scan to look for hidden loot.
• Japanese/English dub options.
• Create moves and outfits.
• You can buy/make game changing options like swapping loot found in dungeons,  Stronger enemies and many many more.
• HDD mode is where you transform your character and become more powerful with better moves.  It comes at a cost to your health.
• Whole mini game where you can send characters off dungeon exploring.  Works like the farm and fishing expeditions in Monster Hunter. Simply select their gear,  choose an area and time limit and off they go.  Any rewards found are deposited into your stash.  you can get new weapons and gear for them so they last longer and do harder areas for better rewards.
• Replay dungeons at any time to grind up your levels or get materials for upgrading.

Cons:

• Difficulty spikes,  Usually occurring around boss fights.
• Forgettable characters who you feel no real connection too.
• Story is one you have heard in the previous games,  Full of clichés and tough in cheek humour and digs.  it’s entertaining in places but you soon find yourself skipping them.
• Not quick or easy Platinum trophy.
• Questionable clothing for the girls especially when you consider the age they are portraying.
• A lot of reading and with it a slow pace taking its toll on the overall game pace.
• Boss fights stop being about tactics,  Instead relying more on bringing loads of health items and spamming high level attacks. Heal, attack, heal,  attack and repeat until you win.
• Grinding plays a huge part in the game.  you can do the little part of the stories no problem but boss fights prove how underpowered you are.

In Summary,  What we have here is another classic Neptunia game.  it brings the staple crazy story,  provocative clothing and loads of fighting.  With little new additions the game is just barely a new game over the first.  It does however increase the grinding needed and boss fights are just spam and heal affairs. Don’t get me wrong fans will still love it and like the way it stays true to the previous games.  New players will soon tire of the games slow pace and some what boring fighting.  So in short if you love grinding your in for a treat!  If it’s not then leave this one alone.