Review: Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth3: V Generation (Vita)

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth3: V Generation

A remake of Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory, which appeared on PS3, this game features an improved RPG battle system, more scenarios, and extra dollops of fourth-wall-breaking humor! This is Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth3: V Generation

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth3: V Generation

 

Pros:

  • Classic Neptunia graphics which are like an Anime influenced style.
  • Japanese audio is available after a free DLC download.
  • Revamped new UI with an easier to read menu system which in turns makes it all feel free flowing and straight forward.
  • In game challenges, Like in game achievements. Finishing them grants bonus stats upgrades. They can be really simple like jump 5 times but soon get crazy like hit for 2000 plus damage.
  • Full Platinum trophy.
  • Funny engrossing story.
  • New characters to play with each with new skills and techniques.
  • Free roaming game where you can see enemies and pick your fights.
  • Combat is turn based, You can move anywhere within your area.
  • PlayStation TV compatible.
  • Simple easy controls. It helps that attacks are shown on screen at all times in battle.
  • HDD mode is back. This is where you change into an alternate outfit. You deal higher damage but receive more damage from enemy attacks.
  • Combat is more combo based. It is now easier to string different attack types.
  • Combo counter.
  • Main hub where you can save/load, shop, re watch cut scenes and access the guild.
  • Guild: where you accept story and side missions. You also come here to hand in completed missions.
  • Lilly system where you can string attacks together with other party members.
  • New monsters with a special mention for the huge Monster Hunter type enemies that require a lot of work to take down. They wont hunt you down and only attack once attacked.
  • Viral: A mechanic where an enemy can go viral and get stronger deal more damage etc, The twist is once one monster goes viral, The chance arises where nearby enemies will also go viral.
  • Warp gates in levels to expand the level even further.
  • Create and assign new moves to create new combos.
  • Stella dungeon has been improved. Send Stella out on a mission in a tower. Its all done in the background and can award you with unique loot. You can assign weapons,items and even a follower to Stella to aid in getting more loot. You can watch it happen if you so wish.
  • New locations and areas to explore.
  • Planet Neptunia TV show. A bit of fun where you learn more about the world and story. As an added bonus you get asked trivia and getting the question right rewards you with loot.
  • Game performance overall is a lot more solid than previous games.
  • Improved cut scenes when using special moves.
  • Few new story elements like bonus side missions.
  • Full party management. Assign new weapons to characters, change formations and deal with upgrades.
  • Invisible bonus blocks all over the world. As a nod to Mario hitting them reveals coins which is loot.
  • Remake system: You can acquire plans and burn them to a disc to make up new game modes, Change gameplay mechanics and swap out loot. Its a great mechanic that allows you to mix it up a bit and make farming a bit easier.
  • A lot of unofficial cameo appearances Neptunia vets will be familiar with. From Metal Gear Solid to Toro cat, The game brings it all in the game.

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth3: V Generation

Cons:

  • A lot of needless conversations that do nothing but drag the time out.
  • Slow starter.
  • Minimal touch screen controls.
  • Repetitive game play.
  • No real game play advancements over previous games or the original.
  • Frame drops happen occasionally.
  • Same soundtrack.
  • A lot of grinding especially mid game onward.
  • Difficulty spikes.

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth3: V Generation

In Summary,Here we go again! Its yet another updated Vita version of a PlayStation 3 game. By now its a case of just highlighting what is new in terms of Neptunia on Vita. For that reason it does have a lot of new features that enrich the experience. The in game achievements finally land and make the whole game bearable as you can level up by just playing around. The animations, cut scenes and Stella dungeon are all revamped and much better. Those changes aside the core game play is still the same old formula over and over. You can almost predict what happens next and where you are going. New locations are cool looking adding warp gates allow the levels sheer size to be doubled or even tripled in size. In reality this just means you have more space to traverse, More enemies to fight and basically drags it all out. I do enjoy the Neptunia games and I would deem this to be one of the better ones but I am tiring of the same old game play game after game. Its worth a look for the story and the new additions are great and I hope they stay for future games but please God bring more game play types to it all!

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!