Video Game Vintage Title: Hyperdimension Neptunia

Hyperdimension Neptunia

Hyperdimension Neptunia is a 2010 role-playing video game developed by Idea Factory and published by Compile Heart in Japan and NIS America in North America and Tecmo Koei in Europe exclusively for Sony's PlayStation 3. The game is a take on the seventh generation era "console war" among the three major consoles: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii. It was shown at a closed door event during the Game Developers Conference 2010 on March 2010 in San Francisco. 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. A television anime series adaptation, titled Hyperdimension Neptunia: The Animation, began airing in July 2013.

Two sequels, Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2 and Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory, have also been released. Another game, titled Ultradimension Idol Neptune PP , was released on June 20, 2013 for the PlayStation Vita, developed by Compile Heart, Idea Factory and Tamsoft. Two more games for the Vita were announced: Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1 and Chou Megami Shinkou Noire: Gekishin Black Heart with Noire as the main character, to be released sometime in the near future. During a streamed interview at Tokyo Game Show 2013, Idea Factory and Compile Heart announced that Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2 is currently under development, in addition to another presently unnamed future Neptunia title. Re;Birth 2 is due for release on 20 March 2014.

The game's name is derived from the scrapped Sega Neptune which combined the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive and Sega 32X into one unit, originally scheduled for release in 1994 or 1995 before the project was dropped after the release of the Sega Saturn.

Hyperdimension Neptunia Plot

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 Wars. 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. After hearing from Compa that monsters have began to run loose, Neptune decides to go hunt them along with Compa. Diring 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.

Hyperdimension Neptunia 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. However, the game also features 3D-style dungeon exploration, similar to recent Final Fantasy titles. Like most JRPGs, 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.

SettingThe game takes place in the world of Gamindustri (ゲーム業界 Gēmu gyōkai?), 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.

Planeptune is depicted as a modern-futuristic city, with skyscrapers and various streets, and is guarded by Neptune. This country represents a fictional seventh-generation console by Sega.

Lastation is a heavily industrialized steampunk-style city, guarded by Noire. This country is a reference to the PlayStation 3.

Lowee is a frosty, forest style city covered with white snow, guarded by Blanc. This country is a reference to the Nintendo Wii.

Leanbox is a very rocky and mountainous area, with green grass at the base of the mountains, and is guarded by Vert. This country is a reference to the Xbox 360.