QCF: Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed

t’s time for round 5! So far, the Hyerdimension Neptunia series has seen five releases to the PS Vita in the last year; some great (Hyperdevotion Noire), others plainly bad (Hyperdimension Neptunia Producing Perfection) and others that are admittedly more than passable (Rebirth 1 and 2). Hyperdimension Neptunia U shakes up the series with yet another new genre to add to the series' repertoire; the 3D brawler, Well, almost.

As with all of the other entries in the Neptunia series, RPG elements are rife within Neptunia U's gameplay. In Neptunia U, Neptune and the gang are being followed around by journalists Dengekiko and Famitsu (based off real-world publications) looking to cover the girls' exploits as they take on quests posted by the denizens of Gamindusri. What adventures await the girls this time?

Game flow is just like previous games with quests laid out in various areas. Certain ones will have different recommended levels, which can be worked towards through regular gameplay. Players choose two CPUs (or their younger Candidates) to tackle the mission chosen. Just as in other Neptunia games, Lily Rank can boost their overall power, depending on who's being paired with who. In any mission, player has direct control of their character and can switch between their chosen sub-character at will. Other missions will require specific characters to be used in conjunction with a high level, so being able to use any of the 10 characters at any given time will make for an easier approach to the game overall.

Each character has a number of moves at their disposal to take on the enemy hoards and bosses in any given stage. Chaining basic attacks together in different patterns of normal and hard attacks allows different basic moves to be performed. Each character also has a selection of special moves that really dish out the damage, to the cost of power units that are displayed over your girl's life bar.

When the EXE drive gauge is filled up, your chosen combatant will change to Goddess mode, and basically wreak some seriously awesome havoc. Players can also change between their main character and sub character at any time, and both can gain EXE power independently of each other. In addition, fallen characters will eventually be able to get back into the fight.

During battle, medals can be collected from defeated foes. These medals open up enhancements for the characters in the game, as well as super weapons and ability sets, which enhance various attributes. Any one of the unlocked sets can also be used over any number of characters without having to be unlocked again.

Overall, though, the gameplay here is actually way less Neptunia and more Kagura Senran, especially since your characters' clothes explode off right down to their skivvies complete with ample “bounce” when they take enough damage. In fact, there are even “Easy-Rip” and pre-ripped versions of their clothing that make it easier for more, uh... unsavory individuals to see any of the characters' compromised viewpoints, unmentionables and jiggly bits at all times. The Neptunia series isn't a strangers to this sort of content, but this level of gratuity makes it easily the most risqué entry to the series to date, which may not be an especially great thing. To Neptunia U's credit though, there are also hardened versions of the costumes and clothing that don't break to expose anything at all.

At least the presentation outside of this unfortunate feature is solid with the same great character design, decent, newly-remixed tunage, and funny dialogue and writing the series is known for, not to mention a ton of in-jokes and references that show that, yes, this is still definitely a Neptunia game. There are even two main story lines; one for the core characters of Neptunia ReBirth 1 and another for the CPU Candidates from ReBirth 2. Someone must also have read my Fairy Fencer F review; when changing weapon and armour sets, Neptune shouts, “FAIRIZE! ...oops, wrong game!” seemingly in direct reference to the fact that Fairy Fencer F is more or less identical in most ways to Hyperdimension Neptunia ReBirth 1.

All told, Nuptunia U is fun stuff, and allows players to get to the nitty gritty of the story without a ton of grinding. Some of the missions can take a while to get through and the fighting can often be pretty mindless, but there's also a lot going for it with its sharp dialogue and great presentation. If you like action-based hack-and-slashers, Neptunia U should be a game you should check out for your Vita.