Megadimension Neptunia VII will be released in the West exclusively for the PlayStation 4 in 2016. It is the fourth installment in Idea Factory’s JRPG PlayStation-exclusive franchise “Hyperdimension Neptunia” (which recreates the videogame “system wars” in a Japanese anime-style) and the first to be released for next-gen consoles. It will be published in the USA thanks to the publishing arm of the developer, “Idea Factory International”.
Check out some gameplay footage of the game in action.
SYNOPSIS
Get ready to Nep Nep it up in NEXT mode, in this NEXT release exclusively for the PlayStation 4!
The first PS4 game in the Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this “Mega” installment features new characters, three worlds to save and three stories to play, a new powerful transformation mode, extra features to the battle system, and a new dungeon minigame so you can get all the items you need for you and all of your new allies to save Gamindustri!
Here’s the Megadimension Neptunia VII image gallery.
Click on any of these image thumbnails to see the full-size photos:
STORY
G.C. 2015 – Gamindustri has entered a precarious season known as the CPU Shift Period. During this time of social unrest, deprecating rumors about the CPUs have begun to saturate Gamindustri. Neptune and the others worry the citizens will soon call for new leaders to replace the them and that their rule will end.
In these critical moments for Planeptune, Neptune and Nepgear mysteriously disappear. Their destination: a divergent world, nearing its catastrophic end, called the Zero Dimension. They encounter the last remaining CPU of this world, Uzume Tennouboshi, who is desperately waging a lonely battle against a colossal evil known as the Dark CPU.
Will Neptune and Nepgear be able to work together with Uzume in order to save Zero Dimension from tragedy? So begins a new adventure for Neptune…
Key Megadimension Neptunia VII Features
* New Battle Features!
Characters can link up for stronger attacks, “Parts Break” allows you to split enemies into pieces to lower their stats and disable special attacks, and “Giant Battles” impose limits that will challenge the strategist in you!
* NEXT mode!
A second transformation is now available! You can break those big baddies into bits with NEXT mode, which features new special skills and a new costume for the CPUs!
* Three Worlds, Three Stories Three different story modes!
With new CPUs and characters at your side, you must fight through three dimensions to save Gamindustri!
* New Dungeon Minigame!
An homage to the classic “Spelunker,” you receive special items when you clear this dungeon under the time limit!
It’s always great to see these crazy, zany JRPGs getting released in the West.
I wish franchises like this would go multiplatform, but the fact that we are getting them at all is a wonderful testament to where we sit in today’s gaming landscape. Even more considering that these are physical releases & not exclusively digital.
Apparently the franchise continues to sell well enough for Idea Factor to keep bringing new ones over.
If you missed the previous installments, be sure to check out the PS3’s “Hyperdimension Neptunia” (2010, the first game in the franchise), it’s sequel “Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2” (2011) & “Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory” (2012), all published by NIS America.
Each of the three above original core installments also got PS Vita remakes published by “Idea Factory International” on both PSVita & PC via Steam. The remakes are the way to go if you are just getting into the franchise.
The remakes are: “Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1” (2013), “Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2: Sisters Generation” (2014) & “Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation” (2014).
In addition there are several spin-offs that explore new genres for PlayStation Vita. Including “Hyperdimension Neptunia: Producing Perfection” (2013, idol-raising simulation with rhythm & dating sim elements), “Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart” (Strategy RPG) and “Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed” (Dynasty Warriors-style Action Game).
There’s two upcoming spin-offs that have yet to be released in the West, one of them is a multiplayer action game (“Neptune vs Zombie Army”) for PSVita, the other is a crossover with the “Sega Hard Girls” franchise (“Neptune’s Platoon vs Sega Hard Girls”), also for PSVita. Both hit Japan this year. So they may make it out to the West next year in 2016.
It’s worth noting that you DO NOT need to play previous games in the series to enjoy the rest. The game’s are pretty self-contained, although you will recognize elements if you’ve played previous ones. Most people recommend skipping the first game entirely, and either staring with Mk2 (the second game) or Victory (the third game).
If you want to continue to see titles like this released in English, be sure to check out Megadimension Neptunia VII for PS4!