Review for Cyber Dimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online. Game for PC and PlayStation 4, the video game was released on 09/02/2017 The version for PC came out on 27/02/2018
Between parodies, fanservice and nonsense, Neptune is back to be talked about again! Unlike the main titles in the series, Planeptune's CPU returns with an actionhack 'n slash JRPG. Cyber Dimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online is the new title of the series created by Compile Heart e Idea Factory, this time in collaboration with Tamsoft and distributed by NIS America.
The title will be released on October 13 on Playstation 4 and, later, on Steam.
However, although the variant from the genre, it is difficult to expect anything other than what Compile Heart usually proposes, in the bad and the good. This absolutely does not mean that the title is invalid, indeed, Cyberdimension Neptunia will grant several hours of entertainment and laughter by exploiting its strengths where necessary. But, a small and necessary premise, if you are not tolerant of fan service, this is not the title you are looking for.
A daring adventure on 4 Goddesses Online
For those approaching the series for the first time, it is right to specify that this title is a Spin-Off from the parent series Hyperdimension Neptunia. In the latter, Neptune, Noire, Blanc and Vert are the four CPUs (Console Patrolling Units) that manage and protect the 4 nations of Gamindustri: Planeptune, LaStation, Lowee and Leanbox. The nations just mentioned are clear references to Sega, PlayStation, Nintendo and Xbox consoles.
Although they are always competing to prove their nation is the best, the four CPUs are still friends and often find themselves joining forces to defeat a far greater threat. This time, our heroines will be faced with an unusual scenario. Neptune, Noire, Blanc and Vert will in fact be invited to be a beta tester for a new MMORPG almost ready for launch: 4 Goddesses Online.
The four heroines - definitely NOT to get away from the tasks related to their nations - will accept, finding themselves inside an old-fashioned MMORPG, albeit still being completed. Neptune and companions will still have to follow the game scripts in order to complete the plot, thanks to the help of an NPC named Bouquet who will tell her the lore of 4 Goddesses Online. Neptune will learn that she is one of the chosen ones along with her friends, and that she will have to face the imminent awakening of the Demon King who threatens the peaceful kingdom of Asgard. The four chosen will then set out in search of some legendary artifacts that will allow them to receive the support of the four goddesses in the final battle.
The Fanservice that Neptunia fans want
One of the goals that the series always sets itself is to "satisfy" the player. Even in Cyberdimension Neptunia, fanservice reigns supreme. Between shots, GC galleries and real events, the minutes dedicated to the satisfaction of the genre fan will be really many and, unfortunately, always in the usual ways of the series. Fortunately, this amount is handled on a regular basis, so that the title itself is not overwhelmed by the fanservice. During our explorations in the dungeons we will rarely see these kinds of scenes, and it will be there where the spotlight will all be on the gameplay. However, the usual demented humor able to break through the fourth wall will reign supreme.
Between action and strategy, 12 warriors at your service
If for many a JRPG Action calling a hack 'n slash can lead to monotony, know that Cyberdimension Neptunia manages to largely overcome this problem, thanks to a wide variety of usable characters and a combat system that requires not only reflexes, but also strategy. Starting with an initial roster of 4 members in the party, during the continuation of the game 8 other warriors will join the team and, like any good self-respecting MMORPG, will have a different fighting style and skill set.
You could fight as the Neptune Paladin, suitable for melee combat, but with basic magical abilities, or stand in the rear as Priestess Blanc, charged with supporting the party with healing, but capable of devastating enemies from afar. with powerful black magic. In the video below we show you some of the gameplay of Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online.
All the most famous "classes" from the world of Jrpg will be present in Cyberdimension Neptunia, allowing you to indulge yourself between one character and another and choose your fighting style. Choosing which types of classes to use in battle is one of several ways to win in any situation. In fact, another option in the menu will allow the player to provide strategies and indications even to the members of the group controlled by the CPU.
Depending on the instructions, your battlemates will adapt by meticulously following orders, whether it is to attack, defend or just keep SP. The only small problem, which occurs only in a few rare cases, is the camera that does not react as it should, sometimes obstructing the view.
A moment of relaxation ...
In Asgard there will be only one village, where you will spend your breaks between one story quest and another, but not only. In fact, it will be here that you will witness most of the game's dialogues, whether they are storylines or secondary events. In addition, the various constructions present in the village will allow you to customize your warriors with accessories, provide new equipment or upgrade it and finally accept secondary quests.
Among the various functions available, the possibility of being able to play co-op with other people online stands out. Through a bulletin board in the village you can create a room on the network and wait for guests, or look for one created by others. In the online mode it will be possible to venture into the sidequests with friends and talk to them either through predefined phrases dubbed by the various heroines, or by writing freely via the pad.
A technical side without flaws, if not monotony
If those who enter the series for the first time will see a colorful and beautiful graphics sector, the passionate player of the series, on the other hand, cannot fail to notice that very large part of the models used - albeit some finishing - they are always the same from the previous titles.
This does not at all mean that the graphics sector is not valid, absolutely. But sometimes varying can bring benefits and, above all, avoid any annoying monotony. Compile Heart should seriously start evaluating new ideas in this area, especially if it wants to continue satisfying fans who have been following the series for years. On the other hand, the sound sector is well cared for and varied, although there are no tracks that stand out particularly.
Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online somehow manages to take off despite some impediments dictated by the lack of longevity at the storyline level, which certainly has never been the flagship of the series and a slight monotony at the design level . The real peculiarity of the title in question is in fact that of entertaining the player even outside the "plot", and it succeeds thanks to a fair amount of secondary events, the right fanservice that the fan of the series expects and the possibility of having fun with friends while indulging in the use of twelve playable characters between numerous adventures. An undemanding title, suitable for the usual Compile Heart audience or for those who simply want to have fun without huge demands.
► Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online is an Action-JRPG game developed by Compile Heart Idea Factory Tamsoft and published by Idea Factory for PC and PlayStation 4, the video game was released on 09/02/2017 The version for PC came out on 27/02/2018
