Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation for PC and PSV is an improved and expanded version of the third entry in the series of satire Japanese role-playing games. The original debuted on PlayStation 3 in 2012 and told the story of human personifications of consoles and Japanese developers. The series debuted in 2010 and it was created by two Japanese companies – Idea Factory and Compile Heart. The series is very popular and during a few years that passed since its debut it spawned many new installments and spin-offs. They were released on PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PS Vita. Re;Birth 3 edition features modified interface, additional characters and scenarios that were previously available only as DLC.

Plot

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3 for PC and PSV continues the story presented in the second entry in the series and it starts a few years later. The threat of the evil deity Arfoire is no more, and the goddesses of the four realms of Gamindustri are living in peace and harmony. The protagonist of the game is one of these goddesses – the likeable and clumsy Neptune. She accidently moves to an alternative reality where her friends and their countries are at the brink of war. The goddesses, focused on fighting each other, aren’t aware that their reigns are threatened by a mysterious group of seven sages. Neptune must cause all sides to make peace, defeat the sages and find a way back home.

Mechanics

The gameplay foundations of Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3 for PC and PSV haven’t changed. It is still a traditional jRPG filled with absurd humor. The humor is frequently very hermetic as it references Japan culture and various tropes known from games and anime. Almost the whole cast of the game features female characters that represent stereotypical archetypes and roles. Cutscenes realized in the visual novel style (animated, two-dimensional portraits and dialogues in windows) are a major part of the game. However, during most of the game the player will explore various dungeons and closed locations, where they will fight encountered enemies.

The developers improved this aspect of the game by increasing the size of many levels and introducing previously unavailable features. Up to eight female characters can participate in the turn-based battles with enemies. Only four of them are directly participating in battles while the other four serves the support role – they impact the statistics of the active warriors. The player can freely travel through the three-dimensional arenas in each turn. All attacks have specific range. The basic attacks are assigned to three buttons and, depending on order in which these buttons are pressed, the player can build special combos. Some characters can transform into stronger, “god” form. The transformation costs points that are accumulated during the game.

Technical aspects

The graphics of Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation for PC and PSV haven’t greatly changed. The colorful and comic-like three-dimensional models of characters and environment are nice looking. However, they don’t impress with the number of details or complexity of animations. The pop and electronic music isn’t catchy, but it doesn’t irritate as well.

Last updated on 13 October 2015