There Should Be No TV for The R:Evolution.
Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution
Platform:Â PlayStation 4/5, also on Switch
Developer:Â Compile Heart
Publisher:Â Idea Factory International
Release date:Â May 14th, 2024
Price:Â $49.99, digital and physical
Digital availability:Â PlayStation Store
The future of GameIndustri is in jeopardy once more, just like it was in many of the previous mainline and spin-off episodes of Hyperdimension Neptunia. However, the real game industry is going through a severe crisis right now, and I truly wanted Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution to provide a haven from the deluge of studio closures, job losses, and cancelled projects that are happening in the real world.
Undoubtedly, it’s probably too late to stop the trend of expensive live-action games and the impending death of physical media. Of course, it would be consoling to see Nep Nep rescue us from the misguided policies crafted by a gang of evil CEOs. Sadly, Neptunia Game Maker commits a well-known mistake by releasing an unnecessary entry that suggests a failing series.
When Crash ‘n Burn is the Only Launch Title You Have
R:Evolution’s narrative gets off to a promising start as it keeps skewering the video game industry metaphorically. Three “failure goddesses”—Jagaa, Pippih, and Reedio—are deftly included here. They represent the failed hardware that Atari, Apple, and The 3DO Company produced in the nineties.
As can be expected, each personifies characteristics of the parent corporation, such as Pippih’s conceit or Jagaa’s constant usage of the slogan “Do the Math” in marketing. Furthermore, even if you haven’t played many of the earlier Neptunia games, you can still tell that pirates are the evil guys thanks to Arfoire’s crazy laugh and witch cap or Copy the Hard’s mecha with a skull face. Positively, any devoted enthusiast should enjoy the script’s constant supply of industry allusions.
An Event for Generic Game Awards Is Happening!
Regrettably, though, the game doesn’t give its main conflict enough time to grow. Another issue is the game’s persistent use of confusing metaphors. Fans of the series may agree that winning dungeons increases your market share, but those who are new to the series may wish Compile Heart had provided a more thorough explanation of the metaphor.
Fortunately, anyone who has played Kairosoft’s Game Dev Story before will be familiar with the game’s Disc Creation feature. In this instance, a different, “older,” Nep is in charge of hiring employees and setting up items in the office to motivate your game developers.
Do Games Get Cuter With A Cauldron?
There are some neat benefits; for example, the genre you choose will determine how your headquarters looks, and it’s rewarding to watch your game directors advance and become specialists. Your squad can then equip the discs it makes with your party numbers to give you new fighting capabilities.
Additionally, you will never get to play the shmups, RPGs, or visual novels that your firm has produced, even though R:Evolution lets Nep go about on a cool motorcycle and compete in races that go on for way too long. Although it has been a persistent shortcoming, it is challenging to appreciate creating pretend games with the availability of stand-alone diversions like Neptunia Shooter and Dimension Tripper Neptune: Top Nep. I would have adored pixelated goddess sprites in straightforward, 8-bit style versions of well-known genres.
Growing Anguish
Compile Heart is undoubtedly excited to expand its readership. With the intention of expanding the property’s viewership, the Neptunia spin-offs have essentially replaced the turn-based interactions with responsive action. With the exception of Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online in 2017, the developer has, however, had difficulty crafting a compelling, real-time combat system. The battles in R:Evolution seem like such a chore.
It appears that the developer was attempting to imitate the arena-style combat seen in CyberConnect2’s Naruto games. Each character is free to walk around in this area, and two attack buttons can be used to create easy combos. The game’s Link Chain special, which involves shifting character control and increasing damage output with a press of the directional pad, will eventually unlock as you land blows. Additionally, players can launch strong EXE Drive assaults with full-screen animations by filling up their Link Gauge by transferring control of party members.
However, a lot of the time, all it takes to succeed is pressing buttons and adhering to on-screen instructions. Yes, you can give orders to other party members, make up your own combinations, and apply buffs and debuffs. But you probably won’t need to use these features, until the boss bouts are significantly harder. However, the audio snippets that play nonstop throughout exploration and R:Evolution’s rehashed settings rank among the game’s most annoying design choices. Yes, girls, please quit bugging me; I’ve already looked at the map. One benefit is that you can ride a bike through the dungeons, which is helpful because the level designers used a copy-and-paste approach.
In summary
The Hyperdimension Neptunia series once offered caustic satire, passionate fan-service, and fun banter. However, Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution doesn’t provide many of those capabilities. Rather, playtime is divided between combat conflicts and an antiquated managerial component. Neptune still has noble intentions when it comes to protecting Gamindustri. However, making such a haphazard endeavor could be more detrimental than beneficial.
It was on Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution that
PlayStation 5 with a publisher-provided review code.
Review Overview
Gameplay – 30%
Controls – 50%
Aesthetics – 50%
Content – 60%
Accessibility – 60%
Value – 20%
45%
DISAPPOINTING
Summary : Preventing a catastrophic event in the gaming world is a recurring objective in the Hyperdimension Neptunia series. Ironically, though, Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution, with its shoddy combat and thoughtless spin-off based on repurposed ideas, exemplifies some of the real-life ills plaguing the business. Nep Nep and the other Guardian Goddesses certainly deserve much better.