Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,339 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed Game Cover
Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed has fun combat that is trapped in repetitive levels filled with unrealized potential.
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In "Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed," players engage in real-time hack 'n' slash combat with familiar characters from the Neptunia series in 1080p graphics. The Dual System lets you switch between two characters, utilizing their strengths and weaknesses to form a powerful battle duo. This action-packed game offers a lighter storyline, focusing on street brawling and character-specific missions.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,339 reviews
story75 positive mentions
grinding76 negative mentions
  • Fun hack-and-slash gameplay with a variety of characters and combos.
  • Humorous dialogue and interactions that maintain the charm of the Neptunia series.
  • Costume break mechanic adds a unique twist and fanservice element to the gameplay.
  • Repetitive missions and lack of depth in gameplay can lead to boredom.
  • Short main story with minimal plot development compared to other Neptunia titles.
  • Technical issues such as crashes and poor camera controls detract from the overall experience.
  • story521 mentions

    The story in "Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed" is generally considered shallow and simplistic, focusing on two journalists, Dengekiko and Famitsu, who document the CPUs and their quests. While the game features humorous dialogue and character interactions, many players find the narrative lacking depth and coherence, often feeling repetitive and disconnected from the engaging storylines of previous Neptunia titles. Overall, the game prioritizes action and gameplay over a compelling narrative, making it more suitable for fans of the series rather than newcomers seeking a rich story experience.

    • “The story has kept me interested this whole time, and the usual Nep humor is present here as always.”
    • “Great game with an exciting spin-off story and great action in the Neptunia universe.”
    • “The plot is pretty great in this game.”
    • “This isn't even mentioning that the game never tells you what the main missions are, or that there are many missions that require you to start and immediately quit and repeat a 95% recycled dialogue to continue.”
    • “The game dumps a lot of missions on you once you finish the prologue and the bulk of the game is just an endless grind through all these samey missions with very little story in between them, you get a cutscene maybe like once every 10 missions (the cutscenes are good though, the writing is very funny and punchy).”
    • “The story is incredibly short and thus the main game is incredibly short but the game tries to offer expansive endgame content instead of super engaging storyline, including a 'endless' dungeon and a 1v1 arena.”
  • gameplay292 mentions

    The gameplay of "Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed" is characterized by fast-paced hack-and-slash mechanics reminiscent of the Dynasty Warriors series, offering a departure from the traditional turn-based RPG style of previous Neptunia titles. While many players find the combat satisfying and the new costume break mechanic adds a humorous twist, the gameplay is often criticized for being repetitive and lacking depth, with some missions feeling like tedious grind-fests. Overall, it appeals to fans of casual, mindless action but may disappoint those seeking a more complex gaming experience.

    • “On this one, gameplay actually feels fast and hitting enemies feels satisfying.”
    • “The game is goofy and the gameplay is real hardcore, but still fun, especially if you're underleveled.”
    • “With the new costume-break mechanic, many bosses, cute characters, and fast-paced action, it's a solid game.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is atrocious.”
    • “Got it in a bundle with 3 other Neptunia games but not worth it; gameplay is boring and janky.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly boring with zero depth or interesting mechanics and the story is hardly interesting enough to justify the slog.”
  • graphics83 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the beautiful art style and decent visuals, while others criticize the outdated textures and lack of graphical options. Many players note that the game runs well on low-end PCs, but the graphics are often described as subpar compared to other titles in the series, with some recommending mods to enhance the experience. Overall, while the visuals are considered charming and colorful, they are not groundbreaking and may disappoint those seeking high-end graphics.

    • “Even though the story is strange, the game's graphics are undeniably beautiful.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous, I didn't hit any bugs or glitches, and I'm still playing.”
    • “The graphics are pretty good and there is a good amount of content in the game too.”
    • “This series is quite an old one, plus they do not have a high budget, so the graphics are mediocre.”
    • “The graphics are locked, so increasing the size doesn't improve the quality of the textures, though that can be fixed with some mods.”
    • “The game runs rather well, even without a high-end setup, though some may find the graphics lacking compared to other Neptunia titles.”
  • humor79 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by its witty dialogue, self-aware jokes, and frequent fourth-wall breaks, which fans of the series will appreciate. While some players found the humor to be repetitive or overshadowed by a thin plot, many enjoyed the lighthearted and quirky character interactions that are typical of the Neptunia franchise. Overall, the game successfully combines comedy with gameplay, making it an entertaining experience for those who enjoy its unique brand of humor.

    • “It's the perfect combination of gameplay and humor.”
    • “The humor is well done as you hear lots of funny lines from the characters.”
    • “Just the random silliness and easy-going atmosphere of the game is enough to suck you in for hours, laughing along with whatever nonsensical shenanigans are going on.”
    • “Boring, too much talk, unfunny, even the action sucks.”
    • “The jokes fall flat and feel forced, making the experience tedious.”
    • “I expected humor, but it was more cringeworthy than funny.”
  • grinding76 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious, particularly the lily rank achievements, which many players found to be the most frustrating part of the experience. While some players enjoyed the mindless nature of grinding and found it relaxing, others felt it detracted from the overall enjoyment, leading to a repetitive gameplay loop. Overall, the game is described as heavily reliant on grinding, with a significant portion of playtime dedicated to achieving completionist goals, making it less appealing for those seeking a more balanced experience.

    • “100% achievement grinding is insanely tedious due to the lily rank system.”
    • “I think it took me 12 hours to clear the story and the other 24 hours were grinding the tournament and tower to get the last items and to raise everyone's lily ranks to full, which by the end felt like a chore.”
    • “The enemies are mindless, and the gameplay is tedious, especially when objectives like 'defeat 1500' enemies appear.”
  • music73 mentions

    The music in the game has received a generally positive reception, with many praising its unique and catchy soundtracks that blend retro and modern styles, fitting well with the game's environments. However, some players noted that a significant portion of the music is recycled from previous Neptunia titles, leading to a lack of fresh content. Overall, while the soundtrack is enjoyable and enhances the gaming experience, it could benefit from more original tracks.

    • “I give it a thumbs up because on average the soundtrack they make is really unique and gives a new flavor to every Neptunia game.”
    • “The music matches the environments rather well, might I add.”
    • “The soundtrack is typical Neptunia - funky, with some 8-bit mixed here and there followed by JRPG battle rock themes.”
    • “Unlike older series, Neptunia U doesn't really get me deeper into its music library since it's just a library of many previous games. Although it's still good to listen to, there's nothing fresh out of it.”
    • “Ultimately, there is no reason to enjoy this game: the graphics are upscaled Vita models, the soundtrack is tiny, the gameplay is incredibly boring with zero depth or interesting mechanics, and the story is hardly interesting enough to justify the slog.”
    • “This is a battle game yet you'll have non-battle music playing all the time; it's oddly distracting.”
  • optimization12 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users experiencing significant performance issues, including crashes and slowdowns even on low settings. However, many players noted improvements post-launch, with reports of better performance on lower-end hardware and a generally smoother experience. While some still encounter minor issues, the overall sentiment leans towards a more favorable optimization compared to previous versions.

    • “Optimization and hardware for all of you PC nerds:”
    • “So, while the first 'rebirth' tried to hog more resources than it deserved, this port seems to be far better optimized and will probably run smoothly on many laptops and older desktop rigs.”
    • “Also, despite what the recommended requirements for playing this game, this game runs smoothly on the minimum requirements, with some minor slowdowns here and there.”
    • “Poor optimization; I get really bad slow down even at really low settings.”
    • “There were reports of crashing, blurry 1080p graphics, sound, controller, and performance issues on launch. Luckily, most of the issues were either fixed or are easy to fix thanks to the community findings.”
    • “After you switch it to high performance graphic card, the game tends to crash, resulting in a black screen and the mouse just won't work anymore.”
  • stability7 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report a smooth experience with steady 60fps and no significant bugs or glitches, others encounter issues such as choppy controls, buggy physics, and occasional freezes. Despite these inconsistencies, the majority find the game runs well, particularly on PC, with some praising the graphics.

    • “Other than that, the game runs well, with no bugs, no glitches, and no slowdowns. It maintains a steady 60fps at 1080p with upscaled Vita graphics that aren't even rendered in 1080p.”
    • “The game runs great at 60fps (at least for me) and offers nice options for PC.”
    • “All the controls are rough, the flow of attacks is choppy, the enemies are useless, and the physics are buggy.”
    • “Buggy inconsistent piece of trash.”
    • “It just freezes at the opening and you can hear the menu running but can't see it.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    The game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the challenges and achievements that encourage multiple playthroughs, others find the limited quest length and lack of multiple endings diminish its overall replay value. Collecting items and completing gauntlets can extend gameplay for dedicated players, but the short main story may deter those seeking a more substantial replay experience.

    • “Lots of replay value after the main story in the form of gauntlets and other challenges.”
    • “Replayable for those who aim for flawless achievements.”
    • “The game is kind of short in terms of quests, 5 or 6 hours of serious playing will complete almost all the quests the game has to offer, but there is a lot of replayability if you want to collect everything.”
    • “That and the lack of any real replay value makes it hard to recommend this game at full price.”
    • “You are looking for a game that has any sort of replayability or multiple endings (only has one ending).”
    • “The game is kind of short in terms of quests; 5 or 6 hours of serious playing will complete almost all the quests the game has to offer, but there is a lot of replayability if you want to collect everything.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its colorful visuals, humorous and lighthearted tone, and engaging environments that draw players in for hours of enjoyment. While the "costume break" mechanic enhances gameplay, some players feel that certain lewd animations push the boundaries. Overall, the game successfully retains the charm of the Neptunia series, featuring enjoyable characters and well-designed enemies.

    • “The game retains what is great about the previous Neptunia games - the colorful atmosphere, funky battlemaps to fight in, and good-looking character and enemy models (though a lot are the same as in the previous games from the franchise).”
    • “I love the Neptunia series; the environments are nice, characters are enjoyable, enemies have nice designs, and the games always have a nice atmosphere to them.”
    • “Fresh and humorous atmosphere.”
    • “The 'costume break' mechanic is useful by all means (filling up the exe gauge would take years without the costume break boost) and definitely goes along pretty well with the Neptunia atmosphere, but all those lewd animations were a little beyond the edge.”
    • “Just the random silliness and easy-going atmosphere of the game is enough to suck you in for hours, laughing along with whatever nonsensical shenanigans are going on.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players appreciate the emotional aspect of the game, highlighting the wholesome sister bonding events that enhance the narrative experience. However, some find the overall story lacking, suggesting that while the humor remains enjoyable, it doesn't fully compensate for the narrative shortcomings.

    • “By completing quests, you can watch special sister bonding time events, and that's a wholesome experience.”
    • “When wholesome becomes sinful.”
    • “Still good, totally wholesome Nep humor, just like in its previous games.”
    • “The story felt incredibly dull and failed to evoke any emotional response.”
    • “I found the narrative to be unengaging, lacking the depth needed to connect with the characters.”
    • “The emotional moments were predictable and did not resonate with me at all.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development is notably strong, showcasing a clear progression that reflects previous installments, particularly through the interactions of the main character with their sisters. While the combat may feel sluggish, the thoughtful character designs and unique move sets for previously non-playable characters enhance the narrative. However, the absence of playable characters like If and Compa raises questions about the depth of conflict and relationships that are crucial for character growth.

    • “Character is still progressing, and you can actually see that this is a representation of character development from previous installments, with the same main character interacting with their sisters.”
    • “I do appreciate that the designers bothered to create character designs and move sets for Denkiko and Famitsu, both of whom were previously chirper-only characters.”
    • “A huge part of what made following the character development in the main games engaging was the tangible conflict presented by other characters, which they subsequently overcame to become friends or tentative allies.”
    • “Combat feels sluggish, but its story and character design are well developed.”
    • “I do appreciate that the designers bothered to make character designs and movesets for Denkiko and Famitsu (both of whom were previously chirper-only characters); however, I was left to wonder why If and Compa, who do appear in this game, are not playable.”
    • “A huge part of what made following the character development in the main games engaging was the fact that the characters faced tangible conflicts with others and subsequently overcame those challenges, becoming friends or tentative allies.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

65% average critic score

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Play time

25hMedian play time
32hAverage play time
10-57hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 9 analyzed playthroughs

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