Megadimension Neptunia VII
- July 5, 2016
- Idea Factory
- 24h median play time
Slightly above average or simply inoffensive. Fans of the genre should enjoy them a bit, but a fair few will be left unfulfilled.
"Megadimension Neptunia VII" is a console-themed RPG where players navigate the worlds of Gamindustri, fighting enemies and completing quests as anthropomorphized personifications of game consoles. This entry introduces a new story arc, the "Megadimension," as well as new characters and gameplay mechanics. The series' signature humor and fan service elements remain, making for an engaging and entertaining experience.
Reviews
- Engaging story with multiple arcs that keep players invested.
- Improved graphics and gameplay mechanics compared to previous titles.
- Diverse cast of characters, including new additions like Uzume, that enhance the overall experience.
- Frequent crashes and performance issues on PC, making it frustrating to play.
- Random encounters on the overworld can be tedious and disrupt gameplay flow.
- Some characters and elements from previous games are missing, which may disappoint long-time fans.
- story1,371 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Megadimension Neptunia VII" is widely praised for its engaging narrative, which is divided into three distinct arcs that interconnect, offering a mix of humor and serious themes. Players appreciate the character development and the emotional depth, particularly with the introduction of new characters like Uzume, while the game's self-aware humor and fourth-wall-breaking moments add to its charm. However, some critiques mention pacing issues and a reliance on familiar tropes, suggesting that while the story is entertaining, it may not be groundbreaking compared to other RPGs.
“Of all the Neptunia games I've played up to this moment, I think the Neptunia VII game has the best story.”
“This game has not only the most refined story in the series so far but also the longest and it didn't feel like it dragged at all for me.”
“The story is great, with a perfect blend of silliness and seriousness.”
“The story is about nothing... gameplay is stupidly hard.”
“It looks bad, sounds bad, plays bad, the characters are so boring, and the story is garbage.”
“The story, which is mostly being told through a seemingly endless mass of dialogue-sequences, in which a number of character portraits stare at the player while reciting the truly immense amounts of fully voiced dialogue, which ranges in quality from abysmal to actually quite entertaining, the latter mostly being the case whenever the game remembers it's supposed to be irreverent and throws out bizarre meta-humor or just good-old fanservice, is just confusing and weirdly paced.”
- gameplay623 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the latest Neptunia title has received mixed reviews, with many praising its improvements over previous installments, particularly in combat mechanics and strategic depth. While some players appreciate the engaging turn-based system and new features like combo attacks and route-building, others find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in meaningful strategy. Overall, it is seen as a solid entry in the series, appealing to both newcomers and long-time fans, though some elements still require refinement.
“The absolute best main Nep game by a country mile, does a lot to switch up the mechanics of the Rebirth games and the combat asks a lot more out of your combo making and character building than prior games.”
“With a story that has just the right mix of wacky gaming meta hijinks and darkly serious plot, the usual lovable cast and many excellent new cast members, & a refined version of the classic gameplay that rewards intelligent use and ordering of moves, this is the absolute pinnacle of Neptunia, and the magnum opus of Idea Factory + Compile Hearts.”
“This game really took the steps of the Neptunia game series to the new level, with its new in-game world interface and mechanics, smooth gameplay and graphics, new and memorable characters, it exceeded my expectations.”
“I've been disenchanted from this series for half a decade now because it all amalgamates to endless pointless dialogue and repetitive gameplay.”
“The actual gameplay does nothing worth your time.”
“To be honest, gameplay-wise this game is kind of lame.”
- music480 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the new soundtracks as a significant improvement over previous titles. While some tracks are recycled from earlier games, the addition of fresh compositions, particularly for boss battles and new dungeons, has been highlighted as a standout feature. Overall, the soundtrack is described as atmospheric, captivating, and a major highlight of the game, often elevating the gameplay experience.
“The soundtrack is amazing in Megadimension.”
“The music actually bangs and the soundtrack has bangers in the dungeon themes and battle themes.”
“The soundtrack is definitely a step up from the Rebirth games with great tunes like 'Encounter of Destiny', 'Voltage' and the transformation theme 'Will Be Venus'.”
“Seriously, some of these old soundtracks are really, really old, dating back to Rebirth 1 maybe.”
“The soundtrack is kind of the same really between the main titles with some additional songs.”
“Some areas, music, enemy designs, and general assets are reused from previous games, and across the game in general.”
- graphics422 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics in the latest Neptunia game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the colorful anime art style and improved character designs compared to previous titles. While some players noted significant enhancements in cutscenes and overall visual fidelity, others criticized the game for still feeling dated, with some aspects resembling PS3 graphics and issues like frame rate drops and graphical glitches. Overall, the visuals are considered solid for an anime game, but there is a consensus that further modernization is needed to meet contemporary gaming standards.
“I like the Neptunia series games because the quality of the anime graphics is the best with cute characters.”
“The graphics are also much better than the earlier games, that is to be expected when jumping from the PlayStation Vita to the PlayStation 4, but still, the game looks great.”
“The visuals have gotten a lot better considering it is a PS4 game.”
“Ps2 graphics.”
“Finally, the presentation: I normally don't really care about graphics in video games, but it has to be said that this game, which was released in 2016, looks like it belongs on the PS3.”
“The graphics itself aren't really up to PS4 standards but the story and gameplay makes up for it; I like the overall experience a lot.”
- humor279 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Megadimension Neptunia VII" is widely praised for its cleverness and variety, featuring a mix of fourth wall breaks, meta-jokes, and character-driven comedy that resonates well with fans of the series. Players appreciate the entertaining dialogue and quirky character interactions, which often lead to genuine laughter, although some find the humor can be cringey or overly reliant on anime tropes. Overall, the game successfully balances lighthearted moments with more serious themes, making it a fun experience for those who enjoy its unique brand of humor.
“It's a great story, fun game to play, very entertaining and hilarious.”
“The characters are extremely likeable and the dialogue between them is just hilarious.”
“The story doesn't take itself seriously so expect casual fourth wall breaks, hilarious and heartbreaking moments, as well as game industry jokes and references.”
“I think for most people the combat would be dull, there's way too much level grinding required early on, the humor is cringey, and there's tiny little girl fan service.”
- grinding209 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some find it to be a tedious necessity, especially for post-game content and achieving maximum levels, others appreciate the reduced grind compared to previous titles, noting that strategic gameplay can mitigate the need for excessive grinding. Overall, the experience varies significantly based on individual play styles and goals, with many players expressing a desire for a more balanced approach to leveling and progression.
“However, to me this is not grindy if you play with tactics.”
“- No grinding if you just want to play through the game.”
“I worked 30 hours to prepare my team for post game, and then gave it up after a couple of hours of actual post game (because there is none, only coliseum and tens of hours of grinding the same one enemy to reach level 999).”
“Grinding feels pointless after you finish the game.”
“A massive step down from the rebirth games, grindy boring combat, constant random encounters against trash low-level mobs, investment/development is a waste of time, over complicated combo system and the less said about the neplunker dungeons the better.”
- optimization114 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 39 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering and lag, particularly in populated areas and during transitions. While some users have managed to run the game smoothly on lower-end hardware, others have experienced crashes and frame drops, especially on AMD graphics cards. Overall, the optimization is considered subpar, with a general consensus rating around 4/10, indicating that while the game is enjoyable, it suffers from technical shortcomings that detract from the experience.
“This game is super fun, and is optimized to run on my potato of a computer.”
“Performance improvements, mechanical changes, and a huge assortment of new content makes this the best Hyperdimension Neptunia game yet.”
“These guys took their customers' gripes about performance issues, and fixed it... already, that's something basic that so many people in the gaming market neglect to do; listening to your customers is the most important thing.”
“The PC optimization is not really good; I need to turn off DOF and lower settings.”
“Every computer I tried it on, ranging from a dual-core processor with GTX 970M to a quad-core processor with a GTX 1070, has had stuttering and lag issues that make the game extremely off-putting to play.”
“The game is horribly optimized and will also crash many integrated Intel GPUs that are otherwise more than capable of running the game, particularly in one long dungeon very early in the game called Sakura Park.”
- emotional48 mentions
- 96 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting a deep and touching narrative that evokes a range of feelings, from humor to heartbreak. Many reviewers highlight the well-developed characters and the ability of the story to balance serious themes with lighthearted moments, resulting in a memorable emotional journey. Overall, the game is recommended for its ability to connect with players on a profound level, often leading to tears and a strong sense of attachment to the characters and story.
“After almost 44 hours, I can say I've definitely enjoyed this game and surprisingly been taken on quite an emotional journey through the story.”
“The story has many touching moments, truly showing the best of the characters.”
“Megadimension's story is the best of the series so far and it had made me feel like tears could come at times, with all its threads well-connected.”
- character development26 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is notably enhanced, particularly with Neptune showing a more responsible side compared to her usual upbeat demeanor. While many players appreciate the well-written characters and engaging dialogues, some feel that the focus on character interactions often overshadows the plot, leading to a mix of entertaining but sometimes irrelevant scenes. Overall, the game is praised for its character designs and the depth of development, especially in comparison to previous titles, though it may not satisfy those seeking a complex narrative.
“The best Neptunia game I ever played, and I really love the story and character development.”
“The story was quite a nice surprise, with way more character development than the previous titles, a much larger cast of important characters, the absolute best antagonist in the entire series, three different endings, and even some routed scenarios!”
“Great character designs and art style; the characters are well written.”
“Bad game if you are looking for plot, character development, or meaningful gameplay.”
“Kiiiiiiiiiiiinda.... there's a lot of metafiction ('hey, I'm the protagonist!' 'oh wow, here comes the boss battle!' etc.) .. which, I think, metafiction is always kinda hit 'n' miss... and there are two types of scenes in a story: plot points, and character development.”
“Same can be said for the rest: the battling system is solid for JRPGs, you cannot however have very complex influence about your character development.”
- stability24 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game exhibits significant stability issues, including frequent freezes, crashes, and graphical glitches, particularly when using certain features or with multiple characters on screen. While some players report smooth gameplay and improved optimization compared to previous titles, many others experience game-breaking bugs and lag, leading to a frustrating experience. Overall, the stability remains a major concern for a substantial portion of the player base.
“Runs great too, no frame drops at all compared to the previous games; they've gotten a lot better at optimizing these for PC.”
“There is still some problems in terms of freezes/crashes, but it was only because of an intense use of the animation skip feature (especially on skills).”
“I've faced an endless amount of glitches, lag, errors, controller mapping difficulties, camera dysfunctions, quality issues, and the lot.”
“A relevant amount of players are experiencing game-breaking glitches related to their graphic cards, so there's this risk.”
- replayability18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, surpassing its predecessors with more playable characters and an engaging mix of story and gameplay. Features like the colosseum and an open new game+ mode enhance replay value, allowing players to carry over progress and explore additional content. Overall, it is well-received for its replayability, with many users rating it around 8/10.
“It's an immersive story and gameplay mix that works extremely well together, and the replay value is increased with features like the colosseum and a very open new game+.”
“Has a lot of improvements and tons of replayability content.”
“It's immersive story and gameplay mix extremely well together, and the replay value is increased with things like the colosseum and it's very open new game+.”
“I have no idea how the DLC changes the gameplay much other than making the game way easier, adding new characters or cosmetic items that don't actually add more playable content for the game.”
“Plenty of replay value, just like every Nep game.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised, with a captivating soundtrack rated 9 out of 10 that enhances the emotional depth and humor throughout the experience. Players appreciate the diverse and beautifully presented worlds, each reflecting unique themes that align with the story, ranging from vibrant to sorrowful. The characters, especially the humorous and relatable Neptune, contribute significantly to the game's engaging atmosphere, making it appealing to both fans and newcomers alike.
“The presentation is gorgeous; they do a really good job in presenting the world you're traversing through. The world looks vast, and each dimension has its own unique atmosphere that correlates to the story in some way, whether it be dark, vibrant and colorful, or sorrowful. You'll see these themes present as you play.”
“Emotions, story, atmosphere, and plenty of abstract humor make this a great game for anyone who loves the series already or has yet to embrace their lost purpose in this world.”
“Additionally, it keeps the humorous atmosphere, with Neptune being the goofy, likable, fourth-wall-breaking protagonist that we all know and love.”
“You'll love the characters, old and new, from Uzume to Big Neptune, and also the tension, the feels, the atmosphere.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game heavily relies on Day 1 DLC and microtransactions, which many users criticize as excessive and exploitative.
“Day 1 DLC and microtransactions.”
“This is nothing but microtransactions.”
Critic Reviews
Megadimension Neptunia VII Review - Let's Nep Things Up!
The game isn’t perfect, it has some frustrating issues and little annoyances that may be a product of localization, but overall it is a very fun experience with more strategy than previous Neptunia games, with an intriguing story and gameplay that is a bit more newcomer friendly as well.
85%Singing that same ol' Neptune - Megadimension Neptunia VII review
Megadimension Neptunia VII is a story about a girl in a very strange world, but that world happens to be a apocalyptic bizarro dimension inside of a video game console. The game manages to be fun with only a limited amount of improvement. Continuing with its signature game within a game concept, Megadimension Neptunia VII is going to please fans and not do much to change the minds of detractors. Very similar to the past titles in the series, this game is tried and true because Neptune never changes.
75%Megadimension Neptunia VII Review
Megadimension Neptunia VII stumbles into the same traps that many of its peers have fallen into before, serving up lazy quests and a questionable amount of fan service. Fortunately, it makes up for these shortcomings with boundless energy and endearing characters who provide an enjoyable and light-hearted trip through alternate dimensions. While the game may have benefitted from enhancing some of its mechanics, it's by no means a bad RPG experience – just one that we feel like we've had many times before.
60%