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
- The game features a diverse cast of characters, including new additions like Uzume, who provide dynamic interactions and memorable moments.
- The combat system has been improved with a combo mechanic that encourages strategic thinking and experimentation with different weapons.
- The story is engaging and emotional, with a good balance of humor and serious themes, making it one of the best narratives in the Neptunia series.
- The game suffers from performance issues, including frame rate drops and crashes, particularly on certain hardware configurations.
- The random encounter system on the overworld can be frustrating, as it interrupts exploration and can lead to unnecessary battles.
- Some players may find the extensive dialogue and cutscenes tedious, as they can slow down the pacing of the game.
- story837 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Megadimension Neptunia VII" is widely regarded as one of the best in the series, featuring a blend of humor and emotional depth across three interconnected arcs. While some players appreciate the engaging character development and the balance between lightheartedness and serious themes, others criticize the pacing and occasional filler content. Overall, the narrative is praised for its creativity, character interactions, and the ability to appeal to both newcomers and long-time fans of the franchise.
“The story is very enjoyable and the ending can hit hard if you let yourself in on it.”
“The story is honestly worth getting into and like I stated above, there's a lot of humour, seriousness and plot twists.”
“The story is great, with a perfect blend of silliness and seriousness.”
“The bad news is that if Compile Heart writers still can’t do proper drama or consistent worldbuilding even if it kills them, so whenever the story tries to get serious, it all turns into a painfully generic and unconvincing mess.”
“The story is about nothing... gameplay is stupidly hard.”
“The story is rushed to the point of being almost nonexistent.”
- gameplay365 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Megadimension Neptunia VII" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its improvements over previous titles, including enhanced mechanics and a more engaging combat system. While some players found the gameplay repetitive and criticized certain mechanics as lacking depth, others appreciated the strategic elements introduced, such as combo attacks and the new route-building feature. Overall, it is seen as a solid entry in the series, balancing familiar JRPG elements with fresh innovations, though opinions vary on its execution and enjoyment level.
“The best Neptunia game with a compelling story and engaging gameplay to match.”
“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.”
“The gameplay is solid and plays like a true JRPG.”
“The gameplay is just refreshing and the DLCs are just outstanding.”
“I've been disenchanted from this series for half a decade now because it all amalgamates to endless pointless dialogue and repetitive gameplay.”
“The story and new music are good, but the gameplay is the worst of the series.”
- music283 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Megadimension Neptunia VII" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its diverse and captivating soundtrack that features both new compositions and nostalgic tracks from previous games. The battle themes and dungeon music are particularly highlighted for their energy and emotional resonance, contributing significantly to the overall gaming experience. While some tracks are noted as recycled, the overall quality and variety of the music are considered a major improvement over earlier titles in the series.
“The soundtrack is amazing in Megadimension.”
“The music actually bangs and the soundtrack has bangers in the dungeon themes and battle themes.”
“The best Neptunia game with the best soundtrack and combat in my opinion.”
“Some of these old soundtracks are really, really old, dating back to Rebirth 1 maybe.”
“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'.”
“The music is adequate, and conveys the narrative's theme of foreboding by toning down some of the more cheerful tunes, but still nothing to write home about (as it's usually the case with Neptunia games).”
- graphics238 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics in this game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the significant improvements over previous titles in the series, particularly in character design and cutscenes. While some players appreciate the vibrant anime aesthetic and enhanced visuals, others criticize the game for its occasional performance issues, such as frame rate drops and graphical glitches. Overall, the graphics are considered solid for an anime-style game, though not groundbreaking compared to modern standards.
“The story, the visuals, the gameplay: everything in this game is so immaculate.”
“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.”
“Graphics are significantly improved.”
“On the other hand, they really need to modernize the graphics and the gameplay.”
“The graphics just seem like they added a filter to it, and I heard from friends that you need a decently moderate GPU and CPU to play.”
“I was about to rate the game poorly because of the poor graphics, subpar optimization, and low-quality environment textures.”
- humor164 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Megadimension Neptunia VII" is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, featuring a mix of fourth-wall breaks, meta-commentary, and quirky character interactions that keep players entertained. Characters like Uzume and her fish sidekick Umio, along with the series' trademark absurdity, contribute to a light-hearted atmosphere filled with amusing dialogue and references to gaming culture. While some humor may be seen as cringey or overly reliant on anime tropes, many players find it genuinely funny and engaging, making it a standout aspect of the game.
“The central girl Uzume is also quite compelling, but even better is her fish sidekick Umio, which is just one of the most hilarious character concepts I’ve seen, and the way Show Hayami plays him by making his silky voice extra smooth is the icing on the cake.”
“The writing is really funny and despite the over-the-top moe aesthetic, it still doesn't come off as cringe.”
“Megadimension Neptunia VII is a turn-based JRPG with a funny story, magnificent characters, and average OST.”
“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.”
“Missing the danger/conflict from previous games and making everything into an unfunny joke.”
- grinding136 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a mixed reception regarding grinding in the game, with some players finding it tedious and excessive, particularly for post-game content and achievement hunting. However, many also note improvements in the grinding mechanics compared to previous titles, with some claiming it to be less grindy overall, especially if players utilize new systems like scouting. While grinding remains a core aspect of the gameplay, opinions vary on its necessity and enjoyment, with some players appreciating the challenge it brings while others find it frustrating and time-consuming.
“The game requires very little to no grinding as long as you fight some enemies along your path through the dungeon, but this may be the hardest of the four main entries due to the fact the story constantly forces you into smaller 1-2 man party sizes (sometimes without a dedicated healer) with three members at the most for large chunks of the story.”
“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).”
“Do not trust people saying this game is easy; it's a grinding nightmare.”
“Level grinding is frustrating—along with some of the most unpleasant things found in this game, probably the second one to bother me the most was the insane experience requirements.”
- optimization65 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 37 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many users reporting frequent stuttering, frame drops, and performance issues across various hardware setups. While some players have managed to run the game smoothly on lower settings, the overall consensus is that the port lacks proper optimization, leading to a frustrating experience for many. Despite some patches improving performance, significant issues remain, making it difficult to recommend without caution.
“This game is super fun, and is optimized to run on my potato of a computer.”
“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.”
“Performance improvements, mechanical changes, and a huge assortment of new content makes this the best Hyperdimension Neptunia game yet.”
“Just the PS4 game converted to an .exe file with no optimization at all.”
“The game is horribly optimized and will also crash many integrated Intel GPUs that are otherwise more than capable of running the game, in particular one long dungeon very early in the game called Sakura Park.”
“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.”
- emotional28 mentions
- 96 % positive mentions
- -7 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its deep and touching storyline, which evokes strong feelings and even tears from players at various moments. Reviewers appreciate the balance of humor and seriousness, with well-developed characters and a compelling villain that contribute to a heartwarming experience. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to engage players emotionally, making it a standout entry in the series.
“The finale is one of the best in any game in the series; it made me very emotional several times.”
“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.”
“The emotional depth of the story was lacking and failed to engage me.”
“I found the characters' struggles to be unconvincing and flat.”
“The game tried to evoke emotions, but it felt forced and artificial.”
- character development15 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is notably enhanced compared to previous titles, with a larger cast and more depth, particularly for Neptune, who exhibits a more responsible demeanor. While the character designs and humor are praised, some players feel that the abundance of lighthearted interactions overshadows meaningful plot progression. Overall, the game offers a mix of engaging character arcs and entertaining dialogue, though it may not satisfy those seeking a complex narrative.
“Neptune gets character development; instead of her usual upbeat self, she's more responsible here.”
“Great character designs and art style; the characters are well written.”
“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!”
“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.”
- stability13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- -15 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant issues such as freezes, crashes, graphical glitches, and lag, particularly when using certain features or with multiple characters on screen. While some users noted improvements in optimization and smooth gameplay overall, the prevalence of bugs and technical difficulties has detracted from the experience for a considerable number of players.
“Runs great too, no frame drops at all compared to the previous games; they've gotten a lot better at optimizing these for PC.”
“The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth and enjoyable experience throughout.”
“I've experienced zero crashes or bugs, which really enhances the overall gameplay experience.”
“There are still some problems in terms of freezes and 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.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised, particularly for its captivating original soundtrack, which enhances the emotional depth and humor throughout the experience. Players appreciate the unique and varied environments that reflect the story's themes, from vibrant and colorful to dark and sorrowful, creating a rich and immersive world. The characters contribute significantly to the atmosphere, maintaining a lighthearted and engaging tone that resonates well with fans of the series.
“Presentation wise, this game 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 which correlates to the story in some way, may it be dark, vibrant and colorful, or sorrowful. You'll see these themes present as you play.”
“The first arc is given a post-apocalyptic atmosphere, and that's a cool and fresh material in the Neptunia series.”
“The atmosphere of the game - no matter how you look - fits well with the player during the current pandemic (2020-2021).”
“While these changes might disappoint some Re;Birth fans, overall they improve the pacing and atmosphere.”
“The overall game is great, the story has some turns of events that hook me all along, even on my second run; the characters are, as always, full of the NepNep atmosphere that you would expect from the series.”
- replayability11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, enhanced by the introduction of new playable characters and features like the colosseum and an open new game+ mode. Players can carry over progress and items, contributing to a rich replay experience, with many improvements and additional content available, including built-in DLC. Overall, it is regarded as more replayable than previous entries in the series, with a solid rating of 8/10 for replay value.
“It's an immersive story and gameplay mix that works extremely well together, and the replay value is increased with features like the coliseum 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 [spoiler] the colosseum [/spoiler] and it's very open new game+.”
“Plenty of replay value, just like every Nep game.”
“So much more playable characters (later in the game).”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for its reliance on day-one DLC and pervasive microtransactions, leading many users to feel that it prioritizes profit over player experience.
“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%