NEKOPARA Extra
- July 26, 2018
- NEKO WORKs
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam"NEKOPARA Extra" is a visual novel that focuses on the story of Chocola and Vanilla, two catgirls, before the events of "NEKOPARA Vol. 1." This game is an extra episode in the NEKOPARA series and features beautiful artwork and animations. It allows players to experience the first arrival of the catgirls at the Minaduki household and their journey to becoming loved members of the family. The game includes the option to play in three different languages.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Steam Deck
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game features adorable characters and a heartwarming story, making it a delightful experience for fans of the series.
- The improved artwork and animations enhance the overall visual appeal, providing a charming and engaging atmosphere.
- It's a wholesome addition to the Nekopara franchise, exploring family values and connections in a cute and lighthearted manner.
- The game is very short, taking only about 1-2 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- There is a lack of interactivity, as it follows a linear format with no choices that affect the story, making it feel more like a visual story than a game.
- Some players may find the premise uncomfortable due to the young age of the characters, leading to mixed feelings about the content.
- story134 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of this game is a charming and heartwarming prequel that focuses on the early lives of the beloved catgirls, Chocola and Vanilla, as they adjust to their new family in the Minaduki household. While it offers cute character moments and backstory, many reviewers note that the narrative is shorter and less developed compared to other entries in the Nekopara series, lacking significant gameplay and depth. Overall, it serves as a delightful side story for fans, though some may find it lacking in substance.
“The game is praised for its cute and lovable characters, as well as its charming and well-written story.”
“A wholesome story of the Minaduki household and their stories of the past.”
“This is an adorable story added to the Nekopara universe about what it was like for Chocola and Vanilla as they were adjusting to their new life in the Minaduki family.”
“It's just a very short, boring story where almost nothing happens.”
“The story is very short, and it doesn’t really go anywhere, but it’s still fun.”
“For a person like me that just plays Nekopara for the story and slice of life aspect, this game is great as it doesn't make you feel as if you're missing any content like how the other volumes may have done if you didn't purchase the R18 patches.”
- emotional50 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- -4 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly described as "wholesome," with players highlighting its heartwarming story and cute character interactions. Many reviews note the game's ability to evoke laughter and tears, creating a touching experience that resonates deeply with fans of the series. Overall, it is praised for its charming narrative and the nostalgic portrayal of beloved characters in a family-like setting.
“Seriously, just a cute and heartwarming story.”
“The story is heartwarming and can cure depression for anyone who plays this.”
“It was nice to see them again; the chapter was obviously centered on Chocola and Vanilla, as well as watching them evolve in their new family. The story was, as usual, well written: properly structured, featuring cute and very funny moments as well as heartwarming and slightly sad scenes.”
“It's just a very short, boring story where almost nothing happens.”
“The emotional moments felt forced and lacked genuine impact.”
“I didn't connect with any of the characters, making the emotional scenes fall flat.”
- graphics21 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful and improved artwork, maintaining a charming and colorful art style reminiscent of the original. Reviewers highlight the dynamic movements and multiple new sprite sets that enhance character animations, contributing to a more immersive experience. Overall, the visuals are described as high-quality, cute, and well-executed, with only minor critiques regarding resolution in certain static images.
“What's most notable is that they didn't cut corners with the visuals; there are multiple new sprite sets for all of the still-growing characters, the artwork is as good as ever, and the dynamic movements look better than ever.”
“The artwork is cute and colorful, and I love the Live2D art style and animation.”
“Now to what really differs from the other games of the franchise: Nekopara is a visual novel that is known for its animated visuals with its characters, but this time Nekoworks really stepped up their game. The motion they've added on this release surpasses anything that I've seen before, providing a better depth into personality and actions.”
“There are instances where you're presented with a static image, but those are very well done, something that catches the moment very well. I only wish they were a bit higher resolution; they're just fine when shown in their entirety on the screen, but when they're zoomed in, you can see the quality loss. Just a minor nitpick to an overall very pretty art style that never disappoints.”
“The game features a similar art style and character designs to the original game, and it continues to use the same lighthearted and romantic tone.”
“These visual novels are really charming, the visuals are so well done and thanks to the engine, they are so much more immersive than your regular visual novel since the characters are animated, most of the time anyways.”
- humor15 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Nekopara Extra" is described as heartwarming, cute, and genuinely funny, with many moments that elicit laughter and emotional responses. Reviewers appreciate the lighthearted and wholesome storytelling, complemented by charming artwork and engaging character interactions, particularly among the neko girls. While some found it a bit short, the overall consensus is that the game successfully blends humor with emotional depth, making it a delightful experience for fans of the series.
“Cute artwork, and funny story.”
“Funny and cute; if you enjoy Japanese content for these reasons, you will likely love this series.”
“Really cute, legitimately hilarious at times.”
- music12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and upbeat quality, featuring iconic tracks from previous installments in the series. The theme song stands out as a highlight, while the overall soundtrack complements the vibrant visuals and enhances the gaming experience. Players appreciate the familiar soundscape that adds to the charm of the franchise.
“The game's music, voice acting, and character animations are also well received.”
“The graphics are nice and the soundtrack is chill and relaxing... I don't usually play this kind of game, but the Nekopara series is amazing.”
“I relaxed for 5 minutes to this music long enough to realize that I was going to be okay.”
“Soundtrack is the same as in the other titles; it does the novel justice, so I don't see a reason for a change. It brings a sense of familiarity to it.”
“Regarding music, I could hear some iconic tracks from previous Nekopara releases.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its anime aesthetic and engaging story, while others criticize it for lacking depth and being too short. Overall, it seems to appeal to fans of the genre despite its gameplay limitations.
“I expected gameplay, but what I got instead was something that looked like anime with quirky moments. I liked it anyway.”
“Gameplay: 9/10. I love the Nekopara story, so 9/10! XD”
“However, the game is criticized for its lack of gameplay and the short length of the story.”
“I expected gameplay, but what I got instead was something that looked like anime with questionable moments, though I liked it anyway.”
“It's just gameplay.”
- character development5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game enhances character development by delving deeper into the backstories of chocola and vanilla, addressing previous criticisms of their shallowness. While the story remains somewhat clichéd, it features interesting character arcs that elevate the overall experience, supported by appealing art and design. The shift from static to more dynamic character portrayals marks a positive evolution in the visual novel genre.
“The story was cliché, but I did like some interesting character developments.”
“However, Extra decides to take it back a bit further than Volume 0 did, and expand on the past with the integration of Chocola and Vanilla into the Minaduki household that was alluded to in other entries in the series, which opens the door for character development from these characters, which I criticized as being shallow in my Volume 1 review.”
“The game features a similar art style and character designs to the original game, and it continues to use the same lighthearted and romantic tone.”
“Going beyond the traditional static character designs of visual novels of old and giving it a newer and more dynamic look.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally praised, with a perfect performance rating of 10/10. However, some users note that it may not perform well on lower-end devices, referred to as "toasters."
“Performance: 10/10 - Perfect performance.”
“The optimization in this game is outstanding, making every moment smooth and enjoyable.”
“I was impressed by how well the game runs on lower-end systems without sacrificing quality.”
“It's a mystery why this happens... while it doesn't really affect me, this may cause poor performance on low-end devices.”
“The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, especially in crowded areas, which makes it frustrating to play.”
“I often experience long loading times and stuttering, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring an unrealistic commitment akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding, and it still feels like I'm nowhere.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized as innocent and playful, though some users feel that certain elements detract from this overall vibe.
“The innocent and playful atmosphere really draws you in, making every moment feel special.”
“The ambiance is enchanting, creating a world that feels both immersive and inviting.”
“The atmosphere is beautifully crafted, making you feel like you're part of a whimsical adventure.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
“Despite the potential for a rich environment, the atmosphere is dull and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
“The game’s atmosphere is inconsistent, often shifting abruptly and leaving players feeling disconnected from the experience.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game is widely criticized as a cash grab, suggesting that it prioritizes profit over player experience and fairness.
“This game feels like a cash grab, with excessive microtransactions that ruin the experience.”
“The monetization strategy is frustrating, as it seems designed to squeeze every penny from players.”
“I can't enjoy the game when it constantly pushes me to spend money on in-game purchases.”
