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[img width=640 height=739]http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/7/995177_185810_front.jpg[/img]
Hyperdimension Neptunia seems to be one of the most divisive games of the year. You either love it or you hate it. And I love it. Where to begin? It's a crazy collaboration between the likes of NIS, Compile Heart, Sega and Idea Factory. It's an extreme JRPG, but seems to be making fun of JRPG's. It's got some of the most moe artwork I've seen localized in a while. It's dialogue is ridiculously hilarious. It has a simplified overworld system where you don't actually walk from place to place, but instead choose chapters from a list. It also simplifies item management. It uses a strange setup where you utilize button combos for your attacks. Instead of spells, you summon old Sega games like Altered Beast or Fantasy Zone. To put it simply, it's kind of insane. And like I said, I love it.
[img width=700 height=393]http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2011/005/reviews/995177_20100106_screen006.jpg[/img]
Our heroine is named Neptune. This is actually a personification of the failed Sega Neptune hardware. In fact all of the goddesses in the game are based on consoles. That's because the game is basically an allegory about the console wars. You see it's only when "Nintendo," "Sony," and "Microsoft" team together that they can destroy Neptune. This personification of companies leads to great fan-service jokes. Early in the game Vert (Microsoft) talks about how her breasts are so much larger than Neptunes that it's obvious that that implies she is more powerful -- a sly jab at Microsoft's ridiculously large Xbox (and its controller).
[img width=700 height=393]http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2011/005/reviews/995177_20100106_screen027.jpg[/img]
And the whole game is full of rib-jabs to video game nerds. Early on you fight things that look like Space Invaders as well as Dragon Quest-inspired slimes. Your quest is of course to save the land of Gameindustri. Even the developers poke fun at themselves with the visual novel style interface and dialogue that seems to make light of the very games that have put each of them on the map.
[img width=420 height=237]http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2011/005/995177_20110106_screen002.jpg[/img]
I'll be the first to say that this game is not for everyone. It definitely takes a certain kind of fan to find this game appealing. But for those of us that do, it's one of the most unique RPG's to hit US consoles in quite some time. Oddly enough it even inspired me to go out and get a Dreamcast. You see it's such a strange game, I couldn't help but feel like Neptune (Sega) was telling me -- 'hey! If the Dreamcast was still around today, THESE are the kind of games that would be on it.'
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Wow, I hadn't really heard anything on this game before, but I am adding it to my list of games to get if the price ever becomes reasonable. I take it that this only came out in a special edition, and that copies were very limited?
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I've been on the hunt for it ever since I heard Slackur mention it on the podcast. Sadly I havnt seen it locally at all yet. I may have to break down and grab it online before too long though because it looks hilarious.
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Actually it was slackur's recommendation that made me pick it up. Sadly, yes it was only limited edition and is now soaring on eBay it seems. BTW, I forgot to mention that NIS has already announced the impending localization of HN2. 
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Maybe we will get lucky and they will do a reprint since the sequel is coming. It looks like some local-ish Gamestops have this in used, so I will have to make some calls and a little trip.
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My avatar is from one of the screenshots released of the sequel of this game.
Oddly enough I didn't really care for the title mentioned though. The writing was solid but the battle system was too slow for my tastes, I don't mind a bit of slowness but even a seasoned turn based veteran will find the battles a bit of a slog. Hopefully the second rectifies this problem, perhaps I've been spoiled by faster paced turn based action like Grandia and Golden Sun.
Other than that I'm just anxious to summon Keiji Inafune and blast a laser from his mouth. Bring it on NIS.
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Picked up my copy today. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
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I really, really hate that you brought this up. Now I want a copy, and I may have to actually play something on a PS3. I've got a PS3, and there have been a few titles I've wanted to play on my PS3, but the temptation has always been resisted. However, between this and 3D Dot Game Heroes, I may have to take a break from my Xbox 360.
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@Shadow Kisuragi: 3D Dot Game Heroes is probably my absolute favorite PS3 game.
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Best game ever!
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I looked for and found a copy right after I heard Slackur on the podcast and played for a few days but I too found the battle mechanic very slow. I really, really, REALLY wanted to get to the parts where I'm summoning vintage characters and all, but the beginning is so slow I didn't get there yet. I am NOT a fan of JRPG's in general so I was taking a chance on this one, but maybe I'll have to break it out again...
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Not sure if this qualifies as "irony," but I do find it odd that various Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft consoles are personified in this game...
...which is exclusive to one console.
Never the less, the offbeat premise has piqued my curiosity. I'll definitely be jotting this down on my to-try list...
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I think a couple of the Gamestops around me have this game used. If I can find it with the artbook and case and all that jazz that came with the special edition. Is it worth the $50 price tag? I mean, it sounds like I would enjoy the gameplay, but will it retain its value or can I just wait to pick it up in a few years when PS3 games drop?
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@raptor94k:
As much as I really get a kick out of this game and enjoy it myself, I have to say that even though in premise it appeals to the type of folks who frequent this site, in reality the game itself will turn most off.
The quirk, charm, and game industry reference humor give it more personality than Jack Sparrow staring at a mirror, but that's almost all the game has to carry it for it's several dozen hours' runtime. Remove those elements and we have a game most of us would never desire to play otherwise. In terms of gameplay, RPG fans will likely be frustrated and bored. If you aren't really an RPG fan, you need a lot of patience to get through this one.
Like I mentioned, I myself loved it. Then again, Halo Wars is my favorite 360 game (yes, I know of and enjoy Starcraft/II, Warcraft I,II,III etc. etc.) so my game preferences are far from typical, even amongst this site. I have a high tolerance for tedium and strangeness in my gaming (at least I thought I did until I played Resonance of Fate) so I had fun with HN long after many would probably give up on it.
As for collectability? I think this one will always be in demand, though I don't know if that will reflect in a price increase over the years (except as a complete collector's edition.) It had a relatively small print run, is pretty obscure in terms of public awareness, and has a story premise that piques the interest of any self-respecting old-school gamer/Japan-o-phile/classic RPG nut/fan of hot anime chicks on game covers. Can't see it competing on eBay with Panzer Dragoon Saga over the years, but probably a safe bet for your average collector to sustain minimum value.
Just my thoughts.
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@slackur: For the most part I can take a lot of tedium in my games. Especially when it involves getting trophies/achievements. But, yes, the premise of the game sounds a lot more appealing than the gameplay.
I was really more worried about the price remaining the same, because I can purchase it now while it is readily available. Since I'm not dying to play it though I'm willing to wait if the price might get a little cheaper. But it sounds like it will probably be > $50 to get a complete collector's edition forever.
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@raptor94k:
Wouldn't surprise me if the collector's edition stays at that price; even lame CEs tend to stay high over the years, and this one has a lot more going for it. I'd say bite if you are looking to score the CE, wait for a cheap copy if you're just looking to play it. Kinda sums up my current-gen purchase philosophy in general, actually. I know a lot of CEs hit rock bottom prices over a year or two, but we're talking about a niche JRPG, not a Halo or Infamous. 
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I think this is the only current-gen CE I own.
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THANK You!!! I never even knew this game existed. After doing some research I found the complete CE an hour away, and it just so happened I was going through that way for a photo shoot. Am preoccupied with Ar Tonelico 3 right now, but plan on going through this after.
Thanks again,
Are there any other Strange / Rare PS3 games I may have missed somehow?
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I've been interested in this for awhile, but prior to it getting a reprint I hadn't been able to find one in my area for a decent price. I may have to check this out, I've heard bad things from people I know who have played it, but hey, I'm the only one of my friends who got any enjoyment out of Cross Edge, so I'll pick this up when I get the chance.
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@Nionel: I'd say if you enjoyed Cross Edge, you should check HN out.
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