Developer: Idea Factory, Compile Hearts
Producer: Compile Hearts, NIS America
Platform: PS Vita
Hyperdimension Neptunia: Producing Perfection – Review
As idols in Japan are getting more and more popular, there is no reason for there not being games that let you manage your favorite idols and setting up your own concerts. In Hyperdimension Neptunia: Producing Perfection you’ll be able to manage your favorite characters from the series.
Story
In this 4th installment in the Hyperdimension Neptunia series, all the 4 goddesses of the world called Gamindustri lose their shares of popularity in each of their regions Planeptune, Lastation, Lowee and Leanbox. This is happening because in the idol world, the manufactured idol group called MOB48 (which is a parody of the widely known Japanese group AKB48) is growing in popularity and stealing away the popularity of the four goddesses Neptune, Noir, Vert and Blanc.
In order to avoid losing their popularity and power, all four goddesses plan to regain their popularity by also becoming idols and seize the number 1 spot on the idol charts in their own regions. However, they cannot do this alone since they have absolutely zero experience on how to be the best music idol there is. In order to help them in this task, they forcibly abduct a young man from the real world, which represents you. After being transported to Gamindustri, the goddesses ask (or rather demand) you to be their producer and helping them achieve the qualities of a true idol. Having no other choice since you have no way of getting back to your own world, you accept and become their producer.
Graphics
The game makes mostly use of dialogue, which means that most of the time you’ll be looking at the sprites of the four goddess done in Japanese anime style. The sprites are really well done and the animation of these sprites are fluid. During concert mode you’ll be watching the 3D models of the characters, which are also done in Japanese anime style.
Sound
The sound is well done, with each of the goddesses having a couple of unique songs. Since the characters in the game are aiming to become idols, the songs are carefully put together, with not a single song being bad. There is a voice option available allowing you to switch between either Japanese voices or English voice, which is always appreciated.
Gameplay
As in pretty much every other visual novel type game, Hyperdimension Neptunia: Producing Perfection features a lot of dialogue between the four characters (Sadly, only the four goddesses are playable, featuring the other characters as nothing more than side characters).
This is the case when playing the Producer mode. Reading through all the dialogue, you’ll sometimes get to choose between a couple of options. Either making certain decisions or improving certain skills of your goddess. The aim of this mode is to give the chosen goddess commands, like studying or making publicity in order to improve her stats. After a certain amount of days, you’ll be shown the idol chart where you can see in what spot your goddess is in. The goal you wish to achieve is the spot of number one. You’ll need to improve all stats of your goddess to certain levels ranked from D to A in order to get there. However, you’ll also be raising stress which lowers the effectiveness of your commands. If your stress level reaches 100%, it’s game over. So you’ll need to relax your character in order to lower the stress level.
Sometimes you’ll also need to give a concert, which allows you to gain more fans and raise your popularity. By not doing this, your popularity will drop so you’ll need to give enough concerts to reach the number one spot.
Aside from Producer mode, there is also a Unlimited Concert mode available. This mode allows you to set up your own concert, just like in producer mode but without the dialogue. When giving a concert, you have the chance to change the appearance of your character, change the backstage and choosing which commands will be available during the concert itself. When the concert is happening, you’ll need to raise the enthusiasm of your fans in order to get a good score. You will be doing this through certain commands like creating a spotlight above your character, or activating the stages gimmicks. When the enthusiasm levels reaches a certain point, you’ll be able to activate the HDD mode of your character, transforming her into a goddess. This helps raise the enthusiasm immensely, giving a nice bonus to the end result.
You’ll unlock new accessories or stages through the development in producer mode. Which will also be available in Unlimited Concert mode and Viewer mode. In viewer mode you’ll see the characters of the game in their 3D models. You’re able to listen to the many songs and there is also an alarm clock option available, which is a nice touch. Using the touch screen, you can touch the characters in a couple of ways, luring out reactions from them.
Conclusion
While being only a game for those who like visual novels, not having too much special elements to it and having a limited cast of characters, the game is carefully crafted, the concert mode is fun, the dialogues are very enjoyable and the visuals are a true eye pleaser. Hyperdimension Neptunia: Producing Perfection is a must for those who love the franchise or who love visual novels.
Hyperdimension Neptunia: Producing Perfection - Review,
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