Review: Hyperdimension Neptunia Producing Perfection - A Spotlight That's too Dim

Hyperdimension Neptunia Producing Perfection - A Spotlight That's too Dim

Originally Published on the Official Blast Away the Game Review Facebook Page

Review by Dustin Murphy

Pros:

• Story can be seen as easy to understand, half-intelligent, which is nice for younger crowds
• The voice acting luckily fills the entire campaign and puts it on par with the other entries
• Controls are extremely easy to use and does not require a tutorial to navigate with
• Multiple friendships allow for changes in dialogue and campaign as well as a new spin on personalities.
• The song choices are quite entertaining, but do not allow for much variation in the long run
• Performances can be edited via character outfits, song choices, stage placement, and even stage effects.

Cons:

• A single play through runs about 3-4 hours at most and has very little gameplay uses outside of the directional pad and making choices.
• Creativity behind the game is lackluster and does not allow for a true Hypderdimension Neptunia experience.
• HDD Forms are lacking throughout the entire campaign and do not seem to trigger as much as one would hope.
• The four song choices and very few stage selections do not allow for a long-ending enjoyment

Final Score: 6 out of 10

  The Hyperdimension Neptunia series is one that has been a well appreciated fan-favorite on the PlayStation 3 and now the PlayStation Vita. Having become popular enough to earn itself a manga series as well as an anime adaption. Though there is one thing in the series that does not have the charm and satirical mind that the other entries have come to be known for. Hyperdimension Neptunia Producing Perfection is the one entry within the franchise that has dimmed the spotlight and left a bad taste in the mouth of a few people that have played it. The misfortune with this entry is that it targets fans of the idols games. This is not something that should have been done unfortunately. 

 Hyperdimension Neptunia PP takes place in the gaming world of Gameindustry, just like all the other titles. In this one a group called MOB48 (a literal nudge at the pop group AKB48) has taken over Gameindustri through becoming singing idols. This group has begun to hurt the ratings that the CPUs have earned through their fame and protection of Gameindustri. This is where our game takes place, our character is summoned from the 'real world' to Gameindustri in order to help Vert, Neptune, Noire, and Blanc get their ratings back. Thanks to this occurrence, you are put in the spot of being their producer, which means you take on the responsibility that is required in order to get their ratings back. This includes planning events, their days off so they can relieve stress, and even their costume designs for performances. 

 With these tasks at hand, the game is very straightforward in having players navigate a set of menus almost the entire way through. Why is this? The game is pretty much introduced as a graphic novel, which means lots of menu navigating and conversations. This leaves itself for very little gameplay in the means of actual outside of menus gameplay. What is this portion of the game? The converts where players will be pushing square, triangle, and even buttons on the d-pa in order to "produce" the concert. The problem? It's boring, very boring, and will not entertain those looking for a high paced game. The most problematic portion of this game is that interactions are based on menu choices, so are the in-game friendships, which luckily, carry over into new game plus. Unfortunately the biggest drawbacks of this title was the simple fact that the interactions seem so far and few that they make little to no sense. Some of them will raise stress (bad news there), guts, voice, rhythm, and even knowledge. These stats are not thoroughly explained on what they will benefit and how, but one thing is certain, like any RPG-esque game? Those stats are worth getting up and maintaining. With that aside though, the game has its moments where a few good laughs are provided, the game can only play on those, and hopefully gives a shining example of what needs to change in the future. For those expecting a Hastune Miku like title will be very disappointed when the time comes around. Hopefully if they make a part two, that's what we will see. Till then, players will need to survive Producing Perfection and hopefully find some enjoyment in it. Why? Even with the HDD forms happening in song, which changes voice and appearance, there is not much to be celebrated. This is one of the few times I will say that players should avoid the game unless they are fans of interactive novels. Till then, stick it out with Hyperdimension Neptunia, Mk. 2, Victory and Re;birth 1 (review coming soon).

 With all that being said, Hyperdimension Neptunia Producing Perfection is a lackluster game that does not hit its mark. Instead this game has fallen flat on its face in a tailspin that it can not recover from no matter how hard it tries. Even with a few laughs, notable characters from the franchise, Producing Perfection is a miserable misadventure that players should forget about sooner than later. However, die hard fans of the franchise might just enjoy the game and find some noteworthy moments in it.