2012-05-03, 16:36 | Link #681 |
阿賀野型3番艦、矢矧 Lv180
Graphic Designer
Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Belgium, Brussels
Age: 37
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I really didn't know Neptunia 1 was that rare in Europe, but it was so annoying that I had to raid several shops for second hand copies, considering factory sealed one are ridiculously rare and expensive (average of 50-60€ no less, yergh). Got one after what... 1-2 months of exacavation-like search? OTZ
Took me only 2 weeks for the plat trophy (although I guess it is fairly doable within just few days), but it was much more entertaining than I thought, factored the obviously bad reviews about the game. That being said, I think the bad reviews themselves dampened the flaws in my case, so I wasn't exactly surprised of the few... "less than pleasant" points you can have (start being overly tedious due to how expensive materials were, with so little credit, and dire need of heal during the period prior lvl15-20). I would lie if I wasn't sometimes bashing my head against the wall at times, but at least, the "L2 + triangle" routine became much easier to bear at some point (Neptune Break early abuse anyone?), to the extent the mere idea they didn't include the L2 skip option would have turned the game into a hardcore torture for real. I wish however IF staff weren't that moronic in few points, such like the shares system, and the "monster specific" quest items sometimes forcing you to go in circle for 10 minutes straight... Oh well, the cast and the antics were the selling point, but I frankly wonder what's up with NISA translators: I lost count about the number of fancy translations, turning things into a much more crude and... "crass" than what the game original is (Neptune sounds at times "mentally challenged" in the english script despite just being hyperactive, while they sort of aggravated Vert's game addiction. Hell, boobs mentions even were slipped through more, even out of context of the given antic). I suppose MK2 will suffer the same regarding their beyond-liberal translation, right? In a nutshell: Pros: +colorful and amusing characters +bold premise, but done right +excellent design (Tsunako became quickly one of my favorite artists for games/VN) +excellent seiyuu cast (I never expected Tanaka's "hyper mode": Neptune's battle quotes are hilarious as heck) +good scores at times (Leanbox and Planeptune map BGM are quite nice) +lasting appeal is decent, although motonous at some point (recycled dungeons etc) Cons: -gameplay pacing is a wreck (way too slow, with unecessary slow motions from chars and camera) -difficulty is hardly challenging, except the early part with bad heal skills RNG -combat system is actually not so sophisticated, as sticking with 2 specific combo per character is enough (especially Nippon Ichi) -some scores are equally sub-par or even mediocre (lastations tracks and Noire battle themes are... well not on par with the rest) -VN portraits are hardly used to their full extent (some characters like If and ESPECIALLY Blanc rarely change their expressions, despite the script and voice acting suggest a transition or a reaction) -EN translation is quite questionable the majority of the time Anyway, a fairly amusing surprise, for a "otaku pandemic-looking" game, with so many jabs at the otaku and gamers cultures that definitely made me grin quite often. A shame the pacing, gameplay and the difficulty are so subpar that it hardly gets any actual momentum, in term of gameplay. Going to start MK2 soon I guess, although I heard the antics and all were sort of watered down for the gameplay, correct? I just wish they didn't resort to 3D models for the VN parts, because they are just... well not really eye candy, compared to the original 2D portraits. Hopefully V might just be the compromise between Neptunia 1 and MK2 strong points.
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Last edited by Klashikari; 2012-05-03 at 17:15. |
2012-05-03, 23:04 | Link #684 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
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@Klashikari: Thank you for mentioning the things that other people don't. The L2 trigger was murder on my hands - would it have killed them to add a "Skip Animations" menu option instead? I suffered a gaming-related wrist injury last year so I don't appreciate this sort of sloppiness.
Under "Cons", I would add the share bug caused by continuing after dying (ran into this when the game came out in NA- some people did not even believe it existed). I got about halfway through MK 2 and then set it aside in favor of other games. While the worst problems with combat were rectified, the game lacks personality and flair. The CPU candidates are pale imitations of the original characters. |
2012-05-04, 00:22 | Link #685 | |||
阿賀野型3番艦、矢矧 Lv180
Graphic Designer
Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Belgium, Brussels
Age: 37
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3D models are alright gameplay wise (although I sure hope the framerate won't be always as horrible as the intro/loss mandatory battle), but they are just not appealing compared to 2D ones. Quote:
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2012-05-04, 02:07 | Link #686 | |
NYAAAAHAAANNNNN~
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 35
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They are slowly franchising this game.....PurpleHeart's figure is already up for PO. It might end up like the Atelier series (the Arland trilogy increased the number of lolicons in the world), and things will get better as they probe the market to see what JRPG fans really like. I think it is the henshin sequence + girls with big swords/guns that attracted the main fanbase, and created hardcore fans due to its constant parodying of Japanese pop-culture. Though I wish they added VA jokes other than the Hirano Aya one (that was gold) - editing Blanc's transformation sequence to Kamen Rider ones and give her Lovecraftian attacks would be great. Other than the game, you should read the manga. It is HILARIOUS.
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2012-05-04, 09:21 | Link #687 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
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Oh, I actually liked the attack animations. I just needed to skip them to make use of the Break bar. Slow animation + rapidly depleting bar = bad combination... which you get around by slamming the L2 trigger. I don't know why anyone ever thought that was a good idea. I've even had fans tell me "You don't have to abuse the system." Really, maximizing the guard break system is abuse?? For what it's worth, guard break was modified in MK2 and the bar fills up slowly and not in real-time. Problem solved. The bug is: if you die and continue immediately afterwards, you lose a tiny bit of your share bars. PERMANENTLY. The loss is very small and the share bars are just bars (no numeric indicators) so you need to die over and over to see the difference. The share quests only allow you to reallocate shares, they don't change the amount of shares. And if your total shares drop below a certain amount, you can't recruit the optional characters, period. (Because of this, I never got around to doing the True End). The people who did not see this bug either never died and continued, died and continued infrequently, or went back to the last save after dying. Also, the "best" bosses for dying on are the ones that Compa can summon. A couple of them are very strong. There's a slight chance this isn't even a true bug. I can imagine some sadistic programmer plotting to punish players for lack of ability... Quote:
I don't think Compile Heart/Idea Factory's rate of improvement is enough to justify continued purchases. Will probably sit out on V. |
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2012-05-04, 09:24 | Link #688 | |
King's Justice
Join Date: Apr 2004
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As for the original game, despite having enjoyed the story, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone: horrible interface, horrible mechanics, and sub-par (even for IF standards) graphics and sounds. Mk2 is light years better in comparison, and even a decent game on its own. As for the portraits, the 3D models in Mk2 are simple but are used better. Sadly, they'll go back to 2D for Neptune V. |
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2012-05-04, 11:52 | Link #689 | |||||||
阿賀野型3番艦、矢矧 Lv180
Graphic Designer
Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Belgium, Brussels
Age: 37
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This is the biggest reason why I'm trying to bench Compa the most on the back line or even spare characters, because I grew tired of that animation.
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I actually did as well first, especially some noteworthy one like Neptune Break and Infinity Slash. The huge problem is how atrocious it is in term of pacing, especially every characters, party and enemies alike, seem to be creepled to the point they take 2 whole seconds to perform a mere basic attack. Combo are generally unbearing past 1-2 in a row. And of course, when you involve Guard Break and time trial for S rank, well... (S rank time limit is generally quite lenient, but you are pushing your luck if you don't skip even once). Quote:
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2012-05-04, 12:25 | Link #690 | |||
King's Justice
Join Date: Apr 2004
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2012-05-04, 12:47 | Link #691 | ||
阿賀野型3番艦、矢矧 Lv180
Graphic Designer
Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Belgium, Brussels
Age: 37
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2012-05-04, 16:18 | Link #693 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
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2012-05-06, 11:56 | Link #694 |
Augumented Paranoia
Join Date: Nov 2003
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I managed to notice an artbook at the fancon at Vancouver. The only disappointment is there is only two new artworks of note which is the cut Vert introduction scene (which involves her changing, nothing ecchi but still a cut scene)
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2012-05-08, 03:58 | Link #695 |
Meister
Join Date: Jul 2010
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Scenario 4: Lowee... In a world not known in Gameindustri.
Me: Have a break, have a kit-kat. asage:*watching Gundam series* Me:... Can't we watch Mahjong? Its really boring to see Gundams everyday... asage:Sure... LoweGear: Don't let me in is it? I want to join. Saintess:Guess i should join in too. Me:Sheesh... Ryonea:Me 4... Me: Just nice 5 person good lets watch some mahjong anime. *plays Saki Achiga-hen episode 5...reach till the part where Toki riichi* Me:Uh oh... If i remember correctly, she is Flit Asuno's Great-Granddaughter. The other 4:dafuq. Me:Wait there is more... *Picture below happens.* Spoiler for off-topic pic:
All of us:BLANC FROM LOWEE??!! HOW SHE GET IN THERE??! asage:But isn't the voice too cute for Blanc? Lowegear:Hmm...True, see who voices her... Me: (That cute voice is familiar...) Lowegear: She is voiced by Yui Ogura... Ryonea:And the other girl Ryuuka is voiced by Kaori Ishihara. Me:*shivers* Mind if I can ask... Did Yui and Kaori voice in a game called Neptune mk2? LoweGear: Wait let me check.................................... Yes they are... Me:Who are they? LoweGear: Lowee's Next Generation Goddess, Rom and Ram respectively. The other 3 and I: WHAT THE HECK??! asage: I misunderstood them... they are Gundam pilots. Ryonea: Me too... It is worst to learn the truth... Did not know that Rom has the other side of her... Saintess: My Lastation lolis.... My Lastation lolis.... My Lastation lolis.... My Lastation lolis.... Me: Its... impossible... LoweGear: Yeah... Shall we continue? All of us: Yeah. Lets continue... Me:After this we go play a mission called Lowee's Goddess... Make sure Rom is not in front of Ram and Blanc *After watches the show, plays Neptune mk2 with caution* asage: Damn Rom is in front of them... *Fake Rom uses Northern Cross, deals asage's Nepgear 12409 damage total. Nepgear faints.* asage: Don't worry there is still Neptune and the rest. *Uses Neptune to hit Fake Rom, but all miss* asage: She is like an X-Rounder... *All his characters surround Fake Rom, Fake Rom uses Northern Cross on the Neptune and the others, dealing 42908 damage on the 3 of them in total. All faints, GAME OVER. Lost points.* asage:NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Last edited by Scarletknive; 2012-05-10 at 05:42. |
2012-05-09, 22:26 | Link #696 |
Smiling beauty
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Indonesia
Age: 35
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http://andriasang.com/con0yc/inafune_neptune/
Keiji Inafune still in the game~ and the official website's been updated with the screenshots and also character profiles. The in-game 3D models look better and sharper IMO and Iris Heart is truly an S
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Last edited by Ryonea; 2012-05-09 at 23:17. |
2012-05-10, 00:33 | Link #697 |
Okuyasu the Bird
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Age: 32
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I really hope she ends up being a villain. I don't think the dominatrix personality really suits a lawful character.
From the looks of it, I guess some of her attacks cause a charm status ailment? Ugh, sadomasochism. I like that hat though. That hat is boss.~
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2012-05-10, 02:07 | Link #698 | |
Augumented Paranoia
Join Date: Nov 2003
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"I am going to enjoy breaking you Tieria...fufufu" "I AM IN DESPAIR! THE FACT MY BONDMATE IS AN DOMINMATRIX HAS LEFT ME IN COMPLETE DESPAIR!"
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2012-05-10, 02:37 | Link #699 | |
NYAAAAHAAANNNNN~
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 35
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2012-05-10, 05:38 | Link #700 | |
Smiling beauty
Graphic Designer
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Indonesia
Age: 35
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Never thought about it, but now that you mention it, we haven't seen any info about the antagonist meanwhile, enjoy this white heart screenshot the graphic really improves IMO.
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ps vita, ps3, rpg |
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