Neptunia: Sisters vs Sisters | PS4

Metaphorically speaking, and perhaps even prophetically so the goings on in Game Industri once again reflect on real world conflicts of technological and socially relevant interests. Returning with glorious graphics, a slightly reworked battle system, and an overall visual reimagining for the new era of gaming the Goddesses, and Goddess candidates head once again into the fray in a tale that starts off at the climactic end, but retroactively catches the gamer up to that impactful point in time in a "How we got here" kind of storytelling.

It is in this most recent timeline of events regarding our playful protagonists that new and old Industri deities clash at the apex of an all encompassing threat to their existence. An army of foes in the guise of a Trendi Phenomenon. Ever spawning through Trendfluencers. All coinciding with an emergence of a mysterious new Game Industri candidate that has not only enveloped and consumed the PC continent, but has drawn in the Four Renown Nations of Lowee, Lastation, Planeptune, and Leanbox. Introducing into the mix Anri, and Maho among others. 

The game starts off with a heated fight between the Game Industri Goddesses and Goddess candidates as well as a new set of characters that are fighting desperately for an item. This epic clash of wills gives no hints as to what had caused such a conflict, but in true Idea Factory fashion we are caught up to speed in a two year flashback that not only rehashes important plot points, but forwards the plot beyond that initial climax. 

To begin with we find Neptune, and her Game Industri pals plotting, and planning to travel to follow up on the lead regarding the influx of diverse monster manifestations. In kind the Goddess candidates also trek forth on a separate mission only to find themselves resurrecting the PC continent's Goddess, and in turn being put in a cryostasis by that deity for undisclosed reasons. Coming to after having been rescued from their sleep chambers Neptune, Rom, Ram, and Uni find themselves confronting an unexpected reality. That they had been asleep for two full years, and that in that time a lot has happened. They learn of Neptune's fight to stop Arfoire so that Vert, Blanc, and Noire could rescue the PC nation's citizen's, and how Neptune was now gone. Sucked up into a rift alongside the continent, and her nemesis Arfoire. 

They also learn of the emergence of a new nation, and a new Goddess that has taken a majority of Game Industri's shares. Seemingly through the Trendi Phenomenon, and Trendfluencers who are basically spawning points for the monsters Neptune, and her gal pals were looking for. 

The Gameplay ...

From dungeon exploration, to action RPG battle mechanics, and events that play out on an overhead map not much is different in this new iteration of IFI's ongoing Neptunia saga. The dungeons still navigate in a familiar way with a 3D landscape traversed on foot by the leading party member, and joining members. With gated events, save points, hidden items, and battle initiated by attacking enemy avatars. Different beyond that though is a revamped battle system with free movement, combos, specials, EXE attacks, Goddess transformations, and character chaining. All of which is managed, and done with minimal button application. You'll find that you can control a singular key character at a time positioning them in front of enemy monsters to do five string combos, or use 3 stringed skills that can be chained by calling in the other party members as automated assists in the attack. This assist system allows for fast, and fluid combat that is nowhere near as complicated as it may sound. Even EXE attacks that depend upon meter build up, and the Goddess transformations are assigned to quick access pressings of the back two shoulder buttons, and the center touchpad. 

Characters themselves come complete with a signature weapon, accessory, and cosmetic item slots. That and a new DISC feature that acts as bonus perks. Something that can be created using DC (Disc Credits) obtained by breaking down unused DISCS. A feature that accents, and alters the given character's inherent playstyle. Outside of the typical character loadout, and returning party management system comes the customizable combo, and skills setup. You will learn, as you play, new skills and combos that can be joined in strings to enhance damage output. These moves, and skills come in color coded varieties as a sort of ranking system, and can be slotted into place according to the player's liking. 

The Game Industri ...

Though the Game Industri is in shambles over the events that transpired you'll find that the tug of war of nations' shares is still an ongoing affair. With your accomplishments winning back what was lost. That accessible events on the overhead map come in two distinctly different varieties this time around. With red exclamation markers representing story forwarding events, and blue exclamation markers the side story events that build upon character relations in a more lighthearted manner. There's even a shop where you can buy items, equipment, and cosmetics for a price. Dungeon access is also placed here, and can instantly take you to an area of interest with a mentioning of enemy types, and rewards shown for extra measure. 

Through the plot, and protagonists of the Game Industri including the PC deity, and other newcomers context comes to life in their usual dialogue, and cutscene driven encounters. Compete with backdrops, animated avatars, and textual conversation boxes. Sometimes even voice-overs of the English and Japanese variety. The world is very vibrant, and colorful to say the least. Lively, and action packed. Giving it character and meaning through interactions, and insight drawn from the tale that is unfolding. And while the girls of Game Industri do exist in their own world, so to speak, their antics coincides as it tends to with real world struggles. Namely the harmful prioritizing of trending software and hardware. Touching base constantly on the threat of smartphones in regards to the gaming industry and society itself. In fact it introduces the new threat as the rPhone Deity who is stealing shares through it's trending influencers, and trends in general. Bringing into focus the lack of traditional societal connection gained through consoles, and the PC borne internet. 

The Verdict ...

Idea Factory never disappoints, and no matter how long it is between the release of their Neptunia games they always remain able to weave a culturally relevant story mirrored through their mainstay, and newly introduced casting of cute characters. It's why I love this series, and why it never fails that it ends up as one of my most highly recommended JRPGs. I feel at this point like part of the Neptunia family. Seeing the characters is like meeting up with loved ones on a special occasion, reveling in their company as they tell of their life's happenings. Happenings which I can always relate to as a gamer, and a part of this unraveling society. I hope to see more from them in the future, but I know at this point the future is far from certain. In the meantime though I hope you join me in enjoying this latest adventure, and that you to see it as relevant as I do. A masterclass in the metaphorical.