Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2

Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2
File:Neptuniamk2coverjp.jpg North American cover art
Developer(s)	Idea Factory Compile Heart
Engine	PhyreEngine
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3
Release
Genre(s)	Role-playing game
Mode(s)	Single-player, online multiplayer

Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 (or Choujigen Game Neptune mk2 in Japan) is the sequel to Hyperdimension Neptunia, announced on April 12, 2011, for the PlayStation 3.

It was released on August 18, 2011 in Japan, and was released in February 2012 in the United States and Europe. The sequel contains brand new main characters, as well as returning characters, and the gameplay has been updated so as to remove the random encounter feature. New maps and a brand new world feature as well, and the cutscenes have been upgraded from the old 2D visual novel style cutscenes. The story focuses on the younger sisters of Neptune, Noire (Black Heart), and Blanc (White Heart) on a quest to save the goddesses after they are defeated and captured by Arfoire. The time period for the game is known as 20XX, which possibly not coincidentally, is the same time period name given to the Mega Man series. The game is due to be released as a special edition with a Purple Heart figurine, a Purple Sister figurine, a soundtrack, and an art book. It is being co-produced by Idea Factory and Compile Heart, with assistance from Nippon Ichi Software, Gust Corporation, 5pb., and the recently founded company Comcept by Keiji Inafune. It was published in North America and Europe by NIS America in February 2012.

Gameplay

Dungeon Gameplay

While in a dungeon, various actions can be performed, mainly the Treasure Search and the Symbol Attack. When the O button is pressed, the player scans the area to find hidden treasure. Enemies now wander the map, and when the player character comes within their sight range, a red exclaimation point will appear (a play on Metal Gear Solid), and they will chase the player. Hitting it with a Symbol Attack gives the player's party the upper hand, and may sometimes even defeat the enemy. If the latter occurs, no rewards are gained. Other items within dungeons include Sharicite Symbols that trigger events, Save Points, Common Items, Gathering Points that release ingredients for item synthesis, and a dungeon exit.

Battle Gameplay

When the player comes in contact with an enemy on the field or during an event, battle starts. Each character's turn is gauged by their AP, or Action Points. Normal attacks consume AP until the points run out, after which the character's turn ends.

Each character is also assigned SP, or Skill Points, for performing skills or activating HDD (Hard Drive Divinity) in the case of the CPUs or the CPU Candidates. Skills vary in range, effect, and attack power. One skill can be used per turn, after which the character's turn ends, regardless of current AP remaining. HDD requires 100 SP to activate. This is done by using the HDD ON command, and once activated, the character will regularly consume SP until it runs out, after which the character will revert.

Movement is gauged by a blue circle around the character. This marks the area within which the controlled character may move. Certain normal moves may shorten this circle, limiting further movement. The turn order of the battle is controlled with the Agility stat. The higher a character's Agility, the sooner their turn will come.

The command menu is used for performing various actions. The character may perform normal attacks, use skills, activate HDD (only CPUs and CPU Candidates), or end their turn. They may also switch between standby characters, escape from unscripted battles (dependent on Luck stat), or use items.

As in the first game, draining an enemy's GP, or Guard Points, forces that target into Guard Break mode. In this state, the defense stat and resistances of the target are significantly reduced until the enemy's GP completely recovers. Depletes faster when a Break attack is used .

Normal combos can be edited by inserting extra commands. These commands appear after the first normal attack. Normal combos branch off into three types: Rush, Heavy Hits, and Break. Rush attacks usually involve high hit counts. Heavy Hits usually deplete enemy HP faster. Break attacks usually deplete enemy GP faster. By executing certain commands in specific patterns and consuming a set amount of AP, a combo finisher called an EX Finish is performed. The type of EX Finish is usually related to the command used to execute it.

Status conditions can affect combat. Whenever a target is affected by Poison, they continuously receive 1/16th of their max health in damage. Likewise, Heal continuously recovers 1/16th of their max health instead. When affected by Skillseal, Skills are disabled. When affected by Paralysis, the character is immobile and their turn is skipped. When a CPU or CPU Candidate is affected by Virus, the HDD ON command becomes locked, and if the target is in HDD, they forcibly revert.

Other Elements

The Chirper (a play on Twitter) serves as the main communication system in each landmass. This allows the player to view what the NPCs in that landmass are talking about. NPCs with chat bubbles highlighted in purple indicate events.

When the player visits the Guild located in each landmass, they may accept quests. The quest types range between defeating a certain number of enemies to collecting a certain number of items. Once a quest is completed, the player recieves rewards denoted by the posted quest, and the CPU Shares for that city are altered. When enough Shares for a certain landmass are gained, a story event may occur, usually based on the dominant share.

Item synthesis can take place in every landmass. Once the recepie for a certain item is obtained, the player may craft that item in the synthesis shop by consuming the required ingredients that a recepie calls for. In some cases, to synthesize an item, a specific character's Lily Rank must be high enough to begin synthesis.

Shops may be used to purchase items. The inventory of a shop will increase over time as the game progresses further into the story. Shops sell a variety of items from armor to equipment to synthesis items. Items may be purchased using Credits, which are gained by certain events and winning battles.

The Lily Rank allows the player to check each character's affection level for Nepgear. Increasing Lily Rank is important, as it enables certain items to be synthesized, and in many cases, determines the ending (or endings) you receive at the end of the game. The Lily Rank system also causes certain events to occur based on a character's Lily Rank. Lily Rank may also be increased simply by viewing certain events.

Nepgear's HDD outfit can be edited with the Costume Canvas. By uploading pictures from the PS3 hard drive to the game, her outfit can be modified based on the template uploaded.

Plot

The year is 20XX, and in the wake of Arfoire, who was previously defeated, a force known as ASIC (Arfoire Syndicate of International Crime), a group solely dedicated towards the deceased Arfoire, has risen, led by CFW Magic. Over the years, the influence of ASIC has become increasingly powerful, currently affecting many residents of Gamindustri. As such, in response to the threat, the CPUs and Nepgear travel to the Gamindustri Graveyard to combat ASIC. However, the five of them are overpowered and captured. Three years later, IF and Compa arrive to find Neptune. With the power of the Sharicite, a crystal made from the hopes of people, the two manage to free Nepgear and escape, though the Sharicite is broken in the process. Retreating to Planeptune, Nepgear must remember what happened over the past three years.

Characters

All existing characters will return (with the exception of Red), as well as new main characters and supporting characters. The new main characters have the task of rescuing the goddesses from the first game.

CPU Candidates

Nepgear (Purple Sister)

Japanese :Voiced by: Yui Horie English: Christine Marie Cabanos

The main protagonist of game, and the younger sister of Neptune. As all the new main characters are portable handheld references, in contrast to the home console references made by the original four main characters, she represents the Sega Game Gear. She's determined to save her sister Neptune at all costs. Compa calls her Ge-Ge, while IF calls her Gear.

Uni (Black Sister)

Voiced by: Eri Kitamura

The younger sister of Noire (Black Heart). As her name implies, she represents the Sony PSP. Looks up to her sister, Noire, and suffers from an inferiority complex because of it. Establishes a rivalry with Nepgear, as did Noire and Neptune.

Ram (White Sister)

Voiced by: Kaori Ishihara

The first little sister of Blanc (White Heart). Her name is derived from RAM (Random Access Memory). The more talkative one of the pair. Seems quite possessive of her sister.

Rom (White Sister)

Voiced by: Yui Ogura

The second little sister of Blanc (White Heart). Her name is derived from ROM (Read Only Memory). She tends to be more quiet than Ram. Also looks up to Nepgear as a big sister. Because Ram and Rom are twin sisters, it can be assumed that as a pair, they represent the Nintendo DS.

Other

Cave

Voiced by: Mayuko Takahashi

Brand new NPC in mk2. Belongs to the Leanbox SMD (Special Missions Department), and is close friends with other Leanbox residents, such as 5pb. Self-conscious about herself. Representative of Cave Co., another video game company. In a recent announcement, she will be receiving a Battle Ticket to make her playable.

Falcom

Voiced by: Akemi Kanda

New NPC representative of Nihon Falcom Corporation, a Japanese computer game company. An adventuress who travels Gamindustri and publishes books about her adventures under the alias A. Christin. Wields the sword Dragon Slayer, which is concealed in a violin case she carries on her back. Claims that she can't ignore evil. Along with Cave, a new upcoming Battle Ticket will make her playable.

Jinguji Kei (J.K.)

Voiced by: Yuko Sanpei

Incredibly smart, and the Oracle of Lastation.

Mina Nishizawa

Voiced by: Sayaka Nakaya

The Oracle of Lowee. Helps to teach and take care of Ram and Rom when Blanc can't.

Chika Hakozaki

Voiced by: Yuka Komatsu

The Oracle of Leanbox. Very close to Vert, almost on the verge of obsession.

Linda (Underling)

Voiced by: Junko Minagawa

Loyal soldier to ASIC, and serves under her boss, Magic the Hard. No one ever really uses her real name. The official website refers to her as Underling. Willingly performs any mission handed to her, no matter how low.

Settings

Because of the time lapse, the four landmasses have undergone changes. Each area introduces new NPC's, and certain NPC's have moved landmasses from the first game.

Planeptune

The original hub world used in the first game, as well as Neptune's first location. The entire landmass contains more of a futuristic feel compared to the first game. Histoire, as its Oracle, has saved the landmass numerous times, and has become famous among the citizens because of it. Neptune (Purple Heart), Nepgear (Purple Sister), Compa, IF, and various NPC's reside here.

Lastation

A direct reference to the Playstation series, due to the majority of the landmass's buildings being colored black. It is usually described as steampunk, and has become slightly more industrialized since the first game. Least affected by the influence of ASIC, due to preparations beforehand. Acts as a major trade center for the other landmasses. Noire (Black Heart), UNI (Black Sister), Nisa, and various NPC's reside here.

Lowee

A direct reference to the Wii, due to the majority of the landscape being colored white. Compared to the first Lowee, it seems more colorful. Highly threatened by the influence of ASIC. Houses various icons of the 2D era as well as previous CPU's of Lowee. Ram (White Sister), Rom (White Sister), Blanc (White Heart), and Gust reside here.

Leanbox

A direct reference to the Xbox, due to all the brown and bloom scenery. The buildings seem more simple, yet futuristic since the original Leanbox. Generally viewed as a military nation, and is a rival/trade partner of Lastation. Vert (Green Heart), 5pb, and various NPC's reside here.

Gamindustri Graveyard

This is an entirely new landmass created by Arfoire herself, due to her new powers. The landscape contains the ruins of notable artifacts in video game history, such as the Game Boy Advance. Not accessible through normal means. Three mysterious fairies, as well as ASIC (Arforie Syndicate of International Crime) reside here. This is also the location of the opening battle between the goddesses and Magic the Hard, though they are defeated, and the four goddesses and Nepgear are captured. However, Compa and IF help Nepgear escape.

External links

• Official Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 Japanese Site
• Official English Site