Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: SISTERS GENERATION Review

We’re back again with the second instalment in the Hyperdimension Neptunia franchise: Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: Sisters Generation. Another game, another overly long name! Just like the previous title we reviewed, SISTERS GENERATION is a PlayStation 4 port of a PlayStation Vita title, which itself was an enhanced version of the PlayStation 3 original title Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2.

The biggest question is whether this sequel improves upon the first game, and, if so, in what way? At a glance, it doesn’t look all that different, but appearances can be deceiving! So, let’s take a look, shall we?

In a rather surprising twist, SISTERS GENERATION is actually set in an alternate dimension to Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 +! This time around, Gameindustri is on the brink of destruction thanks to the Arfoire Syndicate of International Crime (ASIC). Not only that, but they’ve also imprisoned the four Goddesses, also known as CPUs, that players of the first game will already be familiar with (Neptune, Noire, Blanc, and Vert). With these four being trapped in the Gamindustri Graveyard, all hope seems lost. Or is it? Enter Nepgear, younger sister of Neptune, who must gather up allies in order to rescue the Goddesses and take down ASIC.

Despite the overall plot being more serious than the previous game, fans of the not-so-subtle real-world references and goofy humour need not fret. This is still a Neptunia title, so expect plenty of light-hearted gags, pop culture references, and a little bit too much fan service. That said, it feels a little on the shorter side when compared to RE;Birth1+, meaning both new and returning characters aren’t quite as fleshed out.

Since I played SISTERS GENERATION right after RE;Birth1+, it’s instantly noticeable that very little has changed when it comes to visuals and sound. Perhaps not too surprising, many games reuse assets, but it’s particularly egregious here. With this title being set in a different universe, I had hoped that the developers would have changed things up a bit, but that isn’t the case. You’ll be exploring the same areas and dungeons with little variation to both environment and soundtrack.

That said, I did like the majority of the new characters’ designs and their voice actors. The artwork shown during the dialogue sequences is excellent and, despite only being 2D static images, manages to show a range of facial expressions as your party talks to one another. It’s tough being too harsh on a developer that’s quite clearly on a limited budget, especially when the original release was over a decade ago.

The lack of change is also unfortunately prevalent when it comes to gameplay. Again, new characters do mean new attack animations in battle, but the core mechanics remain unchanged.

Thankfully, most things have been expanded upon. For example, battles now allow four party members on the field, with another four in reserve. It’s still the same turn-based combat system, being able to freely move around the area as you set up attacks or SP skills. The Rush, Power, and Break moves used to chip away at enemy health or guard points work in the same way, and though there are more flashy EXE Drive moves this time around, thanks to the expanded roster, they still work as the sort of “Limit Breaks” of the series.

The Remake System returns from RE;Birth1+, allowing players to collect Plans that alter the game in various ways. Again, it’s mechanically the same, but with more additions, such as being able to defeat enemies roaming the environments rather than having to enter a battle.

One new addition is Stella’s Dungeon, a mini-game that sees Stella exploring areas in order to find useful new items and gear. There isn’t all that much to it, and works by the player selecting a dungeon for Stella to explore and waiting for her return. This works using real-time, so if an expedition will take an hour, that means you’ll be waiting for an actual hour, not an in-game one. Upgrading Stella and having her venture into more dangerous dungeons, only for her to successfully return with some rare items, is a fun diversion, albeit a simple one.

I found that I enjoyed Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2 SISTERS GENERATION less than the previous title. Although it’s not bad by any means, the reuse of assets and environments and little in the way of gameplay improvements made me feel like I was still playing RE;Birth1+. A lack of any meaningful character development doesn’t help its case, and though I did find the game fun and charming, there just isn’t enough here for it to feel like a true sequel. Maybe give yourself a bit of a break if you’re thinking of jumping right into this one after playing the first one.