Neptune and friends have been in various gaming genres, roles and tropes over the past few years. The games would take whatever was the most popular trend of that year and incorporate it into that release. From a rhythm game as idols to being transported into an MMO, they are on top of the trends. Speaking of trends, currently one of the most popular rising trends is the VTuber or Virtual YouTuber. From early VTubers like Rin Asobi and Kizuna Ai to the current VTubers IronMouse, Gawr Gura and many more, VTubers have seen a growth in popularity. And with that said, NepNep and her fellow goddesses set off on a new adventure where they become VTubers in order to help save the Content in Neptunia Virtual Stars for the PS4.
Story
The story of Neptunia Virtual Stars starts off with a concert featuring the VTubers of MEWTRAL, Mu and Yu. As the two VTuber idols are about start their concert, they are transported away in a flash of light. Around the same time Neptune, Norie, Vert and Blanc are also transported away. Both are transported by the Digital Goddess Faira of the planet Emote to help save not only her planet but all of Virtualand.
The story, at least for the spin offs like Virtual Stars, is mostly a retreading of the story from the very first game, just with some differences. Personally I’m not feeling the story as, again, its a retreading of the very first game in the series. I do like the various interactions Nep and friends have with each other, the VTubers and the many times the fourth wall gets breached.
Gameplay
The gameplay for Neptunia Virtual Stars is different from the mainline games and shares some similarities to the Tamasoft developed spin-offs. The mainline games use a take on the turn-based battle system while the Tamasoft developed games are more action oriented. In Virtual Stars you can play as either the CPU Goddesses or VTubers You and Me by tagging in and out at any time. Though with You and Me, both stay on the field regardless if one of the other is in use, thus giving you an AI controlled ally. However unlike the Tamasoft developed games, Virtual Stars isn’t as smooth. Movement feels a bit clunky and stiff, especially when trying to strafe.
The Goddesses and the VTubers each have their unique attack styles. For the Goddesses, each of them has a modified camera that shoots projectiles . Nep uses an SMG, Vert has a sniper rifle, Norie has a crossbow and Blanc has a cannon that can shoot charged shots. As for the VTubers, Me uses a sword that looks like a keyboard and Me uses a bow that looks like a harp. All of the girls can utilize special attacks when a heart meter is filled. For Me and You it turns into a simplified rhythm game/music video and for the Goddesses it’s more of a button mashing sequence. .
As the girls travel all over Virturaland, they will encounter other VTubers that have been captured and need to be saved. As they are saved, a part of their consciousness is left behind in cubes. These cubes can then be equipped and grant various buffs. What’s even really cool is that these are actual VTubers.from Hololive, upd8, Game Club Project and various other groups.
Graphics
In my opinion, the graphics for the Neptunia series have all been a mixed bag. While the character models (both 2D and 3D) and the 2D still cutscenes look awesome, the 3D environments look a bit bland. This is also true for Virtual Stars, the backgrounds look bland but the 2D/3D character models designs look great. I really like the Goddesses designs in this spin off, though their CPU transformations still look the same. As for the VTubers, to be honest I’m not really too familiar with the ones that are making an appearance in the game but they do look cute.
Music/Sound
Other than the new opening song and the new tracks by You and Me, the rest of the music for Virtual Stars is the same standard Neptunia background music: poppy with a bit of rock guitar. Nothing really super amazing but not terrible either.
Other than having new girls join Nep and friends and Vtuber cameos, Neptunia Virtual Stars pretty much plays like the other third person shooter spin offs in the series. The story is pretty much a retread of the original game’s story, just in a different location. Music and graphics are pretty much the same as previous games, not bad but not grea either, just average. Overall unless you are a die hard fan of the Neptunia franchise or if you’re a lover of VTubers,Neptunia Virtual Stars will fill that itch, but its pretty much an average game.
7/10
