After all these years, I still cannot get over how freaking adorable Nep-Nep and all her friends are. Not only that, they’re pretty darned strong! Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters is a story about finding hope in despair, and rebirth in the wake of destruction. I’ve had my eye on it since it was announced for a Japanese release (and I did write about it back in January, sharing a trailer in the catch-up coffee), and the time has finally come for me to say it’s officially coming to western territories! We still have a bit of a wait, though…
To celebrate the news, publisher Idea Factory International has released the opening movie. It’s basically what you’d expect: lots of purple, lots of technology, and the girls! There’s Nepgear, the purple sister; Uni, the black sister; Rom and Ram, the white sisters; Neptune, the purple heart; Noire, the black heart; Blanc, the white heart; Vert, the green heart; Maho and Anri; and Ziri, the grey sister.
While the Goddesses are out responding to a distress call from a faraway place, the PC Continent, Nepgear and the other Candidates are investigating an abandoned laboratory. There they find the Ashen Goddess, who traps them in a deep sleep capsule. Two years go by before they wake up. By then, the latest smartphone – rPhone – has taken over the market. Neptune hasn’t been seen since heading to the PC Continent, and without her and the other Goddesses Planeptune is overtaken by a new phenomenon, Trendi Outbreaks. Nepgear finds herself all alone, with no home and no family. She falls into a deep depression.
Players will travel the lands of Gamindustri, encountering enemies along the way. Use combos and chain attacks in real-time, and take control of the battlefield with a tactical action battle system. Three party members can be on the battlefield at the same time; match team members with a partner for stat increases and elemental bonuses. While playing, accessories can be found to customize party members. Completing the game unlocks a new Photo Mode, alone with two brand new characters: Higurashi from Ryukishi07 and Shanghai Alice from ZUN. Side quests can be found through the Chirper social network since everyone is using the rPhone for daily communication.
Developed by Compile Heart and published by Idea Factory International, Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters will be released for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4 in early 2023. It first launched in Japan for PlayStation in April 2022.
