Bad news, Neptunia fans: the latest entry in the Neptunia series, Super Neptunia RPG, has been delayed to Spring 2019 in the West.
The game was originally slated to come out in Fall 2018, marking the first time two console entries would arrive within the same year, but for reasons not detailed in the press release, it was pushed back. Do note, however, that this will only be the case for the West. Super Neptunia RPG, known as Brave Neptunia: World! Universe! Pay Attention!! Ultimate RPG Declaration!! in Japan, is still slated to come out on schedule there on Sept. 27.
As mentioned in the article detailing its Western release, this game is a spin-off, meaning that a developer other than Compile Heart will be behind the wheels, and for the first time, it isn’t even a Japanese firm — it’s a Canadian one by the name of Artisan Studios.
Other than that, the spirit of Neptunia is still alive and well here. The battles are still turn-based and the characters are all designed by Tsunako.
Here’s a quick rundown courtesy of publisher Idea Factory International:
Story
In a world where 2D games reign supreme, an organization called Bombyx Mori forces its citizens to churn out 2D games as offerings to their leader. Those who dare to use new technologies or whose games don’t meet their standards risk banishment to the soul-crushing Trial Grounds.
A girl awakens in this world with no recollection of anything beyond her name, Neptune, and soon realizes she possesses great strength. With her newfound sense of heroism and a strange book known as Histoire in hand, she sets off on a journey to see if there might be more than this two-dimensional life.
Key Features
- Old School Dungeons! – Explore gorgeously painted, interactive dungeons in a style inspired by classic gaming titles.
- Follow the Leader! – Enter turn-based battles where the party’s attack style changes based on the battle leader. Switch leaders on the fly, transform mid-battle, and use elemental attacks to maximize your team’s strategy!
- Save Gamindustri! – In a time where retro gaming and 3D graphics are at polar ends, this story delves headfirst into the debate for a self-aware ribbing of gaming culture.
- 2D Comes to Life! – The hand-drawn art of Neptunia series artist Tsunako is brought to life by Artisan Studios, showing the characters in a whole new way!
This is definitely an unfortunate turn of events, but IFI can take as long as it needs to get everything in working order. It’s Neptune’s big debut on the Switch, after all. We can’t have her looking like a ragamuffin.
Super Neptunia RPG is due out for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in Spring 2019.
Check out the opening movie and recent gameplay below:
