Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart

Sorry Noire, but it's time we go our separate ways.

As the series' first shot at an SRPG, Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart is a solid attempt. With many of its characters well formed, unique combat mechanics, and terrain features to spice up the action, it's a shame that it lets itself down with heavy repetition. Fans of the franchise will love the change of pace, as well as getting up close and personal with Noire and the other generals. Everyone else, however, may not be wooed quite so easily.

While this strategy RPG does nothing innovative, its the characters and the story that makes it all worth it.

Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart offers great gameplay with the unfortunate caveat that you’ll need to waste more time than expected waiting on enemies to enjoy it.

I’d say it’s a shame we haven’t seen more games like this from this dream team — but at the time of writing, the follow-up to stablemate Fairy Fencer F, known as Fairy Fencer F: Refrain Chord, is on the way, and it very much looks like a spiritual successor to Hyperdevotion Noire. So if you, like me, have been waiting nearly ten years for a new Hyperdevotion Noire… well, this isn’t quite it, but it certainly looks like a more than adequate substitute!

Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Blackheart is a rather challenging game. The story is run of the mill, but the game has fun little moments that make it truly feel like a return to the Neptunia universe and it translates the RPG genre to turn-based tactics well. If you like TBT’s and love the Neptunia franchise then this is a must play game.

In the end, the genre change doesn't hurt Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart. The story may be straightforward, but the characters and their personalities make things enjoyable. The gameplay may not bog you down with too many systems and minutiae, but it remains fun. The simple nature of the strategy and some slow elements, like enemy movement, may irk genre veterans, but for fans of the series and those who are starting to get interested in strategy RPGs, Hyperdevotion Noire is worth a shot, especially if the developer patches up that crash.

All in all, Hyperdevotion Noire is a decent sidetrack from the standard Neptunia games, but it could have used a bit more streamlining and quality-of-life mechanics to bring it up to current SRPG titles. [OpenCritic note: Jorge S Fernandez separately reviewed the PC (6) and Vita (7) versions. Their scores have been averaged.]

To be quite honest, my most favorite aspect of the game was being able to speak with Noire as a “Player” and view the affectionate side of her, a contrast to her usually stern outward demeanor. It is like a subtle dating sim disguised in this strategic RPG. The gameplay was quite enjoyable with various unique aspects one would not see in other Neptunia or strategic RPG games. Going through missions may feel tedious at times, but one can take a break from fighting by visiting the Basilicom and having a chat with Noire to boost one’s spirits. Overall, it is a very fun game for franchise fans and newcomers alike, especially if one is a Noire fan. It is definitely a great addition to the ever-growing Neptunia franchise.

What Hyperdevotion Noire lacks in inherent innovation, it makes up for in character (and tsundere).