Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1

The Neptunia series has never been stronger with this remake of the first entry. [OpenCritic note: Zack Reese separately reviewed the PC (8) and Vita (8) versions. Their scores have been averaged.]

The parody RPG Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1+ gets a little too lost in repetition. Whether it is the constant jokes about pudding or the endlessly reused dungeon layouts, the game often falls back on the same ideas. Many of its references are entertaining, but the abundance of comedic moments and fourth-wall breaks eventually becomes overwhelming, leaving the dialogue lacking in lasting substance. In fact, their sheer frequency even undermines the worldbuilding. Despite being heavily built around references and satire, the setting contains a number of genuinely interesting concepts that never receive the attention they deserve. As a result, the game ultimately earns only a limited recommendation, primarily for players who already enjoy its particular brand of humor.

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1+ is a charming RPG filled with stylish characters, humor, and a story that still holds up. However, some visuals and clunky combat, along with difficulty spikes haven’t aged as well for modern times. Despite this, it remains a fan favorite title for revisiting Gamindustri and reconnecting with the characters as if for the first time.

The fact that Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1+ released in the west after the superior remake Neptunia ReVerse may be baffling but there's no denying that it's a wonderful trip back to the past that dedicated fans will thoroughly enjoy. 💜

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 Plus is a great remake of a remake that gets everything right and knows exactly what knobs to turn to make the perfect experience for newcomers and veterans alike, letting players do the same thanks to the remake system. While the comedy is spot on and the gameplay loop feels amazing and addictive, some random glitches cause game crashes, and the lack of an auto-save system as its accomplice prevents Re;Birth1 Plus from reaching its full potential as the perfect entry point for newcomers to the franchise. If able to see past these issues, though, this is where to start if looking to get into the vast Neptuniaverse.

A niche RPG packed with pop culture references and fourth-wall-breaking humour, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1+ may not be a stand-out title, but it sure can be a fun one.

All in all, Hyperdimension Neptunia is a bit of a tough sell to people today due to its many peculiar idiosyncracies, but if you enjoy the series it is still worth exploring to see where everything stemmed from. In some respects it’s kind of remarkable that a game this odd managed to spawn such a formidable franchise, but I guess it’s testament to the lovely art, the solid writing and the imaginative, satirical setting that people still found things to enjoy here, even if they didn’t necessarily get along with the gameplay.

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1's degree of fan service means it probably won't resonate with anyone unwilling to step outside their comfort zone, but beyond that entry barrier lies a laboriously crafted JRPG with tangible meaning behind its story and worthwhile commentary on the video game industry.

[W]hile Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1 might not be the best of the bunch that people were hoping to see arrive on the platform, the game is still a good, light-hearted and comical RPG that does a good job of honouring and having fun in regards to the topic of video games, while also being given a wonderful performance boost from PC hardware.

This isn't a bad game, if modest in budget, but its console-based—and occasionally sexist—comedy is pretty niche, and it now finds itself going up against that most dreaded of all competition, the entire PC library of RPGs.