Fans of the Hyperdimension Neptunia series know and love Noire, the hardworking, often-lonely, and fiercely proud CPU of Lastation. But what happens when this PlayStation-parody goddess finally steps into the main protagonist role? You get Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart, a delightful spin-off that swaps the traditional JRPG format for strategic, chibi-style, grid-based combat!
The Console Wars Go Tactical: Plot & Setting
- A New World, A Familiar Struggle: The game takes place not in Gamindustri, but in a parallel world called Gamarket. The four CPUs—Noire (Lastation/PlayStation), Neptune (Planeptune/Sega), Blanc (Lowee/Nintendo), and Vert (Leanbox/Xbox)—are locked in their perpetual console war for shares (public adoration).
- Noire’s Time to Shine: At the start, Noire has almost achieved complete dominance. However, a mysterious figure tricks her, draining the CPUs of their power source, the Sharicite. It’s up to a de-powered Noire and her new “secretary” (you, the player!) to travel Gamarket, reunite the scattered nations, and recover her generals to defeat the looming threat.
- The Power of Parody: Like the main series, Hyperdevotion Noire is packed with video game parody, but this time, the new playable characters are Generals based on famous game franchises like Metal Gear Solid, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, and Final Fantasy. Seeing these iconic franchises represented as adorable chibi allies is a major part of the game’s charm.
Gameplay: A Strategy RPG Twist
The biggest departure from the main series is the gameplay. This is a full-fledged Tactical Strategy RPG (SRPG), akin to titles like Disgaea.
- Grid-Based Combat: Battles unfold on an isometric grid where positioning is key. Attacking from the flanks or behind deals significantly more damage. Maps are often dynamic, featuring environmental hazards, varying terrain heights, and gimmicks like traps and teleporters that demand strategic movement.
- The Lily System: A familiar mechanic makes a return! Characters standing adjacent to one another can activate a Lily Boost (accompanied by a cute kiss on the cheek!), which increases skill damage and lowers the SP cost. Building up these bonds is crucial, as is collecting Lily Points (LP) to unleash powerful Special Moves and the CPUs’ temporary HDD (Hard Drive Divinity) transformations.
- Whacky Status Ailments: Forget basic poison—in Gamarket, your characters can be inflicted with status changes that turn them into pixelated sprites, or, most famously, a block of tofu! These ailments often come with both advantages and drawbacks, adding another layer of strategic depth.
- Sim Noire: Beyond the battlefield, you can engage in Sim Noire mode, where you help Noire with her day-to-day life as her secretary. This involves customising her room and responding to requests from her subjects, which can unlock new events and strengthen your relationship with the famously tsundere goddess.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Playing?
Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart is a must-play for fans of Noire and the Neptunia series in general, especially those who appreciate a good Strategy RPG.
While the story can be a little light on its main antagonist’s motivation, the humour is spot-on, and the sheer volume of charming, game-referencing characters is a delight. The SRPG combat is engaging, challenging, and filled with the classic Neptunia flair. If you’re ready to lead an adorable army of console-themed goddesses and game parodies to victory—all while navigating the complex personality of Lady Black Heart—then this is the perfect game for your tactical lineup.
What was your favourite character parody in Hyperdevotion Noire? Let me know in the comments!
Hyperdevotion Noire – http://www.ideafintl.com/noire/
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