As the struggle for control increased between the Daimyos of the nations, tensions rose between the two great nations, each of which was home to one of the major schools of martial arts:
The Compa Style has mastered the Ninja Arts based on the Command Technique.
The Honeypa Style has mastered the Ninja Arts rooted in the Action Technique.
The two camps were stuck in a ruthless competition of skill in order to achieve hegemony, but as they fought on, a mysterious army of mechanical ninjas made their assault.
The mechanical ninja army overran the smaller nations in an instant, and the Steeme Legion leader, Yoh Gamer, made an announcement to the world:
“The Super NINJA War to decide the world’s strongest school is about to begin!
The latest installment of the Neptunia™ games now has ninjas. Don’t let that fool you, Neptunia™ x SENRAN KAGURA: Ninja Wars has fast paced action, cute characters, mech ninjas and of course Dongoo’s.
Players who played the Senran Kagura (which is collaborating with Neptunia™) game series should be familiar with the gameplay. For those who are new to the title, lets get break it down.
Ninja Art Skills and Ninja Art Triggers
Ninja arts can be preformed by the cost of your stamina gauge. You will have access to 4 skills at any one time. By using a Ninja art you can chain up to 4 of your skills together.
Each skill can amplify the next art as long as you have the stamina.
Shinobi Extreme
The Shinobi Extreme is your special attack. Defeat enemies to fill up your EX gauge. Once the EX gauge is full you can unleash a powerful attack, that also includes a very flashy animation sequence.
Fuurinkazan Drive
Fuurinkazan Drive gives elemental bonuses to help you defeat enemies. When activated, you will have a choice of Wind, Forest, Water or Mountain elements to give you the extra edge in a battle.
You are limited to 5 uses of the Fuurinkazan Drive in each run, so timing when to activate the drive is crucial.
Gameplay Combat
Combat is pretty straightforward, use normal attacks along with Ninja Art skills/Triggers to defeat enemies. Replenish your stamina gauge with normal attacks which will allow you to use Ninja Art skills/Triggers. Ranged weapons can be equipped like Kunai and Shuriken, these can be switched on the fly but must recharge between uses. Two charms can be equipped to help with a stat boost, skill boost or overall damage boost.
For more information about the combat system please visit http://ideafintl.com/neptunia-senran-ninja-wars/system/?page=0
Spirit Gems
Spirit Gems are small stat boosts for one character. Specific placement of Spirit Gems on the Spirit Gem Board will influence the stat boost. When you line up to 3 in a row on the Spirit Gem Board the stat boost gets bigger, the more of the same type of gem you add to the row, the bigger the bonus. As your character levels up the more slots open on the Spirit Gem Board.
The gems are obtained by defeating enemies, buying them from the Market or synthesizing gems to make a more powerful ones.
Kumotsu Shrine
The Kumotsu Shrine lets you take on side missions that are attained by the NinChat as you clear content. Completing side missions gets you rewards, items and equipment. Taking on side missions is also a great way to level up your character.
There is also the Treasury. This mode allows you to view event CGs, characters, movies and BGM playback of all the content you have cleared or obtained.
Yomi Training
After you clear the main story Yomi Training is unlocked. This is a harder mode offering up to 8 different kinds of Yomi training and 3 different levels.
As you progress, each stage will start to restrict skills and abilities. This is for those who want a challenge or just like to make things harder for themselves.
For more information about Yomi Training please visit http://ideafintl.com/neptunia-senran-ninja-wars/system/?page=1
Peaches & Cream Meditation
This mini game is entertaining but does have a purpose. This might just seem like your typical hot springs episode and you’re not wrong.
To master meditation one must use their controller to balance on the peach. The peach will get larger and harder to balance as difficulty increases. Win and receive extra boosts that can help you in battle. Lose, some fan service so, win win?!
There is a Patience Challenge for those who wants to test theirs.
For more information Peaches & Cream Meditation please visit http://ideafintl.com/neptunia-senran-ninja-wars/system/?page=2
Conclusion
I had a real blast playing this game. This is overall a fun hack and slash game that doesn’t disappoint.
If you are new to the Neptunia™ games then you’ll find that this is a easy game to start on and if you like this one, you should check out all the other games.
Just remember when playing:
“The first rule of being a ninja is, ‘Do no harm.’ Unless you mean to do harm. Then do lots of harm.”
– Splinter, ‘Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’.
Neptunia™ x SENRAN KAGURA: Ninja Wars releases on the Playstation 4 October 26, 2021 in North America and October 29, 2021 in Europe. For more information about the game please visit: http://ideafintl.com/neptunia-senran-ninja-wars/
Tags: PS4, Review, Video Games
