Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2
Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 is a 2011 role-playing video game developed by Idea Factory and Compile Heart, the second installment in the Hyperdimension Neptunia franchise. This sequel contains both new and returning characters, and the gameplay has been updated so as to remove the random encounter feature. New maps and a brand new world are featured as well, and the cutscenes have been upgraded from the old 2D visual novel style cutscenes.
A portable remaster titled Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: Sisters Generation was made and released for the PlayStation Vita in 2014–2015 globally, later also for Windows. Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 was followed by Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory.
Gameplay
Dungeon gameplay
While in a dungeon, various actions can be performed, mainly the Treasure Search and the Symbol Attack. When the O button is pressed, the player scans the area to find hidden treasure. Enemies now wander the map, and when the player character comes within their sight range, a red exclamation point will appear, and they will chase the player. Hitting it with a Symbol Attack gives the player's party the upper hand, and may sometimes even defeat the enemy. If the latter occurs, no rewards are gained. Likewise, if the player character is approached from behind, the battle will start with a Back Attack and the enemy will gain the advantage. Other items within dungeons include Sharicite Symbols that trigger events, Save Points, Common Items, Gathering Points that release ingredients for item synthesis, and a dungeon exit.Battle gameplay
When the player comes in contact with an enemy on the field or during an event, battle starts. Each character's turn is gauged by their AP, or Action Points. Normal attacks and items consume AP until the points run out, after which the character's turn ends.Each character is also assigned SP, or Skill Points, for performing skills or activating HDD in the case of the CPUs or the CPU Candidates. Skills vary in range, effect, and attack power. One skill can be used per turn, after which the character's turn ends, regardless of current AP remaining. HDD requires 100 SP to activate. This is done by using the HDD ON command, and once activated, the character will regularly consume SP until it runs out, after which the character will revert. Up to 100 SP can also be carried in between battles.
Movement is gauged by a blue circle around the character. This marks the area within which the controlled character may move. Certain normal moves may shorten this circle, limiting further movement. The turn order of the battle is controlled with the Agility stat. The higher a character's Agility, the sooner their turn will come.
The command menu is used for performing various actions. The character may perform normal attacks, use skills, activate HDD, or end their turn. They may also switch between standby characters using AP and SP, escape from unscripted battles, or use items.
As in the first game, draining an enemy's GP, or Guard Points, forces that target into Guard Break mode. In this state, the defense stat and resistances of the target are significantly reduced until the enemy's GP completely recovers. GP depletes faster when a Break attack is used.
Normal combos can be edited by inserting extra commands. These commands appear after the first normal attack. Normal combos branch off into three types: Rush, Heavy Hits, and Break. Rush attacks usually involve high hit counts. Heavy Hits usually deplete enemy HP faster. Break attacks usually deplete enemy GP faster. By executing certain commands in specific patterns and consuming a set amount of AP, a combo finisher called an EX Finish is performed. The type of EX Finish is usually related to the command used to execute it.
Status conditions can affect combat. Whenever a target is affected by Poison, they continuously receive 1/16th of their max health in damage. Likewise, Heal continuously recovers 1/16th of their max health instead. When affected by Skillseal, Skills are disabled. When affected by Paralysis, the character is immobile and their turn is skipped. When a CPU or CPU Candidate is affected by Virus, the HDD ON command becomes locked, and if the target is in HDD, they forcibly revert.
Other elements
The Chirper serves as the main communication system in each landmass. This allows the player to view what the NPCs in that landmass are talking about. NPCs with chat bubbles highlighted in purple indicate events.When the player visits the Guild located in each landmass, they may accept quests. The quest types range between defeating a certain number of enemies to collecting a certain number of items. Once a quest is completed and reported, the player receives rewards denoted by the posted quest, and the CPU Shares for that city are altered.
Item synthesis can take place in every landmass. Once the recipe for a certain item is obtained, the player may craft that item in the synthesis shop by consuming the required ingredients that a recipe calls for. In some cases, to synthesize an item, a specific character's Lily Rank must be high enough to begin synthesis.
Shops may be used to purchase items. The inventory of a shop will increase over time as the game progresses further into the story. Shops sell a variety of items from armor to equipment to synthesis items. Items may be purchased using Credits, which are gained by certain events and winning battles.
The Lily Rank allows the player to check each character's affection level for Nepgear. Increasing Lily Rank is important, as it enables certain items to be synthesized, and in many cases, determines the ending you receive at the end of the game. The Lily Rank system also causes certain events to occur based on a character's Lily Rank. Lily Rank may also be increased simply by viewing certain events.
Nepgear's HDD outfit can be edited with the Costume Canvas. By uploading pictures from the PS3 hard drive to the game, her outfit can be modified based on the template uploaded.
Plot
Story
The year is 20XX, and in an alternate universe from the first game, where Arfoire is dead, a force known as ASIC, a group solely dedicated towards the deceased Arfoire, has risen, led by CFW Magic. Over the years, the influence of ASIC has become increasingly powerful, currently affecting many residents of Gamindustri. As such, in response to the threat, the CPUs and Nepgear travel to the Gamindustri Graveyard to combat ASIC. However, the five of them are overpowered and captured. Three years later, IF and Compa arrive to find Neptune. With the power of the Sharicite, a crystal made from the hopes of people, the two manage to free Nepgear and escape, though the Sharicite is broken in the process. Retreating to Planeptune, Nepgear must recover her strength and free Gamindustri from the influence of ASIC, though she must first locate the mascots of the landmasses, who can provide the power to potentially assist the captive CPUs.As she travels Gamindustri to find the mascots, she crosses paths with Nisa, Gust, 5pb, Cave, and Falcom, as well as the other CPU Candidates, who she befriends. They eventually join Nepgear's party, and together with the power of the mascots, they manage to free their captive sisters. The members of ASIC fall by their hand as well, though they uncover a sinister plot to use their power to revive Arfoire. Making their way to the Gamindustri Graveyard for the last time, Nepgear's party defeats Arfoire, and the CPUs attempt to seal the entity forever.