Join the ongoing ninja war for supremacy in Gamninjustri! Was Neptunia x SENRAN KAGURA: Ninja Wars worth it?
Full disclosure: We received a review code for the Nintendo Switch version of this game. Rest assured that this will not affect the quality or candor of our review.
Table of Contents
Background
The Neptunia franchise is predicated on a simple concept: game consoles are actually anime girls who vie for dominance. In each title a bigger threat comes along (usually piracy) and they have to team up. Along the way, plenty of guest characters have entered the scene representing game developers, magazines, vtubers, game franchises, other game consoles, etc.
The Neptunia franchise is generally comprised of turn based RPGs and hack-and-slash titles, though they’ve also gone into spinoff titles that include idol management and strategy RPG titles. The more recent Senran Kagura games are generally beat-em-ups, though the franchise has been quiet since 2018.
Previous Neptunia games had introduced a character based on Marvelous, the Senran Kagura developer, so overlap between these two franchises isn’t totally out of left field. There are 10 characters total: the four CPUs from Neptunia, four ninja from SENRAN KAGURA, an original character, and a gender swapped version of Goh from Shinobido.
What does Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars do well?
Fans of the Neptunia series will like the characters in their new ninja getups. There is a mild amount of fanservice, and every scene can be replayed, so no worries about missing anything if you speed through cutscenes. If you enjoy the interactions between the four CPUs, it’s here in spades. This game also runs well on the Switch.
What could Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars do better?
Peaches & Cream Meditation
This function doesn’t work if you’re using certain controllers. It’s apparently tied to motion sensors, and you can’t use buttons or joysticks. You may have to detach your Joy Cons from your docked Switch to play this minigame, depending on your controller.
Heavy on Fanservice, Light on Features
Many standard genre features are just missing outright. There is no hit counter, KO counter, or damage counter. Combat is relatively fluid, though simple. You can cancel into certain special attacks, but can’t dash cancel. The trigger system for special attacks adds some neat effects. However, once you’ve deduced the optimal chain pattern for specials you’ll notice that enemies and bosses simply melt before you.
The spirit gem system is interesting, but I only unlocked a few extra spaces during my playthrough, and exclusively used the extra money gems (not that I actually ended up needing the money).
Shallow Character Pool
There are only 10 characters, so fans of both franchises will likely be dissatisfied with the roster.
Is Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars fun?
It’s just ok. The simplicity of the battle system keeps the combat from ever feeling truly rewarding. Throughout the main story you never face more than a few enemies at a time, so not only are the battles easy, but they’re also brief.
Is Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars good value?
I sped through the main campaign in 10 hours and 40 minutes. There is some postgame content in the Yomi Trials. Unfortunately, the shallow battle system and lack of characters won’t keep you invested enough to keep playing. There’s no new game plus, which means that you’ll optimize your characters’ loadouts but will have nothing to use them against.
Was Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars worth it?
This is a very simple hack-and-slash, and while it is serviceable, it’s not exactly up to par. This game is largely in line with the previous entries on the Vita, but those were also cheaper.
Half a decade later, there is an expectation that a new title would have more content. Considering the clear similarities, it isn’t unfair to hold this game to the same standard as Musou titles, which generally get lambasted for not pushing the franchise forward. We aren’t exactly wanting for action titles on the Switch and this game competes for your attention against juggernauts like Monster Hunter Rise,
If you’ve been jonesing for some Neptunia or Senran Kagura action on the Switch, then consider this title when it goes on sale. Action game fans should consider other titles. Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars was not worth it.
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