There is a commonly cited ‘fact’ that the VHS format won the home videotape format wars because it allowed pornography to use the format, while Betamax would not. This is actually an apocryphal story, but nonetheless feeds into the idea that any new form of video storage and distribution will, inevitably, be used for porn. Inevitably, pornography has begun to appear in virtual reality (VR) and even augmented reality (AR). Along with that has come another trend, something I have dubbed ‘Waifu Simulators’.
The most famous of these is Summer Lesson, the PlayStation VR title which had the premise of the player giving lessons to a young woman over the Summer break. As the VRFocus preview noted, this often led to the player being put in awkward psuedo-romantic situations, with the sense of immersion giving the feeling that you are invading the personal space of someone you barely know – this is especially cringe-worthy if the player is much older that the depicted age of the character in Summer Lesson.
Don’t stand so close to me… please.
There was, predictably, a lot of people commenting that the reviewer, our own Kevin Joyce, didn’t ‘Get’ the videogame and the culture that created it. While they might have a point regarding different cultural viewpoints, there are a number of ways this type of videogame can be described as awkward at best and downright creepy at worst.
There are quite a number of these ‘waifu simulators’ around. Many of which take popular characters from videogames like Shining Resonance, or vocaloid character Hatsune Miku and let players view them in various poses, in different outfits or go on stilted ‘virtual dates’.
Firstly, its notable that the characters featured in these types of videogames are almost always very young, often teenagers. Considering the average age of a PlayStation 4 users is 35, this does raise some red flags.
Secondly, these type of videogames always seem to make an uncomfortable number of assumptions about the player – namely, assuming that they are A) Male B) Straight.
This was particularly odd in Megadimension Neptunia VIIR. Like a lot of RPGs, the Neptunia series draws a lot of female fans, and there are also a lot of LGBT fans of the series. Why then, does its first VR title revert to this straight male default, when its audience is considerably more diverse?
The assumption seems to be that players view these female characters as surrogate girlfriends at best, and objects at worst. There doesn’t seem to be an option to just make friends with these characters, such as the systems in titles such as Persona. Instead you sit through excruciating ‘flirty’ dialogue or accusations you are perving on the characters.
Dating simulators have their place, and when used cleverly the systems in them can even be fun, or even frightening (see Doki Doki Literature Club for an example… or don’t if you are of delicate constitution) but the use of female characters as ‘bait’ to draw in a specific audience feels deeply uncomfortable and regressive.
VR videogames can do so much better than this when it comes to creating relationships with fictional characters. We don’t need them to pose in skimpy outfits to feel close to them.
Idea Factory International launched Megadimension Neptunia VIIR back in May for PlayStation VR. This week its the turn of Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, with the title arriving on Steam with a week long discount as well as several bundle offers.
For the Steam release this week Idea Factory International has knocked 25 percent off the regular price, dropping Megadimension Neptunia VIIR down to £23.24 GBP – from £30.99. Additionally, there are three bundles available netting gamers new content and items.
There’s the Megadimension Neptunia VIIR Deluxe Bundle which includes the videogame plus a Special Art Collection,
Rough Sketches Collection, PC Wallpapers and Mobile Wallpapers. Or then there’s the DLC Pack which includes all ten DLC items. Finally, for those that want it all, the Megadimension Neptunia VIIR Complete Deluxe Pack features both previously mentioned bundles, all for the low price of £36.92.
This VR compatible videogame is an enhanced version of 2016’s JRPG Megadimension Neptunia VII featuring smoother graphics courtesy of a new engine and a revamped battle system.
The actual gameplay itself is two fold, with one part revolving around players being able to hang out one-on-one with each of the Gamindustri Goddesses, listen to their conversations, and watch as the Goddesses react to them all in VR. While the second part are the actual battles, with the new battle system allows players to set each attack combo mid-battle whilst introducing new elements of strategy and resource-management. And they can transform into even more powerful beings with their NEXT forms, and take control of a different set of characters who want to run Gamindustri.
VRFocusreviewed Megadimension Neptunia VIIRfor its PlayStation VR launch, giving it three-stars, saying: “Playing the main Megadimension Neptunia story in VR is mostly worth it, but the poorly-rendered VR-only sections do little or nothing to really add to proceedings other than hurt your eyes and make you feel awkward. Its fun, but unless you don’t already have a copy of the original title, its one for fans only.”
VRFocus will continue its coverage of Megadimension Neptunia VIIR and Idea Factory International, reporting back with any further updates.
With the release of virtual reality (VR) title Megadimension Neptunia VIIRalmost here Idea Factory International have released the final round of screenshots that showcase the titles Event Scene Dialogue.
The screenshots, which can be viewed below, give an idea of the sort of conversations that players will encounter during the ‘enhanced’ version of the 2016 role-playing game (RPG), Megadimension Neptunia VII. The new version sees a number of VR features packed into it and allows for the core storyline to be experiences from start to end with VR support. One of the new features also allows players to get up close and person with the characters from the title thanks to the PlayStation VR.
The Event Scene Dialogue sections will present the player with more traditional cutscenes found in these sorts of titles. With impressive 2D artwork of the characters talking in front of the player rather than in full 3D motion. As you can see in the screenshots some of the characters are rather interesting and the dialog is just as creative.
VRFocus’ Staff Writer Rebecca Hills-Duty reviewed Megadimension Neptunia VIIR saying: “The main game mode is a VR-compatible remake of Megadimension Neptunia, which players very similarly to the original release, though the menus and battle system have been revamped to work better from within VR. The story in Megadimension Neptunia is one of the better ones of the series, divided up into three sections that explore different events within the world of Gameindustri.” and later adding: “Playing the main Megadimension Neptunia story in VR is mostly worth it, but the poorly-rendered VR-only sections do little or nothing to really add to proceedings other than hurt your eyes and make you feel awkward. Its fun, but unless you don’t already have a copy of the original title, its one for fans only.”
Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is set to release tomorrow, 8th May in North American with the UK release later this week on the 11th May.VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest on the title in the future so stay tuned for more.
With the release of virtual reality (VR) title Megadimension Neptunia VIIRalmost here Idea Factory International have released the final round of screenshots that showcase the titles Event Scene Dialogue.
The screenshots, which can be viewed below, give an idea of the sort of conversations that players will encounter during the ‘enhanced’ version of the 2016 role-playing game (RPG), Megadimension Neptunia VII. The new version sees a number of VR features packed into it and allows for the core storyline to be experiences from start to end with VR support. One of the new features also allows players to get up close and person with the characters from the title thanks to the PlayStation VR.
The Event Scene Dialogue sections will present the player with more traditional cutscenes found in these sorts of titles. With impressive 2D artwork of the characters talking in front of the player rather than in full 3D motion. As you can see in the screenshots some of the characters are rather interesting and the dialog is just as creative.
VRFocus’ Staff Writer Rebecca Hills-Duty reviewed Megadimension Neptunia VIIR saying: “The main game mode is a VR-compatible remake of Megadimension Neptunia, which players very similarly to the original release, though the menus and battle system have been revamped to work better from within VR. The story in Megadimension Neptunia is one of the better ones of the series, divided up into three sections that explore different events within the world of Gameindustri.” and later adding: “Playing the main Megadimension Neptunia story in VR is mostly worth it, but the poorly-rendered VR-only sections do little or nothing to really add to proceedings other than hurt your eyes and make you feel awkward. Its fun, but unless you don’t already have a copy of the original title, its one for fans only.”
Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is set to release tomorrow, 8th May in North American with the UK release later this week on the 11th May.VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest on the title in the future so stay tuned for more.
Compile Heart and Idea Factory have found a fair amount of success with their ‘Neptunia’ series. Though the first title in the series, Hyperdimension Neptunia on the PlayStation 3, was quite ropey around the edges, it nonetheless won fans and launched the series, which has now worked its way to virtual reality (VR).
Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is a VR adaptation of the previously released Megadimension Neptunia title. After the music video intro, the title starts with you, the player, being addressed by our main exposition source, the fairy-like Histoire.
Here some issues become apparent. You are in a room where most of the VR-specific events and interactions take place, but there is a bizarre low-rez feeling, every object has blurry, jagged edges like the anti-aliasing isn’t working properly. Histoire herself looks very blurry as well, though Neptune when she arrives looks fine. Its very off-putting, especially when other VR titles don’t have this issue.
You can interact with the characters from the Neptunia series throughout gameplay, with new interactions becoming unlocked as you progress, along with objects to decorate the room, but the off-putting graphics don’t entice you to spend much time there. You can respond with nods and headshakes to the characters, but otherwise they are mostly monologuing to you. This often feels awkward, especially with how the characters appear to assume you are young and male.
For those unfamiliar with the main series, The Neptunia series takes place in a world called Gameindustri, which is ruled over by ‘CPUs’ who have power akin to goddesses and who are anthropomorphic personifications of the companies involved in the console wars; Blanc for Nintendo, Vert for Microsoft, Noire for Sony and protagonist Neptune for SEGA.
The Neptunia series has always aimed to strike a balance between RPG gameplay, broad slapstick comedy and fanservice. The fanservice comes in several flavours, from the copious amount of references to videogame trivia to the extremely scanty outfits favoured by the main characters, particularly in their transformed state. The VR-exclusive sections feel like they lean a bit too much towards the latter without enough of the former, which is something of a shame.
The main game mode is a VR-compatible remake of Megadimension Neptunia, which players very similarly to the original release, though the menus and battle system have been revamped to work better from within VR. The story in Megadimension Neptunia is one of the better ones of the series, divided up into three sections that explore different events within the world of Gameindustri.
The first section explores the plight of the Zero dimension and its CPU, Uzume who personifies SEGA’s Dreamcast console. Visually, this is one of the most compelling, with the ruined citiscapes looking pretty impressive in VR. Oddly, the main game mode didn’t seem to suffer from the anti-aliasing issues of the VR-specific parts.The environments suffer from the some of the typical ‘copy&paste’ repetition fans of the series will be familiar with, but looking at it in VR at least feels different.
The music is sometimes a little bland and repetitive, though there are some stand-out tracks, especially for the later climactic battles and the tragic bad ending. The English voice acting is decent for the most part, with the voice of Uzume being of particular note.
Playing the main Megadimension Neptunia story in VR is mostly worth it, but the poorly-rendered VR-only sections do little or nothing to really add to proceedings other than hurt your eyes and make you feel awkward. Its fun, but unless you don’t already have a copy of the original title, its one for fans only.
The upcoming release of Megadimension Neptunia VIIR for PlayStation VR is nearing closer and now Idea Factory International have released a new batch of screenshots that show off the next form of the Gamindustri Goddesses.
In the latest title from the ever popular series, Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is an ‘enhanced’ version of the 2016 role-playing game (RPG), Megadimension Neptunia VII, packed with new features and virtual reality (VR) functionality. This release means players will be able to experience smoother graphics thanks to a new engine, a revamped battle system and even get up close and personal like never before thanks to PlayStation VR.
The new screenshots show the characters latest transformation forms which add another layer of tactics and even more powerful attacks. In Megadimension Neptunia VIIR, characters will get two levels of transformation. This will make the combat side of the gameplay in the title much more impressive and visually pleasing. The other half of the gameplay revolves around the player hanging out in a room with the Gamindustri Goddesses, listening to their conversations and watching them react to the players response, all in VR. This will be the first time players are able to hang out with the virtual Goddesses and it is sure to be a fan favorite feature of this release.
Elsewhere in Megadimension Neptunia VIIR, players will be able to experience an epic RPG adventure as they set out on a grand adventure to save the world from the mysterious evil known as the Dark CPU. Working together, the characters will need to use new strategies and new powers in order to be the victor in this war. With a turn-based battle system the combat is set to be more fun then ever before. Unleash powerful attacks, use combos and even dazzling specials. Position and timing is key so make sure to pay close attention to the battles and do everything you can to win.
Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is set to release on 11th May in the UK with a North American release date of 8th May. VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest on this VR adventure so stay tuned for further updates.
Last week VRFocus reported on Idea Factory International confirming a North American release date of 8th May, 2018 for Megadimension Neptunia VIIR, without mentioning when European gamers may see the title. That date has now been confirmed as 11th May, 2018, the same week as its North American release.
Alongside the European release date announcement, Idea Factory International and Compile Heart have released a series of new screenshots, showcasing the English language version translation and the Gamindustri Goddesses players will encounter in the experience.
A PlayStation 4 videogame with added PlayStation VR compatibility, Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is an ‘enhanced’ version of 2016 role-playing game (RPG), Megadimension Neptunia VII. New features in the updated version include smoother graphics courtesy of a new engine, a revamped battle system, and the addition of VR to make the experience even more immersive.
The actual gameplay itself is two fold, with one part revolving around players being able to hang out one-on-one with each of the Gamindustri Goddesses, listen to their conversations, and watch as the Goddesses react to them all in VR. While the second part are the actual battles, with the new battle system allows players to set each attack combo mid-battle whilst introducing new elements of strategy and resource-management. And they can transform into even more powerful beings with their NEXT forms, and take control of a different set of characters who want to run Gamindustri.
The Hyperdimension Neptunia series began life in 2010 with an exclusive title for the PlayStation 3, with the series deriving its name from the abandoned SEGA Neptune console. With gameplay a combination of the dungeon crawling JRPG style popularised by titles such as Square Enix’s Final Fantasy series, combined with elements of Japanese visual novels, the Neptunia series has since spun off into other media such as music, manga and even an anime series (Hyperdimension Neptunia: The Animation).
In preparation for its western launch, Idea Factory International has opened pre-orders up for Megadimension Neptunia VIIR on select websites. North American customers can either go to Amazon or Gamestop, whilst those in the UK can head to Amazon – for some reason the UK site lists the release date as 13th April. For any further updates to Megadimension Neptunia VIIR, keep reading VRFocus.
In December 2016 VRFocus reported that Idea Factory International’s Megadimension Neptunia VIIRfor PlayStation 4 would see a Western launch on 13th April 2018 with an additional PlayStation VR mode. That’s no longer the case with players now having to wait a few more weeks for its release.
Via a recent Twitter post, Idea Factory International has now confirmed a new release date of 8th May, 2018 for North America. A European version is still on the cards with a date to be announced in the near future. There’s been no mention of why the launch has been put back.
Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is an ‘enhanced’ version of 2016 role-playing game (RPG), Megadimension Neptunia VII, developed by Idea Factory International and Compile Heart. Features include smoother graphics courtesy of a new engine, a revamped battle system, and the addition of VR to make the experience even more immersive.
Players will be able to hang out one-on-one with each of the Gamindustri Goddesses, listen to their conversations, and watch as the Goddesses react to them all in VR. Plus they’ll be able to customize their VR room’s furniture with Neptunia designs.
The new battle system allows players to set each attack combo mid-battle whilst introducing new elements of strategy and resource-management. And they can transform into even more powerful beings with their NEXT forms, and take control of a different set of characters who want to run Gamindustri.
For the Megadimension Neptunia VIIR uninitiated, the story goes: “Gamindustri–a world sitting at the convergence of multiple dimensions. Of these existed the Zero Dimension, a world on the brink of collapse. Zero Dimension’s last guardian, Uzume Tennouboshi, waged a war against a mysterious evil known as the Dark CPU. Her desperate cries for help crossed dimensions and reached Neptune, the CPU of Planeptune, who would leave her world to join the fight. Their fateful meeting would open the path to a new adventure. And once their world is saved, they’ll join you in yours.”
As further details on Megadimension Neptunia VIIR are released – including the European launch date – VRFocus will let you know.
The PlayStation 4’s virtual reality (VR) platform has entered its second year of consumer availability, and with it has brought some [link to best of 2017]fantastic PlayStation VR titles throughout 2017[/link]. However, it’s time to look ahead at some of the highlights coming in 2018.The release schedule for the PlayStation VR has never looked better, with an assortment of indie and AAA videogames coming over the next six months. Both digital-only and retail packages will lead the way to further consumer adoption, and below you’ll find some of the biggest and best titles heading to PlayStation VR in 2018.
Moss – Polyarc Games
Polyarc Games’ Moss was announced at last year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Los Angeles, in June, and has since soared to the top of many PlayStation VR players’ ‘most wanted’ lists. The incidental detail in the animation of heroine Quill is nothing short of amazing, and the pacing between action and logic puzzle solving – at least in the early preview build of Moss – is almost pitch-perfect.
Moss is set for release on 27th February 2018, exclusively on PlayStation VR.
Blood & Truth – Sony London Studios
Blood & Truth is considered by many to be the evolution of The London Heist, which featured on PlayStation VR launch compilation, PlayStation VR Worlds. Developed by Sony London Studios, Blood & Truth places the player into the heart of London’s organised crime syndicate on a mission for revenge. There have been some misgivings about the nature of the player’s movement and the voiceover seen in the preview build of Blood & Truth, but hope remains high that Sony London Studios will deliver the deep mafia experience many PlayStation VR owners are hoping for.
Blood & Truth will launch at an unannounced date in 2018, exclusively for PlayStation VR.
The Inpatient – Supermassive Games
UK studio Supermassive Games have two announced titles coming to PlayStation VR in 2018, and while Bravo Team just missed out on making it into this feature, The Inpatient is arguably a more unique and involving experience. Continuing the trend of fleshing-out the hugely popular Until Dawn universe, The Inpatient takes place in the Sanitarium featured in the original PlayStation 4 exclusive and tasks the player with facing some odd goings on as they attempt to keep a grip on their sanity.
The Inpatient is set for release on 24th January 2018, exclusively on PlayStation VR.
Golem – Highwire Games
Having originally been announced back in 2016, Golem disappeared off the radar for some time. Re-emerging at Sony Interactive Entertainment’s (SIE) Paris Games Week press conference, Highwire Games’ VR debut shot right back to the top of the PlayStation VR’s most anticipated list. An adventure that gives the player the opportunity to explore the ruins of the Endless City, engaging in melee combat as they wield a sword and swing it as though it were a real blade; learning how to thrust, block and parry.
One for fans of the series or the videogames industry as a whole, Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is a commentary on the rivalry between videogame consoles and the hardware manufacturers behind them. While Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is in fact an ‘enhanced’ remake of Megadimension Neptunia VII, the most significant difference is the fact that players will be able to get face-to-face with several characters from the series for the first time.
Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is set to launch on 13th April 2018, exclusively for PlayStation VR.
Megalith – Disruptive Games
One of the most recently announced PlayStation VR titles, along with Blood & TruthDisruptive Games revealed Megalith at SIE’s Paris Games Week press conference. Megalith sees the player taking the role of a titan in a world with a bleak, stylised aesthetic. On a quest to become a powerful god, players will explore and destroy as they utilise powerful weapons to take out their foes.
Megalith is set to launch at a currently unspecified date in 2018, exclusively for PlayStation VR.
Star Child – Playful Corp.
Playful Corp.’s VR debut came in the form of the Oculus Rift exclusive Lucky’s Tale, a critically acclaimed platform videogame featuring a cute bouncing fox that eventually made the leap to Xbox One. This time around, Star Child presents a neon drenched science-fiction adventure for PlayStation VR. Star Child is a homage to classic side-scrolling platformers of yesteryear with the player running and jump through a world that encourages you to lean in and explore its depths with the new immersion afforded by VR technology. In a similar fashion to Paw Print Games’ Bloody Zombies, the action may be limited to a 2D plane but the player’s viewpoint is not, allowing for secrets to be discovered through observation.
Star Child is currently set to launch at an unspecified date in 2018, exclusively for PlayStation VR.
Quar: Infernal Machines – Steel Wool Studios
Aside from League of War: VR Arena and No Heroes Allowed! VR, PlayStation VR is somewhat lacking in strategy videogames. Steel Wool Studios will soon change that fact with Quar: Infernal Machines, a HTC Vive launch title that remains one of the most compelling strategy titles on the format. Players will engage in combat as they attempt to take control of the land with a variety of oddball creatures and weaponry.
Quar: Infernal Machines originally launched on HTC Vive under the guise of Quar: Battle for Gate 18, and will launch on PlayStation VR in March 2018.
The American Dream – Samurai Punk
Originally expected to launch in 2017, Samurai Punk’s The American Dream is the antithesis of the current trend for wave shooters in VR. Acting as a tongue-in-cheek examination of American gun culture – or potentially a commentary on it, should the tone be pitched correctly – The American Dream has the player using firearms to conduct even the most mundane activities. What’s better than opening a beer can with a gun? Nothing. That’s what.
The American Dream was originally intended to launch in 2017 and is currently expected to launch early in 2018 on PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner – Mars – Konami Digital Entertainment
The announcement that Konami were preparing a return to the Zone of the Enders franchise came as somewhat of a shock, especially as they were developing VR compatibility as part of the package. Of course, it makes perfect sense; there are few action videogames that lend themselves to VR as well as piloting giant mechs. And while Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner – Mars looks set to be a compelling rendition of the franchise, little has yet been revealed of exactly how the videogame will play in VR.
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner – Mars is set to launch at an unspecified date in spring 2018, for PlayStation 4, Steam and PlayStation VR.
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Honourable Mention: Fallout 4 VR – Bethesda Game Studios
Fallout 4 VR is the ‘one that got away’. Bethesda Game Studios had a trio of VR launches over the holiday season, and while The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR and DOOM VFR both graced the PlayStation VR, Fallout 4 VR currently remains a HTC Vive exclusive. The suggestion is that Fallout 4 VR will eventually come to the PlayStation VR in time, but Bethesda Game Studios has offered no official word on when that might be. Fingers crossed PlayStation VR gamers don’t have to wait too long to experience the wasteland of the Commonwealth first-hand.
There are many Japanese PlayStation VR titles that will never see the light of day in western territories. Dead or Alive Xtreme 3: Fortune was an early big name title to fall and despite continued interest, and Summer Lesson remains unavailable in North America or Europe. Megadimension Neptunia VIIR however, was recently confirmed for release in western territories and has now been assigned a specific launch date.
Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is the continuation of a long-running series in which the characters, world and gameplay mechanics subtly reflect the videogames industry. The videogame is set in the world of Gamindustri and tells the tale of the discovery of a parallel world. The people of Gamindustri likened the phenomenon to differing endings of a videogame based on the person behind the controller, presenting the ethereal being with the name ‘The Player’. Celebrating The Player, even in times of catastrophe, Croire and Neptune used their ability to travel between dimensions to meet The Player face-to-face.
Megadimension Neptunia VIIR is an ‘enhanced’ version of 2016 role-playing game (RPG), Megadimension Neptunia VII, developed by Idea Factory International and Compile Heart. Megadimension Neptunia VIIR features upgraded visuals thanks to the adoption of a new engine, as well as a revamped battle system. Progress through the videogame’s campaign will unlock specific VR events.
According to Idea Factory International, players of Megadimension Neptunia VIIR will be able to meet the Gamindustri Goddesses in VR, listen to their conversations and even interact directly.
Already available in Japan and China, under the name Shin Jigen Game Neptune VIIR: Victory II Realize, Megadimension Neptunia VIIR will launch in western territories on 13th April 2018. Pre-orders for Megadimension Neptunia VIIR are already available at Amazon and Play Asia; the latter offering both North American and European editions. The western version of the videogame will include the original Japanese voiceover, as well as English language dubbing and subtitle options.
Already available in Japan and