Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars - Review | Tarks Gauntlet

Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars is another in a long line of spinoffs for both series, but it's a collaboration and unification of both franchises that frankly makes a lot of sense.
"Making sense" however doesn't necessarily make "A good game"
There's a lot here for fans of either franchise to enjoy, but perhaps as a whole the package it's somewhat lacking. Here's my thoughts.
Shameless Plug for some sick clothes! (Affiliate)
www.icedtea-aesthetics.com/
PROMO CODES:
TARKS - Save 10% off your order
TARKS20 - Save 20% off orders with 3 or more items!
|------------SOCIALS & SUPPORT-------------|
/ tarksgauntlet
/ tarksgauntlet
/ discord
Amazon Wishlist - goo.gl/RrBC17
teespring.com/stores/waifuwear-3
/ tarksgauntlet
Donations
www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...

[@ShadowEliteHD]

The Steeme Legion did nothing wrong!

[@ircha]

It's a reference to Steam pc right? 😁

[@DuoBeard]

@@ircha it is 😏

[@DuoBeard]

“…Keeping me abreast of the situation, though the titillation has been knockered down a pegs…” Oh Tarks, you’re so cleaver

[@HybridAngelZero]

I'm quite a fan of both franchises, though I haven't picked it up yet, I likely will when it goes on sale. It makes me sad such a cool crossover is so lite on content, but it feels like it would be just the right kind of low stress pallette cleanser to come back to every now and then between bigger releases. Also, the Steeme Legion thing had me chuckling, I love it xD

[@SHIVAPLAYINGVIDEOGAMES]

It's on sale rn

[@Neo-Abobo]

Funny, I also finished exactly 4 trophies shy of the platinum. At around the 5 hour mark, I remember taking a hard look at the trophy list thinking the platinum is definitely in the cards. But by the time I was nearing the last couple chapters, I just didn't have it in me anymore as burn out fully set in. That Yomi training seemed like it was going go be a pain too, had to put it down. I did enjoy the game for the most part, as I spread out my play sessions. But I agree 100% that it far out stayed its welcome by the end credits.

[@TarksGauntlet]

I couldn't bring myself to finish Yomi Training. It was one of the 4 I left behind. I checked out basically every spot on the board and finished a couple, but a lot of the third stages in them are just kind of annoying. Even at level cap I was struggling on some and figured I'd have to really look at my build to close the gap that little bit more and I just can't bother lol.

[@Neo-Abobo]

@@TarksGauntlet I'm with you there. Too many other games to play, hard to justify putting yourself through the time and aggravation. Did you finish the last stage of peaches and cream? Thats another one I passed on. Once I saw the ball disappearing and after a couple failed attempts, I was like "nope!" Lol. Was going to save it for last but after I gave up on the plat, I never retried it.

[@TarksGauntlet]

@@Neo-Abobo I did get the final P&C. It took me about 9-10 attempts but I got it. I also found out somewhere in all that that round 2 in P&C meditation on hard is a little broken. The physics of the ball kind of break a bit towards the far right end of the balance board. In a way it almost glues itself to it.

[@ys0098]

Yeah same, i put down the game after beat the final boss ,i am disappointed how my fav yumi got nerf a lot and it feel like play senran kagura with slow motion .

[@IxianMace]

Thanks for this really well-spoken, insightful review. I'm a fan of both franchises, but it looks like I'll be waiting for a very deep sale if I even pick up the game at all.

[@TheGamingShelf]

This is exactly what I thought this game would be and that bums me out. I was hoping for a little something more. Oh well 🤷🏻‍♂️ Thanks for the fun video 😄

[@quintiliuspebble722]

Thanks for the review. I was starving for a action senran game but was worried this game would sour my opinion of the senran action games and waist my time. Thanks for biting the bullet so we don’t have to. Love your content. Thanks again

[@ircha]

Great video 📹 I completely agree with your points! 👌💯

[@derekminna]

Hi Ircha!

[@derekminna]

I got the LE and I am happy to support both series but I can say that I agree with the review. Close to platinuming the game but stuck on the final challenge missions. 26 hours in, lv 56 and still having trouble. Hoping both series ports more to Switch and is working on new projects.

[@ricardobelmont5984]

Great review!! Dang this feels kind empty. Golden week sale it is then.

[@eclairmint]

Great and honest review as always. I liked both series but I may have to wait for a big sale on this one. Thanks for the review!

[@Makoto03]

Very sad to see this crossover wasn't that great, especially since i like both series. I'm more into Neptunia but i enjoy the fanservice of Senran Kagura, which it seems this crossover lacks that same level. It also looks repetitive. I may eventually play it just to experience every Neptunia title at least once, but it will be after a sale.

[@wedasantika6079]

Not even transformation scene which both franchises usually have. In other games, characters begin the battle untransformed. That's also in Neptunia's case.

[@MrTivius]

Even if the game is lacking, this was a great review!

[@Juice8767]

I’m pretty torn on whether I want this on PC or Switch. Seeing that it’s a little barebones is actually a plus for me. I would like it if the combos were better but if games are too long I never finish them, just got too short of an intention span and too many games in my backlog. I tend to drop one for another as soon as I start to feel a slog.

[@maroXUprising]

Depends. Are you gonna get a steam deck? For future proofing that is, then the pc version should be the choice to go then..and since there’s achievements that’s a bonus to add along with of course mod supporting and obviously better FPS... Now If you want to be able to spend some time playing your switch in-case you haven’t been spending enough time on it as of lately if it’s been collecting dust, then perhaps get the switch version even at the cost of half the FPS, game is still pretty much a given that it’ll at least be a playable experience. Switch version at least has a benefit of having a physical version to pick up & then trade/resell once finish. If I were you, I’d pick up the switch version. But that’s just me. I like my games physically so the fact there’s even a physical version not limited to distribution platforms a la Limited run games is great..

[@DeformedArse]

I was gonna dislike this video but since the amount isn't shown anymore I'll throw a like instead. jk I liked the review actually.

[@wedasantika6079]

BTW Neptunia Virtual Star is similar to SK PBS? Being both shooter games

[@BossFlight]

Thanks!

[@ghouliesgamereviews2074]

I got this for $11 with prime rewards. How do you feel about this game at a discounted price?

[@Darkrai110]

Loved this game so much that I managed to get the platinum

[@Metalkake]

Whoa, PC master race Steeme? Surely they cannot be serious. Thanks for the review sir!

[@Gilluria]

There is some powerful 7th gen energy to this game. Also very confused at how buoyant Astolfo became.

[@luisz0339]

I only know senran for the fan service and neptunia for the apparent reference to some sega consoles or something like that. A crossover never crossed my mind lol. Good video, I really can’t see any reason to enter both of these series or this game but I like the way you go to the trouble of playing them!

[@shadowmaksim]

I've already ranted about the game in your unboxing video but yeah...it basically summarizes the sad state for both series involved. It's bizarre how, for a crossover between two companies flagship IPs, the game just feels so cheap. In fact, there are enemy assets that have been getting reused since "MegaTagmension", which were also in "Cyberdimension". The Minotaur is from the latter and the Hound elite enemy were in both. Normally, I'd just scuff at it being Compile Heart reusing too many assets again but thinking about it, that might actually be on Tamsoft. Along with the Hound, "Cyberdimension" also had multiple towering Golem/Knight bosses and a Pheonix boss...and those three are basically stripped down versions of three of the Protectors from "Valkyrie Drive: Bhikkhuni" (a solely Tamsoft developed game, no Compile Heart involvement) which released shortly after "MegaTagmension" did. Moving on, even the crossover aspect was pretty disappointing. "Senran Kagura" especially got the short end of the stick. Outside of the four group Leaders, nobody else remotely shows up. I think Mirai possibly got referenced like once, not by name though, but that was it. The "Neptunia" side also only got its main four CPUs playable but at least more characters showed up. Histoire, IF, and Compa were in the story and various others characters (The CPU Candidates, Tamsoft, Dengeki, Famitsu, and I guess Ileheart as well) at least showed up as chibi avatars in that NinChat submenu. Not to mention Steamax and Affimojas act as returning villains and they even kept Affimojas's "no back attacks" gimmick which I admitted found neat. Beyond side-characters, you even have to unlock the "Senran Kagura" cast while you start with all the "Neptunia" characters from the get go. Heck, Homura never even uses Engetsuga which she has with her, on her model, the entire time. That's just amazing to me.

[@TarksGauntlet]

I'd joke and be like "Tamsoft re-using assets in this game is just an homage to CH/Iffy doing it in ALL of their games" but I didn't know about the Valkyrie Drive ones (Even though I did play that game.) Valkyrie Drive isn't even compile heart adjacent But yeah, Neptunia, much like the title in English definitely comes first in this game. I didn't cover it in the video but I even feel the 2d assets for the Neptunia characters were cleaner. I got used to it by the end, but Miyabi and Homura's character profiles looked a little off to me at first.

[@wedasantika6079]

Engetsuga is her 7th sword?

[@wedasantika6079]

@@TarksGauntlet more like Iffy/CH reused assets from previous Nep games.

[@TarksGauntlet]

@@wedasantika6079 Yeah, Iffy/CH have been reusing neptunia assets since the series started. Obviously they get a pass for this game, but I seen neptunia assets in Omega Quintet, Mary Skelter and I believe Death End Re;Quest as well.

[@wedasantika6079]

@@TarksGauntlet even in Fairy Fencer too similar to Rebirth games And its Advent Dark Force remake has the same spec as Meganep VII

[@ocgobscure]

I'm a fan of the SK series. I feel like they made this game really fast. VN is very simple and gives little variation in character illustrations. And as Tarks mentioned we again get the same characters from SK as we always get. Would be nice if they for once chose some other characters. it's all very simple and it could have been a lot more if they'd taken more time, I think. Just come on with Senran Kagura 7even!

[@jfiffl7]

Its been a long time since a new senran kagura- But then Peach ball did a serious axedrop straight up the onahole

[@UndeadEggmiester]

This isn't a bad game but it's a bad spin-off because they could have removed the four senran girls and replaced them with any generic new characters and nothing would have changed. It's a shame that a series like senran has been done so dirty over the past few years. The game was made in less then a year and was rushed out so that's why the less content.

[@johnowilson8715]

It be cool if it has a vs mode

[@TayaToxin]

So glad it's another mindless button masher, I've got podcasts to catch up on.

[@pureevil9496]

Damn lol

[@neoroxx]

got this under $4 on Switch (Argentina eShop), nothing to complain at this price point

[@agustinpugliese1715]

Any idea if this game is coming to pc?

[@arrowknee7356]

In spring, has a steam page saying as much. :)

[@damianserah]

i will wait for utawarerumono zan 2,the demo is good and for this i will wait for the exploit 9.00

[@overlordzetta7410]

4 godesses online is still the best spinn-off a good game and a nifftey action rpg.

[@shadowmaksim]

Can't say I'd agree with that myself. Thought it was among one of the worst spinoffs personally. While it's nice other people managed to like it just fine, I found it had too many fundamental issues. Like, there were multiple mechanics that outright didn't work half the time...or how some bosses couldn't reach you if you just stayed on an elevated platform (which you usually spawn on).

[@MaterielPneumatique]

I bought this on the nintendo switch, it's just ok, but i want to support it, specially in nintendo hardware, as i would like to have series like that take the console that won't censor them more seriously, even if it's not as powerful.

[@wedasantika6079]

Which SK game's dressing room you just showed up? Reflexxion??

[@TarksGauntlet]

The one I showed was Reflexions yeah. Which was honestly one of the lesser expansive dressing rooms for the series.

[@wedasantika6079]

@@TarksGauntlet even less than Peach Ball/Shinovi Versus?

[@TarksGauntlet]

@@wedasantika6079 Peach Ball is debatable but Reflexions only has 1 character in the base game so probably. Shinovi and estival too also had a hidden dressing room mini game.

[@wedasantika6079]

@@TarksGauntlet somehow it Estival Versus if you changed girls' underwear, they revert back to default each time you reload the save. The same goes for diorama too.

[@KL-ed4fq]

ill get it when its $10 or less on steam; Ill just hexedit my save data file for levels for this gated gameplay for false longevity; Demon Slayer Hinakami seems like a good investment now

[@topbowgunner]

They could have done better but o will i got it because neptunia and senran kagura because i like both

[@SheldonKreger]

Eager to play this, but waiting for a sale. Sadly didn't get in on the special edition. Maybe next time!!!

[@ArynBacklogDragon]

considering the switch version is coming out next year, this might be your chance to get on the special edition.

[@ZMangz]

Goh and Yuki best girls. I kind of feel like this title was an attempt to keep the series alive while something is cooking up in the background. Hopefully. I like the Senran games a lot it would be sadge if they unceremoniously end the series.

[@dalvinduchesne2325]

No clothes break. No ecchi😭

[@sillytheslime7527]

I was excited for this game when it was announced and is why I got into Neptunia. Hoping that they might do something with each of the series. When I finished the game It just felt quick and unfilling. I finished the whole game and got all the trophys around 30 hours. There was potential for this game. It could have add more Senran and Neptunia characters. There could have been interactions with each of the characters but there wasn't much and the only interactions were in the Nin Chat when you're done with the game. The combat could have been better. Overall it was alright nothing too much to say. I agree with what you said and enjoyed how honest you were.

[@SJPace1776]

I had a blast with this game and liked being able to customize stats on my characters and approach challenges. I got a quality thirty hour experience and a platinum trophy so no regrets here. I'd gladly take a sequel with an expanded roster. Edit: Also, while I disagree with the video I liked it to support the channel and the series.

[@helenFX]

12:44 the yellow dollar is a mystery ! :P :) This game doesn't sound exciting.

[@TarksGauntlet]

I have a feeling it was from me saying "Nep X Seks" tbh. KZbin bots will detect that easier than any imagery.

[@yoshigba2749]

Not my Senran!

[@TarksGauntlet]

Update: KZbin determined by manual review the video is now ad friendly. I don't expect that to stick though.

[@chief13371]

I miss senran kagura :(

[@BryBry2ply]

I bought this, for science reasons

[@GlitchiiZ]

didn’t buy it. perhaps later on. suck that i’d have to purchase it on sonys console considering their censorship bs. great review btw

[@retrogamernat8701]

Wow, actually a game that will make me return to my ps4 ew, nvm, neptunia mechanics v_v, pc will be

[@crawlingkhaos8970]

Ahh. So it turns out the game I quit playing after an hour is indeed, middling as expected. I'd say I dodged a bullet there, by playing BR2 instead. But I actually bought this game. With actual real money. So...I dodged nothing, and I guess i'm gonna have to come back to it eventually to make myself feel better about the purchase just for the trophies I suppose. With only 2 hours of actual gameplay, I suppose that's not so bad. Not to mention, i've seen far worse when it comes to both franchises. The less said about Super Neptunia RPG, the better lol.

[@TarksGauntlet]

I don't even really mind Neptunia RPG too much, but I played it on switch and it runs really bad there. Beneath its performance issues there's at least a kind of mid game there.

[@crawlingkhaos8970]

@@TarksGauntlet Well, if you were into it, I pass no judgment. To each their own. Everyone's allowed to even semi-enjoy what they want. Even i'm guilty of either semi-enjoying or closet enjoying games that would be considered budget or bad. For instance, i'm a huge fan of Earth Defense Force. But to me? SNRPG kinda reminded me of a super confusing Valkyrie Profile lite, with too much platforming. I usually don't associate platforming and RPGs with one-another. In the same way I don't typically associate stealth sections with RPGs. So when either of these things happen in an RPG, it legit irritates me (hence my complaints about stealth in BR2 and that one single collapsing bridge section in Scarlet Nexus). So I can openly admit that likely, most of my issues with SNRPG are a me problem.

[@TarksGauntlet]

@@crawlingkhaos8970 EDF is pretty beloved though. Its charm comes from the idea it's just a video game version of 50s creature invasion films but is also really fun. But yeah, I appreciate jank in some games. A lot of the time I find odd budget experiences quite a bit more fun and interesting than AAA games you can predict in their entirety from a glance at the case. Super Nep was thankfully anything but "By the numbers" but the execution was lacking. Especially in that platforming haha.

[@crawlingkhaos8970]

@@TarksGauntlet Well when it comes to EDF, I wasn't necessarily saying it was bad, but budget. Given it was originally part of the Simple Series. But then it blew up into what it is now. Which, honestly? I can't complain about. Personally, I can't wait for EDF 6. =P But you do make a good point. Budget games can be more fun and interesting. They feel more...gamey/arcady. They also KNOW they're not budgeted by huge studios or backers, so they can basically just do what they want within budget without worry. And sometimes, that's awesome. Because some budget titles feel the need to go all out because they know they can. Sometimes, I just enjoy games like that. A game that IS and KNOWS it's absurd. Like Hotline Miami or Goat Simulator or something.

[@wedasantika6079]

Not to mention this one lacks transformation Even other Nep games have transformation

[@ihavenoshameandmustscream421]

Guys this is a real bad omen. Is this what it looks like when a franchise is on life support?? Seriously, i feel as if I'm being forced to watch 2 of my favorite franchises slowly and painfully die, all while they undergo some strange transformation and are barely recognizable in the end.

[@aaronmartin9485]

give it a few months and they'll Steam this like a dumpling.

[@dantles]

if KOEI did this game it would be far far better

[@TarksGauntlet]

Probably. But then it'd either be digital only or have so few physical copies made it might as well be haha.

[@rhyssuy8361]

Steeme legion really 😂

[@ChrisGildart]

I also found this game pretty lacking. It was a nice distraction from the usual Musou gameplay I'm used to. Will ho back to it eventually to get the platinum.

[@BossFlight]

Such a shame, they had * ahem * so much material in their hands!

[@TarksGauntlet]

Maybe "Too much Material" was part of the problem :P

[@stefanssmellsvictory105]

I know this is because I love Ninja Gaiden and Dark Souls so much, but I genuinely think that games like these would be much better if they go down the brutally difficult route. If the game takes time to win fights, then they wouldn't need to pad them with so much side-quest filler. And they would probably play a heck of a lot better too.

[@robertkeane9393]

0 unlockable outfits :s

[@useless1]

gameplay was fun, game is still kinda trash but to be expected

[@pureevil9496]

I haven't even played it and this gameplay made me tired of the combat system so I will pass on it despite loving SK and liking Neptunia What a shameful state these kinds of games are in at the moment

[@mandalorianroby2542]

the review is spot on. it's clear this game is meant for fans but even them can see that these two franchises have become stale

[@SJPace1776]

To each their own, I loved it and hope we get more.

[@ys0098]

I expect this game to be fast and had aerial combo like senran kagura ,fanservice but meh... The combat feel sluggish ,boring story and i put down the game after finished it ,didn't bother to play it again

[@TarksGauntlet]

Yeah, they give you a jump button but there's only 1 attack you can do from it and it's not worth the vulnerability it gives you.

[@redmage8719]

This game is phenomenal! Combat is really fun and the game cuts a really good pace overall. 😀👍

[@redscience2117]

I would never support Neptunia. It's always super obnoxious and it's definitely the reason why this game came out like it did.

[@TheManofIdeas1]

Just imagine how much better Neptunia and Senran Kagura games could be if they were PC and Switch exclusives. Idea Factory and Marvelous really need a reality check and just ditch Sony platforms already.

[@damianserah]

finally i play this...WORST GAME OF 2021

[@TarksGauntlet]

Try Akibas Trip Remaster. I don't think this game is all too hot but man I played way worse this year haha.

[@damianserah]

@@TarksGauntlet i already played that,is meh,i liked more the 2 because the references everywhere,and the control

[@damianserah]

@@TarksGauntlet yesterday i bought a vita,i will try blanc vs zombies-neptunia vs sega hard girls-toloveru battle ectasy-drive girls and more

[@raulrojas9253]

Dislike extension lets you see the dislike. Is fine u only have 7.

[@TarksGauntlet]

Yeah, I can actually see them alright on my end. Funny enough I do feel them not being visible has maybe discouraged people from hitting it but probably not that big of an impact either way.

[@nathantron25666]

I simply never understood why games just like this, by design, will lock you into basic attacks, with no opportunity to cancel combos or exert some amount of skill expression. It’s like you said, I bought the game out of principle support of the franchise. It’s like a badge of honor that sits in my Steam library.. just too bad it’s not actually a great game by any means.

[@ericlopez1984]

This awhole negative review

[@TarksGauntlet]

Nah, the positivity and negativity are split about comparable to the game. As I said in the video, it's a fun game. For about 4 hours. I played for 17.

[@2bussy]

1:16 lol, consoles.