Super Neptunia RPG Box Art Revealed for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch

The North American box art for Super Neptunia RPG appeared on Amazon ahead of its 2019 release for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The cover artwork features the series protagonist, Neptune, in her human form, positioned front and center. Behind her are the other three main goddesses of Gamindustri: Noire, Blanc, and Vert. The characters are set against a vibrant, stylized background that reflects the game’s fantasy setting and hand-drawn aesthetic. The listing gave fans a first look at the physical packaging for the upcoming title from publisher Idea Factory.

A New Developer and a 2D World

Super Neptunia RPG represents a significant departure for the franchise, primarily because it was developed by Artisan Studios, a Canadian developer. This marked the first time a main installment in the Neptunia series was created by a Western studio, as previous titles were handled internally by Japanese developer Compile Heart. This collaboration led to a fundamental shift in gameplay and presentation.

Instead of the traditional 3D dungeons and battle systems the series is known for, Super Neptunia RPG is a 2D side-scrolling role-playing game. The change in perspective brings with it a new focus on platforming exploration through towns and dungeons. The game’s visual style was also a key talking point, featuring fluid, hand-drawn animations for characters and enemies, powered by the Unity engine, to give it a distinct, illustrative look.

The Fight Against 2D Supremacy

The game’s narrative leans into the series’ tradition of parodying the video game industry, this time focusing on the transition between gaming dimensions. According to the official description provided at the time, the story is set in a world dominated by 2D.

“In a world where 2D games reign supreme, an organization called Bombyx Mori forces its citizens to churn out 2D games as offerings to their leader. Those who dare to use new technologies or whose games don’t meet their standards risk banishment to the soul-crushing Trial Grounds. A girl awakens in this world with no recollection of anything beyond her name, Neptune, and soon realizes she possesses great strength. With her newfound sense of heroism and a strange book known as Histoire in hand, she sets off on a journey to see if there might be more than this two-dimensional life!”

This premise places Neptune and her friends in a position to challenge the established order, a familiar theme for the self-aware series.

Gameplay and Release Details

Combat in Super Neptunia RPG is turn-based, with actions assigned to the face buttons. The party’s formation can be changed on the fly, altering each character’s available skills and elemental affinities. As in previous games, the goddesses can transform into their more powerful HDD (Hard Drive Divinity) forms to unleash special attacks. The combination of platforming and strategic, formation-based combat aimed to provide a fresh experience for long-time fans and newcomers.

Super Neptunia RPG was scheduled for a Spring 2019 release in North America and Europe for both PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The title’s launch on the Switch also marked the debut of the Neptunia franchise on a Nintendo console.