Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online
A single-player action game set inside a fictional online RPG.
Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online is a 2017 action-adventure game from Compile Heart and Tamsoft, published by Idea Factory International. Despite what the name suggests, it is primarily a single-player experience, though it does include an online cooperative multiplayer mode. It marks the first Neptunia title built with Unreal Engine 4 and the first spin-off in the series to launch on PlayStation 4 instead of PlayStation Vita.
The story takes place in Gamindustri, a world protected by the four CPUs (Console Patron Units) and their sisters, the CPU candidates. Most of the action unfolds inside "4 Goddesses Online," a fictional multiplayer online role-playing game that has appeared in earlier entries. The in-game setting is Alsgard, a fantasy realm surrounded by a lush, beautiful ocean.
The four CPUs receive early access codes for the latest version of "4 Goddesses Online," which uses their real forms as official character models. Each goddess logs in for her own reasons. Upon entering, they meet Bouquet, a non-playable character with advanced artificial intelligence, who tells them they are the Chosen Ones. Their mission: save Alsgard from the Demon King Jester by awakening four legendary divine goddesses.
Unlike earlier Tamsoft action games in the series, only the four CPUs—Neptune, Noire, Blanc, and Vert—and their sisters—Nepgear, Uni, Ram, and Rom—are playable, along with the four divine goddesses later in the story.
The game was announced in March 2016, and an English-language release was confirmed for October 2017. During its debut week in Japan, it was the third best-selling video game, moving 42,508 copies.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Compile Heart / Tamsoft
- Publisher
- JP · Idea Factory · WW · Idea Factory International
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Series
- Hyperdimension Neptunia
- Genre
- Action-adventure, hack and slash
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
- Platforms
- PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows
- Released
- PlayStation 4JP · February 9, 2017 · NA · October 10, 2017 · PAL · October 13, 2017Microsoft WindowsWW · February 28, 2018
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game is set in a world known as Gamindustri, protected by the divine aegis of the four CPUs (Console Patron Units) and their sisters, the CPU candidates. Most of the game takes place inside '4 Goddesses Online', a recurring fictional multiplayer online role-playing game referenced throughout the series. The setting within that game is the fantasy land of Alsgard, a vast world surrounded by verdant and gorgeous ocean.
The plot follows the four CPUs—Neptune, Noire, Blanc, and Vert—who receive early access codes for the newest installment of '4 Goddesses Online', which uses their real forms as official models. Each logs in with their own motives. Upon entering the game, they are approached by the guardian spirit Bouquet, a non-playable character equipped with advanced artificial intelligence. Bouquet tells them they are the Chosen Ones tasked with saving Alsgard from the Demon King Jester by awakening the four divine Goddesses of legend.
Unlike previous Tamsoft-made action games for the series, only the four CPUs, their sisters (Nepgear, Uni, Ram, and Rom), and later the four divine goddesses are playable.
Reader's Guide
Cyberdimension Neptunia: 4 Goddesses Online marks a notable shift in the Neptunia series as the first spin-off to release on PlayStation 4 and the first to use Unreal Engine 4. Announced in March 2016, it was later announced for an October 2017 release in English-speaking regions. The game's debut week in Japan saw it become the third best-selling video game, selling 42,508 copies. Its significance lies in expanding the series' hardware platform and engine capabilities while maintaining the franchise's characteristic meta-commentary on the game industry, here by placing the characters inside a fictional MMORPG. The limited playable roster—focusing on the four CPUs, their sisters, and the divine goddesses—distinguishes it from earlier Tamsoft-developed entries. The game's online cooperative multiplayer option, despite the single-player focus, and its setting within the recurring '4 Goddesses Online' game world, reinforce the series' ongoing exploration of virtual worlds and gaming culture.
Did You Know?
- This is the first Neptunia game to use Unreal Engine 4.
- It is the first spin-off game in the series released on PlayStation 4 rather than PlayStation Vita.
- Despite the title, the game is primarily single-player with an online cooperative multiplayer option.
- The game sold 42,508 copies in its debut week in Japan, ranking third best-selling.
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