Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos Review: A Disappointing Spin-off

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In a nutshell, my very first console video game review was for a Hyperdimension Neptunia game on the PlayStation 3, which has made me fond of Idea Factory and Compile Heart’s franchise ever since. Although their turn-based RPGs are seldom outstanding, they offer engaging characters and some side-splitting humor that satirizes the video game industry. Over time, spin-offs have experimented with various genres, and the newest addition is Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos, a combat racing title with an arcade-like feel.

What’s worth noting is that these games are often known for their witty writing and humor derived from satirizing well-known video games. To illustrate, the game focuses on gathering various Dogoos, a playful take on the slimes in Dragon Quest. It’s quite amusing, especially since the characters are familiar antagonists in the series, though they exist within the universe of Gamindustri (despite this being a side story that takes place in another dimension). As always, watching the characters, who are humanoid representations of different video game systems, engage with each other is an enjoyable aspect. However, the game’s length may not allow for a particularly memorable or captivating narrative.

In Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos, the gameplay unfortunately lacks excitement. Instead of engaging levels, you cruise around on a motorcycle through rather dull stages, gathering Dogoos along the way. Occasionally, you’ll engage enemies with attacks. The process repeats throughout 16 stages, and that’s about it for the game. The issue lies in the racing, which often feels unremarkable despite the occasional thrill of drifting around corners. There isn’t much depth to the overall experience, making the game feel monotonous. You’ll find as much enjoyment from the tutorial as you will playing the rest of the game, resulting in a rather flat gaming experience.

The game can be completed in roughly two hours. Additional challenges like finishing stages without AI companions or within a set time frame increase replay value, yet if you’re not pursuing the Platinum trophy, there’s little incentive to engage with them. However, you will unlock some aesthetic upgrades which are visually pleasing, though this game is brief and leaves a somewhat unsatisfying impression, offering little reason for extensive exploration.

Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos Review: Final Verdict

Spin-off games based on Hyperdimension Neptunia offer Idea Factory and Compile Heart a chance to experiment with familiar characters, but unfortunately, Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos lacks the momentum to move forward. The gameplay falls flat, quickly becoming monotonous, even within its brief playtime. This is an unusual misstep for the goddesses of Gamindustri, as their charm isn’t enough to make this a satisfying adventure.

SCORE: 5/10

According to the review guidelines on ComingSoon, a score of 5 means “Average” or “Mediocre.” In this case, the film’s strengths and weaknesses even out, resulting in a balanced, neutral assessment.

Note: We received a digital copy of PlayStation 5 for our review of Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos, specifically version 1.000.000.

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2025-03-30 16:10