Game Over: Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart

Andrew finished a game he didn’t like.

Andrew Duncan

The Neptunia games have a number of entries, and since I own all of them (except for Neptunia Shooter), I’ve been playing them in order. Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart is the fifth in the series if you play them chronologically and play the Re; Birth games in lieu of the originals. It’s a turn-based strategy RPG with a lot of visual novel-style cutscenes. This is a shame, as the opening cinematic looks absolutely amazing, and I honestly wished that the chibi style was present through the whole game instead of just the battles.

The world of Gamarket is at peace, having been united under the titular Noire’s leadership. But someone convinces her to do something, and everything changes. I’m not being vague, that’s literally what occurs - through vague means, the world changes. Cut to you, walking into the city of Lastation (also you’re male) and finding it deserted, apart from the person in charge - Noire. You agree to become her secretary, and she vows to once more unite Gamarket!

I started playing Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart in September 2019, and it’s now the end of August 2020 as I write this. I just wasn’t enjoying it, since I’m not a big fan of turn-based strategy. My world is not set aflame by waiting whilst seven enemy units take their turns, then individually moving each of my seven units only to wait for the enemy over and over again... I only wanted to play it because it stars Noire, my favorite character in the Neptunia franchise. The only reason I’ve finally gotten around to finishing it is that I’ve spent two weeks without access to the internet! I played 24 hours worth of this game (for 36 hours total), all with the hope that I was almost finished and would get to play the next Neptunia game. Which is either MegaTagmension Blanc or Superdimension Neptune. I’d know if I could access the internet...