Also, I bet most of the didn't even want to play the game in the first place, unlike the day they have to play the next Triple A First Person Shooter, Neptunia is their boring day of work.
In the end I don't blame them, playing something they probably don't want to play, from a genre that does not appeal to them and even if they do, it is still a very niché title. Neptunia mk2 here at RPGFan got a 60%. I don't see it as bad, but it shows that even people here that are more open minded to a broad range of RPGs would not enjoy it as much as other niché titles.
That's what sad about most reviewers in gaming magazines. Not putting RPGFan on the bandwagon, it seems like most reviewers like to point out to games like Neptunia Mk2 and say that this is a sign of the JRPG genre dying out into something that they find stupid and not worth they're time. In the long run they will try to convince consumers this statement and it really disgusts me. It's like they're so biased on niche titles regardless if it's bad or good because if it's not like a triple A title they'll think that regardless of whether or not they give it a positive review, the game won't sell because it's not like a Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto type of title. I like that RPGFan is very concise and honest with their reviews, which is why I'm a member on their forums. :)
Likewise, opinions like *that* tick me off.
It's up to a reviewer to give a game a good or bad grade. Unless you've been actively avoiding reviews, Fire Emblem and Ni no Kuni both have been getting 90%'s and A's across many reviews. Neptunia has a ton of faults, and some will like the game's more common anime tropes and silly but light-hearted humor more than others. It's for a niche audience, and I think NISA knows that. You can't force people to enjoy a game, especially if the general style is really not their thing, the same as how 'Call of Duty' isn't your jam.
I don't think it helps that Neptunia has some vaguely sexual content, highschooler "big boob" jokes, and a somewhat nerdy console human (literally).
BUT to the right audience it can be risquee content with pretty anime girls, some "titillating" humour for a good gag, and fun console-based puns, jokes, and plot elements.
The game DOES have repetitive dungeons, and content is somewhat bare, and conversations aren't always too enlightening or clever. And sure there are a lot of things to balance it out and make people like it, it still might not be everyone's style. We're all here because we love RPGs, but not all of us have to like every single one.
While I agree, it's best not to call it stupid, but some of Neptunia's content I certainly wouldn't call "smart" or tasteful (I realize that's not what it's
meant to be, but I can't enjoy anything so silly and ridiculous; I'm also clearly not the demographic):
There's nothing wrong with having a title you like that many others don't, god knows I do (ex. Star Ocean 4), but I don't think it's part of a "destroy JRPG agenda" in favor of FPS or other big tittles. There's a lot of supporters for a good RPG still, but there also just haven't been too many of HD consoles.
Like John said, "Different strokes for different folks.".
I do think a review from someone who *enjoys* this style of game (moe moe anime magic kawaii battlers) and a review from someone who is...Um, well, less inclined to enjoy them would be a great read.
