Neptunia Virtual Stars

A Whimsical VTuber Adventure
Neptunia Virtual Stars brings the beloved goddesses of Gamindustri into the vibrant, chaotic world of VTubers, blending the series' signature humor with an eccentric new setting. While it may not revolutionize the franchise, it delivers a fun, lighthearted experience packed with charm, fan service, and plenty of absurdity.
A Playful Parody of Internet Culture
The game’s premise is pure Neptunia—ridiculous yet oddly fitting. Neptune, Noire, Blanc, and Vert are summoned to the digital world of Virtualand to save Planet Emote from the "Antis," a group of content-destroying villains led by the flamboyant Kado. Along the way, they team up with VTubers Me and You (yes, those are their names) and encounter a slew of real-life VTuber cameos.
The story leans hard into internet and streaming culture, poking fun at everything from toxic commenters to the relentless grind of content creation. The writing is as self-aware as ever, packed with fourth-wall breaks and meta-jokes that longtime fans will appreciate. While the plot isn’t deep, it’s entertaining, especially if you enjoy the series' brand of humor.
Gameplay: A Mix of Shooting and Slashing
Virtual Stars ditches traditional turn-based combat for real-time action, splitting gameplay between two styles:
Goddesses (Third-Person Shooting): Each CPU wields a unique gun (Neptune’s rapid-fire, Blanc’s charged sniper shots, etc.), offering varied playstyles.
VTubers (Hack-and-Slash): Melee-focused with combo-based attacks, though they feel less polished than the shooting mechanics.
Switching between characters keeps things fresh, though the combat lacks depth—most encounters can be brute-forced with minimal strategy. Boss fights introduce a fun rhythm-based twist, where phases sync with the background music, but the challenge remains inconsistent.
Presentation: Colorful and Chaotic
The game’s visuals are bright and flashy, with themed levels representing different corners of the internet (food blogs, social media, etc.). The VTuber cameos add a neat touch, popping up in loading screens and mid-battle to cheer you on. However, the UI can feel cluttered, and some mechanics (like the Emote Gauge) aren’t well-explained.
The Japanese voice cast delivers the usual high-energy performances, though the lack of an English dub might disappoint some fans. The soundtrack is a highlight, blending upbeat electronic tracks with vocal themes that fit the idol aesthetic.
Final Verdict: For the Fans
Neptunia Virtual Stars is a goofy, over-the-top spin-off that doesn’t take itself seriously—and that’s okay. While the gameplay is shallow and repetitive, the humor, character interactions, and sheer absurdity make it an enjoyable ride for series devotees. If you’re looking for a deep action RPG, this isn’t it. But if you want to see Neptune and friends dive headfirst into VTuber madness, you’ll have a blast.
Score: 7/10
Pros:
- Hilarious, self-aware writing
- Fun VTuber-themed premise
- Catchy soundtrack
- Colorful, energetic presentation
Cons:
- Combat lacks depth
- Some mechanics feel underdeveloped
- No English dub

So, I wasn’t even sure I’d grab this game at first. After seeing the reviews and reading the chaos I hesitated for a bit. But hey, I’m a sucker for the franchise, and the whole VTuber crossover thing pulled me in. After finishing the game, getting all the achievements and somehow surviving (surprisingly) only three crashes, here’s how it went.
First of all, the game definitely isn’t as bad as some make it out to be, but it’s far from great either. It has this weird combination of decent ideas, rushed execution, and some frustrating design decisions that drag the whole experience down. And while I did enjoy parts of it, it’s hard not to see how much better it could have been with a little more polish and direction.
One of the most noticeable issues early on was the control scheme. If you're on a keyboard like I was, expect a rough start. The default keymapping is unintuitive, with some bizarre two-key combos for basic actions, and no real way to remap them properly. It took a good while just to get used to something that should have been straightforward. If you’re playing with a controller, you’ll probably avoid most of that frustration, but on keyboard, it’s a mess. Speaking of performance... As mentioned in the beginning, I had few crashes and ocassional freezes. The rest of the time, it ran well enough, but there were noticeable frame drops, especially during cutscenes or when VTuber introductions appeared. And speaking of the VTuber content, it’s surprisingly mid. Aside from a few brief cameos and appearances in the loading screens, they’re mostly absent from gameplay, unless you count the characters specifically created for this title (and even then, they don’t leave much of an impression). You’d expect more from a crossover that leans so heavily on the Hololive brand. It feels like a missed opportunity. Despite all that, the core gameplay loop isn’t terrible. It’s a pretty casual third-person shooter with some light RPG mechanics, and while it never gets particularly deep, it’s at least functional. Noire was able to pretty much carry and rush me through entire game, barely making me switch or experiment with the other characters or systems. And that’s kind of the problem, it’s so unbalanced that you can ignore entire features (like executions or combo discs) and still have no real trouble. Most of the challenge comes from weird spikes in difficulty, where certain enemies deal absurd damage and are practically immune unless you use one specific setup.
Still, there were moments I actually liked. The dungeon designs are more varied and satisfying than in some previous games. The layouts are a little more thoughtful, and the enemy placements don’t feel completely random. The soundtrack, while nothing special, suits the game well enough, and the character animations, especially during cutscenes or minigames like BeatTik, are surprisingly polished. It’s just a shame that most of the minigames themselves don’t really go anywhere. BeatTik, for example, has some cute animations and decent ideas, but there’s no depth. Once you’ve watched your favorite character dance a couple of times, there’s not much reason to come back unless you’re chasing achievements. The overall tone of the game is exactly what you’d expect from a Neptunia title. It leans into self-awareness, meme humor, and occasional cringe, which, depending on your taste, either adds to the charm or makes you roll your eyes. Personally, I didn’t mind it too much. There's a certain kind of nostalgia seeing some of the old janky VTuber models or hearing those awkward early voice lines again, and I can appreciate that the game doesn’t take itself too seriously. That said, I also think they used that as an excuse not to fully flesh out the experience. It feels like someone had a long list of features to include, minigames, cutscenes, character stories and just rushed through checking them off without considering how to tie them together meaningfully.
By the time I finished the game, I was left with the impression that this could have been a much better title. It’s not unplayable. It’s not even unenjoyable, depending on what you're looking for. But it is underwhelming. I think fans of the franchise will find something to enjoy, especially if they go in with tempered expectations. For anyone else, though, I can’t really recommend it at full price. If you see it on sale for around $20 or less and you're in the mood for a light, slightly chaotic anime shooter, then you can definitely give it a try. The game has potential. That’s probably the most frustrating part. It could’ve been something more. For now it's held back by a lot of sloppy choices.

Neptunia Virtual Stars is an action-focused spin-off that blends hack-and-slash combat with third-person shooting in a virtual-world setting. The game’s concept revolves around idols, digital worlds, and internet culture, giving it a distinct tone within the Neptunia franchise. It aims for a mix of energetic gameplay and colorful presentation rather than mechanical depth.
The combat alternates between melee-focused Goddess characters and VTubers who specialize in ranged shooting. This dual-style system provides variety, though both sides of the combat feel simplified. Melee characters rely on basic combos and dodge mechanics, while shooting characters use lock-on aiming and special skills. The overall gameplay loop remains straightforward but serviceable for players seeking light action.
The story centers on saving the digital world of EMO from destructive forces known as Anti. The narrative plays heavily into themes of online entertainment, fan support, and virtual celebrity culture. It is delivered with the familiar humor and self-referential tone of the Neptunia series, appealing to players who enjoy its comedic style.
One of the standout elements is the inclusion of real VTubers as guest characters. They appear with voice lines, visuals, and in-game abilities, adding novelty for fans of the VTuber scene. Their roles are mostly supportive within gameplay, but their presence reinforces the game’s theme of collaboration within a virtual space.
Visually, the game uses bright colors, stylized character models, and lively effects that suit its digital-world aesthetic. Environments are simple but colorful, designed more for fast movement than detailed exploration. The soundtrack, heavily influenced by idol-pop and electronic music, supports the energetic tone throughout the campaign.
Progression involves leveling characters, unlocking skills, and equipping stat-boosting items. The systems are simple and easy to manage, reflecting the game’s aim to remain accessible. Despite limited mechanical depth, players can experiment with different team setups and skill combinations to suit their preferred playstyle.
Neptunia Virtual Stars is best suited for fans of the franchise or players who enjoy light, fast-paced action with a strong focus on fan culture. Its strengths lie in its playful tone, vibrant visuals, and unique crossover with VTubers. While its combat and level design are modest, the game delivers a colorful, upbeat experience for those who appreciate its niche appeal.

Its a fun enough game story and banter was funny. Nothing to push the series forward but fun enough. Thats all really so Ill fill space nep nep nep nep nep nep nep nep nep nep nep nep nep nep nep nep nep nep.

Neptunia Virtual Stars, developed by Idea Factory and Compile Heart and published by Idea Factory International, is a spin-off entry that pushes the Hyperdimension Neptunia franchise into new territory, merging its usual self-aware humor and action gameplay with the growing culture of virtual idols and online content creators. Set in a digital dimension known as Virtuland, the story begins when the familiar goddesses—Neptune, Noire, Blanc, and Vert—are summoned to rescue this realm from digital corruption. Alongside two new characters, Me and You, who represent virtual performers from another world, the group must battle enemies known as Anti and restore the flow of content to Virtuland. The premise is an inventive blend of satire and modern internet culture, giving the series a unique opportunity to explore themes of creativity, fandom, and digital identity within its trademark comedic framework.
From a presentation standpoint, Neptunia Virtual Stars carries the vibrant energy and aesthetic style long associated with the franchise. The environments are colorful, the character models are polished, and the game’s tone is consistently lighthearted. The use of virtual idols and VTuber cameos adds an unusual but intriguing layer to the visual presentation, with real-life digital personalities appearing throughout the game in short clips, holographic projections, or supportive roles. This collaboration between fictional and real virtual entertainers is one of the title’s most distinctive ideas, giving it a personality that stands out even within the already eccentric Neptunia universe. The soundtrack complements the experience with upbeat electronic tracks and catchy vocal themes that enhance the digital idol atmosphere. Some of the boss battle themes are particularly well-crafted, combining pop melodies with an energetic electronic edge that suits the rhythm and spectacle of the combat sequences.
In terms of gameplay, the developers aimed for a hybrid action experience that combines third-person shooting with melee combat. Players can freely switch between the goddesses, who specialize in ranged attacks, and the VTuber duo Me and You, who excel in close-range combat. Each character has unique abilities, special attacks, and cooldown-based skills. Unfortunately, while the concept offers variety, the execution lacks precision. The shooting mechanics feel floaty, the camera struggles to keep up with the action, and hit detection can be inconsistent. Enemies are often repetitive in design and behavior, which makes many encounters feel more like button-mashing marathons than strategic battles. The leveling and upgrade systems allow for some customization, but they do little to alter the fundamental simplicity of combat. This makes the gameplay loop enjoyable in short bursts but monotonous over extended play sessions, particularly since missions and environments follow a predictable structure of clearing waves of enemies before moving to the next arena.
Another system included in Neptunia Virtual Stars is the BeatTik mode, a rhythm-based mini-game that lets the idols perform dance sequences set to music. This feature initially seems like a charming addition that fits the idol theme, but it lacks the depth of dedicated rhythm games. Its limited song selection, basic input system, and minimal reward integration make it feel like a side activity rather than a meaningful component of the overall experience. Still, for fans of idol aesthetics or those who enjoy customizing character outfits and performances, BeatTik provides a bit of lighthearted fan service and visual flair.
Narratively, the game retains the series’ signature self-referential tone and playful writing. The dialogue is full of meta jokes, gaming references, and cheeky commentary about online culture. The interactions between the goddesses remain one of the highlights—each character’s distinct personality ensures that the banter stays entertaining, even when the plot itself doesn’t push forward in a meaningful way. The newcomers, Me and You, bring a refreshing perspective as outsiders navigating the chaotic world of the Neptunia cast. However, the story structure is uneven, alternating between lengthy dialogue segments and shallow mission design. While the humor is endearing for fans of the franchise, the lack of narrative tension or emotional stakes means the story rarely feels urgent. The inclusion of real-world VTubers, though clever in concept, often functions more as cameo content than as an integrated narrative element, which diminishes the potential impact of this crossover idea.
From a technical standpoint, Neptunia Virtual Stars performs adequately but shows signs of limited optimization, particularly on PC. The frame rate can dip during heavy action sequences, and the camera’s occasional jittering or collision detection issues can break immersion. While the character models and effects look good, some environments appear flat or under-detailed, reflecting the game’s mid-budget nature. Despite these shortcomings, the overall visual direction succeeds in maintaining the series’ colorful charm and anime-inspired energy. The music and voice acting, as usual for the series, are strong points. The English and Japanese audio options both capture the comedic tone, with performances that suit each character’s personality.
Neptunia Virtual Stars ultimately feels like a game that experiments with bold ideas but doesn’t fully realize their potential. It tries to merge idol culture, VTuber fandom, and traditional action gameplay into a cohesive whole, yet each component feels underdeveloped. The combat lacks the satisfying precision of more refined action titles, the rhythm gameplay feels tacked on, and the story never digs deeply enough into its intriguing premise. Still, for fans of the Neptunia series, the charm of its cast, the humor, and the sheer oddity of the crossover make it worthwhile. The game’s self-aware spirit, colorful visuals, and energetic music maintain a sense of fun even when the mechanics falter.
In the end, Neptunia Virtual Stars stands as a peculiar entry in the Neptunia franchise—a creative experiment that succeeds more in personality than in polish. It’s an uneven but entertaining blend of satire, fandom, and digital culture that appeals primarily to loyal fans who enjoy the series’ quirky characters and tongue-in-cheek writing. For newcomers or players seeking deep, satisfying gameplay, its simplicity and repetition may prove disappointing. But for those willing to embrace its eccentricities and appreciate its attempt to bridge gaming and virtual entertainment, Neptunia Virtual Stars remains a bright, eccentric, and distinctly Neptunian curiosity in the ever-growing multiverse of Compile Heart’s creations.
Rating: 5/10

Game is alright, though I have several issues, while I enjoy it, these issues actually gives me grief.
The game is pretty badly optimized, the borderless just makes the screen smaller and there is no option to make it fit the entire screen at all
There are times where it actually crashes during boss fights and I have no way of saving well beforehand as I have backtrack so far back to even save, or even leave the entire dungeon just to do so
The 3D Models during the Events looks so weird, I refuse to elaborate further on this
There isn't anyway for me to set any of the controls to how I like it and I actively have to guess whats what on my Controller because I couldn't figure out whats what on my Keyboard because it doesn't actually do any of the controls as it explains it during tutorial for the keyboard control

One of my favorite Neptunia games to play. I can get lost in the grinding of this game. It's super easy, but offers some challenge if you don't set up V-Cubes optimally. Enemies can get annoying sometimes. The story was good for what it was. Good representation for V-Tubers.