Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory (神次元ゲイムネプテューヌV Kami Jigen Game Neptune V?, also known as Ultra Dimension Neptune V) is a 2012 action role-playing game developed and published by Compile Heart along with the assistance of Idea Factory. It is the third installment in the Hyperdimension Neptunia franchise.
Set in the year 1989, the story takes place after Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 in an alternate dimension to Gamindustri, bringing more insight to the "console war" story arc. The game was released on August 30, 2012 in Japan and in North America and Europe in March 2013. Like the first game, this game received a rating of "Teen" by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.
Plot
Setting
The game takes place in an alternate world in the year 1989. The regions of Lowee, Leanbox, Lastation, and Planptune exist in this world as well. However, the countries' cultures differ from those in Gamindustri. For example, Lowee's towns and cities are said to be modeled after a Japanese style of architecture.
Story
A few years have passed since the Deity of Sin's destruction. Even though it has had a few small conflicts here and there, Gamindustri has remained peaceful, and all the CPUs have been living their carefree lives.
Then one day, Neptune—The CPU of Planeptune—is swept away to another dimension. The new dimension she arrives in is a very familiar Gamindustri, but with a nostalgic 80s feel to it...
She learns that a mysterious group called the "Seven Sages" have been planning evil schemes to eliminate the CPUs in this other Gamindustri.
Neptune's new journey to return home, as well as protect this other dimension, starts here...
Characters
- Neptune (Purple Heart) (ネプテューヌ Neputyūnu?)
- Voiced by: Rie Tanaka (Japanese), Melissa Fahn (English)
- Once again, she is the main character of the game who is taken to an 80's Gamindustri, where she is no longer the CPU of Planeptune. Neptune is Nepgear's older sister. As Neptune, her personality is upbeat, full of energy, and rather humorous. Nevertheless, her personality changes drastically when she undergoes the transition from Neptune to the CPU Purple Heart; demonstrating a calmer and more serious persona.
- Noire (Black Heart) ((ノワール Nowāru?)
- Voiced by: Asami Imai (Japanese), Erin Fitzgerald (English)
- The CPU of Lastation, who in previous games was inspired by the PlayStation 3 console, while in V she is inspired by the original Playstation. She often states the opposite of how she feels inside, allowing her pride to get the better of her. Noire strives to demonstrate her independence and dominance as a CPU. Noire is also Uni's older sister.
- Vert (Green Heart) (ベール Bēru?)
- Voiced by: Rina Satou (Japanese), Tara Platt (English)
- The CPU of Leanbox. In this game she references the original Xbox, while in previous games she was meant to be reference to the Xbox 360. Her enthusiasm when concerning video games (most specifically MMORPG's) is a prominent aspect of her personality. Her laid back approach to most situations is often demonstrated throughout the series. She is also a hardcore otaku and gamer.
- Blanc (White Heart) (ブラン Buran?)
- Voiced by: Kana Asumi (Japanese), Wendee Lee (English)
- The CPU of Lowee, which in this game references the popular Family Computer of the 1980s. Her short temper and outspoken approach often make others reluctant to be honest when it comes to criticism which is directed mostly towards her abilities as a writer and author. She is the older sister of Rom and Ram.
- Plutia (Iris Heart) (プルルート Pururūto?)
- Voiced by: Kana Hanazawa (Japanese), Cherami Leigh (English)
- Also known as Pururut in the Japanese version, Plutia is the CPU of Planeptune during 80's. She is similiar to Neptune, due to usually skipping out goddess duties and being lazy. Plutia is also calm and nice, and appreciates friendships. However, Plutia's personality completely changes when she transforms into Iris Heart. She becomes very sadistic and cold, causing trauma for everybody, friend or foe alike. Her appearance is based on the console Mega Drive.
- Nepgear (Purple Sister) (ネプギア Nepugia?)
- Voiced by: Yui Horie (Japanese), Christine Marie Cabanos (English)
- The younger sister of Neptune. In contrast to Neptune's hyper active and energetic behavior, Nepgear is a very shy girl who will over-apologize for even the tiniest of things. She's somewhat timid when it comes to things and people but friendly otherwise. Once she has made a friend, no matter what they think of her later she will hold them closely. When transformed into Purple Sister, her personality so far seems to be somewhat the same when in comparison to Neptune's, whose personality changes to more confident, less air-headed, and serious.
- Uni (Black Sister) ((ユニ Yuni?)
- Voiced by: Eri Kitamura (Japanese), Sarah Williams (English)
- The younger sister of Noire. While she and her sister look nearly identical, Uni is a lot friendlier and perky in comparison. Comparing her relationship with Nepgear, it's a lot better then Neptune and Noire's at first. Much like her sister, however, she is a tsundere. She doesn't like to be girly, Uni may have tomboy traits which can be shown how she has a hobby of collecting guns and she rather prefers to play at an arcade with Nepgear than do things a normal teenage girl would do.
- Ram (White Sister) (ラム Ramu?)
- Voiced by: Kaori Ishihara (Japanese), Shelby Lindley (English)
- The younger twin of Blanc, and the older one of the twins. Ram is the one most like Blanc in terms of personality. She is usually seen smiling or smirking and likes to touch or 'get playful' with Rom and could be considered the dominant of the two twins. She may also have an attitude or a short fuse. She sees herself as being stronger than Rom. It is seemed that both of she and Rom enjoy making Blanc angry.
- Rom (White Sister) (ロム Romu?)
- Voiced by: Yui Ogura
- The younger twin of Blanc, and the younger one of the twins. Rom happens to resemble Blanc the most physically. She seems to be very quiet and possibly even shy in comparison, and doesn't say much. Rom sometimes seems upset or nervous by how Ram acts or what she does. But otherwise she lets Ram do as she pleases with her.
- Histoire (イストワール Isutowāru?)
- Voiced by: Kanai Mika (Japanese), Stephanie Sheh (English)
- An oracle serving Planeptune CPU. She oftens take care of the infants. She can contact her other-self in the alternate Gamindustri.
- Peashy (Yellow Heart) (ピーシェ Pīshe?)
- Voiced by: Aoi Yūki (Japanese), Sandy Fox (English)
- An infant who was kidnapped by the Seven Sages and turned into a CPU for Eden. Peashy is energetic, cheerful and slightly on the rough side as she's fond of tackling others and quick to fight back against a possible kidnapper. She is also prone to cry easily. Yellow Heart's personality is little different than her normal form but she embraces battle more easily, possibly treating it like a game. She represents the PC Engine.
- Compa (コンパちゃん Konpa-chan?)
- Voiced by: Kanako Sakai (Japanese), Cristina Vee (English)
- A teenage girl who grew up at Planeptune's Basillicom. Compa comes off as a shy girl, though she really isn't. She is however, somewhat dense and oblivious to some things, to the point of making random comments. This makes her somewhat of a ditzy girl who can be lied to quite easily. A sweety, Compa is a very dependable and usually a non-greedy or rude friend. She helps those she is close to and cares for, along with the monsters or villians if sick or injured.
- IF (アイエフちゃん Aiefu-chan?)
- Voiced by: Kana Ueda (Japanese), Kate Higgins (English)
- Another teenage girl who grew up at Planeptune's Basillicom. IF is a headstrong girl who acts completely serious and only wishes to focus on important task to finish them first and above all else. She really hates doing useless or unecessary things if they do not help or achieve anything to her or the group. Despite her serious nature, she has a very sarcastic humor, but she comes off as a relaxed person until pushed enough to grow annoyed.
- Rei Kiseijou (キセイジョウ・レイ Kiseijou Rei?)
- Voiced by: Yuu Kobayashi (Japanese), Julie Ann Taylor (English)
- Also known as "Rei Ryghts" in the english version. The leader of the Seven Sages and a former CPU. She is the main antagonist of the game. She was Peashy's foster mother when Peashy was kidnapped. Rei seems to be the very sensitive, gentle type of character who somehow manages to handle being bullied, teased, and harassed on a daily basis very well. She tries to keep things in order, but she seems to be very pathetic, according to others. She has a lot of trouble speaking decently in front of people and lacks any actual powers. She has barely any confidence, possibly none at all, and is always fearful.
- Croire (クロワール Kurowāru]?)
- Voiced by: Kanai Mika (Japanese), Cristina Vee (English)
- An unknown being similar to Histoire. She can traverse between dimensions. She serves Rei Ryghts to entertain her. Croire is Histoire's polar opposite. While Histoire speaks in a eloquent and conserved manner and is generally a kind-hearted individual, Croire is depicted as a rude and sadistic person that speaks in a brusque, vulgar tone and will openly mock and ridicule others, regardless of who they are. She also shows no reservations in the usage of profanity, unlike Histoire.
- Anonydeath (アノネデス Anonedesu?)
- Voiced by: Yuki Fujiwara (Japanese), David Vincent (English)
- A member of the Seven Sages and Peashy's foster father. He kidnapped Peashy and turned her into a CPU. The master hacker in charge of the the Seven Sages' intelligence. Despite his gender being male, he thinks himself as a little girl. A hedonist that does what he finds pleasing, he joined the Seven Sages just because he found it interesting. Since his combat abilities are low, he seldomly fights openly, and he operates in a way that involves working more behind the scenes.
- Mr. Badd
- A member of the Seven Sages. He raised the kids that were turned into monsters upon failing to transform into CPU.
- Copypaste
- A member of the Seven Sages. He is a large mechanical robot.
- Arfoire
- A member of the Seven Sages. Unlike the previous games, she is not the main antagonist of the game but rather take on a supporting role.
- Pirachu
- A member of the Seven Sages. He is a rat and a self-proclaimed mascot of the Seven Sages. He has a crush on Compa.
- Abnes
- A young member of the Seven Sages.
- He makes a cameo as special attacks by Neptune.
- Masanobu Endō
- He makes a cameo as special attacks by Noire.