Neo: The World Ends With You Review – A perfect sequel to a beloved cult classic
Neo: The World Ends With You is the sequel to the cult classic game “The World Ends With You.” It’s developed by h.a.n.d and published by the ever reliable Square Enix. Whilst this is a sequel to the original this has it’s own storyline that adds on to the original. Not so much that anyone who hasn’t played the original will be confused butt enough that it definitely gives the fans something to scream about.
Plot
Beginning the game with our new main characters, Rindo and Fret. Two best friends who end up involved in the reapers game but things are a little different than before. They’re joined by Minamimoto Sho, who was an antagonist in the first game. And eventually forced to take on a new team member in the form of Nagi Usui. The group named “The Wicked Twisters” must solve clues to puzzles and fight “Noise” to stay from being at the bottom of the leader board. If they’re at the bottom by week’s end they’re eliminated from existence.
I don’t want to be too plot heavy so all I’ll say is this happens in an alternate world the same as the one they’re from. Known as the UG (,under ground) it’s a plane of existence that exists just above the RG (real ground.) Meaning those in it can see and hear people in the RG but not the other way around.
It’s said that the overall winners of the Reaper’s Game get whatever they want so the team are set on winning and going home. Not everything is quite as it seems though and typically it doesn’t go that smoothly…
Gameplay
Most of Neo has had an overhaul from the original TWEWY gameplay wise. This, in my opinion, is a good thing. Whilst I love the original this game just does it better. The entire game is in 3D, the battle controls are exciting and fun and the settings are beautiful.
Combat is simple yet devilishly tricky should you not be paying attention. Each character is assigned Square, Triangle, R1 or L1. Depending on which “Pin” they have equipped, they’ll let loose an attack however, timing can also be everything. Each “Pin” represents a move the characters can make. There are hundreds of the things and they’re fun as hell to collect but also fun to upgrade. Each move has a set of requirements to add to the “Groove Meter” filling this up to 100% will allow you to make a “Mash Up” attack using O. Mash Ups are powerful and they percentage carries over to your next battle so it’s best to use it sparingly.
The other noticeable thing that Neo has changed is it’s difficulty and level options. As mentioned before collecting pins is a must and levelling them up is even better. The game has an option to change your difficulty from the default Normal to Easy, Hard and Ultimate. Not only that but allows you to lower your team’s level to 1 again to raise the % chance of dropping items and experience gained.
The level option is there form the start but the difficulty change you need to unlock by unlocking a character’s node in the “Social Network.” For example Nagi’s unlocks Hard mode. Here is where the game plays mind tricks. There are just enough Friendship Points in the entire game to unlock every character’s node but no way to farm them. So be choosy.
Review
Overall, Neo, is the perfect sequel to TWEWY. Personally, I like it more than the original but that’s up for debate. The changes it brings are numerous and, whilst staying true to it’s original charm still manages to modernise and revamp the game for a new generation.
Whether someone needs to play TWEWY before Neo is up for debate, I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable telling people they had to but it is a bonus. Having these previously known characters show up. Wondering what their plan is now. They don’t feel shoehorned or forced either. Every returning cast member returns organically and is an important part of the plot for Neo.
In my eyes, they’ve taken a classic and they’ve made it better.
