Developer: Tam Soft
Publisher: Idea Factory
Genre: Action RPG
Reviewed For: Nintendo Switch
Also Available On: PlayStation 4, PC
It gets brought up in nearly every relevant Switch review, but Idea Factory ports for the Nintendo Switch have a tendency of suffering severe performance issues. Some are worse than others, but they are somewhat easier to forgive when you consider that the Nintendo Switch is the only way to experience these games on the go.
Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars is the latest port, this time mixing two franchises together in a crossover. We reviewed this game last year, and while it isn’t sensational, it is a solid entry for both the Neptunia and Senran Kagura series. The only differences between the original and the Switch port are the performance and graphical compromises, so we won’t spend time reviewing how the game plays here. You can read the original Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars review here.
Those with a Nintendo Switch will be delighted to know that this might be the best Idea Factory port when it comes to performance. Throughout the game there are very little stutters or drops in framerate. Even with many enemies on the screen, there isn’t much that hurts the experience. Graphically, there are a few downgrades, but Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars wasn’t a graphical powerhouse in the first place. The loading screens are also fairly short, though some waits between levels can be almost a minute long, which will test the player’s patience.
Unlike most Idea Factory ports, Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars doesn’t come to the Switch with tons of added content. Players get two new characters included in the package in addition to tons of alternate outfits or their characters to flaunt. Finally, the addition of some difficulty settings rounds out the Switch package. If players are double dipping just for more content, they will be disappointed.
It’s worth noting that Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars isn’t exactly enjoyable for long marathon settings, so the Switch is perfect for what the game sets out to do. The missions are short and the gameplay is repetitive, so being able to jump in and out in handheld mode is certainly nice.
Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars certainly isn’t the best game by Idea Factory, but it just might be their best port. Anyone who was waiting for the Switch version to experience this game will find that this is the best way to play it. It might not be worth double dipping for, but it is a solid game regardless.
