NEO: The World Ends With You

NEO: The World Ends with You was absolutely worth the fourteen year wait. Its unique battle system, beautiful art, and accessibility for multiple audiences make it a must-buy for those wanting a new JRPG to play. Beyond that, the lack of a grind and ability to play as you want make this JRPG worthy of being added to your collection. Although the menus can contribute to information overload and the game itself is fairly linear, NEO: TWEWY succeeds in telling a unique and engaging story without the slog of other games in the JRPG genre. In short: NEO: TWEWY is outstanding; be warned: you will become addicted.

NEO: The World Ends With You is the excellent sequel of one of the most unique JRPG ever released, featuring a stylish setting, charming characters, engaging story, masterfully crafted action combat, and tons of content that are on par (if not better) with the original. While some of the novelty is lost, as the game does not innovate the series' mechanics in any significant way, NEO: The World Ends With You is truly the sequel that all fans of the franchise were waiting for.

NEO: The World Ends With You is the worthy sequel to one of the most unique JRPGs created by Square Enix, and takes the strengths of its predecessor reformulating them as needed. The result is a unique game in style, mechanics and setting intended to keep completists busy for over fifty hours within a story full of twists and turns.

Neo the World Ends With You is a game that takes elements from the original game and manages to evolve them in the best possible way.

Overall, NEO: The World Ends with You is a fantastic followup to 2007’s The World Ends with You, and both expands the universe and introduces different gameplay styles to keep even the most veteren of JRPG fans engaged. The exceptional visual style and musical flair work together to create a vibrant and stylish game that I just couldn’t get enough of. The narrative is satisfying and fits firmly in the hyper-stylised world of JRPGs, and will delight fans of Kingdom Hearts, Ni No Kuni, and Persona. Despite some minor critiques, NEO: The World Ends with You is a surprise hit, and has the potential to pave the way for another successful Square Enix franchise.

Everything else about NEO is sublime, though. Once the introductory ten hours are pushed through and the game starts proper, it’s an efficient burst of energy and excitement, with one of the best soundtracks you’ll ever find in a game, one of the most explosive, dynamic combat systems you’ve played in a JRPG, and a colourful, energetic, and exciting celebration of Japanese youth culture and Shibuya itself. No doubt this will be the final roll of the dice for TWEWY as a franchise, and hopefully, it has done enough here to graduate from cult status.

NEO: The World Ends With You is brimming with excitement. The combat is so good, and the various mechanics all work well together. The soundtrack is superb as well, with visuals that never grow old.

Neo: The World Ends With You exudes style and sophistication, its presentation is modern and its gameplay is gripping with a pace that never lets up. Elements of action, adventure, RPG, visual novel and puzzle genres collide with gusto to create an epic experience that will keep you hooked until the credits roll. If you like games with plenty of variety in their gameplay, or games that tell a compelling story, look no further; this is an outstanding RPG unlike any other.

NEO: The World Ends with You is an incredible and funny JRPG, with a good combat system and a great story, real characters with emotions and dreams. The worthy sequel to The World Ends with You.

Neo: The World Ends With You offers up something all its own while still keeping its roots in view. Some slow pacing and long-in-tooth writing doesn't keep Neo from being a delightful RPG. If the art style and music don't take you, then the combat and its mechanics will.

NEO: The World Ends with You is way too cool, way too fun, and way too good. For fans of the series, this is a sequel that goes above and beyond 14 years of hopes and expectations. For newcomers who have never even heard of the Reaper's Game, this is one of the most genuine, polished, and stylish games I've ever played. Personality and style ooze out of it constantly, and in a post-Persona 5 world where society is starting to clamour for more immersive and all-encompassing JRPG masterpieces, this might just be the next big thing.

Cool, stylish and with an action-packed combat system: NEO is refreshingly different and, despite small weaknesses, convinces with a (reaper) game of life and death.

Neo: The World Ends With You is the widely anticipated sequel of a cult Nintendo DS title and one of the best Action RPGs available on current platforms. Building on its predecessor formula, this sequel introduces a wide variety of content that while being faithful to the original game exceeds it in every aspect. Fans should rejoice: Shibuya is back to stay.

NEO: The World Ends With You retains the freshness, uniqueness and stylish nature of the original game, but at the same time reinvents itself without forgetting the complexity and tons of content usually found in the JRPG genre. We're once again before a true gem.

Neo: The World Ends with You may not be as innovative as the first game, but it's one of the best sequels we could have hoped for. The game remains true to its roots while tells a whole new, exiting tale that satisfies not only the fans of the series but JRPG fans in general.

NEO: The World Ends With You is an excellent RPG that satisfies fans wanting more, or newcomers who want a unique experience from their games. However, there are some annoying points where it could worsen your experience.

Despite the huge gap in time, NEO: The World Ends with You manages to capture the essence of the original while simultaneously moving the series forward. Although some aspects like combat can feel repetitive at times, it does a great job of translating the frantic nature of the DS original onto modern hardware. Its strong cast of characters are endearing and connect on a satisfying level. And its stylish urban setting is an enthralling backdrop. It may not be as innovative as its predecessor, but it's an excellent return to this distinct world that’s long been overlooked.

After 14 years, the best soundtrack on the Nintendo DS has been met with its sequel – now the best soundtrack on the Nintendo Switch. Delightful deja vu, this sequel revives everything that works and delivers it all over again with vibrant new life. Just excuse the disappointing new cast and technical hiccups for one of the year’s most stylish surprises.

This is a solid ARPG that shines thanks to its story, characters, setting and art direction.

It has lost the original edge of the first chapter and it's not a technical powerhouse, but Neo The World ends with you is nonetheless a brilliant action rpg with one of the best soundtracks to grace the medium in a long time.

Neo: The World Ends With You is a successful sequel that will make both fans and new players happy after 14 years of waiting.

Neo The World Winds With You is an atypical and special game. If you loved the first installment, this sequel will live up to it. Although it loses the surprise factor that the original had, it improves its formula and squeezes it with the jump to 3D and a more intense and dynamic combat. But beyond its RPG development, in which it does not particularly stand out, its greatest virtue is once again an intriguing story full of plot twists that keeps us puzzled from beginning to end.

Neo: The World Ends with You is a traditionally non-traditional JRPG. At first glance, you could mistake it for a brainless button smasher but as you’ll soon find out, there’s a great deal of thinking to be done. A very strange game full of very strange charm.

Without being perfect, Neo The World Ends With You is a beautiful Action RPG, original, entertaining and with one of the best soundtracks I have heard in recent years.

If you enjoy Japanese role-playing games but shudder at the thought of labyrinthine stories and 100+ hour playtimes, NEO: TWEWY serves up a tightly paced narrative with impressive mission variety and unmatched panache — in half the time.

Neo: The World Ends with You is a great sequel that is almost worth all the wait. Primarily because the wait was 14 years long, and not because there is something majorly wrong with the title. Great music, great characters, flashy combat and a fun story, make this a sequel worthy of the beloved original. If only the pace was a bit more upbeat…

This year has already been a strong one for RPGs, and NEO: The World Ends with You just adds to that case. The opportunity to return to Square Enix’s take on Shibuya has been far too long coming, but now that it’s here, it’s immensely pleasing to say that NEO: The Worlds Ends with You does everything I was hoping. Despite some repetitive combat, the rest of the experience more than makes up for it, with the narrative, audio, and visuals combining excellently to make the game enthralling for the length of its forty-plus-hour runtime.

A banger of a sequel that slightly fumbles the last verse. That said, it’s still a full-on earworm that’s getting heavy rotation on our Summer In Shibuya playlist. [Issue#5, p.72]

With travel from Europe to Japan still not possible due to corona, there is a great alternative. In "Neo: The World Ends With You" you are teleported to the popular shopping district Shibuya in Tokyo. And it's worth sticking around for, in addition to being a virtual city trip, it's also a great game.

Neo may not have the game-changing novelty of the original, but what a thrill it is to discover that, 14 years on, TWEWY continues to march to its own beat. [Issue#362, p.98]

Some gameplay elements admittedly don’t fit as well into the mold — the game, like any JRPG, occasionally getting too indulgent in its seemingly-obligatory padding out of time. Likewise, those who may have been quick to pick out the repetitiveness of mission structure prior may be disappointed to learn the sequel does little to shake up that formulaic progression. Even so, minor grievances aside, NEO: The World Ends With You — for all its flash, its flair and many a sing-a-long moment — does a wonderful job at encapsulating the original’s true strengths where and when it matters most.

Going back to this series after all those years felt like visiting an old friend after not meeting for a very long time. We were cautious about this visit, it turned out to be very satisfying. Neo The World Ends With You managed to retain the series magic and modernized it successfully.

There are some problems - an empty-looking city and an annoying fixed camera chief amongst them - but none of them really amount to much if you look at the full package that's offered here. Neo: The World Ends With You has a number of different gameplay features, each very much worth experiencing. Add to that an intriguing story and addictive soundtrack and you really can't go wrong with this game.

NEO: The World Ends With You is a unique and colorful action RPG that packs a fun combat system. While it’s certainly not for everyone, those drawn to its stylish vibe will absolutely love it.

Fourteen years ago, The World Ends With You stood out for its great art direction, original battle system and a great and unexpected story. Today the sequel improves the technical aspect, but the battle system is simpler, the narrative twists are no longer unexpected and the characters are not too deep. It's great to be back in Shibuya, just don't expect something as surprising and fresh as the first game.

Neo: The World Ends With You is perfect for the fans of the series and we can suggest it to JRPG fans too. We'd like to see a better technical aspect.

Whether or not you have completed the adventure starring Neku, approach the sequel without hesitation and let yourself be carried away by the Game of Demons.

Neo: The World Ends with You is the sequel that fans have been awaiting. Despite the move to 3D it feels, looks, and sounds just like the original game. If anything, its flaws are almost the same, with a messy (but fun) combat system and an even messier plot. Despite those flaws, I enjoyed the game almost from start to finish. Newcomers should play the original first, but for those who've been waiting to see where the universe of The World Ends with You goes after the first game, Neo finally provides what you've been waiting for.

It’s not an instant classic, but I think fans of the original are going to really find stuff to like here. And if you’re like me and never played the original, you still owe it to yourself to give this one a solid look. The weirdness of its controls and some of its quirks mean that it might not be for everyone… but give it a fair shot, and I have a feeling you’re going to get a lot more out of it than you might initially expect.

NEO: The World Ends With You is an enthralling, expansive adventure that anyone who loved its predecessor will click with immediately, and newcomers are encouraged to take their time with. But be patient and let the game's flow snap into something that feels comfortable, and you might just come to adore these complicated players, this fantastical Shibuya, and what is a very special original of exceptional character.

NEO: The World Ends With You is an immensely stylish game that is teeming with smart JRPG systems. The incredible art direction justifies the price of entry, but it’s the moreish combat, rewarding puzzles and clever writing that come together to wrap you up in the rich atmosphere of Shibuya. If you’re bored of stoic genre conventions and similar settings, this invigorating adventure is a no-brainer, regardless of whether you’ve played the original or not.

NEO: The World Ends With You is the sequel we’ve been waiting for. While its new cast of characters have a lofty legacy to live up to, they manage to cement themselves as equally memorable even if their own journey begins to intersect with one we know so well. Combat falls victim to repetition, yet the ideas that surround it are substantial enough that such flaws are easy to forgive. If you’re after a vast JRPG adventure, it’s time to surrender yourself to the underground and never look back. TWEWY is back, and I hope it’s here to stay.

NEO: The World Ends With You is Square Enix's bid to revive a game that achieved cult status. Unfortunately, this sequel does not dare to take risks and, consequently, it is not very endearing. With a slow start, after so much pressing buttons you will question whether to continue the adventure, fortunately, the pace of the game improves over time and the charisma of its characters will make you continue to the end.

Through its meticulous artistic direction and its urban universe full of charms, NEO The World Ends With You manages to offer a pleasant adventure that will delight lovers of Japanese culture. We enjoy discovering the Shibuya district in its every nook and cranny and enjoying the many shops it includes. The ride is all the more enjoyable as it offers a story full of twists and turns and endearing characters. Ultimately, it is more at the level of the combat system that the limits are felt. If the latter is rather pleasant and nervous at first, the lack of depth ends up making the clashes really repetitive in the long run. Still, nothing to spoil this 20-hour straight-line tour of Shibuya that will delight those who appreciate the style of Nomura and Action-RPGs.

NEO: The World Ends With You will keep you hooked with its pretty universe, charming characters, captivating story and its very nice manga/anime design. It has a lot of interesting RPG mechanics that connect you with its world, but in terms of battle system, it is still a bit limited and repetitive.

Neo The World Ends With You is so similar to its predecessor that fans of the original game will be catered for this time as well. Unfortunately, the attempt to expand the original formula mainly leads to an elongated adventure with too little variation. The cool, characteristic graphic style and rousing soundtrack make up for a lot, but cannot prevent the game from becoming monotonous in the long run.

A worthy follow-up to the cult classic original, with a great mix of Japanese role-playing and beat ‘em-up elements – even if the storytelling is sometimes hard to follow.

NEO: The World Ends with You is a good RPG in its own right, but it does not live up to its predecessor's legacy. Combat eventually opens up to become chaotically fun and the series' sense of style is as fresh as ever, but the story leaves a lot to be desired. Beyond spotty pacing at times, the script lacks the strong character focus that defined the original. There's too much focus on world building and epic plotting instead of the intimacy that made TWEWY compelling to begin with. The fact that Final Remix's A New Day epilogue plays such a foundational role in the narrative doesn't exactly help matters either. NEO: The World Ends with You has a frantic battle system that only gets better, but the story is sure to disappoint.

Longtime fans of The World Ends With You may not have an issue with this slow gameplay loop because of all the great callbacks to the first game, but it does end up feeling like the game could’ve been a shorter, more enjoyable package if some of the days didn’t feel so padded.

NEO: The World Ends With You is a sequel that leans heavily on recapturing what made the original so special. That’s to its benefit in some ways, such as its vivacious depiction of Shibuya, its incredible soundtrack, and its stylish, flowing combat system, but to its detriment in others. Its story satisfies me as someone who had been waiting 14 years for answers to The World Ends With You’s most tantalizing plot threads, but it pays for that resolution by sidelining its new central cast and forgoing a hard-hitting, emotional story of its own.

The World Ends With You is back with its impeccable style and unique atmosphere, with a long awaited sequel. The combats are exceptionally punchy, the characters are interesting and endearing, and the music is unforgettable. The story succeeds at onboarding newcomers as well as answering a lot of questions fans of the first game had for years. NEO remains, however, like its predecessor, a very linear adventure, with pacing issues and gameplay that can become tedious.

All gripes aside, if you’re a fan of JRPGs in general, particularly the urban sprawl and social checklists of Persona, you will absolutely love NEO: The World Ends With You. This property deserves a series as expansive as its Disney-sponsored big brother, and hopefully, this sequel and the connected anime series will justify a true current-gen instalment at some point in the future.

I could go on at greater length about NEO: The World Ends with You; it was an emotional rollercoaster for me, to be sure. Normally, I avoid having expectations going into a game so as not to cloud my judgment or set myself up for disappointment. I had reservations going into this because of the trailer. Still, I came out deflated in a huge way. As a fan, I admittedly enjoyed every cameo from the first game, but after the initial glee wore off, I realized that it honestly felt a little disrespectful to the source. Not everyone needs to show up, and if they do, put some meat into the occasion. If I were to point at one thing NEO did wrong, it’d be that it has too many characters and the writers didn’t know how to drill down and focus on quality relationships. That aside, I still don’t understand leaving most of the game a mystery until the very end and then just making up reasons or abilities with no prior justification. Can this game be enjoyed? Certainly. The combat alone will be fun for some, but TWEWY was so much more than its gameplay.

Tetsuya Nomura’s latest game resembles Persona to some degree, but offers real-time combat. Similarly to Kingdom Hearts, it goes for flashiness rather than a deep tactical system, but after you unlock enough psychic powers, the game becomes more varied. Overall, NEO is solid, but it needs quite a lot of time to gain momentum. [10/2021, p.64]

Overall, NEO: The World Ends With You is a wonderful homage for fans of the series, in many ways it seems like a remake of The World Ends With You on a bigger screen and a fresh set of faces. However, if you were not a fan of the original game, NEO may come across as lacking in plot and game mechanics; perhaps it is worth a rewind to really appreciate the lore of this franchise.