Mk2 is a new story in a different dimension, so you don't need to play the first to understand this one. Mk2 is it's own complete story! :)
And it has many improves from the first HN! Including much better combat system, more party members, more strategic elements, higher challenge, expanded character relationships and character interactions, team attacks, you can manually heal like other RPGs, improved world travel system, english and japanese voice options like the first one,
much larger cast of characters, better soundtrack, more dungeons/enviornments, more outdoor locations, higher quality art and cutscenes, and much more!
If you want to special edition, you'll have to order directly from NISA.
it's an awesome fun, humorous and great RPG that all RPG fans should really explore! :)
I didn't like the looks of the first one, the animation was choppy, the voice acting in both languages was shoddy and the music was mediocre at best.
Unfortunately, this isn't looking to be too different...
The sad thing is, there is SO much potential for a good game in the original and Mk2 if they would just stop trying to cram as much fan service in as possible. It's not hard to find good voice actors and if you can fund a sequel then BY GOD you can fund proper voice actors from companies such as Funimation, 4Kids (4Kids voice actors are some of the best) or even Disney (No VA is bound to one company, so they wont turn you down just because its not a 3+ rated game).
I am interested in the change of combat system however, also PRINNIES, DOOD! I saw a Prinny, dood... Do any other Disgaea characters make a cameo appearance, dood?
Other than that, the game seems like it's an RPG aimed more towards girls, dood.
it's a RPG for everyone! also that's very unfair judgement on the HN1 VAs, they all fit and have extremely great personalities and VA talent! Very convincing english VAs really, no one else could sound better, and its also better than hearing VAs you "know", because it just interferes with character standing out (oh a character with Tara Strong's voice. Hi Tara Strong. ) I think some just underrated the VAs because they are not used to hearing little girls, but people have to be sexists or misogynists or hermits to find that a problem. Also HN1 had a rough start, but it has a terrific story and character development. And Mk2 is better in every way! And it actually has a world map unlike recent Final Fantasies. well the map is more like Chrono Trigger than FF7, but still an improvement. also the battle system is much better and allows free movement and other strategic elements. and the music is MUCH better too, as well as more party members!
And I wouldn't consider any VA bad unless it's down to Chaos Wars' level
bangt7d9vGA
Mk2 improves many things and since you haven't bothered to research things, I will list some of the great things here:
1. World Map has been improved. No longer menu based selection. It's kind of like Chrono Trigger, except with flight. (much better world map system than FFs after FF9, not counting MMOs of course.)
2. Many cutscenes now have 3-D models with more advanced animations and range of emotions!
3. Dungeon design receives major overhaul with more exciting enviornments, including more outdoor enviornments!
4. random battles are gone. Enemies wander map and can chase leader! Hitting it with a Symbol Attack gives the player's party the upper hand, and may sometimes even defeat the enemy.
5. more dungeon related stuff added, like Sharicite Symbols that trigger events, Save Points, Gathering Points that release ingredients for item synthesis, and more!
6. Battle System adjustments and improvements, upgrading to 4 battle party members!
When the player comes in contact with an enemy on the field or during an event, battle starts. Each character's turn is gauged by their AP, or Action Points. Normal attacks consume AP until the points run out, after which the character's turn ends.
Each character is also assigned SP, or Skill Points, for performing skills or activating HDD (Hard Drive Divinity) in the case of the CPUs or the CPU Candidates. Skills vary in range, effect, and attack power. One skill can be used per turn, after which the character's turn ends, regardless of current AP remaining. HDD requires 100 SP to activate. This is done by using the HDD ON command, and once activated, the character will regularly consume SP until it runs out, after which the character will revert.
Movement is gauged by a blue circle around the character. This marks the area within which the controlled character may move freely. Certain normal moves may shorten this circle, limiting further movement. The turn order of the battle is controlled with the Agility stat. The higher a character's Agility, the sooner their turn will come.
The command menu is used for performing various actions. The character may perform normal attacks, use skills, activate HDD (only CPUs and CPU Candidates), or end their turn. They may also switch between standby characters, escape from unscripted battles (dependent on Luck stat), or use items.
As in the first game, draining an enemy's GP, or Guard Points, forces that target into Guard Break mode. In this state, the defense stat and resistances of the target are significantly reduced until the enemy's GP completely recovers. Depletes faster when a Break attack is used .
Normal combos can be edited by inserting extra commands. These commands appear after the first normal attack. Normal combos branch off into three types: Rush, Heavy Hits, and Break. Rush attacks usually involve high hit counts. Heavy Hits usually deplete enemy HP faster. Break attacks usually deplete enemy GP faster. By executing certain commands in specific patterns and consuming a set amount of AP, a combo finisher called an EX Finish is performed. The type of EX Finish is usually related to the command used to execute it.
7. The Chirper serves as the main communication system in each landmass. This allows the player to view what the NPCs in that landmass are talking about. NPCs with chat bubbles highlighted in purple indicate events, leading to interesting conversations that add more to the story and characters and world!
8. Lily Rank affects relationships with Nepgear, allowing certain items to be synthesized, and can also affect endings. it can also cause certain events to occur.
9. Nepgear HDD costume customization. (which is actually useful for those that like the option to upload their own preferred colors and patterns.)
10. Landmasses have gone through total redesign. Like mentioned in #1, but it's another example how much more thought and creativity was put into HN Mk2's world than just recycling the same world design.
11. leader change is back and Mk2 has more party members that join in the story than before! HN1 is was mostly about Neptune, Compa, and IF in the adventure, but now Mk2 has new AND returning character as party members! Including Nepgear, Uni, RAM, ROM, Gust, NISA, and 5pb (increase from 3 main characters to 7 main party characters) ! Plus the original CPUs can be recruited (Neptune, Noire, Vert and Blanc), which boosts the potential party amount to 11 party members with their own unique signature moves!!!!
13. new enemy designs, while other RPGs recycle the exact same monsters, HN Mk2 brings more NEW bestiary designs than just classic enemy designs! Also multiple brand new villains are designed instead of just 1 or 2 antagonists.
14. Many new NPCs add more to the story, lore and character interaction! This includes the 4 Oracles, Histoire, Kei, Mina, and Chika.
15. Attributes that actually have more value! Agility increases can boost how soon the next turn comes up, Luck can increase the chances of escaping a non-scripted battle, TEC can increase attack accuracy, etc.! The official website SYSTEM section goes in-depth with how Item Synthesis works!
16. MANY BATTLE SKILLS. Many RPGs these days are one trick ponies when it comes to battles, but HN Mk2 allows you to personalize your own style of fighting with more abilities and options! The combo system is like a evolutionary version of Chrono Cross or Xenogears, Different buttons actually have different unique functions! example: Triangle = Rush (high hit counts), Square = Heavy Hits, X = Break. Each character has their own UNIQUE commands! Party uniqueness is rare these days.
17. as 16 hinted, you will be doing A LOT more than just hitting X in battles. ^_^ Skills can even have strategic range values!
17. Revised Status Ailments system! classic and new status effects have been added.
18. Switch system adds more party possibilities, while the party cap is 4, each battle member can have a partner to TAG TEAM with, which technically allows 8 party members to participate in battles, 4 at a time!
723