The Switch versions of Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: Sisters Generation, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth3: V Generation, and Death end re;Quest: Code Z will no longer be released in the west due to the contents “not complying with the Nintendo Guidelines,” publisher Idea Factory International announced.
VGChartz's Thomas Froehlicher: "Death end re;Quest Code Z marks a stunning comeback for Compile Heart and a treat for fans of the first game. Visually underwhelming and not very ambitious at first, it eventually boasts surprisingly complex rogue-like RPG mechanics and a compelling level of challenge. Compile Heart’s bold CERO Z bet makes no compromises in terms of gore and horror, making Code Z the hardline experience I really desired."
TSA writes: Death end re;Quest: Code Z jumps across to the mystery dungeon genre for this spin-off, but can it meaningfully add to the Death end series?
Death end re;Quest is unfortunately another Compile Heart series that just gets worse with each new game. The first one was actually pretty fresh. The mix of the “bouncing” turn-based combat with an interesting story and a good dose of gore had a lot of potential. The execution wasn’t perfect, but it was decent enough. I’d say it was a solid 7.5 out of 10.
The sequel was just strange. It cranked up the horror themes, which sounded promising, but everything else felt watered down. The combat lost any strategy it had, the character designs were much more tame, and the gore was noticeably reduced. The story continued from the first game, but in a way that kind of trampled on it. It felt like a 6 out of 10 game.
Now this latest entry changes the gameplay completely. It builds on the multiverse concept from the earlier games, but everything I’ve seen and read about it looks rough. I’ll probably still pick it up during a sale because, unfortunately, I’m a fan of the series. Still, it’s disappointing to watch something with real potential go in the wrong direction.
Travis Bruno of Capsule Computers writes:
"When it comes to Compile Heart, you never quite know what to expect from the developer. Their titles have run the gambit from being difficult strategy RPGs to lighter more simplistic entries that revel in their odd designs. This can include the way their writing is handled as well, ranging from breaking the fourth wall for comedy and making tons of referential jokes to trying to tell a straightforward and serious storyline, fans never quite know what to expect. This is what made the Death end re;Quest games such a shock to longtime fans when they arrived, as these even more niche RPGs seemed like the cute and fan-service filled offerings on the surface but hid a brutal layer beneath that facade. Now after two releases in the main series, the franchise returns with a spin-off in Death end re;Quest: Code Z, but is this another successful endeavor or a misstep into a deadly trap?"
Weird. Nintendo was recently better than Playstation for these releases coming out. Plus there's been games in these series released on the Switch. How are these releasing on Playstation and not Nintendo?!
They did not mention with which guidelines the games do not comply. Hopefully it is not an attempt at censorship.
Censorship is back on the menu, boys!
It's an issue only related to the west, so it's pretty clear it's some kind of censorship that the devs didn't agree with, anything else would stop the release everywhere else, Nintendo can't do anything right lately.
The curse of the arrogant console leader returns