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Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 gets Euro release

Eccentric JRPG sequel out next month.

High concept PlayStation 3 JRPG sequel Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 arrives in Europe on 24th February, publisher Nippon Ichi has announced.

As in the critically mauled 2011 original, you control human personifications of various video game consoles. This time around, the four heroines are the younger sisters of the CPUs (that's Console Patron Units, obviously) from the first game. You'll have to free the CPUs from the evil clutches of Arfoire, the Criminal of the Free World.

Nippon Ichi promises a new free-roaming battle mechanic for more strategic combat, a streamlined combo system, a new weapon crafting system and a Coliseum mode to test your fighting skills.

A special edition of the game is available to order through Nippon Ichi's store, which includes a hardback artbook, a deck of playing cards and the game's soundtrack.

See below for a bewildering trailer, complete with incongruous Keiji Inafune cameo.

Its predecessor picked up a meagre 2/10 from Eurogamer's Simon Parkin last March.

"Even the most ardent JRPG fan will baulk at the roughshod simplicity of the game's systems, restricting the game's audience to Japanophile anime fans who can overlook the experiences shortcomings as a videogame and approach it as a cultural curio," read his Hyperdimension Neptunia review.

"That is, a sexist, senseless and ultimately stupid cultural curio."