This is an article introducing Neuron Eclipse, a non-field card battle RPG created with RPG Maker MV by the circle "Anubis".
As I mentioned before,Hollow SkyThis work follows in the footsteps of "[Title of previous work]", but there are some differences in terms of its system.
Please note that this is an R-18 work, so those who are not of legal age should be aware of this.
(R-18 elements can be removed through the in-game options.)
This review article omits any adult-oriented content, so it is safe for minors to read.perhaps
The main story took about 10 hours to complete on the first playthrough.
This game involves a lot of trial and error, so the time it takes to complete it will vary from person to person.
Game Overview
The story is set in a cyberpunk future where the brain and networks are fused, and the human body is becoming increasingly cyborg-like.
Beatrice, a member of the security force, is driven by her strong sense of justice and disregards orders to go and suppress a certain mafia group.
However, Beatrice is defeated and beaten, leaving her mortally wounded.
By chance, a cybernetic engineer named Linfa happened to be there, and through a combination of whim and ulterior motives, she was saved when her limbs were replaced with prosthetics (cyborgized).
Confused by the drastic changes in her own body, she finds herself drawn into a vast conspiracy.
This game is based on a non-field RPG format.
The game's story progresses in the following order: prepare at your base → explore the area → fight the area boss → return to the base... and so on.
Combat progresses using the cards you have equipped.
You use as many cards as your "AP" action points allow, and then end your turn.
If your AP is 3, you can use 3 cost 1 cards and 1 cost 3 card.
AP increases as turns progress, so as the battle progresses, you'll be able to use high-cost cards more frequently, making the battles more intense.
Not all equipped cards are available to use at all times.
Each turn, you draw one card at random from the cards you have equipped.
In other words, you can't always draw the card you want when you want it, so the strategy of what cards to include in your deck becomes crucial.
Some cards allow you to draw multiple cards, so you'll need techniques to use these cards to quickly obtain the cards you want.
Almost all the information necessary for combat is displayed on the screen.
It's a good idea to check the help section and remember the information you'll use most often.
This card allows you to calculate in advance how much damage you will inflict and how much damage you will receive from your opponent.
You can always check the enemy's detailed stats, so make use of that feature.
In addition to AP, another important element in combat is OD (Overdrive).
As your Overdrive gauge fills up, you can use powerful special moves that can drastically change the course of the battle.
The always-available OD Cyber Spark (draw one card) is available by default, but the available ODs change depending on the equipped OS (a piece of protective gear that can only be worn once).
I believe OD (Overdrive) is a key point that will determine the tactical approach you take in battle, so it's important to assemble equipment that can effectively utilize OD.
Even if you lose a battle, you can immediately re-equip yourself and try again.
This game is designed around the premise of being defeated by tough enemies and having to learn through trial and error, so being able to restart immediately is very convenient.
Next, we'll discuss bases.
At your base, you can mainly shop and strengthen your characters.
You can level up by using battle data (similar to experience points) obtained in combat. Levels are shared among all characters, so individual character enhancement is not necessary.
Leveling up increases your maximum HP, making it important in this game.
You can purchase programs (cards) using money at the shop.
As the scenario progresses, new cards will appear, and the fun lies in figuring out whether they're useful and, if so, how to incorporate them into your strategy.
In addition, you can also increase your base stats separately from your level.
While it requires a significant amount of money, raising your base stats greatly increases your combat power, so it's a good idea to prioritize it.
That concludes my brief explanation of the main aspects of the game system.
It might seem complicated at first, but the game is designed so that you can learn how to fight step by step as you progress, so I don't think you need to worry too much.
If you get stuck, try reading the strategy guide included with the game files; you might discover something new.
After clearing the game, you can play a "roguelike mode" that is separate from the main story.
This mode is more luck-based than the main game, where you compete to see how far you can go.
This mode is interesting because it challenges you to control luck and danger while establishing a stable strategy.
Review (no spoilers)
I played the game with great enthusiasm and completed it twice: the first time I mainly used Beatrice, and the second time I mainly used Mia.
I think the story of defying the established order of the world in a cyber world was very well portrayed.
Those who have played previous works by this circle should still enjoy this one.
While the R-18 scenes can be skipped, I think they are an important part of depicting the dark world of this work.
There are some pretty gruesome scenes, but the story is basically about what happens when a woman is defeated in this situation.
I think one of the advantages of R-18 works is that they allow for the depiction of not only sexual scenes but also brutal scenes without any reservations.
Of course, whether you like it or not is a matter of personal preference, so you are free to skip it.
The combat was so engaging that I found myself completely absorbed in it.
The system increases AP each turn, so battles that start quietly gradually become more intense, and I think this evolving pace is what makes the game so addictive.
Card battle games that involve building decks can be difficult to enjoy if you're not good at devising strategies and tactics.
However, as is typical of RPGs, you can increase your HP by leveling up, so you can also progress through the game by grinding for experience points.
Besides leveling up, using money to increase your base stats, or brute-forcing your way through with recovery and stat-boosting items are also effective strategies.
By imposing your own restrictions on these methods, you can adjust the difficulty level to suit everyone from players who just want to clear the game to those who are serious about mastering it.
Playthrough Notes - First Playthrough (Spoiler Warning) Main Character Used: Beatrice
This section contains notes from my first playthrough, which involved a lot of trial and error.
This is more of a record of my gameplay than a strategy guide, so it's not very well organized.
I haven't included any parts that I didn't get stuck on, but I hope this serves as a helpful example of a game walkthrough.
The play strategy is as follows:
- I will not engage in any activities for profit.
I don't do any specific activities to level up or earn money.
The only extra encounters you might have are with regular enemies while going to defeat the additional boss that resets after clearing an area.
- About leveling up
We're aggressively raising prices whenever we have the opportunity.
• About consumables
Basically, I don't use potions or pre-battle stat-boosting items.
However, if I can't find an effective strategy after several attempts, I use both.
I've only used it a handful of times through games.
The "*" marks in the main text of the play notes indicate records of side quests or detours.
Prologue ~ Chapter 1
- Demon City East Area
I got used to the system while playing battles.
Since I wasn't sure what to include, I just replaced as many "Guard" cards as possible with the completely superior "Quick Guard" (basically, the limit for the same type of card is three).
If you're unsure what to put in, I think it's a safe bet to start by swapping this out.
AP increases every turn, but cards are only replenished one at a time.
I realized that it's important to make full use of cards like "Concentration" for drawing extra cards and "Cyber Spark" for overdrive.
*Before heading to the waterfront area, I went back to the eastern area of the demon city.
I fought against a new boss, a cat-man bodyguard and a rogue in a magical suit, but he was no match for me yet.
Chapter 2
・Waterfront area
I felt that even just using 100 coins to increase my HP by 10 made battles considerably easier.
However, I was defeated by three Wachhunds, so I retreat to revise my deck.
I headed to Shirley's shop and received the "Ignition Blade."
In addition, I had them create a "smoke grenade" for area-of-effect attacks, and I used it to defeat the three Vachhund mentioned above.
I felt that including several cards that could handle multiple situations allowed for greater flexibility.
Freya managed to win by the narrowest of margins.
As you start running out of cards in the mid-to-late game, use OD Cyber Spark aggressively to attack.
Waste District
Since there are many enemies in the boss battle, I felt that having area-of-effect attacks like "Activate: Micro Missiles" made it a bit easier.
Also, I found that incorporating powerful moves that cost around 2-3 AP for the later stages of battle, when AP becomes more abundant, made the fight easier.
- Demon City East Area (2nd time)
I defeated the boss, the lightning-manipulating demi-human and cat-human martial artist, with the following equipment:
I found the Panzer D12.8's OS (Operation System) to be easy to use because it automatically applies a shield right at the start of combat, when AP (Armor Points) are low and it's difficult to act.
While OD Photon Streak requires a lot of OD to activate, it allows you to deploy a barrier and then use that barrier to perform a "Shield Charge" which deals significant damage.
If you stock up on multiple "Shield Charge" cards beforehand, you can expect to inflict a considerable amount of damage.
*I also tried a strategy that filled the slots with "Flash Stance" and "Quick Stab," and it was quite effective against weaker enemies.
However, in longer battles such as boss fights, I ran out of cards in my hand towards the end, and the lack of power in some cards prevented me from achieving the results I wanted.
- Demon City West Area
Meilan was a formidable opponent, but I managed to defeat her using the same equipment as above.
I think the way the cards came together also played a role.
The key point is how effectively you can use "Shield Charge" when your shield is high after activating OD/Photon Streak.
*After this, I fought the "Cat-Man Bodyguard + Righteous Outlaw" in the eastern area of the Demon City again and won with the following combination.
Chapter 3
Dive World
Since the enemy is only vulnerable to cybernetic attacks, I simply used Linfa to proceed.
For the boss battle, I equipped the "Root Kit" that I obtained right before the fight, and the OS was DIVER79.7.
First, defeat the minions, and once only the boss remains, attack the boss.
Keep the "Loot Kit," which can attack all enemies, on hand, and use it as soon as even one of the minions revives to quickly eliminate it.
If you don't have a "loot kit," using an OD Flatline as a substitute will make the fight easier.
Central area
*Before heading to the central area, I went to Shirley's shop and engaged in battle with the fiery nano-artist.
I was able to defeat them without any problems using roughly the same deck as in the previous battle against "Cat-man Bodyguard + Robber in Righteous Attack".
Please note that once you move to the central area, you will not be able to move to other areas until you have completed the events in this area.
I liked the situation where you move on to the next area and then face the first mandatory battle, with a vocal song playing during the battle.
Edel was also defeated without any problems using the defense-oriented configuration described above.
I think "Revenge Smite" was quite effective towards the end of the game when our HP was low.
I managed to defeat Sigma on my second attempt after rearranging my cards, but it was a very close victory.
I primarily used "Shield Charge" on Sigma, and if it was possible to defeat the minions that were scheduled to be attacked, I would attack the minions instead.
Area-of-effect attacks like "Rampage" should be saved when there are no allies present, and used all at once when they are revived.
In the second half, I'll use techniques like Super Concentration, solidify my defense with "Overguard," and attempt to attack with "Shield Charge."
To be honest, I could probably fight more easily if I relied on nanopotions, but I'm going to try to progress without using them as much as possible.
*After this, I went to defeat the respawned boss in the coastal area, "Senjin Type 12 x 2 + Strahl S3.2", and successfully achieved victory.
In the early stages, focus on defeating Strahl while trying to use "Terrain Analysis" and "Area Shield" as often as possible.
By the time your AP is full, you should be able to take almost no damage from Flash attacks thanks to abilities like "Overguard".
Use "Super Focus" to draw temporary barrier cards such as "Overguard," and then use "Shield Charge" to deal damage.
Dive World (2nd time)
The boss, Integral System, was easily defeated with the above configuration.
I don't have a particular concept for my equipment, but I found the "Update" ability, which accelerates AP gain, to be quite useful.
I think it's important to steadily use abilities like "Quick Guard" and "Resource Drain" to slow down the rate at which your HP drops to zero.
・Abandonment
My second fight against Meilan was the toughest one I've faced so far.
After much trial and error, and using stimulants, sensory enhancers, and nanomachine activators, I achieved victory with the equipment described above.
I used "Overguard" and OD at the right time to mitigate the damage when Meilan unleashed her powerful attacks.
When Meilan isn't attacking, use high-cost attacks like "Regenerate" or "High-Output Laser Blade."
When the enemy was about to attack, I used shield-type abilities and "Shield Charge," and also attacked with "Boost Knuckle," which also creates a barrier when my HP is below half.
Ultimately, at the last possible moment, AP Max's "High-Output Laser Blade" delivered the decisive blow, defeating the enemy.
Chapter 4
- Central area, second time
*Since the story is reaching its climax, I've been going around defeating the additional bosses in each area.
First, I went to defeat the additional boss in the Demon City West area at this point.
I was able to defeat it without any problems using the following equipment.
The strategy of focusing on defense and maintaining a stable HP worked well, and I didn't have much trouble.
*Next, I challenged the additional boss in Dive World with Linfa.
However, at this point, there were no additional bosses in Dive World.
*Next, I challenged the additional boss of the Abandoned Realm, the Tentacle & Thousand-Armed Mutant, with the above equipment.
Since it absorbs HP from its left and right tentacles, you can gradually wear it down by incorporating area-of-effect attacks in your strategy.
The enemy's attacks themselves aren't particularly fierce, but I think the battle is likely to drag on.
Since I originally prefer a long-term battle style, I was able to defeat them with a fair amount of leeway.
*And with the above equipment, I also defeated the additional boss in the Waste District.
Both of them had high attack power, so I had a really tough time.
I defeated the enemy on the left first, and then took down the slime-type enemy on the right.
Perhaps I should have included more cards to recover from a disadvantageous situation.
I think it's important to deploy the "high-powered laser blade" early on to reduce their numbers.
It was such a close fight that I used three nano potions for the first time after defeating one enemy.
I was able to defeat Freya in the central area without any problems using the equipment mentioned above.
I definitely feel that this equipment is easier to use the longer the battle goes on.
- Akamote Area
Further inside, you'll face a series of three battles against Mia, Beatrice, and Linfa in that order.
Perhaps because it was a three-part battle, the strength of each boss wasn't that great, and I didn't have much trouble with any of them except for Mia, who I fought first.
I don't usually use Mia, but with the makeshift equipment shown above, I managed to defeat the enemy.
(Using one nano-portion)
Beatrice's equipment is as described above.
This deck has very few offensive options and focuses on a solid defensive strategy before overwhelming the opponent in the late game.
If you don't get overwhelmed in the early stages, this equipment allows for fairly stable combat.
Linfa's equipment hasn't been changed much since the last cyber battle, so there's nothing particularly noteworthy to mention.
There were two enemies, but I was able to defeat them with a bit of leeway.
I also won the second battle against Weiss with Beatrice.
There were several event battles after this, but I was able to get through them without any problems using Beatrice.
Chapter 5
- In der Welt Sein
The boss, Dazine, has high HP, so a long battle is unavoidable.
However, a long battle is exactly what our Beatrice wants.
I managed to defeat it by striking a balance that just barely avoided using nanopotions.
I tried installing "Activate: Beam Chainsaw," but it wasn't very user-friendly.
Final Chapter
・Imaginary Divine Realm
I fought the first battle with Beatrice.
As usual, it was a long battle, but there were moments when I was pushed back a bit, and I ended up using several potions.
The "Double Speed Execution" ability was extremely powerful, and by combining it with high-cost abilities like "Regenerate" and "Sophia Saber," I was able to fight very efficiently.
The final battle was kind of like an event battle.
I received advice before the battle to heal and attack frequently, so I was able to defeat it on my first try.
Since this battle involves exceeding the HP and AP limits, I think it would have been better to include more percentage-based recovery cards rather than fixed-value recovery cards.
And, to be honest, I don't think I needed any defensive cards at all.
This equipment had a lot of room for optimization, but since I won with it, I'll post it anyway.
Playthrough Notes, Second Playthrough (Spoiler Warning) Main Character: Mia
In my second playthrough, I'll focus on recording my progress with Mia, a character I didn't use much in my first playthrough.
Since I've gotten used to the game system, I didn't get stuck on many points, so this post will mainly be a record of the changes in Mia's build.
This record will likely be more concise than the previous one.
Chapter 2
- Demon City East Area
In this playthrough, once Mia joins the party, we will primarily use only Mia.
My equipment isn't fully set up yet, but I managed to defeat the boss here as shown in the photo above.
- Demon City West Area
The fight against Meilan was a very close one.
I used three types of doping before the battle, but I didn't use any nano-potions.
If you can properly heal the 0 defense status with Corrosion Repair before it uses its big attack, I feel like you can defeat it with ease.
Towards the end of battles, I often had excess AP and relied on Cyber Spark, so I felt the need to either include a higher-cost deck or cards that allow me to draw more cards.
Chapter 3
Central area
I defeated Sigma with the equipment shown above.
I think I'm finally starting to understand Mia's direction.
I tried equipping the OD (Overdrive) noise diffusion system, which is available for use with the Foresight 3, and was quite impressed by how powerful it was.
I change two "Load" cards into "Torrent of Impulse," which is quite powerful as it restores 7% of maximum HP and deals 10+ ranged damage to all enemies (costs 1 AP).
I'm thinking of incorporating a lot of cards that generate load for a while and using that as the basis for my strategy.
・Abandonment
I won the battle against Meilan with the equipment listed above.
In the later stages of the battle, when AP becomes abundant, the number of cards decreases, and the losses incurred from relying on OD Cyber Spark were significant. I felt it would be better to include some higher-cost cards or increase the number of cards that allow for drawing.
Chapter 4
Central area
I won the battle against Freya with the equipment Mia had equipped as described above.
When battles drag on, there's a tendency to be somewhat overwhelmed.
I think it's because they're trying to use Beatrice's endurance deck with Mia as well.
I think Mia has her own well-suited strategy, but I tend to build her with a focus on defense and safety.
Chapter 5
I defeated Weiss with the equipment described above.
I think my deck is pretty much finalized now.
In the early stages, the strategy is to quickly rack up terrain analysis points using "Laser Rush," "Terrain Analysis," and "Area Shield," and then, from the mid-game onward, safely engage in a war of attrition while recovering HP.
HP recovery can be covered by "Regenerate" and "Impulse Torrent" generated by OD/Noise Diffusion, but if that's not enough, you can use Nano Potions as needed.
- In der Welt Sein
This is the equipment used when defeating Dasein.
I've adjusted the draw cards, so I rely on OD Cyber Spark much less now.
I feel that we might need to incorporate a little more concentrate to make the most of the OD-enhancing effect of "Accelerated Nerves."
At this point, I think it's just a matter of fine-tuning.
Final Chapter
・Imaginary Divine Realm
For the final boss battle, Mia's deck was set up as shown above.
When the enemy uses powerful attacks like "Neutron Star" or "Big Crunch," you can reduce the damage by using abilities such as "Cipher Barrier" or "Swift Dance" + "Double Speed Execution."
In the later stages of the battle, the "Area Shield" makes you incredibly tough, and the power of "Laser Rush" increases dramatically.
If you follow the procedure correctly, you can defeat them without any trouble.
Linfa learned from her mistakes in the first playthrough and decided on the above combination.
I feel like I didn't need the Integral Code, but other than that, I don't think there were any useless cards, so I was able to win smoothly.
Roguelike Mode Strategy Notes
This mode can be played after clearing the main game.
Unlike the main game, you cannot earn experience points or money, making this a challenging mode that tests your meticulous strategy, tactics, and luck.
*Not cleared yet...it's difficult.
Play Notes
Since you can obtain cards by battling, I feel it's important to jump into battles to some extent in the early stages when you don't have much money.
Also, before a boss battle, purchasing items like nanomachine activators from shops or other locations will make the fight easier.
- Reaching point 20: Battle against Meilan
I feel that the key is how well we can prepare for Meilan up to this point.
I feel it's absolutely essential to have two cards ready that can cure status ailments before each of the two powerful special moves are unleashed.
Make sure you have either "Erosion Repair" or "Wound Curse Repair" ready.
- Reaching point 30: Sigma battle
It's important to use area-of-effect attacks and try to prevent the accompanying enemies from attacking as much as possible.
If you play it right, you can fight without letting him attack, but Sigma will attack at times, so you'll need some means of healing.
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