Review: NEO: The World Ends With You serves addictive action in a fashionable style

This review contains spoilers.

I played the original The World Ends With You (TWEWY) on the Nintendo DS way back ago. The game certainly was one of the more unique and fun games on the system. The battle system got me hooked in playing the game non-stop. The plot and characters were easy to invest in and had me focus on nothing else during those windows of playthroughs. 

In the next years, Square Enix would keep the few fans of the game in the dark regarding a possible sequel. There had been attempts to bring the game to a larger market. TWEWY was ported numerous times to other platforms, including mobile.

Then, the magic happened. NEO: The World Ends With You (NEO:TWEWY) was announced during a Nintendo Direct for the Nintendo Switch. Which Direct, you may ask? It doesn't matter which Direct because it was the Direct. The trailer in the Direct showed of a new cast of characters selected for a Reaper's Game in Shibuya.

Launching on a new platform with only one screen, the sequel tweaks the rhythmic battle mechanics of the first game and dishes out a new control system. Characters still use pins when in battle, but they now fight on the same screen and stage. Oh, and there are hundreds of pins to collect. Fun! The sequel also introduced a social-network mechanic and abilities during exploration of the Underground.

A new Reaper's Game at a new location (i.e., Shibuya) signifies new characters. NEO:TWEWY introduces a new round of colorful characters to brighten the drab Underground. A lot of times, the game does a good handling of characterizing them, but stumbles in meaningfully developing some of them. A bunch of characters from the original game return. However, their presence often outshine the new characters.

In the pacing of the game's both plot and gameplay, the middle part is too drawn out. Certain story elements repeat themselves, and the gameplay simply becomes button mashing. The game offers little incentive to the players to try different decks of pins. Don't fret because the climax and conclusion almost make up for the long-drawn parts. Although the loose ends are tied nicely, there are some questionable story choices at the end.

NEO: The World Ends With You is a strong recommendation to the fans of the original game. Curious, prospective newcomers may want to try the demo on the Nintendo eShop first.