NEO: The World Ends With You Is The Sequel Fans Have Been Waiting For - But Is It Too Late?

In 2007, Japanese studio Square Enix released a new IP on the then-revolutionary Nintendo DS. The World Ends With You (JP: Subarashiki Kono Sekai) released to acclaim and positive reviews, changing up the usual formulae of Square's other JRPG juggernauts to create a fresh, exciting experience that didn't just utilise every feature of the Nintendo DS - it embraced it.

Unlike the developer's other titles such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, The World Ends With You takes place in the very real (though slightly fictionalised) city of Shibuya, Tokyo. It relied on dual screens, touch controls, and a unique battle system that involved the player having to control two characters at once - one with the directional pad, and the other with the stylus.

TWEWY's story, style, and soundtrack made it one of the better titles on the DS, and it quickly gained a cult following. Since its original release, the title has seen re-releases on mobile devices and the Nintendo Switch (subtitled Solo Remix and Final Remix respectively), with some new additions as well as changes to gameplay to accomodate single screens. This year, it also received an anime adaptation.

And so, after 14 years, the sequel to the original title has arrived. NEO: The World Ends With You (JP: Shinsubarashiki Kono Sekai) is out now on PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

(This review will be based on the PS4 version, played on PS5.)

I should preface this review by saying that I was one of those clamouring for a sequel. TWEWY is squarely one of my favourite games of all time. So, when Neo released, surely I was the first in line for the new title?

That was not the case.

Perhaps I was worried that a sequel wouldn't be able to hold up to the original, but when I finally acquired my copy of the game, I was hooked. Neo: The World Ends With You oozes style and substance, from the designs and interactions of the new characters, the re-creation of present-day Shibuya, the music - my worries were allieviated and I found myself constantly being pulled back into Shibuya. The sequel takes most of the magic from its predecessor, and builds upon it.

The battle system, now designed for consoles, sees each character in the party assigned a pin corresponding to a 'psyche' - an attack or ability. Eventually, as the plot progresses and your party grows, battles become frenetic, chaotic scrimmages that require patience, control, and timing to master.

The music, too, is a treat. Composer Takeharu Ishimoto is back with an OST that ranges from pop, hip-hop, metal, rock, and electronic. The new tunes shine, immersing the player in the atmosphere of the urban Shibuya, while old favouites from the original title return as remixed versions.

The story revolves around a new cast of characters, with some familiar faces returning. Protagonist Rindo begins the Reapers' Game with his friend Fret. Eventually, they are also joined by empathetic otaku Nagi and the mysterious Sho Minamimoto - one of the most popular characters from the original game.

The new characters are brimming with life. Nagi, in particular, is an archetype rarely seen in the action RPG genre, and her relationship with the rest of the cast is a welcome dynamic. In fact, the character interactions throughout the story are a joy, and their designs, dialogues, and dynamics cement this new cast of characters alongside the OG crew as worthy additions to the franchise.

Like before, the plot is rife with twists and turns. Each new day brings new surprises, and the story is carefully weaved together to create a sequel that FEELS like a necessary addition to the plot, rather than, as is common with long-awaited sequels, a tacked-on extension of the main story. All loose ends are neatly wrapped up in this title, and the payoffs, 14 years in the making, hit their mark.

New protagonist Rindo in Tokyo's Shibuya

Ultimately, Neo: The World Ends With You is a difficult game to review. Comparisons to the original The World Ends With You are not only inevitable, but also necessary. On top of that, it is also difficult to discuss much of the game without revealing any of the many surprises jammed into the experience; surprises that are designed to, and should be, exactly that. The game has several huge moments across the board - story, gameplay, music - and they all work in perfect harmony, creating a gaming journey that I haven't experienced in a long time.

Square Enix's track record of quality sequels is questionable, with the recent Kingdom Hearts 3 and Final Fantasy VII: Remake dividing the fanbase. However, I am overjoyed to announce that Neo: The World Ends With You has been praised by both longtime fans and critics alike. I, for one, hold it in extremely high regard: it may be my favourite game to release this year. It is a stylistic marvel, and deserves all the praise it gets.

9.5/10

Listen to tracks from composer Takeharu Ishimoto on our Fireflight Playlists.