With only a few weeks to go until their 27 July 2021 release of the long-awaited action-RPG NEO: The World Ends With You on the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, developer/publisher Square Enix has shared new screenshots and information about the game. A summary of all the information can be found below, however, you can experience some of it yourself by downloading the game’s demo on the Nintendo eShop or PlayStation Store.
New and Returning Character Profiles
Coco
“You have no friggin’ idea what I’ve been through to get here, you festering sack of garbage!”
A Reaper girl who does as she pleases, spending most of her time in Harajuku. She has little interest in her Reaperly duties, sometimes even wandering outside Shibuya.
Despite her delicate appearance, she is actually quite cunning, deceiving others to help get her way—but she remains deeply loyal to her friends.
She was with Neku and Beat when a certain post-Game incident occurred three years ago.
Eiji Oji
“This flower’s almost as lovely as you ladies—almost.”
A top influencer who blew up a few years ago thanks to his nonchalant charm and half-hearted demeanour.
Recently, he has taken the world’s young generation by storm with his calm and lazy attitude.
Eiru
“Why do I have to sound so different from everyone else?”
A popular streamer who charms his audience with his unique, high-pitched voice.
He only grew comfortable with his voice thanks to Eiji Oji, however, and now hopes to collaborate with him someday…
Ken Doi
“I’m gonna make a curry that’s all my own!”
Although he previously ran a ramen joint, a few twists and turns led him to shift his focus to curry.
He is currently trying to rebrand by opening a new restaurant: SPICY CURRY DON.
Ryoji
“Hey, you’re just in time!”
Shibuya’s handyman who undertakes any task imaginable, from the unbelievably simple to the unspeakably seedy.
Born with a strong “sixth sense,” he is deeply connected to the UG
Imprinting
While Rindo and the gang can’t directly interact with the denizens of Shibuya, they can “imprint” keywords in people’s heads to change their minds and influence their actions. If you can’t find a path forward, try getting someone else to forge a path for you!
Side Quests
In Shibuya, you may also come across people who are facing problems or worries. While side quests aren’t related to the missions posed in the Reapers’ Game, you’ll be able to earn various benefits through helping the people you meet.
Depending on the situation, you may need to interact with the Reapers or members of other teams. In addition to Imprinting, use Fret’s “Imprint” and Nagi’s “Dive” Psychs to solve people’s problems. When an issue is resolved, the Social Network is
updated, and you may be eligible to obtain a reward.
Team Battles – Six-Person Combat & Chain Battles
Up to six characters can join the fray at one time! Even if you press buttons randomly, you’ll still be able to experience flashy and exhilarating battles with psychs flying all over the place.
But of course, that’s not the only way to enjoy combat: unleashing each psych at just the right moment will allow you to string together slick combos and tap into a whole new level of strategy. Skillfully align your entire party to topple your foes in battle!
Combat will begin shortly after you come into contact with a Noise symbol, but you can string together several encounters by touching multiple symbols in short succession. The more battles there are in a chain, the higher the item drop rate, which will earn you more pins. Beware, though: the longer the chain, the stronger enemies’ attacks will become as you proceed
Your team’s HP will carry over from round to round, so try not to take too much damage!
By unlocking rewards on the Social Network, you can increase the number of chain battles as well as gain the ability to draw in Noise symbols from far away.
Noise
Among the enemies you will face, some will prove rather tricky to take down, splitting themselves in two or going temporarily invisible.
The Pig Noise are among the trickiest of these foes: each type requires a different strategy but poaching these pigs will earn you a handsome reward. Some Pig Noise are easy to defeat, while others are only susceptible to psychs of a certain affinity, or only vulnerable under specific conditions. Pig Noise will flee from battle if you don’t defeat them before time runs out, so quickly uncovering their weakness is key!
Pins
Among the psych pins you will discover, there are “Uber” pins that boast incredible power, as well as sets known as “Pin Ensembles” that activate special abilities when equipped together. Use them well and take your Game to the next level!
Uber pins are too powerful to be wielded in great numbers—but you can equip more once you reap some rewards on your Social Network.
Pin Ensembles can be equipped by any character. Some ensembles only require two pins for the effect to kick in, while some may require as many as six pins.
Pins will level up as you obtain EXP through battles, and some may even evolve into new pins once their level is maxed out. When pins evolve, their basic stats improve, offering more power and faster reboots. Try enhancing a variety of pins and uncover the secrets of evolution!
In the Snipeline
A pin that will fire “Homing Rockets,” a series of missiles that chase after your enemies. Change targets while charging to lock onto multiple foes.
Heartful Hot Dog
A pin that activates “Protective Field,” a barrier that temporarily nullifies incoming attacks while damaging any enemies it touches.
Raven
A pin that unleashes “Patrol Rounds,” a flock of bird-like boomerangs that fly toward your enemies before returning back to you.
