Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony Reviews (original) (raw)

Released On: Sep 26, 2017

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Groundbreaking and unforgettable, Danganronpa V3 is set to become one of the most relevant titles of the generation for many people. Supported by an intelligent and hilarious script, this visual novel presents the most delightfully complicated mysteries, and shocking plot twists that put in question philosophical concepts like the truth and reality.

I’ve been excited for and anticipating Danganronpa V3 for a long time, and after playing it, I can say it was absolutely worth it. Danganronpa V3 is an impressive culmination of nearly 8 years of twists, turns, heart-breaks, and murders, and is an amazing entry in a consistently well-written and addictive franchise.

Danganronpa's third entry, technically 4th, is a showcase of how to evolve and build on past games. While the previous entrees are well connect, V3 is far more distant to the rest of the series. From the very beginning though, old Danganronpa fans will notice how V3 gives you more time and interesting cases that will not just leave the cast guessing, but the player as well. While it's hard to say just how much of the shock factor made V3 as special as it is, the overall mechanics and writing were improved compared to the last 2 games.V3's cast of characters are not only properly showcased, but are given plenty of dimensions compared to past casts. While characters can end up dead, usually they will have a moment or two within the game, sometimes out of order, that really helps leave an impact on the player. On top of that, we are given plenty of time with each character to see the dynamic they hold with the main group and the main protag, Kaede. Kaede is a fantastic protag that actually ends up taking the leadership early on; she's brash, brave, and kinda pervy. This leads to a lot of different dynamic shifts compared to the last two games as your sidekick is rather meek, and your antagonist is constantly at odds with you. Overall you understand the motives for why people do what they do, and it really just ends up breaking your heart extra hard when you see someone you actually like kick the **** for when a body gets discovered...well it's same old same old routine.This time you are given more free time to roam around and look for small Monokumas as well as talk and learn about your class mates. Later on, Monokuma teases the cast for a reason to betray everyone else, time passes and suddenly a body is discovered. Investigations are still the same as past games, but largely you find a lot more things related to the class trials compared to 1 or 2 that give each game less filler to deal with compared to say ghosts or a random video game. Class Trials are far lengthier, but still split between a break. The majority of the time class trials are spent on debate and trying to figure how to lie correctly, hear past the noise, or piece things together. All the games added or changed from the previous games range from tolerable to neat as you go around figuring out ring around the murder, and for the most part V3 just feels like a smoother experience compared to disruptive gameplay of 1 and less filler filled than 2.Often it's hard to suggest that one game in the series is better than the others, but in this case, it just stands out as such. All set backs from previous entries are either mild or taken care of here, new stuff is usually at least neat, and the cast and deaths are fun. Really it's hard to top V3, and I don't see us getting a main new one after this because it just feels like it can't be topped.

Surpasses all its previous titles somehow with an amazing cast, mysteries and vastly improved visuals. Its lower rating is a shame because there is a lot of beauty to be found in this game, as well as its ending.

A captivating sequel to the murderous anime thriller with new elements, more weird situations and an interesting plot.

The most entertaining entry in the series to date. Aside from a few drops in its pacing, this is one of the most satisfying whodunnits on PS4 and Vita. [Dec 2017, p.86]

If you delight in the sense of drama and anticipation that arises from impossible situations, if you are engaged by a twisting mystery that is never quite what you expect, then the Danganronpa series is for you.

The Danganronpa formula feels like it’s starting to get a little stale, but it still manages to pose interesting moral quandaries with a large dose of black humour and anime style weirdness.

Danganronpa is lunacy personified where games are concerned but does do a very good job in keeping the series going and make it accessible to newcomers, too. A crazy RPG experience.

the best game I've ever played because it has the best story I've seen has characters that you fall in love with them

For, potentially the best starting story, intense trials and intriguing cast of characters, Spike Chunsoft really dropped the ball with this one's ending. It completely negates the story of both previous games, and is quite frankly a cheap and lazy way of ending what could've been one of the best visual novels series of all time. a spit in the face for long-term fans.

Los casos me parecen increíbles. Las relaciones de Akamatsu/Saihara, Harukawa/Momota y demás son geniales (hágase a entender que me refiero a las relaciones como personajes y no tienen relación con los "shippings"). Sin embargo, ¿por qué ése plot twist?

Firstly I must warn you about the final twist / reveal. While being interesting it ruined the game for me and harmed even Danganronpa 1 and 2. It is a deconstruction or like it is called today “Subverting expectations”. I looked it up and I am not alone with this. Fans of the franchise fall in between “Clever deconstruction” or “Destroying the established franchise”. Before that the game has the strengths of the franchise while being weaker that its predecessors. Those are interesting characters, well written cases and a story line that keeps you engaged. It is a visual novel videogame which is a mixture of detective game aka murder mystery investigation and daily school life. Some describe this as mixture of “Ace Attorney” and “Zero Escape”. To give you warnings. It is a new story line as the Hope Peak arc from the previous games ended not in a videogame but in the Anime “Danganronpa 3 The End of Hopes Peak High School”. The story starts again with 16 people with ultimate talents trapped in a killing game lead by a robotic and sadistic bear named Monokuma. The only way to escape is killing a fellow student. But this is not battle royal as you have to get away with the murder undetected and there are rules that are enforced. After a dead body is found all students investigate the crime scene and after some time passes there is a class trial where the evidence is analysed and the culprit is decided by mayor vote. If they get the right person the culprit is executed. If the majority is wrong everyone except the culprit is executed. This is the setting of the game. To be fair while it entertained me it is not as refreshing as before and some ideas feel recycled. Also it has the cast I liked the least from the 3 main games. The cases are mostly interesting but also are a bit weaker than in the prequels. To be fair the first one was a an intense highlight and the fifth one is a valid choice for the best in the franchise as even Monkuma got pushed into a corner. In between those I got a bit bored to be fair again. The gameplay is like I said a visual novel and less a true videogame. Spending time with fellow students and investigate murder cases when those happen. For the cases you collect evidence called truth bullets you use in class trials to fire at arguments (Visual system for discussions), present them and have some mini games. Those trials are intense and a highlight as the truth comes slowly out. Again or better said per franchise standard the graphics are dividing. I find them nice but they are a bit 2,5 dimensional and look like the scenery books for children that unfold by opening it. It could be a prime example for the phrase “It is not for everyone”. The soundtrack and voice actors are fine for me. Overall I was a bit disappointed before the final reveal that ruined the experience. I was thinking about a 7/10 rating before but the reveal draggs it to a 4/10 and I can see me giving a 1/10 to be fair for a third time. I would skip the game if you liked the first to to not ruin those with this games implications.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Summary Welcome to a new world of Danganronpa, and prepare yourself for the biggest, most exhilarating episode yet. Set in a psycho-cool environment, a new cast of 16 characters find themselves kidnapped and imprisoned in a school. Inside, some will kill, some will die, and some will be punished. Reimagine what you thought high-stakes, fast-pace...

Rated M for Mature

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Initial Release Date: Sep 26, 2017

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Publisher: NIS America