With the upcoming PS4 Remaster of Danganronpa 1 & 2, we thought it would be a great idea to run through all things Danganronpa. For the uninitiated, Danganronpa is a Visual Novel, where a high-schoolers become trapped inside their school and forced to kill each other by the malevolent (and cute) Monokuma. Danganronpa 2 also has a similar setup- but this time it’s a school trip gone wrong. Confused? Don’t worry, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Danganronpa.
What is a visual novel?
Danganronpa is a Visual Novel, which means that it doesn’t play like a traditional game, instead we’re greeted with detailed artwork and text throughout the game. This allows the developers to create a more story-rich game and have a much more complex story, which Danganronpa allows for. It’s a different type of interactive story that you’re able to influence at any point. While they’re a niche, it’s incredibly rewarding to play and complete.
You have to investigate the murders of your classmates to work out who the murders are, and the other students must interrogate each other and try to uncover the truth. If you pick the murderer correctly, they are executed. If you guess wrong, it’s game over for you. Danganronpa also feels a lot like the Persona series mixed with Zero Escape, and it feels incredible to play, just because this combination is pulled off near flawlessly.
The utter seductive mystery of the game will have you guessing murderers, hanging out with classmates and more. It’s an utter joy to play, and will have you second-guessing even your most beloved characters. Did we mention that Monokuma is also super, super cute- despite harboring death and destruction to all of your classmates. This is a great entry point into the series, and with Danganrona V3 soon, it’s going to be well worth playing through the enhanced versions of these before the brand-new one drops.
Even if you’re not a fan of Visual Novels, this title will pretty much guarantee to get you hooked into its compelling story and complex characters. It’s worth noting that these games are also pretty long, so if you’re looking for a meaty title to really sink your teeth into, Danganronpa is a fantastic shout.
If you’ve played the games before and wondering if it’s worth double-dipping for: Definitely. Danganronpa 1 & 2 are both in this exquisite package, bursting with content to play through again. If you’re in need of a refresher this is also an excellent opportunity to refresh your memory. We can’t recommend Danganronpa 1 & 2 Reload enough, it’s a tight package that is definitely worth a spot on your shelf.
