nowhat
Member
(First a few disclaimers: I've now only played the three "main" games in the franchise, so I've no idea about the spinoffs/anime/whatnot. And this should be obvious, but just in case, the will be SPOILERS, for all of the three games.)
After playing 1/2 Reload I've been really curious about V3. However, the general opinion on it seems to be rather mixed, so I was hesitant to get it at full price. But with the recent Japan sale at the PS Store, 60% off - sign me up!
First the non-essential stuff. I think this is mechanically the best Danganronpa on PS4, no question. The previous two had parts where it was obvious they were made for Vita, but didn't just work that well with a DS4. Here, it works very well all the way with the controller. That's not to say some of the minigames wouldn't be a bit "ehh" (looking at you Psyche Taxi and whatever that Minesweeper clone was called), but it's not because of the controls. Also, great music once again. I liked the remixes of the original tracks, and some very nice new additions as well (the Monokubs theme is great). I didn't particularly care for the "lie" option in the debates - partially because having to hold triangle for a while before firing makes it a bit cumbersome, partially because it just didn't feel thematically fitting. But as it wasn't used that much, no matter.
But then to the essential stuff that is the story. I really, really liked chapter 1. Not only the initial fake begin (or having the begin restart, rather), but also the fake protagonist. A good in-your-face reminder that this is Danganronpa you are playing. But after that, it kind of started to go downhill. It wasn't bad, and there were some bits I really enjoyed (Monokubs had some great moments), it was just starting to feel a bit too samey. The plot with the 16 participants being the last survivors of mankind just felt a bit too out there, even by Danganronpa standards - if that's really the situation, what's the point, hope or not. I also didn't care that much about the characters this time around, they seemed they were just made to fill a role of a particular wacky character...
...which brings me to chapter 6. Ho Lee Fuk. There are games that break the fourth wall, but this one nukes it from orbit. I really am conflicted how I feel about the end. On one hand, the whole premise of Hope's Peak Academy/Ultimate Despair/etc. seemed a bit ridiculous and implausible (even by anime standards). On the other, reducing the whole thing into just a killing game reality TV show seems just like a too convenient resolution (not to mention, they way reality TV is going, too realistic even - I wouldn't be surprised to see such a show nowadays, especially from Japan). But there are hints in the end that maybe everything isn't that simple - I sure hope this is the case.
All in all, still enjoyable (not as good as the first two though), and I will definitely check out a sequel if one arrives sometime. But I still feel the series would do better as a mid-price title. It doesn't quite justify full AAA price in my opinion, and with a reduced price it might attract more players.
After playing 1/2 Reload I've been really curious about V3. However, the general opinion on it seems to be rather mixed, so I was hesitant to get it at full price. But with the recent Japan sale at the PS Store, 60% off - sign me up!
First the non-essential stuff. I think this is mechanically the best Danganronpa on PS4, no question. The previous two had parts where it was obvious they were made for Vita, but didn't just work that well with a DS4. Here, it works very well all the way with the controller. That's not to say some of the minigames wouldn't be a bit "ehh" (looking at you Psyche Taxi and whatever that Minesweeper clone was called), but it's not because of the controls. Also, great music once again. I liked the remixes of the original tracks, and some very nice new additions as well (the Monokubs theme is great). I didn't particularly care for the "lie" option in the debates - partially because having to hold triangle for a while before firing makes it a bit cumbersome, partially because it just didn't feel thematically fitting. But as it wasn't used that much, no matter.
But then to the essential stuff that is the story. I really, really liked chapter 1. Not only the initial fake begin (or having the begin restart, rather), but also the fake protagonist. A good in-your-face reminder that this is Danganronpa you are playing. But after that, it kind of started to go downhill. It wasn't bad, and there were some bits I really enjoyed (Monokubs had some great moments), it was just starting to feel a bit too samey. The plot with the 16 participants being the last survivors of mankind just felt a bit too out there, even by Danganronpa standards - if that's really the situation, what's the point, hope or not. I also didn't care that much about the characters this time around, they seemed they were just made to fill a role of a particular wacky character...
...which brings me to chapter 6. Ho Lee Fuk. There are games that break the fourth wall, but this one nukes it from orbit. I really am conflicted how I feel about the end. On one hand, the whole premise of Hope's Peak Academy/Ultimate Despair/etc. seemed a bit ridiculous and implausible (even by anime standards). On the other, reducing the whole thing into just a killing game reality TV show seems just like a too convenient resolution (not to mention, they way reality TV is going, too realistic even - I wouldn't be surprised to see such a show nowadays, especially from Japan). But there are hints in the end that maybe everything isn't that simple - I sure hope this is the case.
All in all, still enjoyable (not as good as the first two though), and I will definitely check out a sequel if one arrives sometime. But I still feel the series would do better as a mid-price title. It doesn't quite justify full AAA price in my opinion, and with a reduced price it might attract more players.