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| The Bear Strikes Back. |
Earlier this year, NIS America localized the murder-mystery visual novel Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, which was one crazy game. The sequel, Danganropna 2: Goodbye Despair, continues that mystery filled story while introducing many new features over it's predecessor. Does Danganronpa 2 improves over it's predecessor or fall into despair?
STORY- The protagonist, Hajime Hinata, is one of Hope's Peak Academy's 'Ultimate' students; he finds himself stranded in a remote island called, Jabberwock, with fifteen other students lead by their supposed "teacher" Usami. It's not long when the notorious Monokuma shows up and starts his killing game. If a student murders another student, they will become the blackened, if the blackened is caught in the Class Trail, they will be executed. However, if the blackened is not found, then everyone is to be executed besides the blackened.
The writing is engaging and though it carries the same premise of it's predecessor, Monokuma always has something planned, for better or worse. Those who played the first installment will be a bit familiar with the story and more likely to enjoy the game, it even goes Metal Gear Solid 2 style towards the end.
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| The crazy bear, Monokuma, is back! |
GAMEPLAY- Similar to the first game, there are two sections of gameplay; School Life is split into Daily Life and Deadly Life. In Daily Life, you can interact with the characters during Free Time sections and advance the plot. In Deadly Life, a murder has occurred and evidence of the culprit must be collected for the Class Trail. Finally, the Class Trail has you piecing up the evidence and finding the culprit. The Class Trail gameplay elements are mostly the same but with some new features. Hangman's Gambit has you combining matching letters to form correct clues, Bullet Time Battle has been changed to Panic Talk Action, which remains unchanged except in the end you must spell the correct statement.
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Class Trails are back,
with some improvements. |
Also, the Class Trails in Danganronpa 2 are longer, thanks new gameplay sections and sudden plot twists. For example, Rebuttal Showdowns are blade-based sections that requires you to slash your classmate's words for a weak point, it takes time to get used to it, due to the poorly explained controls, but ends up being enjoyable. Also, Logic Drive, a snowboarding mini-game, has Hajime answering given questions while trying to avoid
oncoming obstacles to reach a conclusion to the situation.
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The new features in Class Trails are
great and keeps things going. |
In terms of additional content, they're good.First off is the Island Mode, which is the game without Monokuma and his killing game. Basically, you have to complete tasks given tasks and earn "Hope Fragments" by befriending everyone. Furthermore, Magical Miracle Girl Monomi, is a mini-game having Monomi fighting off waves of monsters. Also, you have your very own virtual pet, similar to Tamagotchis. Finally, there is the short novel, Danganronpa IF, which features an alternate storyline for Trigger Happy Havoc.
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| Monomi taking action. |
PRESENATION- Danagnronpa 2 retains the series' signature 2D in 3D style, now even more refined. Character models are clear and detailed, as well as the secenary, which is vibrant. The sound quality is good, with the option to switch between English or Japanese voice overs. The soundtack is great and full of catchy tunes, but the main piano track is the most memorable.
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Danganronpa 2 improves over its
predecessor's presentation. |
OVERALL- Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair is another great addition to the Vita's library and a worthy sequel. The narrative is packed with surprising plot-twists, the Class Trails are full of mysteries, all of which is engaging, and the colorful cast of characters are what differentiate Danganronpa games from others. Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair stands as one of the PS Vita's best games.
EXCELLENT
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