by Kelly Moore-Norwich
The Playstation Vita is often ridiculed for having a small library of games in the West. However, the games it does offer are, for the most part, solid. One such title is “Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc,” a murder mystery game developed by Spike Chunsoft and published by NIS America. Its audience was previously restricted to Vita owners, but “Danganronpa” is scheduled for a Steam release sometime this February, so anyone with a PC will soon be able to experience it. A price has not yet been announced for the Steam version.
“Danganronpa” has a truly gripping story, though not much can be said without spoiling the plot. The game opens with protagonist Makoto Naegi’s arrival at the illustrious Hope’s Peak Academy, a high school for talented teens who have achieved great success in their areas of expertise. Rather than apply for admission, students must be chosen to attend Hope’s Peak by the school itself, save for one yearly lottery winner who is granted admission simply because they were lucky enough to win. Makoto has won that privilege, and he is excited to begin his life at Hope’s Peak — that is, until a black and white bear called Monokuma shows up and informs Makoto and his fourteen classmates that they’re all trapped inside the school. The only way to escape is by killing a fellow student, then pinning the guilty verdict on someone else at a class trial.
The appeal of “Danganronpa” lies heavily within its cast. Every student has a unique talent, and they are referred to as the Ultimate of their craft. Celestia Ludenberg, the Ultimate Gambler, can win any betting game against anyone, while Aoi Asahina, the Ultimate Swimmer, is a legend in the pool even though she’s still in high school. As Makoto, you can interact with these characters and learn about their pasts through free time events. Take caution though, for your favorite classmate may soon end up dead — or be found out as a murderer.
Be prepared for a lot of reading in “Danganronpa.” Your classmates have much to say, and it’s important to pay attention to every word, lest you fall behind on the case and frame the wrong person at the trial. The game has three main parts to each of its chapters: Daily Life, in which you enjoy peaceful school days with your fellow students, Deadly Life, in which a murder is committed and you must investigate, and the Class Trial.
The Class Trials are the most dynamic parts of the game. Each trial features full voice acting in both English and Japanese, and both voice casts are incredible. During a Class Trial, the students are seated in a circle for a Nonstop Debate, in which everyone must discuss who they think the murderer is and eventually agree upon a culprit. The characters’ arguments appear in large white text on the screen, and you must find and point out the contradictions in their statements to lead everyone to the true killer. Once you’ve convinced your classmates of the killer’s identity, you put your guess into a giant slot machine. Monokuma then executes the murderer in a gruesome but well-animated cutscene. It’s worth noting that all the blood in the game is colored a stylish hot pink.
The soundtrack of “Danganronpa” was composed by Masafumi Takada, who also wrote the music for the “No More Heroes” games. Many of the game’s tracks are absolutely fantastic, and all of them add to the emotion and suspense of the story. My favorite track is “Beautiful Dead,” which combines synth-filled ambiance with jazz piano. “Mr. Monokuma’s Lesson,” Monokuma’s wacky theme, comes in close second with its sheer strangeness.
“Danganronpa” does have its downsides, though there aren’t many. The minigames within the Class Trials are mediocre, especially the rhythm game near the end of each trial. A few of the characters rely too much on tropes, such as Hifumi Yamada, also known as the Ultimate Fanfic Creator. None of the flaws detract from the full experience, but they do prevent the game from being perfect.
“Danganronpa” is a must-play game for fans of murder mysteries, as well as those seeking a new and different video game experience. You’ll undoubtedly form a love-hate relationship with the quirky and sadistic Monokuma, and you may find yourself not wanting to leave Hope’s Peak Academy after all!