It’s been a long time since I reviewed on this site, and I blame my time management in playing so many video games either through my old collections or through digital download. As much as I pride myself in looking for the niche and old, there are some new games, or at least recent ones that take me away to an extent.

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is a murder mystery game where a group of fifteen students are trapped in a esteemed high school, each chosen by their unique and over-the-top skill. Ultimate Baseball player, Ultimate Gang Member, Ultimate Martial Artist, you name it (within 15 skills anyway). Being brought together in a school of elites and guaranteed success after graduating is nothing short of a steal. However, the students all find themselves trapped in the school, with automation bear that acts as their headmaster. Monokuma, as he’s called, makes it plain that there’s only one way for escape. Someone has to murder their classmate, and not get voted guilty during the class trail. Of course no one wants to even consider the idea, but the pressure and anxiety slowly sets in, and Monokuma isn’t afraid to push them into doing it with the right motive.

Ever met someone who was so trollish that they know how to get you so pissed without ever facing consequences? No? Well meet Monokuma.

I would have assumed that a game like this would have been branching and having different endings, such as who you decide would survive or die, or if even, as the main character Makoto Naegi, decides to make a murder himself. But the story is linear and some characters are just doomed to die. Yes, death happens, and it’s odd to be both appalled and drawn to how some of them are “executed” once found guilty on trial. They’re over the top, sometimes literally, like the first one that plays at the start of a new game. You won’t know who this guy is until later, but it sets the tone of the game as dark, despite whatever humorous events pop up.

There are three parts to Danganronpa. First is the Free Mode, where you have Makoto hang out with the other fourteen students and learn more about them. After knowing a bit about someone, you get either a new skill meant to help you in the second part, or a sort of “MP” increase so you can hold more skills. Again, as the story is linear, no matter who you spend time with doesn’t change their fate, which makes knowing their backstories all the more tragic when you get attached and then, murder.

Don’t get attached to anyone. Except Makoto (brown hair, middle) or Monokuma.

Which directly leads to the second part; Investigate Mode. For each case you look or ask around trying to piece together the murder in your head. From the bodies, to the means of killing, to some of the more obscene details that were meant to draw away suspicion, you get a digital tally “bullet” on your electronic PDA. When you finally get everything you need to figure the case out, Monokuma will call you to his elevator and take you to court, the Trial Mode.

Through a series of events played like mini-games (fire the right bullet to the right orange letters, out rhythm your opponent in debate, hangman) you move the case along to find the real victim and avoid getting a game over. The pacing was a bit new and unfamiliar to me, honestly, but once I got the hang of it the gameplay was simple. It still required you to think and for a few times I actually had to require a walkthrough for the right answers when I kept screwing up. I’m certain fans of Law and Order, or any other mystery show or law enforcement in general, would feel right at home with this game.

There’s a lot of goodies to be had from Danganronpa, from CG images and music soundtracks. Interestingly enough, as you move around the school, everything loads as if coming out of a picture book, right down to the other students appearing like 2D cut-outs. Music can veer to the genuine uplifting to the unsettling and gloomy; much like the whiplash anyone would get from this game. But there was one more addition specifically for this port.

Originally this was a PSP game that didn’t see localization, but the VITA has since received an updated version that includes a School Mode. After clearing the main story, a what-if scenario plays where all fifteen students are managed in a scavenger sim to make Monokuma backups. Obviously the scenario is meant to ease the heart and seeing everyone work together and not get pushed into killing one another for some sadist game. It also gives you a better opportunity to do more Dating Sim-like socializing that was slightly evident in the original murder game.

This game is not for the faint of heart. It left me with a powerful impression, but also some unsettling bitterness. Hell, I don’t even think Monokuma is a villain I love to hate, because right down to the reveal, I was unsatisfied how he was handled. And then there’s the sequel hook which I may or may not touch on a later date. Still, I have to give credit that most games, books, or stories don’t often leave viewers with much to think or mull over. Nor do a lot of them have guts to kill potentially likeable characters which boils down to a petty reason. Danganronpa was courageous on that part, and I will think fondly of that. And maybe take up after Hifumi over some fanfic stuff in my daydreams…

-Charles Caulkins