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Why Murdering Your Classmates is Fun

Calm down, you’re probably taking the title out of context. Well probably not but we’ll touch on that when we get there. Danganronpa is a visual novel video game franchise created by Spike Chunsoft. It’s become popular enough to spawn an anime, prequel light novel and video game spinoff. The main synopsis for Danganronpa is as follows: You play as Makoto Naegi, who is one of 15 elite students invited to attend Hope’s Peak Academy, the world’s most prestigious school. However its seemingly perfectness is a façade; it’s truly a place full of despair where hope is snuffed out. The only way to graduate is to murder one of your classmates and get away with it. The principal holds a class trial after a murder takes place where the class must come together to figure out whodunit. If the class accuses the culprit correctly only the murderer shall be sentenced to death. However, choose incorrectly and the murderer goes free while the remaining students are executed. It is a phenomenal game that should be praised for its gameplay, plot, characters and hope versus despair theme. LET THE KILLING BEGIN, UPUPUPU.



Firstly, despite being a visual novel, Danganronpa games are truly games in the fullest sense. It has logic based gameplay that requires you to gather and retain information when investigating murders. Taking said evidence and information to the class trials and applying it accordingly. Moreover, the class trials have gameplay segments that blend thinking with reflex and hand eye coordination. For example, while listening to the various characters speak about the case, the player has to shoot down irrelevant words that appear on the screen. All the while still paying attention to what’s being said because they may have to agree or disagree with an upcoming statement. First person shooter elements in a visual novel. Another example is Logic Dive, where the player is engaged in a platforming segment and has to answer the questions correctly by surfing through the correct answers. Outside of the class trials the player gets to interact, spend time with other characters and explore. It’s nerve racking attempting to hang out with the characters because you never know when another one might bite the dust.


The story in Danganronpa is really good and mysterious. It’s one of those stories that keep the player shrouded in mystery until the end game. A bunch of kids locked in a school; ideally trying to work together to escape and find truth but, someone always gets desperate enough to commit a murder. Almost like the situation subconsciously compels them to do so. And while it is a fun game, it’s sad and serious a lot of the time. The narrative is full of pop culture references and the game structures the story well. The player has to earn the next segment of the plot by completing the various chapters.


While basic morals and ethics are often questioned in this game, the more prevalent theme is hope versus despair. Putting the students in a hopeless situation where they have to kill each other in order to survive in some vain attempt to prove how shitty humanity is. Trapped in a school, forced to kill one another, creating real and superficial friendships, how can one not only feel despair in a situation like this? The answer is to never give up hope no matter how grim it may seem. As soon as you lose faith and give up you lose any chance of victory. A little cheesy but admirably portrayed throughout the course of the games. Don’t give in to despair!


The best part of this game aside from how fun the gameplay is, are the characters. The character designs are cool and stylish. Some have ridiculous hair, speech patterns and proportions but it’s the fun kind of over the top. Each character is drastically different having a particular talent they shine in such as, delinquency, athletics, luck, computer programming and more. Some characters have personalities so crazy and over the top you can’t help but love them. Then there are the cool, calmer characters to balance it all out and it’s just a perfect blend of crazy meets tame. Monokuma, the principle, is a cute bear that has a dual personality of sorts. An evil and righteous side, Monokuma lives for despair but often comes off as innocent and friendly. Kirigiri and Byakuya despite being put in a ridiculously hopeless situation stay mostly composed and serve and the two intellectuals that do the heavy thinking. Then there’s the character the player plays as, not completely lacking in intelligence but has the courage to face despair with hope. It somehow comes together splendidly creating a huge cast of characters you love or love to hate.


In summation, Danganronpa is a video game franchise you don’t want to miss out on because of awesome its story, characters, fun gameplay and themes. You can play them on Psp, Psp Vita and apparently Iphone. Lastly, if you only watched the anime all you’ve done is experienced a poor, hollow adaptation of an otherwise flawless franchise so play the games as well. Kills, thrills and chills, happy killing!


Written by: Nyamekye Hemmings, manga, comic book and video game enthusiast 
Twitter Handle: @LolitaZenpie

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