Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony (PS4)

NISA's latest entry in the Danganronpa series is one that goes back to it's root formula. At least somewhat. Providing once again the base character introductions, night and day exploration, character interactions, mini-games, chapter based episodes, wacky intermissions, crime scene investigations, and the murder trials brought on by the imposed killing game the developer draws the gamer into the tedious tasks at hand with great attention to detail. New additions to the experience come in the form of 16 new ultimate students, each with their own quirks and talents made prominent alongside the introduction of five foul-mouthed Monokubs, and a new school location inside what looks to be a massive cage. A cage called the, "End Wall". What drives the plot home this time is not only the unusual circumstances behind the latest event, or the new location, but more so those involved. While Monokuma returns as the series mainstay antagonist the newly introduced Ultimates, and Monokuma's five inherently murderous children known as the Monokubs (Monodam, Monokid, Monophanie, Monotaro, Monosuke) also help to push the new killing game forward.

In the way of Ultimate classmates you have the main female protagonist Kaede Akamatsu (Pianist), as well as the contributing ultimate student classmates in the form of Suichi Saihara (Detective), Angie Yonaga (Artist), Gonta Gokuhara (Entomologist), Himiko Yumeno (Magician), K1-B0 (Robot), Kaito Momota (Astronaut), Kirumi Tojo (Maid), Kokichi Oma (Supreme Leader), Korekiyo Shinguji (Anthropologist), Maki Harukawa (Child Caregiver), Miu Iruma (Inventor), Rantaro Amami (???), Ryoma Hoshi (Tennis Pro), Tenko Shabashira (Aikido Master), and Tsumugi Shirogane (Cosplayer). Each of which harbor what I like to call "PC Culture" personalities along with their accompanying Ultimate talents. Their quirks, or personalities adhere to, and poke fun at gender issues, religious beliefs, and cultural phobias among other things. It's these identity politics nods that, in my opinion, weaken the otherwise interesting and intriguing plot twists at hand.

Unlike the early Danganronpa installments, "Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony" is a very slow burning story from the start. Though it has it's peak moments in the form of exciting character interactions, and scenario intros the game takes it's time in getting you to that first trial. As with 'Trigger Happy Havoc', and 'Goodbye Despair' this latest gaming experience pulls the player in immediately with a deep seeded "getting to know you" session that includes a follow-up what to do explanation via Monokuma provided tutorials. With Kaede's added involvement you'll also slowly learn the who, what, why, and where of your situation. You'll learn of the other kidnapped Ultimates, of the Monokubs, and of Monokuma's plans. Suspicions, and questions will be addressed along the way along with the usual mechanics tied to your Monopad tablet. Features therein like the quick travel option via a map with teleport points, listed gifts from school's the Monomachine, and access to vital information return in easy access form along with new features like friend points that come into play after the character courtship encounters. There's those things as well as mechanics that tie into the new trial elements such as skills that can be purchased using the friend points. These skills will add advantageous perks for a price to key trial functions. Perks like slowing down trial phases, or speeding up certain elements therein will help the otherwise grueling deduction process.

Gameplay in this partly new experience is chapter based with scattered intermissions between key points in the plot. It begins with basic character interactions governed by day and night cycles, moving into key scenarios like murder, and eventually into a full-blown trial where facts, evidence, and witnesses hold sway on your understanding of what went down. The goal of the killing game remains the same with the convicted killer being the "blackened", and the non-guilty parties being the "spotless". The former receiving brutal punishment via execution while the latter gets off momentarily until only two participants are left. Different to the normal equation though are scenario setups where Monokuma changes the rule of the game to motivate the students to kill each other. He'll offer up motive perks that sometimes offer an easy way out, and that other times complicates things further for the participating characters. All the while Kaede tries to keep the peace hoping that they all make it out alive, but things do eventually escalate despite her efforts causing the mistrust to seep into the thoughts of every student involved.

Once the first murder happens you'll be doing the usual point and click crime-scene investigation. Each time you talk to the right character, or click on the right object a truth bullet will be added which can later be used when the trial gets underway. The trial, as it were changes as you continue to confront killers and in doing so adds familiar phases as well as some new deduction techniques. Returning in updated form is the Hangman's Gambit v3.0 in which path driven colliding letters that are dark must have light shined upon them to figure out what they are in relation to what is being deduced. It is like the Danganronpa 2's Hangman's Gambit, but with the light and dark focus. New to the trial formula is the, "Theory Armament". It is a rhythm mini-game with clothes destroying visuals that has the player pressing the buttons correctly in a timely fashion. Being successful removes clothing articles, and health. Once four health hearts are gone four words will appear. If clicked in the proper line-up this will counter the opposing character's argument. Debate Scrum is also a new addition that switches things up with yet another character focused fight for what's right. In this, two teams of multiple characters issue their side of the argument with the focus on the playing player trying to figure out what the keyword in the argument is. A keyword which will once again counter the opposition.

Continuing with the mini-games the developer added in, "Mind Mine", and "Psyche Taxi" to further complicate an otherwise straightforward process. In "Mind Mine" you'll find a puzzle mini-game that's simply about uncovering the correct image. Doing so wins this particular mini-game. As far as "Psyche Taxi" goes it holds some series similarities, but involves driving a car through lanes as you form both a question, and multiple possible answers. Concluding this mini-game requires that you travel in the correct answer inclusive lane once everything else is done to pick up a girl who will jump in the vehicle with the protagonist. Lastly, the "Mass Panic Debate" incorporates a chaotic multi-character debate done up in split screen form. Each characters' section has statements with weak points that must be taken out with the truth bullets gathered during the investigation. Supposing you've unlocked, and set the proper skills beforehand you'll have a slight advantage to various phases in the trial.

In the way of extras the coins you gather by utilizing the new "R1" object bashing mechanic (an ability to knock out environmental objects for coins) you can also purchase gallery items, and video items from the main menu's "EXTRAS" menu. I think there's even BGM songs you can unlock via coin for listening to later on. It should be noted that by pressing "L1" after having wrecked the environmental objects with "R1" you can return everything to it's proper place. Also to note are the hidden Monokuma dolls you can find in the 3D environments. What their purpose is, is for you to discover. Just know there's plenty to unlock as you play!

The Presentation ...

Danganronpa V3 looks, and feels like a proper console game. The newly crafted 3D environments which harbor distinctly different areas of the bird caged campus are appealing to look at. Not only that, but moving from place to place within the environments feels more natural, and less restricted. Your usual walking pace is remedied with a run option, and the turning of the camera which is manually operated in the first-person perspective is less snappy. Everything about the game from the dialogue boxes to the character displays looks worlds better than previous Danganronpa entries. It definitely feels like it was meant to be enjoyed on the PS4. I should also note that Japanese, and English language options return as does an impressive soundtrack which is reactionary with each, and every given situation.

SPOILERS!!! ...

Playing through the game on one of the three available difficulties, and perhaps even collecting all the Monokuma dolls will unlock some mystery features worth looking into. Some of which ties into older Danganronpa releases as well as newly introduced bonus modes that extend indirectly beyond the already lengthy core story's offerings. Year-Round Space Variety Love Show: Dangan Red Salmon Gang, is a free roam mode where the character courtship mechanics are taken further. You can unlock romantic character scenes, and forego the requirements needed to engage in character courtship. Thinks like love hotel keys can be earned for the previously mentioned bonus scene perks, and access to a casino is also made available. The RPG, and TCG board game that is, "The Super Highschool Development Plan" is added in as well as  yet another bonus mode. It incorporates character cards you get from the "Card Death Machine" which is unlocked from complete story mode playthroughs. You'll get the cards from the machine, and use those cards in encounters with other character cards that feature characters from some of the previous Danganronpa game entries. As you roll the dice, and face these alternate world classmates you'll be able to level up your cards. Extending upon both the card machine, and the board game is the dungeon crawler, "Dungeon of Despair: Monokuma's Trial". In it the cards you've gotten from the vending machine, and leveled up in the board game can be used. The battles are turn-based, and include both bosses and basic enemies. Compared to other Danganronpa entries this latest bonus set definitely trumps those other series extras!

The Verdict ...

I'll be honest in saying the PC culture references embedded within the character's personalities was a turn-off. I don't like seeing bad political ideas bleeding over into my video games even if it is a joke, or a jab. It's a cancerous element that I'd rather not have to witness outside of social media. That being said the game isn't all that bad if you can look past this developer oversight. There are plenty of interesting characters, and some interesting scenarios that play out during a playthrough. As with all Danganronpa games the attention to detail is also outstanding. It's a well crafted game with a mature theme. One that incorporates both RPG elements, and sleuthing. I personally liked the addition of the extra endgame modes, and the many plot twists that were thrown my way. While some things did mirror older entry events ever so slightly there was enough surprises to keep me invested. I think at the end of the day this is a game that will appeal mostly to Danganronpa fans. It does seem more like a standalone experience, but as with any Danganronpa game the backstory helps give the gamer a better understanding, and appreciation of what is going on. In closing I'll repeat what I've already said ... Danganronpa V3 is an alright game, but could have done without the PC culture references. So sayeth Dante.