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arynisRoughly a year ago, I posted my impressions about the game after having watched a livestream of the final chapter and read translations/summaries. I recently took the plunge and bought the game despite my negativity from back then. My feelings on V3 and its twists changed over time, and my friend who shared my opinions with me at the time also encouraged me to get it, because it was still worth playing it. So I did, might as well see it with the full context and buildup, eh?
A Change of Mind
Before I go deeper into the review, I want to talk about the factors that made me change my views on the infamous IT'S FICTION twist.
What helped me understand the reveal were statements from Kodaka he made at a Danganronpa staff party.
Instead of literally wanting to torch the franchise and its fanbase, Kodaka wanted a twist that would pull the player in and involve them as well, rather than having them be a bystander. I warmed up to the twist after that, and having finally played the game, I can understand way better what Kodaka was trying to pull off.
Knowing this reveal also made me appreciate the foreshadowing as I played, in a "Aha, that's clever!" way.
The disclaimer, the title screen and the opening are right in your face from the get go, which was pretty smart. I liked this one too, also right off the bat.
Of course, the narrative was laying it on with the fiction theme just like DR2 kept talking about games, so I'm thinking that even if I went in blind, that would have made me suspicious just based on DR2 alone.
On the other hand, while some of the twists stayed in my mind (Kaede dying, Tsumugi being the mastermind, etc.), most of my memory of the cases faded, which let me enjoy the experience semi-blind and be surprised about something every case. For reference, I played with the Japanese voices.
Killing Harmony
I feel V3-1 managed to become the most intense first case out of the three games, because it raised tension from the get-go that only got ramped up in Chapter 5 of the previous games. The cast is searching for the mastermind, the culprit is Kaede herself, hidden via unreliable narration. She ultimately passes on her promise and wishes to Shuichi, ending in her explicit and brutal, albeit undeserved, execution.
I love Kaede, and she made a great starting protagonist, her FTEs with the rest of the cast being bright and enjoyable. She wanted to see the best in everyone, but she didn't hesitate to stand up for herself when needed, such as against Miu. Her talent something that didn't tie into the story - not Ultimate Hope, nor Ultimate Detective. Just a pianist. The game really made sure her death would hit hard. Doing her FTE in the Salmon Team segment made me miss her even harder.
Overall, I enjoyed playing as Shuichi. I liked his meek personality despite being Ultimate Detective (his voice felt soothing to listen to), and unlike Naegi or Hajime he did cry several times during his moments of sadness, which felt refreshing to see. Watching others like Kaito pick him up felt heartwarming, and Shuichi does go through some nice development, trying to accept his role as the Ultimate Detective and carrying on, culminating in him giving the giant middle finger to Danganronpa itself, as well facing off against the will of the audience.
At the same time, I feel conflicted about him. Kaede gets killed off to be replaced by yet another male protagonist following the format after Naegi and Hajime. I wonder if the game had gone the same way had Kaede's and Shuichi's roles were flipped, or if Kaede's hype and protagonist status was necessary to make V3-1 as impactful as it was. In addition, Shuichi in ways feels like Hajime but even more plain, but I blame the fact that outside his detective backstory, Shuichi feels more... generic? Like, Hajime feels like a character that can stand on his own even without the Izuru twist.
But perhaps Shuichi being that plain and generic was the point in a way. After all, Tsumugi wrote his character, and he was a regular person (supposedly, if we believe Tsumugi's words) before taking part in the killing game. I suppose Shuichi is sort of a contrast to Hajime's arc. Instead of a talentless boy turning out to have every talent in the form of a split personality, we have a boy with a talent turning out to have nothing, it was all fake and lies.
The Cast of the Killing Game
The characters overall pleased me a lot, and for the most part it felt like everyone played their part in the story and developed in a way, rather than feeling like a waste of a survivor slot due to not being utilized/developed much. I was also pleasantly surprised by several characters.
Kaito was a big one because I expected him to play the silly goof role ala Hagakure, instead he ended up being a bright star in the darkness (ha) with his encouragements and attempts to break Maki out of her shell. His illness was a surprise because it was unprecedented in the series, bringing into question what happens if he dies. Sure enough, he dies right in the middle of his own execution, pissing off Monokuma in a way that wasn't seen since DR1-5.
Himiko was another surprise. I remembered her being one of the final survivors, and her initial dull and uninteresting character made me worried for the finale. Thankfully I was wrong, and Himiko gets an impressive dose of development all the way through, making her one of my favorites in the end.
Kokichi is a fantastic character who improved on Nagito's antagonistic/fearsome image, without being a Nagito Expy. (It probably helps that he isn't Ultimate Bullshit, haha. And I say that as someone who likes Nagito.) And then there's his unforgettable troll moment in V3-3.
This line caught me entirely off-guard, and the sheer absurdity of Keebo accusing a hydraulic press had me dying of laughter.
Speaking of Keebo, he's easily one of my favorites and I'm still sad he didn't make it until the end, though I now understand why, making his death feel less painful.
Korekiyo I feel split on. On one hand, I found him creepy and unpleasant, but in a good way - he's the kind of character who's good to hate. On the other hand, as a Sociology student, I am fond of Anthropology and his enthusiasm about his talent made me glee. Oh, yeah, can't forget SEESAW EFFECT.
I liked the Monokubs, albeit they were intentionally grating, which does get called out in V3-6.
I want to elaborate on Tsumugi later down, given that she is the mastermind.
Heart-pounding Excitement
The game improved on the visual and audio presentation all around. The music is fantastic as usual and gave us lots of memorable tracks. Everything looks and sounds great, the trials stand out way more with the dynamic 3D phrases.
I think the cases were well done despite their sheer absurdity at points (looking at you, SEESAW EFFECT), and generally had me guessing about either the culprit or how the case actually played out.
I already talked about V3-1. V3-4 felt like the most heartbreaking case in the franchise because of how innocent Gonta is, to the point Shuichi theorized that he killed only because of the glitch messing with his personality. V3-5 was very much intense even if I figured out Kaito being alive fairly early. V3-6 deserves its own section, for obvious reason.
That leaves V3-2 and V3-3. I enjoyed V3-2 and it hit me badly because I had just maxed Kirumi in Chapter 2 without knowing she was the culprit. The irony of the Ultimate Maid not being able to clean up her damning evidence stung too. V3-3 felt the weakest because, well... if it hadn't been forSEESAW EFFECT Tenko's murder, Korekiyo would have gotten away with it most likely.
The minigames are also fantastic all around. I don't really have anything negative to say about them, aside from the Mean difficulty in the Casino being, well... mean.
Oh, yeah, Treasure Hunter Monolith has the most obnoxious and repetitive music ever. It's probably on purpose, though.
The post-game is packed with lots of things to do, including the Talent Development Plan board game and a dungeon crawler minigame I haven't reached yet at the time of writing this post, but I'm looking forward to playing them.
Ultimate Real Fiction
It feels weird to say given when I initially posted, but I don't hate this twist anymore. Now that I see what it was all about, I appreciate it, even. It did something completely unexpected and turned things upside down.
Shuichi and the remaining survivors felt the despair and denial upon the revelations. Their feelings and experiences were real! But it's not just the characters feeling this deep, real upset - the player does as well.
I still remember how I felt confused, angry and betrayed after watching the livestream of V3-6. "I stayed up until early morning for this absolute bullshit?!" But in retrospect, while I may have gotten some matters wrong (such as thinking this was a middle finger towards the fans), those negative feelings were all part of the experience.
We're usually safe behind the screen as we play games or read stories. We may identify with the characters and through them experience the story, but at the end of the day, we get to walk away feeling safe. V3, in comparison, threatens the player as well, taunting that everything you knew of the franchise was a lie. The struggles you witnessed were all fictional. Tsumugi's cosplays not only threaten the cast, but directly the player as well. "Look at all your beloved characters, I wear them and act like them like nothing!" It was horrifying in its own, unique way. Watching Tsumugi copy those beloved catchphrases and mannerisms felt like a very real punch.
So here we are thinking, if it's all fiction and a lie, what's the point? We're on the verge of giving up. It's all ridiculous, the game pulled this on us! Why, Spike Chunsoft? Why, Kodaka?
But Shuichi isn't budging. Out of everyone, the one character who often felt hesitant and discouraged, Shuichi refuses to give in. He insists that despite being fictional characters, their experiences and feelings were all real. Fiction has the power to change the world, contrasting Tsumugi's statements and seeming control of fiction.
I can see how the portrayal of the audience comes off as a jab towards Danganronpa fans, but I didn't feel it this time around. I wanted to help Shuichi and the others stop the game, not because I didn't want Danganronpa to go on, but because I wanted to help them face this situation and fight with them. I wanted them to live, even if it meant opposing the world itself.
Facing Keebo - or rather, the will of the audience - made for a powerful final battle. You weren't fighting Junko anymore, or Tsumugi herself. Shuichi was reaching out to the audience itself, trying to change their mind. Trying to change our minds. It's a very unique and meta moment which feels satisfying to finish, up to the refusal of playing along with the minigames. The story isn't in control anymore. It's not in Tsumugi's control anymore, nor Team Danganronpa's.
The audience itself through Keebo ends the killing game, executes Tsumugi and also breaks the wall, literally. Left with Tsumugi's last words, the final survivors look towards their future with uncertainty, unsure what they find in the outside world.
I originally questioned where you could go from this ending, and what was the point of an ending like this. But perhaps this absolute uncertainty is what we needed this time around. Instead of hints of what happens next and eventually, we are left with questions and no answers. It reminds me a lot of the ending of DR1 - Did Junko lie about the outside world? What is the outside world like? What happens to the survivors after they step outside HPA?
On Tsumugi, the Mastermind
As I noted, I want to talk a little about Tsumugi herself. Just a little.
I was surprised that I ended up liking her and enjoying her as a character. She doesn't develop as a character until V3-6 aside from spouting references. But perhaps it's her plainness and flaws that led me to appreciate her. Unlike the rest of the cast, she isn't over the top or standing out, and unlike Junko, she's no legendary villain, but a mere copycat. She doesn't get propped up as something mighty to fight, and her unveiling is rather anti-climatic as well. She's just... there. However, her passion is admirable, yet very much dangerous and misguided.
Her FTEs also felt very relatable and well-written, I easily enjoyed her the most given how down to earth they felt compared to the others'.
Lastly, I look like her somewhat (most notably the hair and the glasses - not the hair color though), so that makes me feel a little more attached.
I can see why she isn't liked, however. She killed Kaede, she taunted the players with her cosplays, she's no Junko. She's a fan who pushes matters too far for the sake of the series she loves and worships. She has little to no personality until the finale, and even then, who knows if that really is her or just how she was written?
Closing Words
Despite my initial disappointment and negativity, I don't regret buying the game and playing through it. I'm glad I did. Chances I'll be playing this game for quite a while thanks to the post-game and the achievements.
In the end, I could ask the question, was it good that my experiences ended up like this? Should I have gone in blind from the get-go? I am not sure, but I'm glad things played out the way they did and created my personal experience.
The 60 Euro price is tough to swallow however, especially with VAT coming into play, even though I can see why this game costs more than the previous ones. I was relieved I could grab it at a discount, in any case.
I recommend Danganronpa V3. Thrilling, daring, and makes you think.
A Change of Mind
Before I go deeper into the review, I want to talk about the factors that made me change my views on the infamous IT'S FICTION twist.
What helped me understand the reveal were statements from Kodaka he made at a Danganronpa staff party.
Instead of literally wanting to torch the franchise and its fanbase, Kodaka wanted a twist that would pull the player in and involve them as well, rather than having them be a bystander. I warmed up to the twist after that, and having finally played the game, I can understand way better what Kodaka was trying to pull off.
Knowing this reveal also made me appreciate the foreshadowing as I played, in a "Aha, that's clever!" way.
The disclaimer, the title screen and the opening are right in your face from the get go, which was pretty smart. I liked this one too, also right off the bat.
Of course, the narrative was laying it on with the fiction theme just like DR2 kept talking about games, so I'm thinking that even if I went in blind, that would have made me suspicious just based on DR2 alone.
On the other hand, while some of the twists stayed in my mind (Kaede dying, Tsumugi being the mastermind, etc.), most of my memory of the cases faded, which let me enjoy the experience semi-blind and be surprised about something every case. For reference, I played with the Japanese voices.
Killing Harmony
I feel V3-1 managed to become the most intense first case out of the three games, because it raised tension from the get-go that only got ramped up in Chapter 5 of the previous games. The cast is searching for the mastermind, the culprit is Kaede herself, hidden via unreliable narration. She ultimately passes on her promise and wishes to Shuichi, ending in her explicit and brutal, albeit undeserved, execution.
I love Kaede, and she made a great starting protagonist, her FTEs with the rest of the cast being bright and enjoyable. She wanted to see the best in everyone, but she didn't hesitate to stand up for herself when needed, such as against Miu. Her talent something that didn't tie into the story - not Ultimate Hope, nor Ultimate Detective. Just a pianist. The game really made sure her death would hit hard. Doing her FTE in the Salmon Team segment made me miss her even harder.
Overall, I enjoyed playing as Shuichi. I liked his meek personality despite being Ultimate Detective (his voice felt soothing to listen to), and unlike Naegi or Hajime he did cry several times during his moments of sadness, which felt refreshing to see. Watching others like Kaito pick him up felt heartwarming, and Shuichi does go through some nice development, trying to accept his role as the Ultimate Detective and carrying on, culminating in him giving the giant middle finger to Danganronpa itself, as well facing off against the will of the audience.
At the same time, I feel conflicted about him. Kaede gets killed off to be replaced by yet another male protagonist following the format after Naegi and Hajime. I wonder if the game had gone the same way had Kaede's and Shuichi's roles were flipped, or if Kaede's hype and protagonist status was necessary to make V3-1 as impactful as it was. In addition, Shuichi in ways feels like Hajime but even more plain, but I blame the fact that outside his detective backstory, Shuichi feels more... generic? Like, Hajime feels like a character that can stand on his own even without the Izuru twist.
But perhaps Shuichi being that plain and generic was the point in a way. After all, Tsumugi wrote his character, and he was a regular person (supposedly, if we believe Tsumugi's words) before taking part in the killing game. I suppose Shuichi is sort of a contrast to Hajime's arc. Instead of a talentless boy turning out to have every talent in the form of a split personality, we have a boy with a talent turning out to have nothing, it was all fake and lies.
The Cast of the Killing Game
The characters overall pleased me a lot, and for the most part it felt like everyone played their part in the story and developed in a way, rather than feeling like a waste of a survivor slot due to not being utilized/developed much. I was also pleasantly surprised by several characters.
Kaito was a big one because I expected him to play the silly goof role ala Hagakure, instead he ended up being a bright star in the darkness (ha) with his encouragements and attempts to break Maki out of her shell. His illness was a surprise because it was unprecedented in the series, bringing into question what happens if he dies. Sure enough, he dies right in the middle of his own execution, pissing off Monokuma in a way that wasn't seen since DR1-5.
Himiko was another surprise. I remembered her being one of the final survivors, and her initial dull and uninteresting character made me worried for the finale. Thankfully I was wrong, and Himiko gets an impressive dose of development all the way through, making her one of my favorites in the end.
Kokichi is a fantastic character who improved on Nagito's antagonistic/fearsome image, without being a Nagito Expy. (It probably helps that he isn't Ultimate Bullshit, haha. And I say that as someone who likes Nagito.) And then there's his unforgettable troll moment in V3-3.
This line caught me entirely off-guard, and the sheer absurdity of Keebo accusing a hydraulic press had me dying of laughter.
Speaking of Keebo, he's easily one of my favorites and I'm still sad he didn't make it until the end, though I now understand why, making his death feel less painful.
Korekiyo I feel split on. On one hand, I found him creepy and unpleasant, but in a good way - he's the kind of character who's good to hate. On the other hand, as a Sociology student, I am fond of Anthropology and his enthusiasm about his talent made me glee. Oh, yeah, can't forget SEESAW EFFECT.
I liked the Monokubs, albeit they were intentionally grating, which does get called out in V3-6.
I want to elaborate on Tsumugi later down, given that she is the mastermind.
Heart-pounding Excitement
The game improved on the visual and audio presentation all around. The music is fantastic as usual and gave us lots of memorable tracks. Everything looks and sounds great, the trials stand out way more with the dynamic 3D phrases.
I think the cases were well done despite their sheer absurdity at points (looking at you, SEESAW EFFECT), and generally had me guessing about either the culprit or how the case actually played out.
I already talked about V3-1. V3-4 felt like the most heartbreaking case in the franchise because of how innocent Gonta is, to the point Shuichi theorized that he killed only because of the glitch messing with his personality. V3-5 was very much intense even if I figured out Kaito being alive fairly early. V3-6 deserves its own section, for obvious reason.
That leaves V3-2 and V3-3. I enjoyed V3-2 and it hit me badly because I had just maxed Kirumi in Chapter 2 without knowing she was the culprit. The irony of the Ultimate Maid not being able to clean up her damning evidence stung too. V3-3 felt the weakest because, well... if it hadn't been for
The minigames are also fantastic all around. I don't really have anything negative to say about them, aside from the Mean difficulty in the Casino being, well... mean.
Oh, yeah, Treasure Hunter Monolith has the most obnoxious and repetitive music ever. It's probably on purpose, though.
- Hangman's Gambit finally doesn't suck to play, even if some of the phrases were a pain to figure out.
- Psyche Taxi is a fun take on Hajime's Logic Dive. Mind Mine isn't much of a biggie within the trials, but I've been having a blast with the Treasure Hunter Monolith in the casino.
- Debate Scrum is exciting with its unforgettable earworm song.
- Argument Armament is a take on PTA/BTB that didn't feel confusing to figure out. (I tripped on PTA for too long...) Not to mention the final Argument Armanent being one hell of a final boss battle in its own right.
- Mass Panic Debate was an interesting way to shake up the Non-Stop Debates.
- Lying also felt like a good way to shake up the trials, especially when Kokichi calls you out on lying to him in V3-4.
The post-game is packed with lots of things to do, including the Talent Development Plan board game and a dungeon crawler minigame I haven't reached yet at the time of writing this post, but I'm looking forward to playing them.
Ultimate Real Fiction
It feels weird to say given when I initially posted, but I don't hate this twist anymore. Now that I see what it was all about, I appreciate it, even. It did something completely unexpected and turned things upside down.
Shuichi and the remaining survivors felt the despair and denial upon the revelations. Their feelings and experiences were real! But it's not just the characters feeling this deep, real upset - the player does as well.
I still remember how I felt confused, angry and betrayed after watching the livestream of V3-6. "I stayed up until early morning for this absolute bullshit?!" But in retrospect, while I may have gotten some matters wrong (such as thinking this was a middle finger towards the fans), those negative feelings were all part of the experience.
We're usually safe behind the screen as we play games or read stories. We may identify with the characters and through them experience the story, but at the end of the day, we get to walk away feeling safe. V3, in comparison, threatens the player as well, taunting that everything you knew of the franchise was a lie. The struggles you witnessed were all fictional. Tsumugi's cosplays not only threaten the cast, but directly the player as well. "Look at all your beloved characters, I wear them and act like them like nothing!" It was horrifying in its own, unique way. Watching Tsumugi copy those beloved catchphrases and mannerisms felt like a very real punch.
So here we are thinking, if it's all fiction and a lie, what's the point? We're on the verge of giving up. It's all ridiculous, the game pulled this on us! Why, Spike Chunsoft? Why, Kodaka?
But Shuichi isn't budging. Out of everyone, the one character who often felt hesitant and discouraged, Shuichi refuses to give in. He insists that despite being fictional characters, their experiences and feelings were all real. Fiction has the power to change the world, contrasting Tsumugi's statements and seeming control of fiction.
I can see how the portrayal of the audience comes off as a jab towards Danganronpa fans, but I didn't feel it this time around. I wanted to help Shuichi and the others stop the game, not because I didn't want Danganronpa to go on, but because I wanted to help them face this situation and fight with them. I wanted them to live, even if it meant opposing the world itself.
Facing Keebo - or rather, the will of the audience - made for a powerful final battle. You weren't fighting Junko anymore, or Tsumugi herself. Shuichi was reaching out to the audience itself, trying to change their mind. Trying to change our minds. It's a very unique and meta moment which feels satisfying to finish, up to the refusal of playing along with the minigames. The story isn't in control anymore. It's not in Tsumugi's control anymore, nor Team Danganronpa's.
The audience itself through Keebo ends the killing game, executes Tsumugi and also breaks the wall, literally. Left with Tsumugi's last words, the final survivors look towards their future with uncertainty, unsure what they find in the outside world.
I originally questioned where you could go from this ending, and what was the point of an ending like this. But perhaps this absolute uncertainty is what we needed this time around. Instead of hints of what happens next and eventually, we are left with questions and no answers. It reminds me a lot of the ending of DR1 - Did Junko lie about the outside world? What is the outside world like? What happens to the survivors after they step outside HPA?
On Tsumugi, the Mastermind
As I noted, I want to talk a little about Tsumugi herself. Just a little.
I was surprised that I ended up liking her and enjoying her as a character. She doesn't develop as a character until V3-6 aside from spouting references. But perhaps it's her plainness and flaws that led me to appreciate her. Unlike the rest of the cast, she isn't over the top or standing out, and unlike Junko, she's no legendary villain, but a mere copycat. She doesn't get propped up as something mighty to fight, and her unveiling is rather anti-climatic as well. She's just... there. However, her passion is admirable, yet very much dangerous and misguided.
Her FTEs also felt very relatable and well-written, I easily enjoyed her the most given how down to earth they felt compared to the others'.
Lastly, I look like her somewhat (most notably the hair and the glasses - not the hair color though), so that makes me feel a little more attached.
I can see why she isn't liked, however. She killed Kaede, she taunted the players with her cosplays, she's no Junko. She's a fan who pushes matters too far for the sake of the series she loves and worships. She has little to no personality until the finale, and even then, who knows if that really is her or just how she was written?
Closing Words
Despite my initial disappointment and negativity, I don't regret buying the game and playing through it. I'm glad I did. Chances I'll be playing this game for quite a while thanks to the post-game and the achievements.
In the end, I could ask the question, was it good that my experiences ended up like this? Should I have gone in blind from the get-go? I am not sure, but I'm glad things played out the way they did and created my personal experience.
The 60 Euro price is tough to swallow however, especially with VAT coming into play, even though I can see why this game costs more than the previous ones. I was relieved I could grab it at a discount, in any case.
I recommend Danganronpa V3. Thrilling, daring, and makes you think.
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